Quick Question: Iraq
"Victory is within sight" in Iraq, Sen. John McCain told the 109th convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in mid-August. And Gov. Sarah Palin told the Republican National Convention exactly the same thing in early September, wrapping the message in one of those charmingly mocking flourishes for which she has become so famous. (She may not be original, but at least she's sarcastic.) And both republican candidates have repeated the claim on the campaign trail.
But Gen. David Petraeus told the BBC this week that we still face a "long struggle" in Iraq and that he didn't know that he would use the world "vicotry" to describe the outcome there.
"This," he said "is not the sort of struggle where you take a hill, plant the flag and go home to a victory parade... it's not war with a simple slogan." (He can forgive us if we've gotten the wrong impression, I'm sure, given that all we've seen in the way of strategy from the current administration and from the McCain campaign is, well, for lack of a better phrase, "simple slogans.")
So tell us, Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin, given that you see victory where Gen. Petraeus does not, what exactly does this victory look like?
We'd like details. Really.
Feel free to give an expansive answer. I'm sure I'll have follow up questions.
There are 4,096 reported U. S. war dead in the Iraq campaign as I write this; 30,182 more wounded. I plan to take note of how many more we have of each between now and the arrival of this victory that you both see. I hope you'll do the same.
Comments
Victory [Reply]
I think that victory is, most often, achieving one's objective. Therefore, since the objectives of this war have always been masked; falsified; and, at the very least, unclear -- the powers that be are left to define victory however they choose. I just hope their definition includes a safe and speedy return.
[Reply]
As far as objectives go - I believe I recall something along the lines of terroristic threat and WMD's. But, lo and behold, there weren't any WMD's and no more terroristic threat than anywhere else in the world. So (nodding vigorously with blank stare and big smile) that already makes it a victory, right?
exactly [Reply]
Thanks for the comments!
So victory is a blurry thing that could be almost anything we say it is?!? (Nods agreeably.)
Great. I'll have two, please. One for Iraq and one for Afghanistan. And may I please have that order to go?
[Reply]
I've got it!!! We ELIMINATED THE CONCERN of WMDs and we NEUTRALIZED the threat of terrorism. Gimme a V! Gimme an I! Gimme a C...
Revisionist history is going to have been _awesome_.
[Reply]
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