Posted on 09/04/2007 12:41:50 PM PDT by SmithL
If you believe the Beltway hype, members of Congress will return today to a fiery debate about whether or not the president's so-called "surge" has produced military progress in Iraq. Beltway pundits are breathlessly predicting Democrats will be thrown into disarray by claims that the increased troop levels in Iraq may have produced security results.
Don't believe the hype. First off, the data are suspect. The Pentagon refuses to share the methodology by which it arrived at the metrics used to claim success. Even if the progress is real, it is hardly encouraging when put in perspective. When discussing the alleged gains he has overseen, Gen. David H. Petraeus stated that they put us on a course to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq sometime nine or 10 years from now.
What the debate about military progress really does is serve as a distraction - a smokescreen - put forth by an administration that finds it rhetorically convenient to speak in terms of "victory" and "defeat."
It serves to obscure the basic, fundamental fact that there is no military solution to the situation in Iraq. Our troops are trapped in a civil war and occupation, a situation where there can be no "victory." Our continued presence there is not only breaking our military, it is undermining our national security and our efforts to fight international terrorism.
Members of the Bush administration understand this, just as they understand that there are no pretty or clean options for bringing a responsible end to our policy there. They are content to mouth the words of victory while they try to run out the clock, playing a cynical game of political "chicken," where whoever acts to bring a responsible end to their failed policy will be accused of having lost Iraq.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
And the terrorists do appreciate her support.
Where’s the barf alert???
How about co-founder of the “Out Your Mind Caucus”?
s/b out of your mind
Barbara Lee is a Communist.
Another fine editorial from the San Francisco Communist.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
“So-called congressional leader downplays military assessments produced in aftermath of troop surge”
Where did we proud Americans get such mental midgets, much less the people who keep them in office?
This is just embarassing. One cliche after another without an iota of evidence or proof.
I’d call her an embarrassment to the Bay Area, but who the heck would I be kidding?
Sounds like this was written by Ayman al Zawahiri...
The Bay Area is an embarrassment to civilized society.
Yeah, she represents the Bay Area.
Who asked your opinion, Barbara?
I can't really argue against that. Our troops are already exhausted from continuous rotations through Iraq, and our top general is talking about being out in 9-10 years if things continue to go our way? What other enemies will we need to confront during that time?
I can't really argue against that. Our troops are already exhausted from continuous rotations through Iraq, and our top general is talking about being out in 9-10 years if things continue to go our way? What other enemies will we need to confront during that time?
The Congressional gerrymandered caucus produces such winners, doesn’t it?
I think she was one of a handful who voted against us going into Afghanistan after 9-11 also. And the Patriot Act when originally passed was almost unanimous in Congress. I think she was against that too.
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