I may not agree, but it's fairly well reasoned I thought.
Perhaps you should say that it is thoughtful and devoid of the usual hyperbole. I do not think it is fairly well-reasoned, though. The concluding two paragraphs are fundamentally mistaken: sending the signal that we are drawing down will drive the Shia to Iran (which isn't going anywhere) and they will merely bide their time until we leave and they can basically run the Sunni out of the country.
“No nation has given more to another nation — its best and brightest, its wealth, its prayers, and certainly its patience. It’s time for the Iraqis to stand up and show what they can do. If they cannot do it now, they may never do it. The political leaders need a sense of urgency.”
That statement indicates the Congressman simply closed his eyes to all factual reality in Iraq that did not validate his preconceived notions. He tuned out all fact to cling to his domestic political calculations.
Yes, but where is the key entry in the journal?
Congressman’s log, day one: Today I contemplated my political future and realized that I might lose my entitled right to be a congressman if I support this war. Thus, I must color what I see in a way that will permit me to take a stance to preserve my job. It will take much work to make it seem well reasoned, but I am sure the MSM and moveon will help me find the right words.
Good post. About not giving out any more “reconstruction” money, I couldn’t agree more. A vast sop to corruption.
But his attitude has a lot of Bush’s low expectations type assumptions. Foremostly, that we have to wait for the politicians to negotiate, etc. No, we need to tell them what to do, and get a fair oil deal on the books. Powell complained about “not enforcing our will” and Bush’s character defect from his Texas days of expecting competing cronies to present him a deal to approve which is equally corrupt for both sides doesn’t cut it in Iraq.
Walsh is from Syracuse, the Leningrad of New York State. (As noted in the movie, NYC is Moscow.) The only way a Pubbie survives up there is by being a weenie. He is one.