First, I do hope everyone notices that before the speech has been made, before the strategy has been outlined, the Democratic party, or most of it, is already coming out against his plan, which he has not announced yet...thus proving one point from those of us on the right, that it doesn't matter what the strategy is, the Democrats have already decided in a "partisan" manner to speak against it.
There is nothing wrong with having an opinion that differs when it comes to a plan or a strategy in Iraq, but to decide that a plan is unacceptable BEFORE you even know the details of the plan, makes the partisan manner of these complaints very clear and very public and something that will be remembered for a very long time.
With a big Hat tip from Brian over at Iowa Voice for the link to Nancy Pelosi's Meet the Press interview in 2004....once again we have a Democrat, Grandma Nancy, that was FOR a troop surge before she was against it.
Kind of like Hillary Clinton was FOR the Iraq war, before she was FOR it again in 2004, before she was against it.
Just as John Kerry was FOR staying the course for however many years it takes or how much it costs, before he was against staying the course.
The examples go on and on and on.
I saw Mitt Romney's press release earlier and although I do not know much about him, I must say, he takes a principled, gutsy stand about Iraq.
Boston, MA – Governor Mitt Romney, in direct consideration of the proposed increase in troop deployments in Iraq, issued the following statement today putting an emphasis on the need for clear and measurable strategic objectives.
"I agree with the President: Our strategy in Iraq must change. Our military mission, for the first time, must include securing the civilian population from violence and terror. It is impossible to defeat the insurgency without first providing security for the Iraqi people. Civilian security is the precondition for any political and economic reconstruction.
"In consultation with Generals, military experts and troops who have served on the ground in Iraq, I believe securing Iraqi civilians requires additional troops. I support adding five brigades in Baghdad and two regiments in Al-Anbar province. Success will require rapid deployment.
"This effort should be combined with clear objectives and milestones for U.S. and Iraqi leaders.
"The road ahead will be difficult but success is still possible in Iraq. I believe it is in America's national security interest to achieve it."
Good for him. It may not be popular, but it is right and I applaud him for standing up publicly and standing strong on his belief that Iraq can achieve victory, can succeed.
Then a moving piece from the vice president of Iraq in a Wapo article where he lets the American people know that he believes in his country and its ability to overcome and be a fully functioning democratic society.
During my recent visit to Washington I found a nation fatigued by news of a faraway battle that seemed to creep closer with each fallen soldier. I found an administration wearied by infighting among an Iraqi government that seems incapable of reaching simple agreements. The chaos and sectarian destruction plaguing my people are slowly becoming just statistics in passing headlines, as we become a nation whose people spend more time each day preparing for death than for life.
Many Americans unfortunately believe that Iraq can no longer be salvaged. Even some in the Bush administration see a civil war as inevitable.
First, both of our nations have invested too much to walk away now. If this battle is lost, the entire region could be destabilized.
Second, despite the chaos in my country, not all bridges of patriotism have been burned. Iraqis have ties to their beloved country, not only to their sects and ethnicities.
[...]
It is true that terrorism of an unparalleled nature rages in Iraq and that Iraqis are the ones killing each other on the basis of sectarian and ethnic identities. It is also true that reconstruction and economic development have ground to a halt because of the violence. And Iraqis are divided on such fundamental issues as reconciliation and how to bring about security.
Despite all the hardships, however, we Iraqis were able to raise the rudimentary pillars of our nascent democracy by writing a constitution, electing a parliament based on that constitution and granting a vote of confidence to a government through that elected parliament. It is not fair to look at Iraq as a collection of failures without identifying its successes. The birth of a new nation is not easy, but just as your nation has become a beacon for democracy, we hope that Iraq will one day do the same.
All is not lost! Eliminating regional influence is the only way to bring Iraqis back to their senses. Americans understandably find it difficult to support any strategy that prolongs the presence of your troops in Iraq. We do not want to stand in the way of your forces going home. But that decision should not be made under the pressure of car bombs and kidnappings. A precipitous withdrawal of forces would create a security vacuum in Iraq that our forces cannot yet handle -- and would therefore be filled by extremists. This does not serve the interests of Iraq or the United States.
These people have courage. They have hope. They also have fear that they will be abandoned once again.
I, for one, am waiting for the speech tonight to see if, other than adding troops, there are key strategy changes in how we are approaching the problems that face Iraq.
If there is no strategy, I will be the first to stand up and say HEY, wait...no, this isn't good....but to jump the gun and cry out against a plan when you do not even know what the plan is, simply shows the world that such an opinion, given preemptively is nothing more than a political game for those that are doing it.
As the NYT article shows here, Democrats are planning to "Symbolic Vote" against the Presidents Iraq plan".....this announcement is BEFORE he has announced the plan.
Our security, our troops, our obligations and committments are simply a political game to some . Nice message to send the world folks.....keep up the GREAT work!!!!!!
Trackposted to Rightwing Guy, Perri Nelson's Website, third world county, The Random Yak, Right Truth, basil's blog, The Pink Flamingo, Stuck On Stupid, The Bullwinkle Blog, Dumb Ox News, Right Voices, and Pursuing Holiness, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.
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A Muslim For President? from Right Truth...
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