Reply #59: Good questions for a bad administration [View All]

[karynnj]

Having totally blown the aftermath, the question may become are we in a position where we are incapable of doing more good than harm. We might be near that point - though I noticed the NYT had a front page article about how the US is now encouraging the neighboring countries, the EU and even the UN to help with the intra Iraq diplomacy. Another of Kerry's four points, but I think he recommended it as long as 2 years ago.

The problem I have is I don't believe Bush is trying to fix things and get out quickly. They obviously haven't done well on training the Iraqi troops - even though Kerry very publicly discussed other countries' offers to train much large numbers of soldiers. They could do better if they tried, so I think that they need to be pushed to tell the truth about what their goal really is.

The DSM actually can lead in to this; Bush lied about his intentions in the lead up to the war and he is probably lying now about wanting to get out. The fact that Kerry's suggested plan matched the steps proposed (later) by Scowcroft and some of the military people suggests that there is a lot of consensus on the steps that should be taken if the goal is to stabilize Iraq, repair the damage, and get out. That Bush has not done these things implies he is pursuing another goal or the civilian military leaders need to be replaced due to incompetence. Things like talk of building 14 permanent bases implies the former.

We need to demand they tell the truth about what their true goals are. I suspect they know what they are doing is contrary to American values or they would have been honest about it last year.