Four words are worth
a 1000 pictures.
I just
don't have
enough room.
don't have
enough room.
Open Thread December 21 2024
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Yesterday, Steve Schmidt had this to say about Elon Musk. It’s short, and
it’s painfully humorous, as only dumb-criminal-level stupidity can be. So
I’m thr...
3 hours ago
Vigilante, Did you attend?
ReplyDeleteNews and blogger reports indicated significantly smaller crowds than anticipated.
Sadly, it reminds me of some of the "Save Darfur" rallies I've attended.
WIZ......
In this day of using lowered standards of expectancy as a device of casting political reverses as political accomplishments, I venture to say, Wizard, that absolute numbers are less important than trends.
ReplyDeleteAs far as trends in popular anti-war demonstrations are concerned, I am comfortable predicting increasing numbers. There is only one way Bush can stay in Iraq indefinitely and that is to send more troops, (of which there aren't any). That means after the November elections, the little matter of a re-instituted draft may have to be broached. Without a draft, conditions in Iraquagmire will become dramatically worse.
Either way - draft or no draft - I can confidently tell you that as far as demonstrations are concerned, you haven't seen nothin' yet.
In the meantime, this post is in tribute of those who demonstrated. As far as my lack of participation is concerned, I no longer can use my knees as an excuse (I now have a bionically reconstituted pair). But I still have to work for a living.
There's not even a remote chance of a draft.
ReplyDeleteRegardless of for whom you vote, you can depend on a reduction of forces in Iraq shortly after the election.
I need no crystal ball. The Iraq strategy has failed. Even the most ardent Iraq Invasion supporters will be looking for new strategies in the spring.
It's still early to be writing history books, but it seems to me that this war will go down as one of the greatest blunders in the entire history of the United States.
There are no winners.
I am not certain that I agree with you Wizard, vis-a-vis the draft. Regardless of the outcome of the elction we will be staying in Iraq unless we want to gift wrap some of the best oil fields in the world and give them to the terrorists. the longer we stay the more imporatnt the draft will be. Personally, I have no problem with the draft. I think everyone needs to serve their country, even if only for two years. It builds character and provides direction for those who previously had no direction. I served in the military by the way so I know the downside...Believe me I know the downside....
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of demonstrations for Darfur, I see that lobbyists on Capitol Hill, lawmakers approved a Sudan sanctions bill stripped of language that would have endorsed states' rights to pass divestment laws. Who knows how the Democrat - Republican vote was on this?
ReplyDeleteComing to this very late but if the November elections yield at least one house of congress being taken by the Democrats any question of bringing the draft back is dead. I just cannot see a lame duck Bush getting such a bill passed. But as Mike wrote the collapse of the Iraqi state would be handing a major share of Middle East oil to terrorists. Along with Turkey attacking the Kurds after they declare independence and Iran moving to take control of Shiite areas linking up with their kinfolk.
ReplyDeleteMy best guess is that the commission being headed by James Bakker will offer the advice that we should withdraw our forces to tightly controlled areas in Iraq allowing Iraqi forces greater control of the fighting. While I have read that one Iraqi division is combat ready, maybe more now, they have no logistical support capability, all of it is currently supplied by us. The Iraqi army we have spent billions to recreate will fall apart leaving the militias to control Iraq. Bush will of course throw up his hands saying he did what the commission said and play the victim. Everything after that is just to damn dark to think about.