First, I'm not going to pretend that I'm a scholar of print media, or even an avid reader of the opinion section of a newspaper.  This post is more of the "I'm willing to wager" variety.  When it comes to sitting down and writing something that's to be reprinted in the opinion section of a major newspaper, What I Didn't Find in Africa has got to go down in history as one hell of a doozy.  On July 6, 2003, Joe Wilson dropped a rock in a pond that is still making waves: Court Hears Libby Describe Cheney as 'Upset' at Critic .

I've given some analysis of the phrase 'war on terror' before, namely the use of it as justification for Bush's vigilantism.  To me, the phrase is both illogical and inaccurate, at least insofar as the 'war' is currently being prosecuted.  It describes a 'war' that will only be 'won' the day everyone on earth stops killing each other.  Literally.   While I'm all for this effort, I don't see the wisdom in creating the impression that you're going to keep dropping bombs on people as the first step towards 'victory'. Call me stupid.

Objections to the memorial have ranged from interpretations of the shape of it, to what's printed on it, to what's not printed on it, to the educational curriculum associated with it.  

It depends on how you spin what's written on it.

"I'm against vigilantes in the United States of America." - Bush, March 23, 2005

Bush was referring to the Minuteman Project when he made this statement, while in the presence on Mexican president Fox and Canadian PM Martin.  At the time , I thought it was a bit ironic since the Minutemen's main complaint was with Bush's border policy (or lack thereof).  Regardless on what your stance is on what the Minutemen are doing, it is quite clear from that quote that Bush is "against vigilantes", whatever form they may take. This week, the irony hit me all over again.  Before I elaborate, however, I think it's important that we are on the same page when it comes to what it means to be a vigilante.  From the Wiki dictionary:

Noun
vigilante (plural vigilantes)

1. One who takes the law into one's own hands

(from the FearBush.com blog)

With the situation on the ground in Iraq being what it is, any rumors of troop withdrawal may be nothing more than wishful thinking.   I guess it should come as no surprise then , that the news as of late has seemed to indicate the opposite.  In fact, some members of our armed forces have been notified that their deployment has been extended:

Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld on Thursday extended the tours of some 3,500 members of the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team. The unit, which has been serving in northern Iraq, was scheduled to be leaving now. Instead, most of its 3,900 troops will serve for up to four more months. It was unclear whether the unit would go to Baghdad.

This news caught my attention for another reason.   One of our own forum members is part of that very unit: Stryker.  It was less than 2 months ago when he posted a thread and gave details about his experiences, namely his encounter with an IED.