And while our lefties are more concerned about the good feelings of Frenchmen, others are watching with delight as the Defeaticrats undermine our war effort - as Mark Steyn notes:
The Defeaticrats are being opportunist: They think they can calibrate the precise degree of U.S. defeat in Mesopotamia that will bring victory for them in Ohio and Florida. Contemptible as this is, it wouldn't be possible had the administration not lost the support of many of the American people over this war. The losses are devastating for the individuals' families but they are historically among the lowest in any conflict this nation or any other has fought. So I don't believe the nightly plume of smoke over Baghdad on the evening news explains the national disenchantment. Rather, the mission as framed by the president -- help the Iraqi people build a free and stable Iraq -- is simply not accepted by the American people. On the right, between the unrealpolitik "realists" and the "rubble doesn't cause trouble" isolationists and the hit-'em-harder-faster crowd, the president has fewer and fewer takers for a hunkered-down, defensive, thankless semi-colonial policing operation. Regardless of how it works on the ground, it has limited appeal at home. Meanwhile, the leftists don't accept it because, while they're fond of "causes," they dislike those that require meaningful action: Ask Tibetans about how effective half a century of America's "Free Tibet" campaign has been; or ask Darfuris, assuming you can find one still breathing, how the left's latest fetishization is going from their perspective:
"On Sunday, April 29, Salt Lake Saves Darfur invites the greater Salt Lake community of compassion to join with us as we honor the fallen and suffering Darfuris in a day of films, discussion and dance with a Sudanese dance troupe."
Marvelous. I hope as the "Salt Lake Saves Darfur" campaign intensifies in the decades ahead there'll be enough Darfuris to man the dance troupe. It would be truer to say that the greater Salt Lake community of compassion, like Sen. Obama with his light bulbs, is "working on" saving Darfur.
In Khartoum, Tehran, Moscow and elsewhere, the world's mischief-makers have reached their own conclusions about how much serious "work" America is prepared to do.
As I noted in Why I Still Support President Bush, the program we're following is doubly unpopular: both those who want a more aggressive approach and those who prefer a more passive program are both in opposition - and thus support for the President's policy in Iraq hovers around 35% of likely voters. With 35% you can still do a lot, especially when the other 65% is split between defeatists and "kill 'em all". With 35%, you've got a pool of more than 100 million Americans to draw from, and thus with about 10 million military-aged males, no problem maintaining troop levels in a military force approaching 2 million strong. But with only 35%, you've also got the problem of not having either a majority or at least a plurality in favor of your plan, and that allows the opportunists their opening.
It is an unfortunate fact of life that most of the world is largely ignorant of how the United States works. I know, the story line is that Americans are ignorant of a world which is much better informed than Americans are...but your average Parisian has as much knowledge of, say, Boston and the average Bostonian has of Paris...which means, hardly any at all. This ignorance works to the advantage of America's enemies - they point out that Senate Majority Leader Reid says that America has lost the war in Iraq, and that means that America is defeated, period. They don't understand that the Senate Majority Leader only has a one-seat majority (given that one of his troops is still in hospital) and that the one seat majority is dependent upon the continuing loyalty of a man who is in favor of fighting to victory in Iraq. Thus a statement from Reid is hardly definitive of American views - but the nuances are lost, and all the ignorant know is that people up top in American politics believe we've lost the war. And if we've lost, then the other side has won - and no backtracking or further explanations from Reid matter in the least.
American defeat is the signal for America's enemies to attack - and right now that fool Putin figures it is time to flex dying Russia's nearly non-existent muscle. Putin wants to play the Great Game, and America's perceived weakness - furnished by opportunistic liberal Democrats - is the chance for Putin to pretend that Russia is still a factor in world affairs. Putin is playing a game of blind-man's bluff - but more serious is the way Iran, Syria, Iraqi terrorists and other, far more dangerous, enemies view our situation. Putin's Russia barely has the strength to hold down the mid-sized town of Grozny...but the mullah's Iran has a worldwide network of terrorist groups, plenty of oil money, a burgeoning nuclear program and the will to strike hard. If the mullahs in Iran think we've lost in Iraq, then the whole world opens up for their action, in their view.
We haven't, of course, lost in Iraq - in fact, if we maintain the will to fight, there's no possible way we can lose in Iraq. But the damage is already done, thanks to the Defeaticrats. The whole world is waiting for our replay of Saigon, 1975. They won't get it, but while they are waiting the chance for massive miscalculation on the part of our enemies grows daily. It could very well be that we'll soon face a direct challenge, or a strong assault on an American interest (like, say, a revival of Iran's proxy war with Israel in south Lebanon) simply because our enemies think we lack the will to respond. People may die because Harry Reid wanted a rhetorical sop to the leftwing base of his Party.
To say these are dangerous times is to barely understand what we are going through. Right now, there is a finger in the dyke - President Bush, who stands firm. But just the moment comes when the world perceives that he no longer has control of US foreign or military policy, and the enemies of America will strike. That moment will certainly come on January 20th, 2009 - and by then we better have re-convinced the world that we're still willing to fight.
Posted by Mark Noonan at April 30, 2007 01:36 AM
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Mark:
Hmmmm.....couning yourself among the 35% of Bush supporters, eh?
"...and thus with about 10 million military-aged males, no problem maintaining troop levels in a military force approaching 2 million strong."
So when exactly are you going to your local army recruiting station to sign up, Mark?
Let me know and I will bring you some milk and cookies.
Wade
(Ed. Note: we let this one in for the sole purpose of advising everyone that this will be the last comment from Wade - He can't seem to take the hint that we're tired of his venom and the fact that he has nothing useful to ad to the debate).
Posted by: Wade at April 30, 2007 02:05 AM
"it wouldn't be possible had the administration not lost the support of many of the American people over this war."
The American people have spoken and their leader is ignoring them. Placating them. Face it. He has lost support of the American people.
"The mission as framed by the president -- help the Iraqi people build a free and stable Iraq -- is simply not accepted by the American people."
We did not go into Iraq to "save the Iraqi people from tyranny". We did not get congressional approval to help them form a democratic form of governing. The American people KNOW this and aren't taking the RHETORIC as gospel anymore.
"But with only 35%, you've also got the problem of not having either a majority or at least a plurality in favor of your plan, and that allows the opportunists their opening."
What, oh what will it take for you and the thugs here to understand the American people are fed up with Junior's B.S. and the amount of people who realize they've been bamboozled will continue to grow. I pray the sleeping giant awakens.
I don't think the world is ignorant of the United States, I think the United States is ignorant of the world. You help propagate this by the "we are better than the rest of the world kind of thinking". We are coming to realize we are part of the world. Not masters of the world. The WORLD is fed up with George W. Bush.
I hope you realize that Russia is not small potato's anymore. They are sitting on huge gas and oil reserves and know it. Remember New Years Day, the shot they fired over the bow? They have the money, and are working toward becoming stronger and stronger. Pay attention to Moscow. Do not belittle them. Fools.
Sorry Mark, sorry boys, the jigs up. Everybody is pulling your pants down and spanking your butt red.
Real Americans, Americans fed up with George W.'s scam act, are getting in line. We will take any rethugs who stand in our way.
Posted by: raker13 at April 30, 2007 05:19 AM
Good riddance, Wade; you will be missed...not!
Can rr13 be next? One can only hope.
Mark Steyn rocks! Canada's one shining light...
Posted by: keefer at April 30, 2007 05:28 AM
Mark,
Your post is good and I agree with most of it. However, I wouldn't underestimate Putin and Russia. They are both extremely dangerous. Mark Steyn points that out in his article:
"So what's Putin's game? Well, he leads a country with severe structural defects (a collapsed birth rate for everyone except Russia's Muslims, a depopulating east, disease-ridden menfolk face down in the vodka) but a relatively buoyant economy -- or, to be more precise, kleptocracy. In particular, Western Europe is increasingly dependent on Russia as an energy supplier. Putin calculates that even a weak Kremlin can make mischief for America. The missile-defense interceptors might have been expressly designed for fin-du-civilization Europe: You don't have to do anything, you don't have to attack anyone, you don't have to be beastly and aggressive like the swaggering Texan cowboy. You just have to go about your business and, if anything's heading your way, the Yanks will press a button and blow it to smithereens and send you a confirmatory e-mail afterward. But Putin is putting Continental leaders in the position of having to choose between even this benign defensive technology and relations with Russia. And, given European dispositions, he must surely feel he's got a sporting chance of winning this one. And, if he does, he will in effect be making the world safe for Iranian nuclear blackmail.
First, let me state what I've been suspecting for the last few years: I believe we are in the End Times.
Second, the following isn't stated very well so bear with me. Also, I freely admit that I could be wrong about the specifics mentioned below, but overall, I really do think we are in the End Times.
Now, if I understand it correctly, the Bible predicts that in the End Times, there will be a military alliance between Russia and Iran. There is one, now. Again if I understand it correctly, the Russian-Iranian military alliance will be used to try to attack Israel. Factor in Islam which teaches (and Iran's President Ahmadinejad believes) that Muslims must wage genocide against all Jews (BukhariV4B52N177)* before the Day of Judgment and the 12th Imam (Madhi) will return-in other words-attack Israel. In addition to that, according to a recent demographic poll, 50% of Russia's military will be Muslim (who believe in Islam's command that Muslims should fight and kill the Jews) by 2015-only 8 years from now. Furthermore, the Bible refers to Gog and Magog. Once again if I understand it correctly, Gog is the title of a Russian ruler with an "evil plan". One of Putin's successors? Magog is the name of modern-day Russia. So Gog is a Russian Ruler in charge of Magog(Russia). As Mark Steyn points out, Putin is attempting to make Europe and the world suseptible to "Iranian nuclear blackmail". Putin will probably be successful. Think about what that will mean! Putin is setting the stage, for Russia and his successor. The world-including America-and especially Israel, will be vulnerable to Iranian nuclear blackmail! Now factor in the rise of Gog-one of Putin's successors-onto the world stage, with a 50% Muslim military and a possible Muslim majority population by 2040. A powerful Russian with an "evil plan" plus a military alliance with "we want to wipe Israel off the map" Iran. They attempt to attack Israel and Europe is helpless to stop them because they don't have the missile-defense systems to stop Russia-Iran from nuking them.
In short, I believe Russia is extraordinarily dangerous to the world and America-and especially to Israel. The End Times events appear to be accelerating.
*Sahih Muslim Book 041, Number 6985:
Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: The last hour would not come unless the Muslims will fight against the Jews and the Muslims would kill them until the Jews would hide themselves behind a stone or a tree and a stone or a tree would say: Muslim, or the servant of Allah, there is a Jew behind me; come and kill him; but the tree Gharqad would not say, for it is the tree of the Jews.
Posted by: Freedom1 at April 30, 2007 07:09 AM
Amusing as always - only 1/3 of the American public approves of Bush and somehow you think your in a great position...
Posted by: kblack77 at April 30, 2007 09:12 AM
Meanwhile, the leftists don't accept it because, while they're fond of "causes," they dislike those that require meaningful action:
Steyn nails in one sentence what I find most repugnant about the Left.
Freedom, although my wife and I are no longer church-goers, we are still deeply religious/spiritual people. I concur with your opinion that we may indeed be in the end times. There do seem to be a number of biblically significant events falling into place. The only thing we don't know is how long they will last.
Adios, Wade.
Posted by: Retired Spook at April 30, 2007 11:01 AM
"The American people have spoken and their leader is ignoring them. Placating them."
They voted for a change. Not a troop withdrawl.
-New Sec. of Def.
-New Surge Strategy
-New General
How is this NOT a change?
"The mission as framed by the president -- help the Iraqi people build a free and stable Iraq -- is simply not accepted by the American people."
-Sooo, we're not helping to stabilze the Iraqi government? We're not quelling sectarian violence? (by at least 50%)-Thanks to the surge.(oops, thats part of the "change.")
Please answer my queries Raker13. Thanks
Seeya Wade. Its been fun!
Posted by: zachster at April 30, 2007 12:22 PM
Ok, here's a little example:
Start a campfire.
Take some gasoline.
Throw the gasoline into the fire in larger and larger splashes.
Watch the fire explode.
Get someone else to throw the gasoline into the fire.
Keep repeating.
Call it a long grind.
Say the campfire will put itself out.
Clear some brush.
Posted by: raker13 at April 30, 2007 04:55 PM
Well thanks for the attempt.
Posted by: zachster at April 30, 2007 05:12 PM
Aww Keefer and here I was thinking I was a shining light from Canada...
In all seriousness, Steyn is an out and out intellectual stud, no doubt.
Posted by: GOP 4 ME at April 30, 2007 07:19 PM
"Freedom, although my wife and I are no longer church-goers, we are still deeply religious/spiritual people. I concur with your opinion that we may indeed be in the end times. There do seem to be a number of biblically significant events falling into place. The only thing we don't know is how long they will last."
Posted by: Retired Spook
Yes, we live in very interesting times, don't we Retired Spook? I'm glad to hear that you and your wife are deeply religious people. That's reasurring. In fact, on the various internet sites that I peruse on a daily basis, I've seen a remarkably strong Christian presence on these websites. It's great that in these perilous times there are so many Christians with such a strong and vibrant faith in God and the Lord Jesus Christ!
:)
P.S. Perhaps you might consider trying to find a good Church? I'd bet there's one in your aread. Just a heartfelt suggestion.
:)
Posted by: Freedom1 at April 30, 2007 07:44 PM
Aww Keefer and here I was thinking I was a shining light from Canada...
You are, Goop; you are...
Posted by: keefer at May 1, 2007 07:16 PM
Order Matt and Mark's book on Amazon or Barnes and Noble
Mark:
Hmmmm.....couning yourself among the 35% of Bush supporters, eh?
"...and thus with about 10 million military-aged males, no problem maintaining troop levels in a military force approaching 2 million strong."
So when exactly are you going to your local army recruiting station to sign up, Mark?
Let me know and I will bring you some milk and cookies.
Wade
(Ed. Note: we let this one in for the sole purpose of advising everyone that this will be the last comment from Wade - He can't seem to take the hint that we're tired of his venom and the fact that he has nothing useful to ad to the debate).
"it wouldn't be possible had the administration not lost the support of many of the American people over this war."
The American people have spoken and their leader is ignoring them. Placating them. Face it. He has lost support of the American people.
"The mission as framed by the president -- help the Iraqi people build a free and stable Iraq -- is simply not accepted by the American people."
We did not go into Iraq to "save the Iraqi people from tyranny". We did not get congressional approval to help them form a democratic form of governing. The American people KNOW this and aren't taking the RHETORIC as gospel anymore.
"But with only 35%, you've also got the problem of not having either a majority or at least a plurality in favor of your plan, and that allows the opportunists their opening."
What, oh what will it take for you and the thugs here to understand the American people are fed up with Junior's B.S. and the amount of people who realize they've been bamboozled will continue to grow. I pray the sleeping giant awakens.
I don't think the world is ignorant of the United States, I think the United States is ignorant of the world. You help propagate this by the "we are better than the rest of the world kind of thinking". We are coming to realize we are part of the world. Not masters of the world. The WORLD is fed up with George W. Bush.
I hope you realize that Russia is not small potato's anymore. They are sitting on huge gas and oil reserves and know it. Remember New Years Day, the shot they fired over the bow? They have the money, and are working toward becoming stronger and stronger. Pay attention to Moscow. Do not belittle them. Fools.
Sorry Mark, sorry boys, the jigs up. Everybody is pulling your pants down and spanking your butt red.
Real Americans, Americans fed up with George W.'s scam act, are getting in line. We will take any rethugs who stand in our way.
Good riddance, Wade; you will be missed...not!
Can rr13 be next? One can only hope.
Mark Steyn rocks! Canada's one shining light...
Mark,
Your post is good and I agree with most of it. However, I wouldn't underestimate Putin and Russia. They are both extremely dangerous. Mark Steyn points that out in his article:
First, let me state what I've been suspecting for the last few years: I believe we are in the End Times.
Second, the following isn't stated very well so bear with me. Also, I freely admit that I could be wrong about the specifics mentioned below, but overall, I really do think we are in the End Times.
Now, if I understand it correctly, the Bible predicts that in the End Times, there will be a military alliance between Russia and Iran. There is one, now. Again if I understand it correctly, the Russian-Iranian military alliance will be used to try to attack Israel. Factor in Islam which teaches (and Iran's President Ahmadinejad believes) that Muslims must wage genocide against all Jews (BukhariV4B52N177)* before the Day of Judgment and the 12th Imam (Madhi) will return-in other words-attack Israel. In addition to that, according to a recent demographic poll, 50% of Russia's military will be Muslim (who believe in Islam's command that Muslims should fight and kill the Jews) by 2015-only 8 years from now. Furthermore, the Bible refers to Gog and Magog. Once again if I understand it correctly, Gog is the title of a Russian ruler with an "evil plan". One of Putin's successors? Magog is the name of modern-day Russia. So Gog is a Russian Ruler in charge of Magog(Russia). As Mark Steyn points out, Putin is attempting to make Europe and the world suseptible to "Iranian nuclear blackmail". Putin will probably be successful. Think about what that will mean! Putin is setting the stage, for Russia and his successor. The world-including America-and especially Israel, will be vulnerable to Iranian nuclear blackmail! Now factor in the rise of Gog-one of Putin's successors-onto the world stage, with a 50% Muslim military and a possible Muslim majority population by 2040. A powerful Russian with an "evil plan" plus a military alliance with "we want to wipe Israel off the map" Iran. They attempt to attack Israel and Europe is helpless to stop them because they don't have the missile-defense systems to stop Russia-Iran from nuking them.
In short, I believe Russia is extraordinarily dangerous to the world and America-and especially to Israel. The End Times events appear to be accelerating.
*Sahih Muslim Book 041, Number 6985:
Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: The last hour would not come unless the Muslims will fight against the Jews and the Muslims would kill them until the Jews would hide themselves behind a stone or a tree and a stone or a tree would say: Muslim, or the servant of Allah, there is a Jew behind me; come and kill him; but the tree Gharqad would not say, for it is the tree of the Jews.
Amusing as always - only 1/3 of the American public approves of Bush and somehow you think your in a great position...
Meanwhile, the leftists don't accept it because, while they're fond of "causes," they dislike those that require meaningful action:
Steyn nails in one sentence what I find most repugnant about the Left.
Freedom, although my wife and I are no longer church-goers, we are still deeply religious/spiritual people. I concur with your opinion that we may indeed be in the end times. There do seem to be a number of biblically significant events falling into place. The only thing we don't know is how long they will last.
Adios, Wade.
"The American people have spoken and their leader is ignoring them. Placating them."
They voted for a change. Not a troop withdrawl.
-New Sec. of Def.
-New Surge Strategy
-New General
How is this NOT a change?
"The mission as framed by the president -- help the Iraqi people build a free and stable Iraq -- is simply not accepted by the American people."
-Sooo, we're not helping to stabilze the Iraqi government? We're not quelling sectarian violence? (by at least 50%)-Thanks to the surge.(oops, thats part of the "change.")
Please answer my queries Raker13. Thanks
Seeya Wade. Its been fun!
Ok, here's a little example:
Start a campfire.
Take some gasoline.
Throw the gasoline into the fire in larger and larger splashes.
Watch the fire explode.
Get someone else to throw the gasoline into the fire.
Keep repeating.
Call it a long grind.
Say the campfire will put itself out.
Clear some brush.
Well thanks for the attempt.
Aww Keefer and here I was thinking I was a shining light from Canada...
In all seriousness, Steyn is an out and out intellectual stud, no doubt.
"Freedom, although my wife and I are no longer church-goers, we are still deeply religious/spiritual people. I concur with your opinion that we may indeed be in the end times. There do seem to be a number of biblically significant events falling into place. The only thing we don't know is how long they will last."
Posted by: Retired Spook
Yes, we live in very interesting times, don't we Retired Spook? I'm glad to hear that you and your wife are deeply religious people. That's reasurring. In fact, on the various internet sites that I peruse on a daily basis, I've seen a remarkably strong Christian presence on these websites. It's great that in these perilous times there are so many Christians with such a strong and vibrant faith in God and the Lord Jesus Christ!
:)
P.S. Perhaps you might consider trying to find a good Church? I'd bet there's one in your aread. Just a heartfelt suggestion.
:)
Aww Keefer and here I was thinking I was a shining light from Canada...
You are, Goop; you are...