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Staying on course
-- to disaster
Originally published 09/25/06 on Cadet Spiff's Deep Space Log
Big news out of Washington these days: "Staying the course" isn't working. It is, in fact, making things worse for America.
You could ask our troops in Iraq who face roadside bombs and insurgent attacks daily, and they would agree. You could ask the retired military officers who are calling the handling of the Iraq war "incompetent" from strategic, operational, and tactical standpoints.
But perhaps the most telling argument comes from the classified National Intelligence Estimate, leaked to the media this weekend, which concludes that the invasion and occupation of Iraq is helping Islamic radicalism to grow, and increasing the terrorist threat to America.
The 16 spy services in the U.S. government contributed to the report, which was completed in April. The report is an assessment of terrorism on a global scale since the U.S. invaded Iraq, and provides a unanimous view from each of the intelligence services.
No government officials would comment officially on the report, the Associated Press said. However, in its story yesterday, the AP quoted Gen. Michael V. Hayden, director of the CIA. In a speech in April, the general provided a glimpse into the report's conclusions:
"New jihadist networks and cells, sometimes united by little more than their anti-Western agendas, are increasingly likely to emerge," the general said. "If this trend continues, threats to the U.S. at home and abroad will become more diverse, and that could lead to increasing attacks worldwide."
What?
Was this war not supposed to end -- or at least severely cripple -- the terrorist threat? Weren't we supposed to find all kinds of weapons of mass destruction and sever the link between Saddam and Al Queda? Were our soldiers not to be welcomed into Iraq with flowers and candies?
Whoops. Doesn't look like it's working out that way, as so eloquently stated by Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Illinois. "Unfortunately this report is just confirmation that the Bush administration's stay-the-course approach to the Iraq war has not just made the war more difficult and more deadly for our troops, but has also made the war on terror more dangerous for every American," Emanuel said in a statement, as quoted by CNN.
But the White House won't let go, stubbornly staying the course. The leaked portions of the report don't provide the whole picture, officials say. What more of the picture do we need to see? More flag-draped coffins coming home? More burning cars on Iraqi roadsides? God forbid, more burning buildings on U.S. soil?
I will be interested in seeing how the White House spins this as more details are forthcoming. But, as Senate Minority Leader Harry Read of Nevada said, "No election-year White House PR can hide this truth."
So as we get toward mid-term elections, look at what five-plus years of Bush have wrought: We're a global laughingstock, we're in a war in Iraq (I don't care if W says "mission accomplished". Tell the troops over there we're still not at war) from which there is no easy way to extricate ourselves, and even out allies look at us with a questioning eye. Throw in the detention and torture -- torture! -- of prisoners held at Guantanamo Bay, and you don't get a pretty picture.
No wonder the Islamic world calls us The Great Satan.
I never thought I'd be quoting from Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, but you can find some of the most applicable quotes in the strangest places. I can almost hear America uttering this plea to get rid of Bush:
"When, Lord? When the f*** can your servant ditch this foul-mouthed little chucklehead to whom I am a constant victim of his folly?... F***! When, Lord? When? When's gonna be my time?"
Unfortunately, that time won't come soon enough to get our troops home or to rebuild our image in the world. Hopefully it comes before more innocent Americans die, thanks to "staying the course".
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