<<At this point, stripped of all the administrations grand ambitions and ego investment, the task is to draw American involvement to the most successful conclusion possible under the realities we face. >>
Right. Simple adherence to the most basic principles of international law being, of course, completely abhorrent and out of the question.
<<At the same time however, we must be looking forward and positioning ourselves for the long, difficult struggle with violent, radical Islam, a conflict we simply can't afford to lose.>>
Well, at least until the next bogeyman comes to the rescue of your "defense" contractors.
<<I note that even today a battleground is blasting in Somalia, again, indicating at least to me that there is much religious/political/cultural attraction for a jihad which could spread to vulnerable sites.>>
Forget about it, domer, there's no oil under that battleground, get it? No. Oil.
But on to more serious stuff.
THE DILEMMA DEFINED:
<<As I have analyzed the situation, there is a possibility that a surge could buy enough time to salvage the present Iraqi government . . . [clearly, in domer's eyes, a nonpareil aggregation of political wisdom, probity and benevolence] Thus, I sumit, a surge is a rational approach to the problem even if its success is against the odds.
<<On the other hand, beginning withdrawal is also a rational choice, but it has an equally unsure foundation: what do we do . . . to assure the best possible launch-point post-Iraq to fight and win the overall war against violent, radical Islam? >>
to surge? or to flee? to flee? or to surge?
<<As far as I can see, matching Bush's myopia, the Democrats have not defined such a program or vision . . . . >>
Shit. Nobody knows anything.
<<By default then, and extrapolated nationally, I will support, until another "tipping point" clearly arises, whatever rational strategy emerges from the present review and renew process. >>
So let's do whatever the Iraq Study Group says to do.
<<This means I will share my "nephew's" and my friend's mission . . . because every soldier and Marine, OUR fighting men and women, needs our heartfelt solidarity as much as our detached prayers. >>
Or better yet . . . SUPPORT OUR TROOPS.
domer is about the only guy in this group who can credibly imitate the tortured agony of a great moral philosopher wracked by existential doubts that threaten the very foundations of his being, and then finally come up with a "solution" that is indistinguishable from the thought of Ronald Reagan. Makes for some hilarious reading, though.