Victor Davis Hanson: What Do They [the Left] Want in Iraq?

pajamasmedia.com ^ | August 1, 2007 | Victor Davis Hanson

[Tolik]

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... do you think the Democratic Left really wishes us to lose in Iraq? ...

...I think the answers are something like the following. The liberal Democratic leadership believes that Iraq can fail, thereby repudiating the Bush doctrine and the current war on terror, discrediting conservative candidates at large, teaching the American people about the limits of empire and foreign adventurism, restoring humility to foreign policy, ushering in a Democratic renaissance under which higher taxes, more entitlements, and greater government intervention promote egalitarianism and "correct" the past mistakes of the unenlightened electorate—and do so without serious or lasting harm to their nation’s security.

Indeed, in this defeatist view, the take-over of liberal government following flight might well be salutary in showing the world that the US has learned its lessons from Iraq, now elected the right people, and promises never again to commit such mistakes. The cost in blood and treasure was never worth the supposed goal of a constitutional Iraq, and the money would have been better spent on social programs at home that promote the general welfare of poorer Americans.

So in that sense, yes, I believe a great number of liberal politicians, journalists, and academicians think it would not be so bad if the US failed, pulled out of Iraq, repealed the anti-terror legislation that followed 9/11, and accepted their own liberal critique for such failure. As far as the recognition that thousands of Americans have died in Afghanistan and Iraq for the idea of offering an alternative other than jihadism and dictatorship that would enhance the security of the region and of the United States, I think it just doesn’t register against the “higher good” brought on by withdrawal and admission of defeat.

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[listenhillary]

Those that think that cutting the USA down to the stature and power of the rest of the members of the world community, fail to take into account that some country will lead the world. I’d rather that country be the USA rather than China or Russia. That was what the Project for a New American century was all about. (I think that is what it was called)

I think the leftists all wear the same glasses that filter out this future from their perception. Still thinking that their egalitarianism will be embraced by all countries and harmony will follow.

[longtermmemmory]

Democrats think Neville Chamberlin was right.

Democrats think the USSR would have survived if THEY had been in charge. (they are right, fortunatly Ronald Reagan won)

[ProtectOurFreedom]

The logical conclusion to the leftist march is the complete destruction of our individual liberties and government control of every aspect of our lives from cradle to grave, i.e., communisim. Communist countries are ruled by tyrants and dictators. Ergo, it is logical for leftists to align themselves with kindred tyrants and dictators, wherever they are found.