The Debate

Much like telling somebody what is truth and what is fictional, the president has come out this morning to tell you and me what the debate is *really* about.

As a result, sometimes the debate over Iraq is cast as a disagreement between those who want to keep our troops in Iraq and those who want to bring our troops home, and this is not the real debate. I don't know anyone who doesn't want to see the day when our brave service men and women can start coming home. In my address to the nation in January, I put it this way: If we increase our support at this crucial moment, we can hasten the day our troops begin coming home. The real debate over Iraq is between those who think the fight is lost or not worth the cost and those who believe the fight can be won, and that as difficult as the fight is, the cost of defeat would be far higher.


I believe we can succeed in Iraq, and I know we must.

Perhaps in the president's view and other While House officials view, this is exactly what they want the debate to be. A debate over whether the fight has been lost and whether or not the cost of defeat is greater plays into the administration's hands, because on this sole issue... the White House retains its control.

However... Is this really the debate? It might be the debate elsewhere, but it's not the real debate I hear. The reality here at home is that the decision to withdraw from Iraq has already been decided. It's a matter of how and when now.

Let us all not be shocked at what the General in Iraq will say this September. Already I've heard the spin doctors dismiss whatever the General or the Ambassador says, because this "war" which is really a crowd control exercize, has outlived it's orginal purpose.

As for the speech given to day... I wasn't shocked when the president completely avoided mentioning our resolve to find WMDs. It was when he said that this war has four phases...

Since America began military operations in Iraq, the conflict there has gone through four major phases. The first phase was the liberation of Iraq from Saddam Hussein. The second phase was the return of sovereignty to the Iraqi people and the holding of free elections. The third phase was the tragic escalation of sectarian violence, sparked by the bombing of the golden mosque in Samarra.

I suppose the WMD phase was phase zero. Ultimately, the president is forcing our hand to take control and to stop it all.

However, even if we take action as a free body of people, be it action in funding cuts, protesting, or waiting patiently for the end to come... The truth remains that with this leadership in power, we (like Jimmy Carter) have become increasingly irrelivant.

This morning reminded us that the war drums are still beating and to ignore them and attempt to take action will result in a veto or punishment from the top->down.
So what am I concerned about? I'm concerned, and rightfully so, if the general comes and says we need more troops. Troop enrollment was down this month and soon the president will be faced with a new choice.. Extend the enlistment of battle fatigued troops or get new blood the old fashioned way.. through a cold, merciless draft.

I wish I could see the vision in all this....

from a concerned...independent mind

~J out