This seems like a reasonable expectation to me. However, the Republicans believe differently. Here is a quote from a letter sent by GOP leaders to Republicans in Congress.
Democrats want to force us to focus on defending the surge, making the case that it will work and explaining why the President's new Iraq policy is different from prior efforts and therefore justified.
We urge you to instead broaden the debate to the threat posed to Americans, the world, and all "unbelievers" by radical Islamists. We would further urge you to join us in educating the American people about the views of radical Islamists and the consequences of not defeating radical Islam in Iraq.
4 comments:
http://majorityleader.house.gov/docUploads/ShadeggHoekstraDearColleague.pdf
Link is to the GOP letter in its entirety.
Seamhead, I agree that there should be more rationale given as to why the surge will be of benefit. I also think it is worthwhile to suggest to all that they should read the entire leaked memo vs. just the excerpted quote. On the one hand, the memo seems to be self-serving for the GOP party, but on the other hand, the context of the rest of the memo actually provides more of the rationale that is suggested than just the excerpt. For instance,the premise made is that the GOP sees this as a Global war not an Iraq war. I think it is insulting that they do feel most Americans aren't smart enough to understand things. Most of us may not be "informed" enough because we don't have enough info at our disposal, but I do think we are smart enough. What are your thoughts about the other linkages in the memo regarding the "map" and the other attacks on Western interests? Do you find those relevant?
-Howdy
The link I provided does provide a link to the entire memo in addition to relevant commentary.
I find it insulting that they keep linking the Iraq war to the global war on terrorism. The evidence demonstrates this to be false. A reasonable person could conclude that the Iraq foray has contributed to a rise in terror attacks.
From the memo "Join us in asking our Democratic colleagues the essential question. If we do not defeat radical Islam in Iraq where will we do so?"
This question reflects the disregard these folks have for the American people. The war in Iraq started to prevent WMD from being used against the United States Iraq was not a radical Islamic state!
It looks increasingly as if we have spent thousands of lives and billions of dollars to convert a secular state to a state under siege by various factions of radical Muslims. In addition, Afghanistan is sliding into turmoil as well.
Basically, this entire memo demonstrates the GOP's willingness to continue to move the goalposts in order to avoid serious debate. They have been able to avoid serious debate since 9/11 thanks to both congress and the media. We cannot allow this to continue.
Acknowledged, it was via your links that I read the memo, just pointing out that reading the whole thing is worthwhile.
As always, well thought out points and well presented on your part. While not defending the GOP, I unfortunately think that the Democratic Party has about the same veiled approach as the GOP generally speaking to all subjects. I wonder these days whether ANY of the people in govt. truly care about the issues or simply use them as tools of debate to win for "their" party and to maintain their own existence of personal power. It was the part of the GOP memo stating if we let the Democrats make the debate about the surge, we lose that is most revealing. It shows that, greater than the debate itself about the surge or about radical islam, there are simply "sides" that are trying to do whatever it takes for their side to "win". And what are they winning? Their own personal power. I have come to believe that none of them truly give a rip about "us" and that makes me think that instead of a govt for the people by the people, it is now "us" and "them" creating sides between the general populous and the govt.
-Howdy
I agree with this. This describes exactly what got us into this mess. Folks like Hillary Clinton and John Edwards voted to give the administration the power to execute this war for only one reason. It was politically expedient to do so. And even now, Hillary refuses to acknowledge her role.
With few exceptions, members of congress sat by and let this happen. With few exceptions, the mainstream media stood by and let this happen. These are the traditional groups charged with the oversight of the executive branch on behalf of the American people. They have failed us.
But the main mission, these days, should be to get the troops out of the line of fire before the current administration's incompetence gets too many more killed. We need to heed the lessons of Vietnam.
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