I have been trying in the worst way to sort out Iraq in some coherent, lavish, well reasoned argument that would simply command assent that we need a change from the "stay the course" strategy. But the thing is that this war is so f**k up and has become an ever-increasing onion with layers and layers of incomprehensible logic, dishonesty, accusations, and just down and out stupidity. So instead of an essay, I opted for a High Fidelity-like list, in no particular order:
1. Has anyone noticed that we have never been told how we will know we have won in Iraq? Or, what are our objectives in Iraq and how do we expect to achieve them?
2. Has anyone noticed that the Bush Administration has become a parody of the British TV series, "Yes Prime Minister" and not the other way around?
3. Has anyone noticed that the money spent in the war could have been used to shore up Social Security, make Medicare solvent, or improve education for all of our children?
4. Has anyone noticed that no country in the history of Earth has ever had a tax cut in a time of war?
5. Has anyone noticed that a "bunch of dead enders" have tied down 130,000 troops for a period of time longer than America's involvement in WWII?
6. Has anyone noticed that the policy of our country for three-and-a-half years has been "stay the course" and the situation continues to deteriorate?
7. Has anyone noticed whenever the Bush Administration is questioned as to their competency they hide behind the flag and equate dissent with treason?
8. Has anyone noticed "cut and run" really means "we are the tough guys that send your sons to war and those that don't want to send your sons to irrational wars are pussies"?
9. Has anyone noticed that "they are pussies" is really the equivalent of "we have no answers so we will call those who disagree with us pussies"?
10. Has anyone noticed that whatever we do in Iraq will ultimately result, if we are lucky, in the country being split into three?
11. Has anyone noticed that Iran keeps getting stronger and richer?
12. Has anyone noticed that China keeps getting stronger?
13. Has anyone noticed that I had to take my shoes off in the Dubuque airport because of some guy who lives in a cave on the other side of the planet? Well, of course you didn't, but certainly the TSA guy did and he wasn't happy about it, poor guy; someting about wet socks and long walks didn't make him too happy.
14. Has anyone noticed that liberal is still a word politicians hide from?
15. Has anyone noticed that no one wants to be seen with Bush or Cheney and yet they keep voting with them?
16. Has anyone noticed no one has been fired in the Bush Administration except, arguably, Colin Powell?
17. Has anyone noticed Mr. Bush is the poster boy for the Peter Principle?
18. Has anyone noticed that we still don't know what was discussed during the Cheney Energy Task Force about Iraq?
19. Has anyone noticed that those Senators who gave the President authority to go to war in Iraq as a last resort abdicated their duties under the Constitution?
20. Has anyone noticed that Mr. Bush is the worst President America has ever had?
21. Has anyone noticed that hoping that weight of American military power outlasts the resolve of the Iraqi insurgents before the American public gets sick of paying for the war, or the military gets sick of fighting, is not a strategy for success? It's gambling?