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War Critics, Dems Cite Intelligence Reports to Counter Bush

December 1, 2005 ⋅  E-Mail Article ⋅  Print Article ⋅ Post a comment

The debate over the war, and now the authorization of going to war, has trickled down into a he said she said nasty debate. Both sides are attacking the others stance and opinion so much that I feel like it’s an election year once again. Regardless of who said this, and who agreed to that, we are in the position we are in. This debate is supposed to be about establishing a purpose for our continued presence in Iraq and establishing a sound criterion for our victory\exit strategy.

However, it now appears that some politicians have turned this into a votes grab by trying to state their opinion, and stance, on the merits of the war, and their pretense for agreeing to go to war.

Democrats have commenced numerous attacks against the president, asserting that the Bush administration misconstrued pre-war intelligence to boost the argument for using military force as a way to remove Saddam Hussein from power in Iraq. The Bush administration has retaliated, the administration is now considered to be on the offensive, they are taking every opportunity to point out that many of these Democrats who are attacking the president are the same ones who voted in favor of using force. The Bush administration is accusing these Democrats of playing a game of cut and run because the going got a little tough.

Bush introduced his plan for victory, which was in a 35-page declassified document, by presenting a speech that offered a specific outline for success in Iraq. In his speech President Bush presented a list of military achievements in Iraq that the administration felt would suppress criticism that the current strategy is leaving U.S. troops vulnerable and exposed to unnecessary dangers.

President Bush advised that as American forces train Iraqis to assume more responsibility in the battle with the terrorists, they are helping the Iraqi people build a democracy. The president reiterated that the Sunni minority, which originally boycotted elections, are now being presented with religious edicts advising them that they must participate in elections and the emerging democratic government.

However, Bush’ speech did not squash criticism by Democrats that the Bush administration is not recognizing that most Iraqis want the American troops out of Iraq. John Kerry stated that, “When 80 percent of the people say we want America to withdraw and when 45 percent of the people in the country we’re fighting for believe it’s OK to kill Americans to help us get there, the president is not dealing with a certain kind of reality that’s important to the lives of our troops.”

Nancy Pelosi closed ranks with Representative John Murtha by stating that she wants to see a withdraw from Iraq. Nancy also reiterated her support for John Murthas’ earleir comments on the war strategy. Many Republicans accused Nancy, and many other Democrats of simply playing politics with this war.

Democrats are also very interested in revealing the findings of a bipartisan investigation into pre-war Iraq intelligence. Many ranking Democrats are stating they feel that some of the intelligence may have been embellished to improve the reasons, or justiciations, for going to war. Senator John McCain and Senator Carl Levin are both very active in the pre-war intelligence documents issue.

Regardless of which side of the isle you sit on, the Left, or the Right, we must remember this war is not supposed to be about partisan feelings and ideals. There are 160,000 brave men and woman putting their lives on the line each day for this cause. To turn their mission into a debate over political one-upmanship is disgusting. We must consider the merits of the mission, the safety of the soldiers involved, and the economic impact on our country. We must utilize these criteria and these criteria only, as the means for discussing an end to this situation. Irregardless of who said this, and who approved that, we must bring this mission to a successful close regardless of the exact exit date declared.
War Critics, Dems Cite Intelligence Reports to Counter Bush

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