Wednesday, September 15, 2004
Iraq's a Bloody Mess
The situation in Iraq is depressing. 200 dead in four days. An insurgency that is growing more sophisticated and organized every day and that is beginning to win the hearts of the Iraqi people who admire their courage and resilience. Bush seems oblivious. Kerry doesn't say what he would do. Condi Rice says "the Iraqis are moving right along" and that the "insurgents won't win." I certainly hope she's correct because the alternative is too terrible to imagine.
This Just In (9/16):
From the New York Times: "A classified National Intelligence Estimate prepared for President Bush in late July spells out a dark assessment of prospects for Iraq, government officials said Wednesday." Yet the administration continues to pretend all is well. "You know, every step of the way in Iraq there have been pessimists and hand-wringers who said it can't be done," Press Secretary Scott McClellan said at a news briefing. "And every step of the way, the Iraqi leadership and the Iraqi people have proven them wrong because they are determined to have a free and peaceful future." And read above for Condi's optimistic statements.
Look, I'm all for a positive attitude. But, I think it's possible to be both positive and realistic. There are things we can be doing that we aren't. To date, only about six percent of money earmarked for the reconstruction has been spent, which has some Senators ticked off. From the AP: "It's beyond pitiful, it's beyond embarrassing, it's now in the zone of dangerous," said Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb.
This Just In (9/16):
From the New York Times: "A classified National Intelligence Estimate prepared for President Bush in late July spells out a dark assessment of prospects for Iraq, government officials said Wednesday." Yet the administration continues to pretend all is well. "You know, every step of the way in Iraq there have been pessimists and hand-wringers who said it can't be done," Press Secretary Scott McClellan said at a news briefing. "And every step of the way, the Iraqi leadership and the Iraqi people have proven them wrong because they are determined to have a free and peaceful future." And read above for Condi's optimistic statements.
Look, I'm all for a positive attitude. But, I think it's possible to be both positive and realistic. There are things we can be doing that we aren't. To date, only about six percent of money earmarked for the reconstruction has been spent, which has some Senators ticked off. From the AP: "It's beyond pitiful, it's beyond embarrassing, it's now in the zone of dangerous," said Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb.
