The Past

Condaleeza Rice in May of this year, responding to allegations in Scott McClellan’s book ‘What Happened’ that the Bush administration knew the intelligence on Iraq’s links to terrorism was flawed:

“You can’t transplant yourself into the present and say we should have known things that we, in fact, did not know in 2001, 2002, 2003. The record on weapons of mass destruction was one that appeared to be very clear.”

Yes, it appeared to be very clear indeed. The weapons inspectors stated categorically that there were no WMD. Ambassador Joe Wilson gave evidence that the reports of yellowcake uranium from Niger were erroneous. It appeared to be very clear indeed that there were no WMD in Iraq.

However, that is not what you want to hear. You want to hear Secretary Rice say that there was no way you could have known, so that you can still feel justified for supporting the rush to war.

Johnny will tell you the past the way you want it to have been.

Johnny knows that none of the problems facing America are due to your apathy, your ineptitude, your willingness to be led down the easy path by a corrupt government, rather than going to the effort of forming your own judgements based on evidence and common sense. You couldn’t have known. It’s not your fault.

Johnny won’t make you face up to your past – he’ll condemn you to repeat it.