Responding To Criticism
Recently I wrote a long reply to a posting on Peter David’s site.
I felt it was a good bit of discussion, to display my point of view, and I’m crossposting it here.
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Where to start… ok…
“Why is that you bushapologists can never understand the difference between thinking America is evil and disagreeing with the current administration’s policies?”
If I said I was a “bushapologist,” let me be clear: I’m not.
Yes, I think Bush has done some good. That alone tends to get large words with unkind meaning thrown my way when I say it in public. Bush isn’t popular, and I tend to get an earful when I say anything positive.
But I have serious issues with Bush and his lack of securing the borders, and trying to push amnesty, and spending, and and and…
“Keep it up, Mr. Hypocrite. You’re certainly making a great case for yourself.”
That a Republican went to Syria a day after Pelosi? That’s not the point I was trying to make. The point is that Pelosi went when the White House asked her not too. Could it be that the White House had a plan to talk with Syria? I don’t know. But I think it was arrogant of Ms. Pelosi to think that she could do a better job by herself than the White House could. Don’t cry to me about the partisanship of the RNC, when Pelosi and Reid start trying to run the country against the President’s wishes. And hate Bush all you like, he’s the Commander In Chief. He deserves the respect of the office. That’s what cheesed me off about Clinton: I couldn’t care less if he’s screwing every woman that walked by him… but when it takes place in the oval office, that’s disrespecting the office you serve in.
“..why is it when the Repub has no facts left to stand on they pull the equivalent of a 5 year old hissy fit by spewing and stomping their feet?”
That’s absolutely not true.
I hold my breath instead. Besides, my feet hurt.
“How will we know if we’ve won?”
True. I was vague on that. Here is my definition of winning: Stay long enough to give the Iraqi government a chance to succeed. Another couple of years? No. I agree that they are being wishy washy over there, and wasting time. They need to step it up now, while we’re still there to help and train. I’d like to see the troops coming home by October. But I’d like it to be either because Iraq is ready to hold their own, or they’ve failed to meet their obligation. I don’t want it because it was listed on the time table on some funding bill.
“I hope you don’t sincerely believe that Bush has made no mistakes whatsoever and it’s all on the Dems.”
Nope, I don’t believe that at all. And I try not to lump all Dems and Libs in the same boat. I’m a conservative first, and a Republican second, and I see plenty of Republicans doing stupid stuff that should get them replaced during their next election.
But I also see Pelosi and Reid - the “voices” of the Democratic party - doing and saying stupid stuff. They need to represent their party, and they need to do a better job of it. What did Reid say the other day? Something about shoving the funding bill down the president’s throat? *That* sounds childish to me. Will he be stomping his feet soon?
“…how much of this desire to “win” in Iraq comes from concern over the fate of the Iraqi people and how much of it comes from an ingrained fear of losing and the shame associated with losing.”
Much of it, for me, comes from the concern over the fate of the Iraqi people. I sincerely believe that they want to change. And I see great strides in that country over the last few years to make that change happen. I also believe that if we leave before they’re ready for us to go, that the masses from other countries will come down on Iraqi citizens like a pile of bricks on water balloons. I pray I’m all kinds of wrong about that… but fear that I’m also right.
The shame of losing wouldn’t be mine to bear. It would be that of the soldier that wanted to stay and fight. Are there a number boys and girls that are fed up and ready to come home? Yeah, I’ll bet there are several. But having spoken to some of those soldiers myself.. and having read the military bloggers.. and having read the blogs from the families of the soldiers… I think there are a great deal more military that want to stay and fight and “finish the job,” than want to just pack it up and bug out.
If it could be proven that pulling out of Iraq is best, then I’m all for it. But as with all conflicts, there are no guarantees. We could pull out tomorrow, and Iraq would succeed.. or not.. or pull out when the Iraqi government feels we should leave, and they fail immediately. All I want is for them to have the best possible chance that we can give them. If not us, who?
“…an arbitrary invasion that accomplished no benefit to the US that wouldn’t have taken place if UN inspections had been allowed to continue.”
I believe much has been to the benefit of America and Iraq. But if you don’t believe that, or believe that we should have just left Saddam in power, then no amount of debate on my part will make any difference in my attempt to argue that point.
Are benchmarks the answer? I think so. That’s my personal belief. I just don’t believe in dates set in stone.
“Robert, I couldn’t help noticing from the site you link to that you are still a proud Bush-supporter.”
Is there a more difficult job than that of the President during a time of war? When he’s not even popular? I wouldn’t want that job. So, yes, I’m still a proud supporter of a man who is making unpopular and difficult decisions.
Besides.. I own the site that I link too. If under the roof of free speech, Rosie O can spout 9/11 conspiracy theories, then I should at least be allowed to support an unpopular President Bush.
“I also couldn’t help noticing that almost every single link on your site opens a new browser window. Doesn’t it bother you to have the use of the back button denied you even for pages within the same site?”
Fair enough. Problem fixed.
Thanks for the debate folks… this has been nifty… but I’m plum tuckered out. 
RLR