A common meme in the mainstream media and talk radio regarding the War in Iraq is "So what if Bush manipulated intelligence and lied us into war? We're there now, so what are we going to do about it? We can't just cut and run. The bell cannot be unrung." This is followed by the usual description of anti-war Democrats as people who want to see the terrorists win and America lose, and the conclusion is always that all Americans must now support the President.
The weakness of the response to these comments by Democratic leaders or liberal commentators has surprised me, especially when the appropriate response is so clear, so simple:
"By being dishonest about the true nature of Saddam's threat to America, by manipulating the intelligence, by rushing to war in Iraq and mismanaging forces, George W. Bush has forfeited his right to prosecute this war. It may well be that American forces cannot immediately withdraw from Iraq, but George W. Bush has proven himself to be untrustworthy as Commander-in-Chief and cannot be allowed to make this decision."
We must not allow the "I was wrong but so what?" excuse to stand, whether it comes from the Bush Administration or Democratic Congressional leaders.
I'm not sure how we take the prosecution of the war out of the hands of the people who got us into this mess. At very least, a complete house-cleaning must take place in the State Department and in Defense. Rice, Rumsfeld and Cheney should go, of course, but that might be beyond the capabilities of Bush's opposition to bring about. Congressional oversight of the War has to increase to the point where George W. Bush no longer has the free hand given him by the War Resolution. Funding must be tied to clearly stated and well-researched goals. If this ties the hands of the President, well, that's the idea. He's proven this job is beyond him, so like a failing middle-manager, he needs be given help.
I'm sure the people who read DailyKos have more informed ideas regarding ways the decision-tree for the War in Iraq can be redesigned to remove Bush and his failed cabinet. I don't have nearly the understanding of government to know how best to restructure the command structure, so invite those of you who have such understanding to provide the details. But one thing I do know is that
George W. Bush's lies and mishandling of power has disqualified him from being in charge of the War. We have to give him some help.