I was pleasantly surprised too by Newt's presence. SOP at Today is to have only a Bush administration critic as a guest. But this makes twice in the last week or so that they've had a 'fair & balanced' panel.
For that matter, though, I reject the notion that post-war Iraq has been a "disaster" and a "tragedy," as Holbrooke claimed. Sure, it's not all sweetness and light, but what student of history would have ever thought it would be? But the fact is that Iraq is now on the road to sovereignty and hopefully to a peaceful democracy.
That has been accomplished at the cost of the lives of about 1,000 US soldiers. Hardly inconsequential, but less than 2% of the military deaths we suffered in Vietnam, which ended in total failure.
Bingo.
Prior to Afghanistan, the Left (I mean the media) was very clear on the subject: NOBODY could ever win a war in Afghanistan. Britian, Russia, everybody was humiliated when they tried it. But now? The country is free, a real government is installed, and elections are coming. But the Left calls it a disaster.
Prior to Iraq, the Left (I mean the media) was very clear on the subject: It would be a bloodbath and a quagmire. But now? The country is free, a real government is installed, and elections are coming. But the Left calls it a disaster.
As another poster on this thread said -- tell me what success looks like??