Posted on 02/25/2006 11:26:38 AM PST by Jeff Chandler
...
HH: And do you think we are going to lose it? Or win it?
VDH: No, I think we're going to win it, and I think that we're going to see dramatic results at the end of this year, 2006. And by 2007, like I said, it's going to be a situation like Korea, and that's going to be terrible for bin Laden, and the people in Iran and Syria.
... MP3 of interview with Victor Davis Hanson
(Excerpt) Read more at radioblogger.com ...
Buckley is here.
Hanson was there.
If they can keep it from reverting to an islamic state, it might work. I don't think they're that strong, yet. Maybe one day. I hope I'm wrong.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1595230211/qid=1139189351/sr=1-6/ref=sr_1_6/104-8051195-6435107?s=books&v=glance&n=283155
This one's gonna knock your socks off. Due out 5/18.
Buckley was, is, and shall continue to be a conservative leader. Vic is a historian with a focus on pre 300 BC Greece who thinks he can compare every historical event to that specific period of time. Mr. Buckley continues to be proven correct sometimes even years after his statements.
Frankly,my earlier optimism about Iraq has gone. I hope Mr Hanson is right,though.
Buckley is certainly entitled to his opinion, and he is entitled to have it considered seriously. My only gripe is that he gives a scathing critique of the current approach without providing much of an alternative option. As a conservative leader, that's also part of his burden.
If the constructive, hearts and minds, build schools, power and water works plan is a pipe dream, then what's the alternative other than to break out the hammer and tongs, and brace for full-scale barbarism?
We can help and support them. They, with our assistance, can change the Middle East and the world.
This is another reason I've come around to favor the UAE port deal. We need to suport any pro-modern regime in the Middle East. We can't make their job impossible, especially if they've gone out of their way to help the War on Terror. Besides, anything the corrupt unions are against, I tend to be in favor of.
My opinion of Buckley runs along the lines of yours.
I am not going to pile on Buckley, but the opinion of those so far away from Iraq are irresponsible.
140 killed in four days in sectarian violence in Iraq = CIVIL WAR.
190 Murders in the US during this same four day period = business as usual.
Bush-bots reporting for disinformation duty
Buckley has some points, but he speaks as if it's a done deal and others, like Hanson, etc., admit mistakes but think we can still win. I want to believe Hanson, but I don't have a lot of faith in the Iraqi people. I think most are hedging their bets, taking what they can from us while we're doling out the goodies, and they will turn on us as soon as we're not looking.
Good point.
Robert Kaplan addresses this very subject here.
"But the War on Terror will be won by moderate Muslims, who want to be part of the modern world. They are the ones who can defeat terrorism, by destroying the mindset of the terrorists. They need to make suicide bombing unacceptable to the Muslim community."
We can help and support them."
First, you'll have to find them. Good luck.
I think Buckley's article is not directly stating defeat. He appears to be carefully couching the defeat based on what the expectations were before the engagement.
I could be wrong but I think he is leaving some wiggling room. And it's intentional.
Yes, I know that's a fact. A friend's son did three tours. When I thanked him for his service, he put his hand over his heart and said, "It's an honor." I could barely keep back the tears. He's a Marine.
You can't wiggle out of "FAILURE" in the headline.
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