Oh what a tangled web we weave. Politically it seems the Democratic party that was elected into congress is between a rock and a hard place.
The major criticism of President Bush was the "claim" that he did not listen to the military commanders on the ground. Does this mean the Democratic party WILL listen? If they do, they follow the same footsteps that Bush did, therefore breaking their promises to the voters. Promises that should never have been made, because politicians do not have the military experience that Generals in the military do, therefore the rhetoric about what a "politician" thinks should be done, has no validity. They were speaking about matters they haven't the knowledge to speak of when making all those promises.
If they do not listen to the Generals and the people ON THE GROUND in Iraq, then once again, they are doing the exact same thing they "claimed" the president was doing before the elections.
Rock meet hard place.
In one exchange between General John P. Abizaid, chief of the U.S. Central Command and Hillary "Common Good" Clinton, I found great amusement at his answer to her.
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) took exception with Abizaid's talk of all the steps that the Iraqi government needs to take. "Hope is not a method," she told him. "We've had testimony now for four years about what 'must be done' -- and it doesn't get done."
Abizaid shot back: "I would also say that despair is not a method."
A Man that has been trained and has advanced to the rank of General... my question here is: When has Hillary the Communist Clinton ever worn a uniform, when has she ever commanded an Army, when has she ever fought for her country? How DARE she or any other politician think they "know more" about military operations than those that are on the ground, those that talk to the soldiers IN Iraq????
One has to wonder if Hillary has any clue as to what an ass she sounded like and how well the General slapped her down and put her in her place.
The commander, Gen. John P. Abizaid, made it clear that he did not endorse the phased troop withdrawals being proposed by Democratic lawmakers. Instead, he said the number of troops in Iraq might be increased by a small amount as part of new plans by American commanders to improve the training of the Iraqi Army.
General Abizaid did not rule out a larger troop increase, but he said the American military was stretched too thin to make such a step possible over the long term. And he said such an expansion might dissuade the Iraqis from making more of an effort to provide for their own security.
“We can put in 20,000 more Americans tomorrow and achieve a temporary effect,” he said. “But when you look at the overall American force pool that’s available out there, the ability to sustain that commitment is simply not something that we have right now with the size of the Army and the Marine Corps.”
Back to the rock and the hard place for the Democratic Party here. Either they listen to the troops on the ground who know what the conditions there are or they stick to there rhetoric and prove themselves to be exactly what they have been called. "The Party of Cut and Run."
Another little gem that the major papers and left news media has tried to bury or just ignore was these words from General Abizaid:
Alluding to Washington's partisan battles over Iraq, Abizaid said that when he visits the U.S. capital he senses a "despair" that does not exist in Iraq when he visits with Iraqi officials or with American troops and their commanders.
Another tidbit of information that the politicians endorsing the cut and run strategy was hoping the American people would not get to hear:
"Progress is being made" in Iraq, Abizaid said on the Sunday television talk show, as additional trained and equipped Iraqi soldiers and police are fielded. The general noted that Iraqi security forces already are involved in many anti-terrorism operations in Baghdad and in some parts of Iraq's south.
Abizaid, the senior U.S. ground commander in Iraq, said both U.S. and Iraqi commanders have told him they are confident of victory over the terrorists.
But, "building an institution takes time," Abizaid cautioned. Over time, he asserted, Iraqi security forces will eventually be able to assume anti-terrorism operations in their country.
But, "it's a difficult road," Abizaid acknowledged, noting there will be "peaks and valleys" in the process.
General Abizaid was not the only General testifying at yesterdays hearing... other Generals agree with him.
In their testimony Wednesday, Gen. Michael V. Hayden, director of the Central Intelligence Agency, and Lt. Gen. Michael D. Maples, director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, said they agreed with General Abizaid that American forces were one of the few elements keeping a lid on violence in Iraq and that withdrawing troops would only increase sectarian violence.
Once again, the politicians should stick to what they know best.. Pork, corruption and earmarking funds and stay the hell out of the military, unless they plan on joining the military, putting a uniform on, going to Iraq and working their way up the ranks to become Generals themselves... that might give them the credibility to be speaking on matters they haven't a clue about.
I will even go as far as to say that about members of congress that HAVE served. First off, they served in another time and another place. Unless they have served in IRAQ, they have no place giving opinions. This is not Vietnam, this is not Korea, this is a battle in which terrorists, specifically al-Qaeda has insinuated themselves in.
This is a battle that no one in congress has fought, an enemy that no one in congress has faced and a war that no one in congress has any business second guessing the Generals and military who ARE fighting these new enemies in this new type of war.
Remember Pelosi is the woman who said Iraq was not a war but a situation. (Amy Proctor has the video)
I would love to see HER go to Iraq and tell our troops that. Or even go face to face with the families that have lost members to this war.
My Related Post: Generals call Democrats in Congress "Naive."
Check out Macsmind reminding the far left that Bush is still Commander in Chief.
Right Truth has a novel idea!!!! Winning strategy, kill the bad guys!!!
Traffic Jam over at OTB.
Thursday Linkfest at Pirate's Cove.
Strata-Sphere talks about the way foward in Iraq.
One last big push in Iraq.
Others writing about this:
RightWing Nut House.
Hot Air.
Captain's Quarters.
Stop the ACLU.
The Astute Bloggers.
Reliapundit adds: Check out this comparison of Democrat dove Dennis Kucinich and General John Abizaid! (Hat Tip to Astute Bloggers for the link) Roll your mouse over the General to see.
Pajamas Media.
Right Wing Guy.
Wide Awake Cafe.
Freedom's Zone.
Rhymes with Right.
Biga's Rants.