Miscellaneous Thoughts On Iraq

The official talking point (the current one, anyway) of Iraq war supporters-- and those freaking out over withdrawal calls, specifically-- is: Things are finally starting to turn around in Iraq. They are?

But beyond the questionable nature of that assertion is the deceit with which it is used. The unspoken implication in the idea that things are finally starting to turn around is that things were bad before. But war supporters never really admitted any such thing. They assured us in 2006 that things were on the right track and we were turning a corner. We were assured the same thing back in 2005 as well. And in 2004. And in late 2003. They were wrong then, covering up for the failures that they helped cheerlead. But this time, they assure us, they are very serious.

But they won't acknowledge that rhetorical contradiction. Are they willing to admit then that they were wrong and deceitful before? No, of course they aren't.

So, sorry, I'm still taking my chances with those who predicted this disaster from the start.

One particularly insane/desperate (insanely desperate?) war supporter is Senator John McCain. In regards to the Senate debate over withdrawal, McCain repeated easily one of the ridicilous war supporter talking points... the 'fighting them there' one. Said the Senator: "The consequences of failure are catastrophic because if we come home, bin Laden and Zarqawi, they are going to follow us."

The Senator likely proceeded to illustrate this on the wall with crayon.

Less silly, but still equally deceitful, was his assertion (to every media outlet that would listen) that "there are neighborhoods in Baghdad where you and I could walk through those neighborhoods today." Time magazine's Karen Tumulty emailed their current Baghdad correspondent to verify this. His response: "I just spoke with XXXXXX, our Iraqi bureau manager, about where in Baghdad I could go for a walk. He said there was one neighborhood (I'm not telling -- why make it a target?). He said I could get out of the car with him and a couple of our Iraqi bodyguards and walk for about three blocks - -then we'd have to get back in the car before the cell phone calls to kidnappers caught up with us." Sounds lovely!

Several dozen people were killed in a stroll revenge killings by policemen the other day.

Finally, Speaker Pelosi dresses down the President in regards to his recent hissy fits press conferences: "On this very important matter I would extend a hand of friendship to the president, just to say to him: 'Calm down with the threats, there's a new Congress in town. We respect your constitutional role, we want you to respect ours. This war must end, the American people have lost faith in the president's conduct of the war, let's see how we can work together.'" Buuurrrrnnn.

[PS- The Senate officially passed the Iraq troop withdrawal bill. Your move, Mr. President.]