"Cocksure Surge Opponents, Drunk on Their Own Vindication, Will Get to Enjoy Their Season of Humility"
By Bill Dupray Posted in War — Comments (95) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
David Brooks has a brilliant piece in the New York Times. It is the most clear eyed, dead-on balls accurate analysis of how President Bush's unwavering leadership and courage, in the face of a storm of opponents in both parties and around the world, led to the successful resolution of the Iraq War. You realize by the end of the piece that Bush will go down on this issue, lefty bleating notwithstanding, as one of the most resolute and tenacious leaders our country has known. Take 3 minutes and read the whole thing.
Let’s go back and consider how the world looked in the winter of 2006-2007. Iraq was in free fall, with horrific massacres and ethnic cleansing that sent a steady stream of bad news across the world media. The American public delivered a stunning electoral judgment against the Iraq war, the Republican Party and President Bush.
Expert and elite opinion swung behind the Baker-Hamilton report, which called for handing more of the problems off to the Iraqi military and wooing Iran and Syria. Republicans on Capitol Hill were quietly contemptuous of the president while Democrats were loudly so.
Democratic leaders like Senator Harry Reid considered the war lost. Barack Obama called for a U.S. withdrawal starting in the spring of 2007, while Senator Reid offered legislation calling for a complete U.S. pullback by March 2008.
The utter lack of leadership displayed by these feckless pacifists is breathtaking. Had we heeded their advice, it would have resulted in murderous chaos in Iraq, the loss of the war, and the loss of American prestige and credibility in the world and among our allies in following through on our promises. And keep in mind, they said all these things not because they thought it would be good for America. They took their position solely to tag Bush with the loss of the war. These quality people sold out their country for political expediency.
Brooks thinks Bush's stubbornness and confidence, which infuriates the left so much, is exactly the trait that caused him to double-down on the surge.
In these circumstances, it’s amazing that George Bush decided on the surge. And looking back, one thing is clear: Every personal trait that led Bush to make a hash of the first years of the war led him to make a successful decision when it came to this crucial call.
Bush is a stubborn man. Well, without that stubbornness, that unwillingness to accept defeat on his watch, he never would have bucked the opposition to the surge.
Brooks is right that Bush is confident and stubborn. But that is not all of it. He also believes in American Greatness and American Exceptionalism. The notion that if America wants to do something badly enough, she will not be denied, is in his blood. It is merely a matter of the right leadership.
The war is won. And, as on the battlefield, there are winners and losers on the political side. Brooks notes that the clearer the win, the clearer become the faces of the losers.
And now the cocksure surge opponents, drunk on their own vindication, will get to enjoy their season of humility. They have already gone through the stages of intellectual denial. First, they simply disbelieved that the surge and the Petraeus strategy was doing any good. Then they accused people who noticed progress in Iraq of duplicity and derangement. Then they acknowledged military, but not political, progress. Lately they have skipped over to the argument that Iraq is progressing so well that the U.S. forces can quickly come home.
But before long, the more honest among the surge opponents will concede that Bush, that supposed dolt, actually got one right. Some brave souls might even concede that if the U.S. had withdrawn in the depths of the chaos, the world would be in worse shape today.
How many names are on the list of "the more honest among the surge opponents" who will concede Bush got one right? Not Barack Obama. Not Harry Reid. Not Nancy Pelosi. This year, those are the Democrats whose opinions count, and they are neither honest nor brave.
H/T Rose
Also find Bill Dupray at The Patriot Room
We haven't won, yet. I'm pretty certain that the terrorists are going to try to hold out until after the elections, in the hopes that a President Obama (God forbid) will bring about a "last helicopter out of Saigon" scenario. We can probably even expect one last, big offensive just before the elections in the hopes of enabling the MSM to force a last-minute leftward swing in the polls (like the Tet offensive in Vietnam).
That being said, thank God that we didn't turn the country over to that traitor back in 2004.
___________________________________________________
"You can't save the Earth unless you're willing to make other people sacrifice" - Scott Adams (speaking through Dogbert)
blog featuring Brooks' column.
Mike DeVine’s Charlotte Observer columns
www.theminorityreportblog.com
"The way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to stop discriminating on the basis of race." - The Chief Justice
Great minds think alike.
as satan mocking scripture!
more later
Mike DeVine’s Charlotte Observer columns
www.theminorityreportblog.com
"The way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to stop discriminating on the basis of race." - The Chief Justice
It was his finest hour.
He saved Iraq and our honor with his guts and perseverence.
"Democratic leaders like Senator Harry Reid considered the war lost. Barack Obama called for a U.S. withdrawal starting in the spring of 2007, while Senator Reid offered legislation calling for a complete U.S. pullback by March 2008."
Question for the fall debates:
Senator Obama, you advocated troop withdrawal from Iraq in 2007 that would have left the Al Qaeda in Iraq organization intact. That group has since been destroyed in the past 18 months through the success of the Surge strategy. Do you believe your advocacy of withdrawal was a mistake? And if not, would any Americans have to die before we militarily take on Al Qaeda in Iraq again in your administration?
... would be for Obama to simply acknowledge the truth. It would absolutely kill the issue. But Democrats can't MoveOn. They have a pathological fear of admitting that anything Bush has ever done is right.
In fact, I think were Obama to participate in the declaration of victory in Iraq, he'd win in a landslide. People aren't really thinking about Iraq this year. They are thinking about their houses losing equity and the price of energy, and it's far more difficult to figure out that Obama is wrong about those things, too.
--
We would also like to know your advice for somebody like my daughter, who's going to graduate in two years, advice that you would give a young person.
SEC. RUMSFELD: Advice for a young person. Study history.
Call it victory. Have a parade. Put a big banner on an Air Craft Carrier. What ever you want.
Most Americans aren't going to think we've won until our troops stop dying and start coming home.
Until there is a clearly defined endgame and that endgame is achieved, there is no victory.
"Broadly speaking, liberalism emphasizes individual rights and equality of opportunity. ... including extensive freedom of thought and speech, limitations on the power of governments, the rule of law, the free exchange of ideas, a market or mixed economy,
What is it you are looking for exactly ?
It seems you are speaking in code.
"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."
-Thomas Paine: The American Crisis, No. 4, 1777
More than 20 Americans have died in Iraq this month.
We have over 100k soldiers there.
It's costing us $10 Billion+ each month.
Is this the endgame?
"Broadly speaking, liberalism emphasizes individual rights and equality of opportunity. ... including extensive freedom of thought and speech, limitations on the power of governments, the rule of law, the free exchange of ideas, a market or mixed economy,
But only an idiot could interpret the statistics the way you are.
In the Age group of people 24-34 years old the death rate per hundred thousand is 180/yr.
In our military during peacetime we average a thousand deaths a year.
So yes this is the endgame.
"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."
-Thomas Paine: The American Crisis, No. 4, 1777
Nice
"Broadly speaking, liberalism emphasizes individual rights and equality of opportunity. ... including extensive freedom of thought and speech, limitations on the power of governments, the rule of law, the free exchange of ideas, a market or mixed economy,
"First you win the argument, then you win the vote." - MARGARET THATCHER.
So let's start winning the argument.
As a fiscal conservative, I have a problem with anything that drains us like that.
"Broadly speaking, liberalism emphasizes individual rights and equality of opportunity. ... including extensive freedom of thought and speech, limitations on the power of governments, the rule of law, the free exchange of ideas, a market or mixed economy,
"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."
-Thomas Paine: The American Crisis, No. 4, 1777
If we could buy peace, I would. If we could buy the end of hunger and disease, I would. If we could buy the end of evil, I would.
Since we can't do any of the above, I wouldn't waste money on any of the above.
I just I just don't have the same faith in Nana-Fed as you.
"Broadly speaking, liberalism emphasizes individual rights and equality of opportunity. ... including extensive freedom of thought and speech, limitations on the power of governments, the rule of law, the free exchange of ideas, a market or mixed economy,
Since we can't buy an absolute end to evil, we shouldn't bother resisting it.
I guess I want my money back for WWII then. Oh wait - maybe I don't...
Funny thing - you are taking the liberal, trust government and I am taking the conservative, trust people approach.
ironic.
"Broadly speaking, liberalism emphasizes individual rights and equality of opportunity. ... including extensive freedom of thought and speech, limitations on the power of governments, the rule of law, the free exchange of ideas, a market or mixed economy,
And it shows.
"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."
-Thomas Paine: The American Crisis, No. 4, 1777
"Broadly speaking, liberalism emphasizes individual rights and equality of opportunity. ... including extensive freedom of thought and speech, limitations on the power of governments, the rule of law, the free exchange of ideas, a market or mixed economy,
You are trying to argue points not even understanding the philosophical underpinning the points you are making.
Here is a hint. A war of liberation is not a nanny state activity.
While GWB may be far to liberal in his domestic activities he is most conservative in his understanding that freedom is only diminished when all don't share in it.
"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."
-Thomas Paine: The American Crisis, No. 4, 1777
...most people here at RedState trust the free market to effect necessary shifts and modulations toward the domestic, social good. They do not trust the free market to do that in unfree societies. Especially not where it concerns the economic and extant well-being of the USA. That is actually fairly consistent.
/NOT BEING SARCASTIC.
My own thoughts are a little more metaphysical.
I would observe that freedom is not something that we own but hold in trust, nor is it a gift for us alone but something we are tasked with giving to the world.
We are truly a blessed people because we managed to implement these principles for ourselves. We have been privileged to be able to pass them on to others. But as long as there are those suffering under slavery or tyranny we should count our own freedom and liberty incomplete and false.
"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."
-Thomas Paine: The American Crisis, No. 4, 1777
...but feel military force is inadvisable to achieve those goals in many, many cases in which the USA has historically used military force (and, of course, not in some others). But I think our general motive is the same, so hopefully we understand each other well enough to not attack each other unduly on this point. Not that you have, of course.
You are smart. I get it. But that doesn't give you immunity from being wrong and hubris is always around the corner from smart people.
I don't think there is an IQ test required to post on RedState (I may be wrong) but I thought there was a level of civility required.
(and don't try to explain you way out of calling me an idiot - it would only make you look weak)
"Broadly speaking, liberalism emphasizes individual rights and equality of opportunity. ... including extensive freedom of thought and speech, limitations on the power of governments, the rule of law, the free exchange of ideas, a market or mixed economy,
What was said. If you chose to tar yourself with that brush fine.
As to the IQ test there isn't one but there is a prohibition against using talking points. Which is exactly what you were doing vis a vis the death rate in Iraq.
P.S. If you use terms you clearly don't understand and in a fashion designed to irritate expect a forceful response.
"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."
-Thomas Paine: The American Crisis, No. 4, 1777
You trust that the woman being raped will get out of it somehow, without any benefactor, because you trust people to be able to defend themselves against evil, and if they don't, well, tough.
So to expand your point, not only is the military not necessary, but any police presence either. We can just all trust each other.
Geez.
They'll be interested to know that the military is just one big social program.
I am beginning to smell Ron Paul nearby...
The military's role in my opinion is to protect the interests of the United States.
I don't believe it's role is to guarantee the freedoms of people around the world or to try to eliminate evil.
For the record, I supported and continue to support the war in Iraq. I don't think Bush managed it properly and I don't think its over.
I do think McCain would have handled it and will handle it much better.
"Broadly speaking, liberalism emphasizes individual rights and equality of opportunity. ... including extensive freedom of thought and speech, limitations on the power of governments, the rule of law, the free exchange of ideas, a market or mixed economy,
Eliminating evil and guaranteeing freedom, whenever and wherever it can, is ALWAYS in the best interest of the United States.
You have a problem to address in that regard, IMO. And why do you support the war, then complain about the price tag? It seems like it has to be one or the other.
we didn't eliminate communism from the peninsula, but we now have a modern democratic state as an ally. True it was costly, and we have never "gotten out", and you can make an argument that the cold war was not worthwhile. But the fact remains that millions of people are free and were freed because of our actions.
"Nothing works like freedom, Nothing succeeds like liberty"
Kyle
We avoided a costly, bogged down war with China which is good.
The Commies are still in power and building nukes which is bad.
If there is a transition to a unified Korea and nobody gets nuked, that you can say we won. We aren't there yet.
"Broadly speaking, liberalism emphasizes individual rights and equality of opportunity. ... including extensive freedom of thought and speech, limitations on the power of governments, the rule of law, the free exchange of ideas, a market or mixed economy,
Mike DeVine’s Charlotte Observer columns
www.theminorityreportblog.com
"The way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to stop discriminating on the basis of race." - The Chief Justice
If you kill people first, you stop them from being the victims of tyranny.
Makes perfect sense.
"Broadly speaking, liberalism emphasizes individual rights and equality of opportunity. ... including extensive freedom of thought and speech, limitations on the power of governments, the rule of law, the free exchange of ideas, a market or mixed economy,
Or this gentleman
"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."
-Thomas Paine: The American Crisis, No. 4, 1777
You think we should have nuked China?
Should we go to war anywhere and with anyone who is evil?
Personally, I don't think its the US role to eliminate evil in the world. I think there is a higher power to deal with that.
"Broadly speaking, liberalism emphasizes individual rights and equality of opportunity. ... including extensive freedom of thought and speech, limitations on the power of governments, the rule of law, the free exchange of ideas, a market or mixed economy,
Or do you think there is a higher power to deal with that?
Yes. I would happily blow that rapist's head off.
There is a difference between an indivisual and a government. I just don't have the faith that government is the solution to these kinds of problems.
"Broadly speaking, liberalism emphasizes individual rights and equality of opportunity. ... including extensive freedom of thought and speech, limitations on the power of governments, the rule of law, the free exchange of ideas, a market or mixed economy,
George Bush and the United States of America has spared Iraq from the horrors of the remainder of Saddam Hussein's rein, as well as the eventual horrors of Uday and Quasay's reign.
And since the government HAS been the solution to exactly those kinds of problems, and the ONLY solution, your point otherwise begs some form of support.
...a cliched point, yeah, but if you posit the US as the global destroyer of evil -- especially in the way you do it -- you open the door to questions about why every single evil isn't being confronted with the same sort of force we'd use on a rapist in action. Unless you advocate a seemingly unlimited deployment of US forces -- in Sudan, in Zimbabwe, everywhere there's a dictatorship -- you're advocating a filter on our military's deployment and so in agreement with the same sort of cost-benefit analysis that you are attempting to make a point against.
"Broadly speaking, liberalism emphasizes individual rights and equality of opportunity. ... including extensive freedom of thought and speech, limitations on the power of governments, the rule of law, the free exchange of ideas, a market or mixed economy,
We are occupied at the moment.
One great crusade at a time.
"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."
-Thomas Paine: The American Crisis, No. 4, 1777
The point is simple. If you can help, you help. The fact is that military resources are limited, so we need to start where it serves our national interest most. Iraq is that case, as is Afghanistan. Maybe you believe the U.N. can handle things, or maybe you believe that dictatorships are too big of a pain to oppose anyway.
Eliminating evil generally coincides with our use of force. We're the good guys - remember?
So where is your threshold? Since it isn't $10 billion, is $9 billion OK? Or only $5 billion? Or $10 billion overall, with expenditures not to exceed $1 billion per year, $500 million per quarter?
Or do you just do the right thing?
BTW try answering the question. There are countless dead because we opted for a truce with China in Korea.
Those that I mentioned aren't even the tip of the iceberg. I am not even considering the danger the world is in from NoKos willingness to hand over nukes to anyone with a couple bucks.
"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."
-Thomas Paine: The American Crisis, No. 4, 1777
just because we can't help everyone doesn't mean we shouldn't help anyone.
Mike DeVine’s Charlotte Observer columns
www.theminorityreportblog.com
"The way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to stop discriminating on the basis of race." - The Chief Justice
plenty more where they came from.
"Nothing works like freedom, Nothing succeeds like liberty"
Kyle
quickly in Japan? yes
Were lives lost when we allowed Stalin to take Eastern Europe? yes
Mike DeVine’s Charlotte Observer columns
www.theminorityreportblog.com
"The way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to stop discriminating on the basis of race." - The Chief Justice
...would not have prevented tyranny there. I don't see any historical argument there.
"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."
-Thomas Paine: The American Crisis, No. 4, 1777
...anyone can think that nuking China would've resulted in the sole world history difference of North Korea not being, in 2008, a tyranny. These "single change, single effect" hypothetical histories are a misuse of history. And when the "single change" is nuking China, even more so.
Nuking them being the willingness to do what was needed to win.
It would be my thesis that winning the Korean war would have initiated a reverse domino scenario in southeast Asia, perhaps china as well.
While Korea was hard for us it was downright crippling for china. They had very high casualty losses and even greater material losses. If we had of pressed the conflict they would have lost big.
While not certain, it is reasonable to speculate Mao's government would had the same problems the soviet government had post Afghanistan. At the very least it would have given leeway for the Tibetans and the Formosans to undertake shenanigans.
History isn't really predictive but usually losing isn't good for the loser.
"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."
-Thomas Paine: The American Crisis, No. 4, 1777
if we would have backed Chaing instead of believing the communists at the NYT and the traitors in the state dept.
SIGH, some things never change.
"Nothing works like freedom, Nothing succeeds like liberty"
Kyle
dropped nukes. Korea would have been whole and free, and see Joli' below for the dominos
Mike DeVine’s Charlotte Observer columns
www.theminorityreportblog.com
"The way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to stop discriminating on the basis of race." - The Chief Justice
endgames in the late 70s and 90s were more us military deaths than in the Iraq War
soldiers seem to have more accidents when not a war
Mike DeVine’s Charlotte Observer columns
www.theminorityreportblog.com
"The way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to stop discriminating on the basis of race." - The Chief Justice
Meant no more terrorism in the US, then, Hell Yeah, it was worth it.
I don't think we can make that correlation.
Since Iraq had nothing (or practically nothing) to do with 9-11, I don't think we've stopped terrorism by our success there.
After the first Trade Center attack we went 8 years before the next one on US soil.
"Broadly speaking, liberalism emphasizes individual rights and equality of opportunity. ... including extensive freedom of thought and speech, limitations on the power of governments, the rule of law, the free exchange of ideas, a market or mixed economy,
Beirut Marine Barracks
Cobar Towers
USS Cole
Nairobi
Dar es Salam
Beirut Embassy
Dhahran
Pan Am 103
LaBelle Disco in West Berlin.
What do these things have in common. They were all before 9/11
What is missing ??
"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."
-Thomas Paine: The American Crisis, No. 4, 1777
Dumb.
How many Americans died from terrorists after the Iraq invasion?
Over 4k
Stupid argument.
"Broadly speaking, liberalism emphasizes individual rights and equality of opportunity. ... including extensive freedom of thought and speech, limitations on the power of governments, the rule of law, the free exchange of ideas, a market or mixed economy,
Or would you like to do the smart thing and back away from it.
"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."
-Thomas Paine: The American Crisis, No. 4, 1777
Utopia worldwide are successes. I would assume that Stalin or Mao came the closest.
Mike DeVine’s Charlotte Observer columns
www.theminorityreportblog.com
"The way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to stop discriminating on the basis of race." - The Chief Justice
Gracefully. At this point it is kind of like fishing in a barrel.
"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."
-Thomas Paine: The American Crisis, No. 4, 1777
that Mussolini could have achieved perfection. There was a lot less bloodshed and the trains...you know.
Guess we'll find out whether America falls for the whole strong man thing. Oceans may stop rising and we may be able to heal the sick.
The free exchange of ideas inevitably yields both heat and light.
"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."
-Thomas Paine: The American Crisis, No. 4, 1777
The free exchange of ideas inevitably yields both heat and light.
sucked in every would be Jihadist and terrorist in the world for a couple of years. We killed them by the thousands and now guess what? there are not so much of them around anymore are there?
true we might have to do that once every generation or so.
"Nothing works like freedom, Nothing succeeds like liberty"
Kyle
Iran certainly has a strong influence in Iraq.
The Taliban are on the move. Pakistan has negotiated co-existence with AQ.
And I'm not sure there isn't a Tet-type event to play out in Iraq.
How much safer is Israel?
I hope for the best and would take the example of Korea that you gave. We'll see if WOT is really over.
"Broadly speaking, liberalism emphasizes individual rights and equality of opportunity. ... including extensive freedom of thought and speech, limitations on the power of governments, the rule of law, the free exchange of ideas, a market or mixed economy,
Mike DeVine’s Charlotte Observer columns
www.theminorityreportblog.com
"The way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to stop discriminating on the basis of race." - The Chief Justice
Iran. President Bush hasn't come right out and said it, but Iran is a hegemonically oriented state, and they eyed the weakened Iraqi state with its majority Shiite population as easy pickings. We simply got there before the Iranians did. Would you have rather had the Iranians controlling the captured Iraqi state? You don't even try to understand the reality of the situation do you?.
Tim Schieferecke
for taking down Saddam. If we'd left him alone, we'd have two expansionist states with (for all we'd know) WMD's pointed at each other as well as both at Israel and our own deployments. Saddam also had the ability to block or at least disrupt the Strait of Hormuz anytime he wanted.
Anyone who doesn't see these and the other compelling reasons is not someone we want to trust with the big geostrategic picture.
When I read that, I thought you were being sarcastic. You actually think 20 makes your point?
No more commenting during Happy Hour.
also find Bill Dupray at The Patriot Room
Mike DeVine’s Charlotte Observer columns
www.theminorityreportblog.com
"The way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to stop discriminating on the basis of race." - The Chief Justice
I am thrilled by what has happened in Iraq in the last year. I don't think its a coincidence that when we followed the strategy that McCain had been calling for that things got better.
Sorry to burst your bubble, but I want us to win there. I just don't think we are there yet.
"Broadly speaking, liberalism emphasizes individual rights and equality of opportunity. ... including extensive freedom of thought and speech, limitations on the power of governments, the rule of law, the free exchange of ideas, a market or mixed economy,
of the Iraqis we had twice betrayed had NOTHING to do with making a succesful surge possible.
Mike DeVine’s Charlotte Observer columns
www.theminorityreportblog.com
"The way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to stop discriminating on the basis of race." - The Chief Justice
If we did it McCain's way from the beginning it would have much, much easier.
Rumsfield had the wrong strategy and Bush stayed with him too long.
"Broadly speaking, liberalism emphasizes individual rights and equality of opportunity. ... including extensive freedom of thought and speech, limitations on the power of governments, the rule of law, the free exchange of ideas, a market or mixed economy,
McCain didn't go to Turkey and make them let the other troops in.
There is nothing obvious about the argument that more troops earlier would have produced the results we have now.
We can go back and 20/20 WWII as well.
We won WWII and are winning now due to WILL TO WIN, no matter what it takes and no matter how long.
a very un-liberal thing
Mike DeVine’s Charlotte Observer columns
www.theminorityreportblog.com
"The way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to stop discriminating on the basis of race." - The Chief Justice
Turkey's refusal to allow the 4th Infantry Division passage through their country into Iraq was crucial.
It is "un-liberal" to possess the will to win, as you say. At least if the winning is to be achieved by Americans.
The title of this thread says it all and conservatives should not lose the opportunity to remind those defeatists in our midst of the consequences the Iraqi people would have faced if we had elected Kerry in 2004.
My prediction is that someday in the future George W. Bush's likeness will be on Iraqi postage stamps.
Because every single person whose opinions I hold in total contempt are against it.
"Nothing works like freedom, Nothing succeeds like liberty"
Kyle
probably had a heart attack when 20 soldiers were killed per hour sometimes. In case you haven't noticed, the Iraqi military is now carrying out missions completely independent of us and kicking butt. They're not only going after the Sunni minority terrorists, they're going after the Shiite groups as well. You're pretty ignorant aren't you?
Tim Schieferecke
Much more in some of the Pacific assaults. American History, to the extent that it is taught at all, glosses over just how bloody and brutal the Pacific War was. And if you want real carnage, you have to go to WWI and the American Civil War. At Cold Harbor, Grant took 7000 casualties in an attack that lasted little more than 20 minutes. Even when his men and even his officers were refusing to go forward, he refused to ask for a ceasefire to remove the wounded from the field as by the standards of the day, that was an admission of defeat. Consequently, almost all of the wounded died in the three days he waited to ask for a ceasefire.
In Vino Veritas
much for Lib's delicate sensibilities. Every one of our soldiers' lives is precious, but for him to say 20 soldiers being killed in one month is a sign of an endless quagmire is just crazy.
Tim Schieferecke
Obama's base really hates the war. Were Obama to show anything that looks like approval, the looniest of the toons would walk away from the election or go with Nader. It would be enough to tip things McCain's way.
of losing the war and of denying us access to our resources.
Don't think it's going to play too well with John Q. Public as we near November 4th.
I see desperation in the statements he is making about McCain and Republicans. Either he's lying or paranoid or maybe both. It doesn't make the statements look any better to view them as excuse-making for not taking public financing. 'but I can't take public financing. they are going to say I'm black, etc. etc. etc.
The free exchange of ideas inevitably yields both heat and light.
President Bush only changed The Way Forward according to the metric of the GOP losing congress in 2006. Up until then, you guys all kept telling us Rumsfeld was a genius.
Listen: %70 of Iraqis want us the hell out of Iraq. And at least %70 of Americans think this administration is full of crap and wouldn't believe them if they said water is wet.
And here we have David Brooks continuing to put lipstick on a pig while you fanboys try keep the fantasy of conservative effectiveness alive.
You had six friggin' years of total GOP control to drill ANWR and elsewhere to your heart's content. You had six g*damned years to shrink government to bathtub drowning status.
And what did you do instead?
Here's a clue: Democrats are worse isn't going to work this time.
Mike DeVine’s Charlotte Observer columns
www.theminorityreportblog.com
"The way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to stop discriminating on the basis of race." - The Chief Justice
"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."
-Thomas Paine: The American Crisis, No. 4, 1777
"President Bush only changed The Way Forward according to the metric of the GOP losing congress in 2006."
Wrong. The war has been political only to Democrats. The reason Bush changed is because he wants to win the war. You should try thinking like that sometime. Or just thinking.
"Listen: %70 of Iraqis want us the hell out of Iraq. And at least %70 of Americans think this administration is full of crap and wouldn't believe them if they said water is wet."
Where'd you get that polling data? Newsweek?
"You had six friggin' years of total GOP control to drill ANWR and elsewhere to your heart's content. You had six g*damned years to shrink government to bathtub drowning status."
And Democrats just got beamed down from the Enterprise to wrest "total control" away from the GOP?
And here's a clue for you - George Bush isn't running.
Blah blah blah blah lefty-talking-point blah blah blah Bush SUCKS blah blah blah SAVE ANWR! blah blah blah blah blah.
At least you could be an original troll. But alas, just more of the same. Yawn.
The Unofficial RedState FAQ
“You are not only responsible for what you say, but also for what you do not say. ” - Martin Luther
don't know where to put the percent sign.
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Molon Labe!
I wouldn't know: I'm an American.
Cheerio, auf Wiedersehen, au revoir, adiós, tot ziens, farvel, arrivederci, adeus.
The Fuzzy Puppy of the VRWC. I've been usurped!
... as Bush has said himself, would have been to fire Rumsfeld and to start withdrawing BEFORE the 2006 elections.
As Bush has also said: "Popularity is fleeting ... Principles are forever."
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We would also like to know your advice for somebody like my daughter, who's going to graduate in two years, advice that you would give a young person.
SEC. RUMSFELD: Advice for a young person. Study history.
discussion down here, please.
Mike DeVine’s Charlotte Observer columns
www.theminorityreportblog.com
"The way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to stop discriminating on the basis of race." - The Chief Justice
Tim Schieferecke