Commentary

The Bush Follies- by Greg Strid

President Bush declared on Tuesday, “I understand there’s a debate…”
and went on to explain that it is the other side, roughly categorized
as “people in Washington” who are saying “STOP” to the “surge”, his
latest gamble to stabilize Baghdad and the tumultuous Anbar province.

Thirty thousand odd American troops, the backbone of this effort,
apparently arrived in full-force just a few weeks ago. (They’re
still unpacking.) He is implying that those seeking a hasty retreat
are not giving the soldiers a chance to implement his master plan-
another way of saying that the opposition does not support the
troops. (Although he must tread carefully now; in the past two
weeks, five Senate Republicans voiced their misgivings about
the surge on the open airwaves, and pleaded with him to change
course.)

Bush’s record low approval ratings, coupled with the Iraq war’s
mounting unpopularity, have emboldened poll-watching
members of his own party to openly criticize him. But, he
remains unmoved.

The White House just released a report today- each copy
comes with 3-D glasses and two tabs of acid- that highlights
signs of progress (apparently missed by those not taking
hallucinogens) on several political and security goals.

Now, armed with a report cooked in his own kitchen, he made
it known to the world that increased support for the troops
and the inept, corrupt, Iraqi government must be sustained
in order to defeat al Qaeda and other extremist pests in Iraq.

When a sober eye gazes upon the mess in Iraq, al Qaeda is
properly seen as a bit player in the murderous mayhem that
continues to engulf that tortured land. The fact that Bush still
equates the Iraq war with the war on terror, and refuses
to adapt truly new and bold initiatives, is testimony to his refusal
to take responsibility for the enormous tragedy that he has created.

His unwillingness to alter his calamitous course shows that it is his
legacy, and not the welfare of the millions whose lives he has
ruined, that he cares most about.

©Greg Strid 2007

© 2007 Splendid Marbles.