Bush Requests Another Blank War Check

The Wacky Analyst
Volume One
March 19, 2007

President Bush requested in a speech today for Congress to give him a blank check for the war in Iraq. He seeks unlimited funds to carry out his plan to send over 20,000 more troops to Iraq and continue whatever goal he claims to have in Iraq.

Of course, the real problem is whether a troop surge and more money will achieve anything of prominence. Democrats in Congress are definitely moving for a timeline to end U.S. involvement in Iraq, and the president insists he will veto any such measure.

The first thing that puzzles me about this whole situation is that Bush can't clearly articulate any goals or plans. In addition, we always hear yet another claim of progress (just like today) that likewise is never effectively articulated. How many years now have we heard the same claims? Where is the proof of this progress? These claims come across as hollow to any objective observer. Perhaps I and others like me would buy into all these plans if the White House could actually articulate something and put it in clear and concise English instead of the same old one-liner or two-liner justifications.

It seems that Bush still legitimately thinks that there is work to be done in Iraq. On that note, he may be correct, but the end game remains as fuzzy as ever. As soon as out troops pull out, what is the likelihood that all detractors will peacufully lay down arms and bow to Iraqi leaders? In our country, we disagree but always have peaceful elections to determine our leaders. This is simply not the way of life in Iraq. Detractors here complain about policy but go about their lives. Detractors there build bombs, take up arms, and kill people.

Defenders of White House policy label opponents as quitters. In my opinion, this could not be further from the truth. Opponents of the administration simply realize that the main goal has already been achieved. We went in to remove a brutal dictator, and we have done that. It is now up to the Iraqi people to determine the path of their future. Hopefully, Bush will soon realize that our main task is done. After the death of over 3000 of our troops, the other goals have diminished.

Regardless of any timeline or lack thereof, there comes a time when a country has to take back control. If the current government can't get things in order, then perhaps they are not the right ones for the job. Even good guests can overstay their welcome. We have been reasonably good guests, but if the Iraqi government and Iraqi troops can't get with the program in what is now going on five years, then they are the failures, not us. The main goal was to remove Saddam, and we achieved that, put in place an interim government, and that government held elections. It's time for the Iraqi people to determine their future. Sometimes, good guests just need to go home.