Re: "That's tortured logic at best, and we certainly do not agree."
Of course we agree. Far from tortured, it's proven. Just not on everything.
Re: "You said, "In point of fact, things are getting better in Iraq." That could only be construed as meaning, categorically, that the situation overall is improving."
Well, see, not on everything. If fact, I don't believe that is the only way to construe my meaning since my words really were NOT that specific at all, and so did indeed leave open the other way to construe my meaning (and yes, the ambiguity allowing another way to construe my meaning was intentional on my part, despite your false denial that it exists). Even if I believed the overall situation is getting better while you don't, we'd still have that common ground of knowing at least some (perhaps you) if not many (me) things are improving in Iraq. My point was always to simply say that there are things which are getting better in Iraq. I wished to say that because others write in denial of the notion in a very all encompassing way which I found unrealistic and inevitably false. Some folks just can't accept the truth, i.e. that we ARE doing good works in Iraq and Iraqis do see and appreciate it.
Re: "Again, you stated it as a fact..." I emphatically did not claim the overall situation is getting better. It may be, but none of you need me to provide information on the good works our guys have been attempting to accomplish in Iraq, nor for evidence of the appreciation from Iraqis for their efforts.
I must add that your list of things which you say aren't improving is is something I disagree with too. Power infrastructure HAS improved for many, potable water HAS improved for many, security HAS improved for many, Iraqi forces have most certainly been climbing up a hill of improvement all along, and the economy too does seem to be improving, IMHO. It's all the damn killing being done by the hands of ruthless extremists which isn't improving (there's another possible point of agreement for us).
Dan B. |
