Posted on 11/28/2007 10:33:27 AM PST by ButThreeLeftsDo
It does not have the drama of the Inchon landing or the sweep of the Union comeback in the summer of 1864. But the turnabout of American fortunes in Iraq over the last several months is of equal moment -- a war seemingly lost, now winnable. The violence in Iraq has been dramatically reduced. Political allegiances have been radically reversed. The revival of ordinary life in many cities is palpable. Something important is happening. And what is the reaction of the war critics? Nancy Pelosi stoutly maintains her state of denial, saying this about the war just two weeks ago: "This is not working. ... We must reverse it." A euphemism for "abandon the field," which is what every Democratic presidential candidate is promising, with variations only in how precipitous to make the retreat.
How do they avoid acknowledging the realities on the ground? By asserting that we have not achieved political benchmarks -- mostly legislative actions by the Baghdad government -- that were set months ago. And that these benchmarks are paramount. And that all the current progress is ultimately vitiated by the absence of centrally legislated national reconciliation.
(Excerpt) Read more at startribune.com ...
BUMP-TO-THE-TRUTH!
“Good grief. Where are you getting THAT?? I don’t see how that prediction could possibly be true, since there has been forward progress all along.”
You think it’s impossible for Democrats to ignore forward progress and continue to argue for withdrawal? I suppose you think they are rational human beings too?
Yes he does!! Hooray For Charles!!
“The changes from where I sit are amazing and awe-inspiring.”
Even at the lower exchange rate, a Trillion dollars can still do a lot.
Still, no matter what happens now, there is still a good chance that in 5 years Iraq will be a fundamentalist islamic state.
Of course we could go for the second trillion and keep the dream alive....
Wow. You’re so positive and optimistic. I have goose bumps!
Go find where I said that and post it here and only then will you be permitted to tell me what I think.
I said:”I predict the same people on both sides will be arguing the same things in five years, or ten years, or twenty years.”
You said;”Good grief. Where are you getting THAT?? I don’t see how that prediction could possibly be true, since there has been forward progress all along.”
I said:”You think it’s impossible for Democrats to ignore forward progress and continue to argue for withdrawal?”
I rest my case. Incidentally, I wasn’t telling you what you think. If you notice there are question marks in my last post. It is not at all clear what you think.
Good. I like to keep an air of mystery about me. ;-)
I suppose you think they are rational human beings too?
OK, you were "supposing." I suppose I shall leave that answer for you to discern. If you've read the tiniest fraction of my posts on here, it shouldn't be difficult.
“Wow. You’re so positive and optimistic. I have goose bumps!”
I know, I’m such a wet-blanket. I just expected a bit more out of our first Trillion.
Maybe the second or third will prove out the nation-building concept.
The media's version is a bunch of bad fiction.
The real version is quite inspiring.
“The real version is quite inspiring.”
Oh, I have no doubt it’s impressive. I just wish Iraq was paying for it, and not us.
I just wish the Iraqi’s were worth all this money and effort.
Diverging.
Futile, isn't it? ;-)
“Opinions.
Diverging.”
Not really. I’ll bet we agree, it’s simply a matter of price.
We’ve basically spent a Trillion......at some multiple of this number, it basically becomes “not worth it”, wouldn’t you agree?
My price is just lower than yours, that’s all.
I’m guessing the taxpayers, who along with our soldiers, are the real heros in the Iraq story, are closer to my number than yours, but I could be wrong.....
Honest question: Are you a Ron Paul supporter?
The reason I ask is that there are several on here who despise me simply for existing and living my life. Sleepers keep coming out of the woodwork to insult me, unbidden. They don't bother me since they merely diminish themsleves with no effort from me, but I'm wondering if subtlety is a new tactic.
I am a taxpayer. And an American. You refer to me as if I am some sort of alien. The Paulies have been doing things like that.
Am I warm?
Which, not coincidentally, was exactly what we wanted -- to be invited into Iraq for the next twenty years-or-so.
Aside from Saddam and the threat of WMD, there is another very good reason why the Bush administration chose to invade Iraq: It is strategically positioned at the virtual center of the Middle East...and is next door to Iran.
Iraq is where we wanted to be. As opposed to the likes of Yemen, Somalia or Syria.
That or, “Bush lied! People Died!”
“Honest question: Are you a Ron Paul supporter?”
No. I also do not despise you.
“I am a taxpayer. And an American. You refer to me as if I am some sort of alien”
No I do not, nor would I ever. You and I are both taxpayers, but the collective of taxpayers minimizes our individual opinions - which I’m presuming are in alignment, but simply for the difference in price.
But the heroic efforts of the American taxpayer are so far minimized in Iraq, I simply like to recognize & thank them, which includes you.
So, at what multiple of $1 Trillion do the Iraqi’s become “not worth it”?
If there is no multiple, I would be interested in that.
“Which, not coincidentally, was exactly what we wanted ...”
Thats not what Bush or anyone else said going in. I guess they lied about that too?
Who lied (who lied?) Who died (who died?) Who pays (Who pays?) Who profiits.
Who lied (who lied?) Who died (who died?) Who pays (Who pays?) Who profiits.
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