Bush's obscenity.

• Author: Rothschild, Matthew
• Position: Editor's Note

On October 3, President Bush uttered one of the grossest obscenities imaginable: "War may be unavoidable."

War is almost always avoidable. In the case of Iraq, it is particularly avoidable, since Iraq has not attacked the United States and is in no position to do so.

It's only "unavoidable" because Bush so desperately wants to go to war.

When Saddam Hussein said he woud let U.N. inspectors back in without conditions, Bush pooh-poohed the offer, calling it unacceptable.

How Bush could then say, with a straight face, that "we didn't ask for this challenge" is beyond me.

Then, pouring it on, he added, "None of us here today desire to see military conflict because we know the awful nature of war."

Actually, I doubt Bush has any appreciation of the awful nature of war, and his desire for military conflict against Iraq is on display for all to see.

These rhetorical feints are mere calisthenics before the heavy lifting of the bombs, a ritual clearing of the throat before the war whoop.

Every day, when I leave the office, I ask myself whether I've done enough to try to stop this war. I've been writing op-eds, going on radio shows, updating the web page, speaking at demonstrations, and marching in protests. But still I feel inadequate to the task at hand.

I was cheered, however, by a letter I got recently from a group called Mothers Against War:

"Dear Progressive Editor, Michael Klare, David Cortright, and Howard Zinn: Your informative articles in your June, August, and October issues have galvanized a small group of mothers to launch a grassroots organization, an Internet protest movement, that could fire the imagination of so many of our friends who shudder from the hideous memories of previous wars.... We are appalled at the notion of our own beloved country turning into warmongers and aggressors."

The group invites any Americans who "loathe and fear the idea of invading Iraq" to...