I think to write a book and articles and offer TV spots with a premise that "We must invade and Occupy Iraq and remove Saddam" is not helpful in light of the 3 choices available to us after the action. Questions were asked about the aftermath and all we got was "It's unknowable."
I thought the troops were to use their soldier training and then come home. Now they are forced to perform tasks for which they have no training in a hostile environment which allows the best, bravest, brightest of our American youth to be wasted. We left them spinning in a 120 degree wind. I want them home for a good meal, a hot shower and the embraces of their family. Shinseki knew the truth. It wasn't unknowable to him. Too bade this nation and the Congress chose Chicken Hawk Wolfawitz's claim of Shinseki "Being wildly overestimated." over the word of a good soldier.
THere was a choice 4:
Allow reasonably scheduled, internationally supported inspections to continue until WMD could be found. Of course the Neocons would call this too risky, not helpful or do nothing.
The inspoections were truncated because the decision to invade and occupy Iraq (for whatever trumped up reason) had been proposed in the 90's and decided as a course of action last summer. Our troops were committed from the fall of 02 to the spring of 03. Everything else is background music to the ego of the Neocons. THey knew they would not withdraw the troops. Loss of face and all that.
I think the intellectually dishonest use of language to foster the Neocon Agenda is the greatest betrayal done to this nation, its citizens and most of all to the troops and our military.
The President has failed us, congress has failed us and most of all the "free" press now know as the media has failed us.
I think the intelligence and attention span of our citizens is greatly underestimated. These tough issues must be presented with the proper use of language, logic and in an objective manner. Our citizens have been poorly served by sensationalist soundbites and dueling, screaming pundits.
Their only objective is to gain ratings. There is a way, I believe, to gain ratings and serve the public's right for information.
America has been poorly served by the media. THe constant diet of satanic cults, car chases, the salacious murder and kidnapping of young girls and boys is the information filling the airways.
The American citizens have a great deal in common, especially when it comes to the unjust murder of people and misuse of our troops. It is time that we all stop focusing on our differences, our nuanaces. Let's all work on identifying our common values (not the buzz-words that Faux News currently uses) and gather together to bring America to the heights within our reach.
Rascal |
