Congress is usually willing to spend money, as long as the public isn't asking too many questions. You'd be amazed at the amount they're still spending to deter a Soviet nuclear attack, for example. But when the constituents begin to ask why, Congress has to come up with some answers. So, when they allowed the administration to go on spending money on the Iraq war last May, they decided to add a proviso to the measure. Over and over, the administration has said that we are winning in Iraq, and that all we have to do is "stay the course." On July 11th, however, the administration has to come up with a set of measures that can be tracked to determine whether or not we are winning.
Now, the rate at which Iraqis are being trained must be known. An estimate of how many trained people there will be, and when, must surely be possible.
Therefore it ought to be possible to give an informed estimate as to when, and in what numbers, American forces can be withdrawn on the 'as they stand up we stand down' principle.
Anybody think that this information and this estimate wil be refused on the grounds that to give it would be to indicate a date for withdrawal, which the insurgents and terrorists shall work towards too? Absurd, maybe, but possible isn't it? After all,if the President is correct, a timetable giving any such date only helps the insurgents and makes matters worse....
Wow, FP! You're thinking like an American spin doctor!
My bet is they're cooking up a new batch of lies to cover their butts with. We've never been told the truth about why Iraq had to be invaded. The story changes according to what the administration thinks the public will buy. If the invasion was really about the Iraqi people, they'd be sitting down with those people asking them how to handle the insurgency. They'd be asking them what their security needs are. They'd be finding out what kind of government these people really want.
Posts: 1196 | Location: A danger to this country and the free world | Registered: 03-18-04
Originally posted by Rakuchild: Wow, FP! You're thinking like an American spin doctor!
Are you surprised? Someone posting here has a long experience of defending the crooked and dishonest and persuading innocent members of the public that these men are nothing of the kind but are genuine,innocent, honourable and sincere (if sometimes a little....mistaken, shall we say )
Acting for the President should be a stroll, by comparison.
