In Search Of Utopia: Bush's Speech

Like ISOU? Make a Donation!

Connect

Recent Entries

« One other thing... | Main | Creative Interpretation »

December 18, 2005

Bush's Speech

Bush gave a major speech tonight on Iraq. While I did not catch it live, I was able to read the transcript here.

Did it break new ground... Not really, except the President once again accepted responsibility for sending American Troops into Iraq, and not finding WMD's. This is pretty groundbreaking in and of itself for a President who just a year ago was still holding on to the WMD argument.

Like David at the Moderate Voice, I give the speech a B. I find myself agreeing with a lot of what Bush said tonight, including completing the job. As I have said many times, leaving an unstable Iraq would be a far worse decision than going to War in the first place.

I believe, unlike many of my bretheren on the Left, that the Elections were a major step in the right direction, and I am willing to give our troops on the ground and their commanders the time that they need to finish their mission.

I believe many mistakes have been made in executing this war, the first being going to war in the first place, but I am willing to acknowledge that if a stable, peaceful and democratic Iraq results from the war, then it may have been worth it.

Time will tell. At the moment, this Administration faces a steep uphill climb in earning my trust and respect, something I was willing to give them in the days following 9/11, but which they have thrown away with dirty trick after dirty trick. Nevertheless, I am pleased to see the President at least trying to provide some real leadership and vision on Iraq, even if it fails perfection.

Posted by David A at December 18, 2005 11:13 PM
Filed Under Iraq | 283 Words

Trackback Pings

TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.grupo-utopia.com/blog/mt/mt-tb.cgi/1133

Comments

Thanks for a thoughtful post. If I might add, the singular reality on the ground is the emergence of 10,000,000 new opinions that will weigh somewhat more than their numbers would suggest in the battleground of public opinion. For Iraqis are living through what most Americans will only argue about, save for the troops. Democracy can be a wild ride in the beginning of a new Iraq--most likely even beyond Bush--if history is any lesson. That will be the long test of America's take on such things as victory and defeat, democracy and freedom. And alliance.

Posted by: Rizalist at December 19, 2005 12:24 AM

David,

I repect this sort of posting. Perhaps in your recent heavy work period, Doogntoon and other guest bloggers (whose content I just don't find as interesting) seemed to predominate. If I have been a less frequent visitor, commenter, and linker, that's the only reason.

Looking forward to more of your posts.

You're on the latest map. :)

Posted by: The Commissar at December 19, 2005 07:58 AM

"I believe many mistakes have been made in executing this war, the first being going to war in the first place,..."

Please tell the mistakes.

Did our soldiers make mistakes as they conduct wartime operations?

Perhaps you are talking about logistics mistakes?

The only mistake I can see is allowing the sons of bitches in the liberal press keep harping on every damn thing they can think of to undermine the war effort.

Irresponsible? I think "aid and comfort to the enemy" and just being stupid assholes smacks more of truth.

But hell what do I know, I'm only in the Army.

Shoot a liberal. Save a tree.

Posted by: Constantine at December 19, 2005 01:33 PM

Well lets see:
1. Poor logistical planning.
2. Assuming that ALL Iraqi's would welcome the troops with open arms.
3. Abu Gharib
4. Billions of Dollars in cash unaccounted for.
5. Military Officers building sun decks and jacuzzis in their stateside houses with money earmarked for Iraq.

Need I go on?

And why post anonomously? You got the balls to talk about shooting people who dissagree with you, but dont have the balls to post a valid email address?

Posted by: David Anderson at December 19, 2005 01:51 PM

I appreciate the kind words. In the future, however, the short blurbs I post on TMV are not meant to be free-standing posts, but rather "pointers" to a more comprehensive piece I've posted on my own blog, The Debate Link. In this case, this post.

Just a heads up, and again, thanks for the recognition.

Posted by: David Schraub at December 19, 2005 05:20 PM