The hits have been coming almost too fast to follow. Scooter Libby convicted on four felony counts; an ever growing scandal over the abrupt dismissal of at least eight Federal prosecutors; Walter Reed, building 18. But one critical ingredient was missing, democratic unity on the most important issue of the day. Perhaps until now:
NYT -- The plan to establish a specific date for removing troops intensifies the confrontation with the administration at a time when Congress is scrutinizing President Bush’s request for nearly $100 billion in additional spending toward military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. But Republicans vowed to block the new Democratic effort, which they said amounted to micromanaging the war, and the White House immediately signaled its opposition.
For those who support this badly needed course correction and stand united, yes, the neocon media apparatus will throw everything they have at you. You are going to be called every possible synonym of traitor or chicken-shit you can imagine and then some. Expect Bush & Company shills to bluster and threaten, while confederates wring their hands in fake concern over progressive political acumen. Joe Klein and his ilk will desperately try to appear relevant, even if it means throwing dems under the bus.
Yes, if the democrats remain steadfast, if they pour the heat on, a loud thrashing noise may soon be heard across the nation. The deafening sound of full blown conservative panic. Neo-clowns have surely known for sometime that their track record can’t survive in the harsh light of day. I imagine they've had occasion to chuckle to themselves at the tragic, almost comical ineptitude of their opponents. With the perfect storm of GOP arrogance, negligence, and law breaking, they're truly in the fight of their lives, downright terrified, and well they should be:
The Politico -- The survey, released Thursday, showed that a majority of Americans in competitive, conservative-leaning House districts approve of setting a date for troops to withdraw from Iraq. ... The poll found 67 percent of respondents favor a plan that would allow American troops to "be out of Iraq by early 2008."
The vast majority of the American people, i.e. voters, are on board with this. And if Bush veto's it, or Republicans interfere with the express wishes of a significant majority, they will only again assert complete ownership of this misguided, deeply unpopular war. We might be witnessing the final curtain call for today's addled version of the Grand Old Party. Good fucking riddance.
A lot of good people have died and been horribly maimed, and more will follow. Regardless if this plan is your personal fave, this isn't about us is it? It is no game? Contact your congressperson or senator and tell them action speaks. Let them know you have their back. Encourage them. Because they're going to need it.
The winger pushback against any idea that threatens to end the needless bloodshed and expose Bush in the process promises to be as vicious as any we've seen. The extremist right is going to scream and shriek and howl like a finely tuned chorus of goblins being sprayed with Holy Water, no matter if it's Murtha's plan, or Pelosi's, or Russ Feingold's.
These right-wing leeches have been feeding on the blood and fear of We the People like vampires on a binge for so long, they know no other way of living. They're aren't going to go quietly into the night, and they'll be delighted to play us off against one another, again. For in that ghoulish context, they know damn well that a unified opposition and a fed-up public finally standing over their open casket with a stake in one hand and a hammer in the other just might spell The End.
The least we can do for our troops is hold the wooden spike over that undead heart, instead of squabbling over the exact, theoretical placement. Then, maybe, if our elected representatives persevere, and drive that stake home on our behalf, they and we can begin putting this neo-conservative monster down once and for all.