As you were...

There’s been much written regarding General “P”’s report on the status of the war in Iraq. “Predictable”,” expected”, and “questionable” are a few of the responses I’ve heard. I have a few comments (and questions) myself. My comments and questions, however, are for the other General “P” – Powell. (Remember him?)
In an interview last week he voiced his opinion(s) regarding Iraq. First, he said that leaving Iraq would be a mistake. Later, (in the same interview) he stated that we would be forced to withdraw our troops in 18 months. This, he said, would be out of necessity from over-taxing our troops.
Am I the only one confused by this double-speak? If we’ll be forced to withdraw our troops in 18 months (out of necessity), why not withdraw now? What does this General “P” think we’ll accomplish in the next 18 months that we haven’t been able to accomplish in the past few years? And why would he think a tired and worn force would be able to accomplish something that couldn’t be accomplished when they were less tired and worn?
The news is replete with Generals and their opinions lately. It’s almost enough to make me gag. How wise they seem to be ‘following retirement and pension approval’ – or, at least they try to appear wise and thoughtful once on the CNN payroll or ‘paid talk circuit’. Such wisdom, I suppose, comes only after retirement it seems. It’s a shame that these men can’t find their voice while in command of our troops. If they could, perhaps the death toll wouldn’t be so high, nor the list of injured so exhaustive. The late Colonel Hackworth (a true American hero) was right in referring to these men as ‘perfumed princes’, more concerned with their careers than their troops. Would that they be ‘wise’ when it mattered – when it would make a difference.
There’s an old saying: “Opinions are like Generals. Every President has some, and they all stink”. Wait, did I get that right? Hmm… Get back to me in 18 months.

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Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, stating the obvious, spoke to a very quiet crowd of Republicans. He voiced concern about the future of his party and encouraged a more ‘moderate’ position.
He said, “in movie terms, we’re losing at the box-office. We’re not filling the seats.”
There are many reasons why the Republican Party is on shaky ground. Some may say it’s (Georgie) Bush, the Religious Right’s influence over the Party, the Iraq War, the Economy, or the embarrassing sex scandals involving GOP Representatives. To be sure, these all play a part in the general dissatisfaction with the Party, however; I believe the problem is rooted in the ‘abandonment of the Party’s core values’ and the isolation many Republican’s felt as they watched their Party – usurped by an almost fanatical group of extremists – pursue interests and goals to the detriment of the Party’s interests.
Like non-Republican citizens, Republicans were swept aside when their support of the current administration waivered. They too, finally, felt the abandon the Bush regime offers to those that don’t (without question or pause) support their every action. They were betrayed. The Republican Party was betrayed. They, like the rest of America, were lied to, taken advantage of, and (finally) discarded by the administration. The true meaning of the ‘if you’re not for us, you’re against us’ attitude of the Bush administration was finally realized.
This administration has placed itself above the law, weakened the Constitution, lied (repeatedly) to the citizens of this country, destroyed our credibility in the international community, engaged in torture and illegal imprisonment and waged an unnecessary war while amassing enormous debt… The list of atrocities goes on and on and on. Did the average Republican believe he/she was somehow exempt from the actions of this ‘out of control’ administration? That they, by virtue of their party affiliation, would suffer no ill effects?
In truth, this administration no more represents the average Republican than it does any other citizen. It represents itself, and its self-serving interests. It would be easy to point a finger at the Republicans and shout “ You voted for him! You supported him! You elected him!”, but that would be unfair. Who could have predicted such arrogance and deceit from an American President? To be betrayed by an enemy is expected. To be betrayed by someone you trust is painful. And make no mistake, the Republican Party has been betrayed.
It is time for Americans to come together; to put the needs of our country above Party interests. Repairing the damage done will require the participation of all Americans. Party affiliation aside, we are first and foremost citizens of America. It is our country, and we need to take back control of it.
Oh, just so you know, Democrats aren’t all that thrilled with their Party’s leadership either.

Father knows best...

"Weakness and ambivalence lead to war."

GEORGE H.W. BUSH, August 18, 1988

Tears, Tears, Tears...

With all that's going on in the world it's interesting to learn that Georgie decided to take the time to collaborate on writing a book. I don't recall hearing that particular 'campaign promise' during the last election, do you? "If elected, I promise to write a book." No, I don't believe so.

In the book -it's reported - the Prez reveals that he cries on God's shoulder - often. Hmmm. I haven't heard such a gut-renching, tear-jerking story since... Well, since the Prez's father revealed that he 'grieves' when he hears people criticized his son. Sad, so sad. Not!

If the Bush's would care to see real grieving, or tears, they might consider spending some time with the 3,700 plus families of our fallen soldiers.

Sympathy for Georgie and his Dad? Sorry, not today.

U.S. Iraq War Death Toll as of today

3741... and (unfortunately) counting.

Thought you had a bad day?

Photo: U.S. Army