A refocus?
August 22, 2007
The Washington Post gently describes the Dems’ conundrum as they adapt their political message to changes on the ground in Iraq. Apparently Dem voters want want more bang for their buck with their Congressmen–if the message doesn’t fit, just change it to fit the times! Nobody’s watching the C-SPAN archives anyway!
How can the largest and richest American political party, which based its entire election strategy over the last three years on a cynical alignment with military defeat be expected to come up with a winning strategy for anything?
Taking reality into consideration when speaking - what a novel, and I dare say bizarre, idea! When there are successes, they should be included in the debate. I personally find it a bit odd, however, that everyone is talking about improving security when this is the deadliest summer for coalition troops since the war began and the deadliest suicide bomb attack of the war just killed at least 200 people on August 14th. I am curious though, how would Vinman define military victory in Iraq?
My definition of military victory can be as broad as your question.
“Deadliest summer” is likely because we’ve poured tens of thousands of additional troops into a confined and very dangerous area and asked them to multiply their missions and embed directly in hostile areas. The military was expecting increased casualties.
The suicide attack you mention possibly killed way more than 200 people and was an unprovoked attack against Yazidis by al Qaeda. It has the potential to be the largest terror attack since 9/11.
Apparently AQ’s goal of stirring outright civil war was not a winning long term strategy, so it appears that this attack may have been a futile attempt to spread violence in areas outside strong Coalition presence.
There’s nothing broad about my question. You just don’t have a reasonable answer. And how many times has your answer changed since 2003? More than once I imagine.
Keep imagining. It hasn’t changed.
So while US soldiers die at a record pace so that Iraqi politicians can take a month long vacation you can’t find the courage to explain your definition of victory?
show me yours first–that way I know you’re committed to an honest intellectual debate.
?
Test
Can’t post with links?
is there trouble with the site?