veterans for peace >> Recommendations >> Nothing for the Nation: Who Got What Out of Iraq by John Hostettler

nothing for the nation

Nothing for the Nation: Who Got What Out of Iraq (2008). $19.95
Hon. John N. Hostettler
Publius House, Evansville, IN
126 pp. with Appendices, Notes & Index plus Preface
ISBN 978-0-9800588-0-2

Former Indiana Eighth District Congressman John Hostettler, one of only six Republicans to vote against S.J.Res. 23, “Authorization for the Use of Military Force” in Iraq, provides a concise, compelling and comprehensive, well documented rationale for this bold act that he admits was the costliest vote he ever cast. Hostettler’s efficient and effective narrative takes the reader through his doggedly determined quest to understand the justification for the war in the face of considerable pressure from his party and constituency to “go along”.

Hostettler, ever-embracing the “independent and conservative” moniker, explicates his honest, fact-driven quest (borderline obsession) for the justification for putting American lives in harm’s way. His conclusion was that there was insufficient justification—no proof of weapons of mass destruction or their locations; no evidence of a link between Iraq and al Queda; no evidence that Iraq posed an imminent threat to the U.S. or its interests; and no other overarching national interest in invading Iraq. He memorialized this conclusion in his floor statement on October 8, 2002. His statement is included as Appendix B.

The Federalist Papers, the Holy Grail supporting conservative/libertarian policy positions, provide the framework for Hostettler’s investigation and set the benchmarks for proof of the necessity of war. Specifically, Hostettler relies heavily on the writings of John Quincy Adams, whom he quotes frequently. Using this framework, Hostettler shares the content of Pentagon briefings, published accounts, and personal observations as the grist to evaluate proffered “evidence” in support of war. He clearly had the advantage of being an “insider” who was privy to information that few “ordinary citizens” had, although he refers to himself as a House “Back Bencher”.

Hostettler’s version of the flimsy evidence in the run up to the invasion was prescient and while problematic for him at the time, has been vindicated by the events since March, 2003. Lest one be confused, Hostettler is still a partisan who does not forego opportunities to directly criticize President & Senator Clinton, Senator Kerry and other Democrats. But, this criticism is grounded in the simple, clear-headed principle that drove his deliberation: we need to be absolutely sure of the necessity before we commit American lives in war. He leads the reader to doubt that most of our elected officials at the time operated from this principle.

So, having found the “official” justification for the war wanting, Hostettler set out to find what the “real” reason was. I’ll not divulge the conclusion, but it won’t surprise many critics of the Bush administration and the war to know that there were (are) multiple reasons. A surprise is that one of them is not oil! True to his conservative roots, Hostettler finds clues to the “real” reason in the Federalist Papers.

He effectively uses the perspective of the “normal person”, as distinguished from the “smart people” in government to blow holes in the stated reasons for war. In one instance, he even cites a remarkably incisive question from a college journalism student put to someone “in the know” (a flummoxed Robert Novak) in July 2007 about the existence of weapons of mass destruction. Novak, an indisputable White House insider, alluded to “sources” in the administration that raised significant doubt of the existence of weapons of mass destruction. In other instances, the answers to queries from Hostettler were either not responsive to the question, illogical obfuscations or both. Using this “normal person” perspective, Hostettler debunks the administration’s justification for the war and Congress’ complicity in abandoning their Constitutional responsibility regarding declaring war.

Hostettler effectively uses what seems to be his innate curiosity in combination with the disciplined thinking required of being a successful mechanical engineer before being elected to the House to pursue answers to his questions. His straightforward, clear and direct writing style delivers his message quite effectively.

Hostettler is not a veteran of military service, but he understands the enormous implications of committing the American military to combat. For that understanding and for his willingness to take an unpopular and politically costly, but reasoned and thoughtful stand against committing troops without a clearly compelling reason, Hostettler deserves the praise and thanks of America’s veterans and military families. That he apparently didn’t try or succeed in convincing more of his colleagues to adopt his position is at least regrettable, for on October 10, 2002, the Congress granted the President the authority to “…use all necessary and appropriate force against those nations, organizations, or persons he determines planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001…” (p. 106).

As of this writing, the invasion and occupation of Iraq has cost 4080 American lives and an estimated 1.2 million Iraqi lives—this in spite of “justifications” for the war that shouldn’t have passed anyone’s smell test. There is plenty of blame to go around.

I am a combat disabled Vietnam veteran and registered Democrat who was not a fan of John Hostettler during his 12 years as my representative. I strongly oppose the invasion and occupation of Iraq. This book made me angry. It made me cry.

Its description of the manipulation of “facts” to fit a foregone conclusion and complicity is disheartening. I respect Hostettler as a vigilant and persistent champion of what’s right. His account lays bare the deadly processes of a “go along to get along” orientation and the failure of incumbents of elective office to responsibly execute their Constitutional responsibilities that produces the ongoing consequences we struggle with today.

Oh, that this arrogance and acquiescence would have produced Nothing for the Nation instead of hundreds of thousands of deaths and disabilities—on all sides, entanglement in a quagmire, and little hope for a tolerable resolution—consequences with which the nation will be dealing interminably!