Peace and Security,
janaka

ummm..yesterday would be good.

peas!

ps, returning control of iraqiland resources to the regions’ tribes might be helpful, as in ‘the monkey fist trap’.

You said:

False choices.

First of all, I don’t think what is going on in Iraq is now, or ever was, terrorism. It’s a cultural, religious and economic war that is going to rage whether we are there or not, and the only difference our presence makes is in the American body count. Does our staying in Iraq actually honor the sacrifice of those already lost, or does it cheapen the lives still on the line? Does spending so much money in Iraq – much of which is only making greedy contractors wealthy – do anything to improve domestic safety? Is the depletion of military resources in Iraq making us more or less vulnerable in the global war on terror?

All exactly right, they are nothing but false choices. The only problem is, right now we are having an important election in just a few months. It will determine who has the power in both houses of Congress. To paraphrase Jon Stewart, Democrats have 49% of the membership of Congress, but only about 5% of the power. I’m hoping they wake up in time and see what’s wrong with this picture, ‘cuz I don’t remember the Republicans only having about 5% of the power when they were the minority party. Dems are great at governing, but they’re terrible at being the loyal opposition. So until the election, smart partisanship is paramount to me.

False choices.

1) First of all, I don’t think what is going on in Iraq is now, or ever was, terrorism.

[snip]

2) We know it’s been one bad decision after another, but those bad decisions cannot be undone. That is so obvious that we probably don’t need to keep bringing it up – when we do – over and over again – it makes us sound like complainers, just bitching and offering no solutions.

3) Yes, solutions have been offered. And every one that has been offered has been immediately re-cast and framed as something else, to the point where the twisted version becomes the only version and our protests go unheard.

4) Would there be any point in throwing a bunch of good military minds, some diplomatic gurus, cultural and religious experts into a conference room for a weekend or a month to see what kinds of strategy and plans could be brainstormed? If it was put together by a group that would include, for example, Jack Murtha, Russ Feingold, Chuck Hagel and John Kerry, so that the conclusions and proposals would not be immediately cast as partisan, I don’t know how it could hurt either side.

5) At this point, the partisan score-keeping is getting in the way of finding real solutions to a worsening problem that is hurting all of us.

Just some things to think about.

1) I think it’s clear that the war on terror has nothing to do with our involvement in Iraq, no matter how hard BushCo tries to tie the two together. Bush was called on that specific issue in his presser yesterday.

I certainly don’t believe his morphing justification – the “we’re fighting them over there so we don’t fight them here” argument.

I do believe that we have created far more enemies since the invasion of Iraq than we had before and I also believe we are no safer here at home, and perhaps even less safe, than we were before 9/11

2) I think pointing out the falseness of BushCo’s arguments is an important reality check. And providing an alternate position is vitally important – I don’t care how much they try to twist and distort.

3) So, is that a reason to stop presenting solutions? I think it’s more important not to back down in the face of lies and intimidation.

4) I think Americans are looking for constructive solutions – not the crap Lieberman and BushCo have to offer

5) Precisely – again, Americans are looking for constructive solutions

I like your use of the common sense theme, per your link. And I like the suggestion of the Anonymous commenter there who suggests using the phrase “common sense for the common good.”

I’ve really enjoyed Ned Lamont’s ability to use words well – his ‘the common good before common ground’ phrasing is very much to the point against Lieberman. Common sense for the common good could, and should, be applied to an awful lot of our current problems, as you suggest.

Scarecrow, punaise, Anne, SWOPA, pow wow – we’ve all been striken by something.

*g*

Fixed. (I am a full-service guest poster.)

My take on it too — especially after watching Frontline’s “The Dark Side.” I’d be less surprised if Cheney and Rumsfeld dismissed BUSH than the other way around.

As for who’d want the job — beats hell outta me. (Of course, it beats hell outta me that anybody of sane mind wants any political job at any time. Those folks itching for the assignment to clean up after ChimpCo, though — well, they must be QUITE the special breed.)

scarecrow @ 99

punaise — nice to see you again. I thought you took the only safe position last night: behind the sofa!

yeah, it was duck and (plastic seat) cover time….it was almost divan. In the Middle East you just never know what’s lurking behind the Ottoman, however.

This doesn’t settee well with me. It’s the thrill of the chaise, after all that springs us to action, so let’s not couch our comments in slip(pery)covers. Next time I’m asked to follow punaise’s example, I’ll respectfully recline.