Marshall,
I respect your positive attitude and obvious patriotism. But, please see that only by analysis and criticism of former mistakes can we help prevent them from happening again. A misdeed on the left does not justify the same on the right. We should hold both sides to higher standards. The vitriolic hate of the dems is only present because of this admin's consistent denial to take ANY responsibility for even what looks like serious mistakes. Since nobody is infallible, such a stance is clearly disingenuous.
Yes, Clinton was a draft-dodger who hurt the military and did nothing to nip OBL in the bud. But, does this mean that overreaction is justified? If the only thing we do is oscillate between the two extremes of the spectrum, we'll be in trouble at any given time.
CAnnoneer, I respect the post you just made, I do.
My point is that, I can sit at home, watch the news, read the headlines and say to myself, "we did what?" "We're not doing what?" And I do this daily.
I have no doubt that there are mistakes made, there are going to be mistakes made in war. In war you have enemies, they're not predictable, especially these. They prove to be hard to catch and or kill without doing the same to civilians becasue they blend with them. When I see what I think is a mistake or a foobar, I try to understand that the military and their leaders are trying to fight this war within it's bounds, it's no easy task. I can't come up with "the perfect plan", the plan that has no way of failure. Being President during this war has to be the most thankless job around, damned if you do and damned if you don't. Someone's going to try to crucify you regardless. If we brought in Bin Laden tonight, there would be someone on TV within an hour pointing how it was done improperly or saying we had him all along.
Now, let me ask this. Where have we ever said or admitted to screwing up during times of war? No one wants to give the enemy and more ammo than possible. Besides, it can make you predictable to your enemy. Also, why would anyone take responsibility for "what looks like serious mistakes?"
You speak of overreaction, I can't help but ask what that means? When? Where? A moment ago we didn't have enough reaction, I'm a tad confused.
If I were presented intell by all of the sources Bush was and, if I had former administrations agreeing, allies agreeing, senate intell agreeing, combined with the dictators past and, his present ill regard for UN resolutions and, I didn't take military action, I would be jeopardizing the security of this country and should be impeached.
So, Bush goes to war based on all the info he has, knowing we may not even find these WMD, for fear of being moved or, finding them right away because they are being used on our troops. Either way, your screwed, you have given someone ammo to blame you with. But, it's a tough decision, times call for tough decisions. I am glad we err on the side of action and protection than the other.
Make no mistake, if Clinton had taken the same action and exact same steps Bush has, I would be in his corner as well. I just can't and will not hop on the Bush is bad bandwagon the left wants us to jump on. I see him as much more of an asset than I do a liability, mistakes included.
Forgive me in advance for not proofing, I'm at the office and out of time.
