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Originally posted by Mike AI@Apr 16 2004, 02:50 PM
PD I agree that there has been some stumbling on the administration's end. That is the nature of war however. This is not an uprising, but a power grab by interest inside Iraq, as well as from Iran, Syria and terrorist elements including Al Quada.
The attacks were timed to go with troop re-deployment. It was well thought out and well executed.
We need to align our military and political goals.
Stratfor is on the money again.
I am sure the Democrats would do a much better job! 
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I am sure the Democrats would do a much better job!
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That's kinda like the speculation that Kennedy would have pulled us out of Vietnam (not a chance in hell) - it's only opinion. That being said, I don't think that Al Gore - or John McCain, for that matter - would have proceeded down the false path we have taken.
Put half those 130,000 troops and half the money we're spending in Iraq into Afghanistan, and by now we'd start to see the sort of progress there that really would speak to the "hearts and minds" of the Arab street. Like it or not, machismo or not, that's where the battle against terrorism will be won or lost. We will not be able to scare terrorists out of being terrorists.
Even putting the best case scenario on the Bush path to war, Mike, you have to admit that it makes LBJ's approach in Vietnam look honest and forthright by comparisson. Publicity stunts like the carrier escapade don't do much to prepare a nation for a long hard task. Not everyone shares your 1840s vision of realpolitik (because I'm feeling generous, I'll up that to 1900 if you'd like) - sheep, plebians, public school graduates and the like tend to progress from confusion to distrust over a rationale du jour for war. Simple minded bullshit like "we love freedom, they hate freedom" will only play for a short whle.
This may not be an uprising - yet. Whether it's Syria, or Iran, or a power grab by factions within Iraq is completely irreleveant. When the President of the United States stands in front of the American people and says "I don't know who we're turning power over to" in less than 3 months, we got a problem - one we need to send back to Houston.
I really want Bush to give dozens of news conferences before the election just like the one he gave the other night. One a week in October would be ideal.
Last edited by PornoDoggy at Apr 16 2004, 03:27 PM