Wednesday, January 10, 2007

What New Strategy?

So, at long last, an admission. The situation in Iraq is “unacceptable.” It only took throwing his party out of Congress to make him see the light. This illegal war, waged under false pretenses and bungled from the beginning (OK, he didn’t say that), isn’t working out so well. Tonight, President George W. Bush told the American people that he knew the way forward, the way to fix this horrifying mess. The way to fix it, according to our president, is more of the same, only with some 22,000 more troops from our overextended military and a “we really mean it this time” to the Iraqi government.

The president talked about September 11, 2001, and he talked about al Qaeda. It would have been great to hear him say that the only connection that this date and this group have to Iraq is that we attacked Iraq and made it vulnerable to al Qaeda’s infiltration. It would have been wonderful if instead of paying lip service to the recommendations of the Iraq Study Group, he announced his plans to act on them.

He didn’t. I listened to this speech, and I listened closely. I didn’t hear a new strategy. I didn’t hear a way forward. All I heard was more delusional babble that “victory in Iraq” is possible if we only up our staying of the course. Victory is not possible. Iraq is in the midst of a civil war, and our continued participation in it is folly. It’s time for him to realize that. It’s time for him to admit that we need help. Negotiation is required. Financial commitment to fix what we have broken is demanded.

The American people elected a Democratic majority to Congress because the situation in Iraq is unacceptable. I only hope that they are strong enough to make the tough decision required. Sending over yet more troops is a horrible mistake. We voted for a new Congress because we don’t want that to happen. It’s up to them to pave a new way forward. Let’s hope they can do it.

13 comments:

CT said...

Thanks for your comment. I'm glad to see that more people are standing up and saying something. It's absolutely killing me that this psychopath is considered "our leader" when he doesn't represent the interests of the American people, but instead only his own interests (and those of his rich-pig pals.) If we keep talking, we will be heard. Thank YOU for posting.

Scout said...

I was nervous through the whole speech. My favorite part was Barak Obama afterwards.

My husband decided that everyone is more concerned about making their particular party look better at the next election. I would like to think it's not that bad, but I'm afraid I'm naive. sigh

james said...

dude sas, i love that you have a post up in less than hour after bushy's speech is over. awesome.

Yeah, isn't it reassuring to know that the the war this guy has waged is "unacceptable," yet truly, the best way forward is to implement more of what made it unacceptable in the first place.

I mean in theory, can't this guy be tried as a war criminal for his actions?

Old Knudsen said...

Nixon and clinton didn't do time, presidents are above the law.
Robyn's husband is right.

dive said...

Perfect post, Sassy.
Exactly what I would have said myself (only without my profanity).
To use an expression from my old generation; "Right on, sister!"

Sassy Sundry said...

Ct, welcome. Thanks for commenting. His talk about Iran and Syria (and unconfirmed reports that the US attacked the Iranian embassy in Kurdistan and had a confrontation with the Kurds afterward), along with the attack in Somalia, really frightens me. Congress needs to act and fast.

Robyn, I didn't hear Obama's remarks (I was listening on NPR). What did he say? Your husband has a good point, but I hope that in this case, Congress puts politics aside and acts for the good of the country. Being a bit of a cynic, I'm not sure if that will happen, but I do have hope.

James, I was so mad, and I had a place to put it. It was better than shouting at the radio. In theory, he can. In practice, he should be. I don't think it will happen, though.

Knudsen, they have been above the law. It's a crime. Reagan should have been tried too. After all, much of this Middle Eastern mess began under his watch.

Dive, right on. Right on.

Before Girl said...

I wish more people outside the United States knew that most of the people within the United States hate Bush as much as they do and agree completely that he's a lunatic who can't read, refuses to admit his mistakes and continues to think that wars are about victory. I feel like I should start every post with "I'm sorry on behalf of this idiot..."

I admit I only saw a clip this morning of him and my first thought was, "Jeez, this guy can't read aloud-he's always stumbling over his words, like his eyes are going faster than his brain and mouth can go."

dive said...

Point taken, BG.

Before Girl said...

Dive-spread the word on us Americans, if you can, please.

james said...

Here here, Dive. Let us be heard!

Sassy Sundry said...

More than half of us didn't vote for him the first time. By rights he should not even be president. It's so embarassing.

Bock the Robber said...

bg: I'm afraid it will take more than a few of us foreigners saying nice things to change the world's opinion about the USA. Sadly, Dubya and Cheney have tainted all Americans in the eyes of many people.

It wasn't helped by the fact the US military show no respect whatever for the local culture of the Iraqi people.

This thing is a disaster, not just for you, but for all of us who share the planet with you, and however you might reject him, there's no escaping the fact that the catastrophe was caused by your lawfully-elected leader.

There's no way out now. It's done. The disaster is upon us.

Sassy Sundry said...

Bock, we know. The best we can hope for is to pass for Canadian.

Seriously, I agree with you. This whole thing is a incredible disaster. The Supreme Court might have selected him, but we are responsible for him. That people voted for him the second time is horrifying. And in a lot of ways, it really is too late. Still, I have some hope.