INSPIRING PROGRESS

Since the surge was announced by Mr. Bush, 600
of our troops have died, and 3,000 injured. The
surge was to gain space for a political solution,
and that is not happening. One third of Iraq's
cabinet is boycotting the government, and
parliament is taking August off, without seeking
to solve any of the substantial differences
dividing the nation.

The debate over the war is also becoming a
debate between those who believe in Bush and
share his beliefs about the war -- and those who
don't. "I believe we can succeed," said the Prez,
"and I believe we are making security progress
that will enable the political track to succeed as
well." Does he have any evidence on which to
base his beliefs? There have been some
encouraging developments in al Anbar, and a
decline in car bombings in Baghdad.

But supposing Gen. Petraeus is successful in
buying the Iraqi government some time: what
will they do with it? Will the Shia majority
ever willingly share power in a meaningful way
with Sunnis who have been mass-murdering
them and destroying their homes and holy
places for the last 40 years? That's the gist of
it, and it's not going to happen. We're kicking
a dead horse, and piling up dead G. I.s and
Iraqis for a fantasy. It's for Mr. Bush's light-
headed dream of a free, thriving, democratic
Iraq. We would all love that, of course!

The reality is: "The government is unable to
govern." This from CIA director Michael
Hayden, who added: "We have spent a lot of
time and treasure and energy creating a
government that is balanced and it cannot
function . . . the inability of the government
to govern seems irreversible." So there you
have it folks: the impossible dream!

We are now arming Sunnis to fight al Qaeda.
That means two things: 1) we can't handle
al Qaeda, or we wouldn't be arming both sides
in a civil war, and 2) We're insane! Both sides
in the civil war are also assaulting us regularly.

The President forgot to mention that the
longer we stay in Iraq, the stronger al Qaeda
gets worldwide. We are helping al Qaeda
more by staying in Iraq than by leaving.
That makes us safer? Dream on!

In September 2004, Mr. B assured us that Iraq
"was making steady progress." In April, 2005:
"We're making good progress in Iraq." In Oct.,
2005: "Iraq has made incredible political
progress." In November 2005: "Iraqis are
making inspiring progress." Dream on! With
this kind of progress we can be there ten more
years.

jgoodwin004@centurytel.net