Bush's War Message

Lot of Iraq talk these days. Lets be clear. Iraq is a war that we can win and then go home. But the fact is our engagement in Iraq now is about holding the fort while we train Iraqi troops and security forces to fight for themselves.

Then we can slowly recede to our two of three bases, while Iraqis take care of security, establish a working government, and rebuild their country.

But the insurgents want something different. The AMS want the US to withdraw, the Bathist want power back, and the foreign fighters want to terrorize and train for future engagement.

The AMS and FFers are primarily targeting US soldiers. The Bathists are probably the ones killing Iraqis at 50+ a day. (Makes sense because they know where all the explosives are hidden.)

The Bathists want a civil war, want disruption, want chaos so they can move back into power. Hitler came to power out of the desperate circumstances of post WWI Germany, no? The Bathists are trying to create the same opportunity.

Iraq is also the fighting ground for any terrorist with a bee in his bonnet about the U.S. They get training in explosives and US tactics. Bush claims that it's better to be fighting the terrorists there rather then here, but this is clearly a tactical mistake caused by the invasion. We would rather not be providing terrorists with real world, real time combat training.

Once the US leaves (we will still have some bases in Iraq), the AMS and FFers will leave too.

That leaves the Iraqi army to battle with the Bathists. Not a great scenario and one that could lead to civil war in Iraq and a major disruption in the entire Middle East. That is what is known as blow back.

I personally believe this is the precise scenario radical Muslims are hoping for. A warring Middle East becomes desperate and oil supplies become insecure. The US can't afford a warring Middle East, so we are going to be in Iraq for the long haul, not always as an occupying force, but we will be their.

So the Iraqis need to negotiate and find a way to bring some Bathists back into power, thus removing the incentive to cause disruption.

The president's message Tuesday must reflect the current reality of Iraq.

If Bush trots out the tired 911+ terrorism = Iraq equation, the public isn't going to buy it.

What he needs to address is that the US is in Iraq to help them attain and secure a working democracy built around their customs and culture. To accomplish this goal, we are training the Iraqi army and providing security while Iraqis rebuild their country. We will begin to withdraw as the Iraqis gain the manpower to provide their own security. This will take some time.

Here's a deal for the President/Rove. If you stop trying to scare us with 911 terrorist rhetoric, we won't bring up the fact that the Iraq war is based on lies. In other words, Mr. Prez, provide use with a vision and a plan of Iraq going forward and the American people with get on board. Be straight with us too. We all know the issues, and what's more we understand them. Few Americans believe that we should get out now. We know we have to be there a while. But we want a plan.

My bet, however, is that we won't get this type of speech, and if Rove's performance last week is any indication, I won't get any odds..

No, Bush is going to stand up there and relive 911 for us all, tell us all what a dangerous world it is and that Iraq is a critical test in the WOT.

The saving grace of the speech will be the entertainment value for malapropism watchers. I count myself among them. Its great sport to watch the guy do his thing.

But it will be an opportunity lost and one step closer to Iraq turning into a Vietnam.

Rove Lashes Out!

Why is Karl Rove lashing out at the democrats calling them liberals who are soft Terrorism.

Haven't heard? Well, visit most of the left or center blogs and they are screaming, especially in the comments.

Rove is obviously shrewd about what he says so the comments are designed to distract the MSM and bloggers from Bush's failing domestic agenda.

Lets list them for fun. Social Security privatization is dead, Bolton nomination is toast, although he may get in on a recess appoinment. And the Media is starting to turn on Iraq wondering when the troops are coming home. There are other things as well like a stagnant economy and high gas prices. Top all that with the general feeling that Bush is a lame duck whose probably not going to get much done.

So the ploy from the Rove bag of tricks is to raise the spector of 911, divide the nation again, and get everyone sniping.

I think too, Rove is lashing out on an un-Rove like way, almost unconsicenly. Creepy.