President Bush delivered a major address on the so-called "way forward" in Iraq Wednesday night. Regardless of the politics, it was a spectacularly historical moment. And while the pundits and the talking heads spent hours before and after dissecting every word, I wondered about our obligation to not just listen, but to react as well.
How about you? Did you weigh in? Have you ever shared your views on this war with anyone? I was reminded recently of these words of Samuel Langhorne Clemens, a.k.a. Mark Twain. I yield the floor to the gentleman from Missouri:
"For in a republic, who is 'the Country?' Is it the Government which is for the moment in the saddle? Why, the Government is merely a servant — merely a temporary servant; it cannot be its prerogative to determine what is right and what is wrong, and decide who is a patriot and who isn't. Its function is to obey orders, not originate them.
"Who, then, is 'the Country?' Is it the newspaper? Is it the pulpit? Is it the school-superintendent? Why, these are mere parts of the country, not the whole of it; they have not command, they have only their little share in the command. They are but one in the thousand; it is in the thousand that command is lodged; they must determine what is right and what is wrong; they must decide who is a patriot and who isn’t.
"In a monarchy, the king and his family are the country; in a republic it is the common voice of the people. Each of you, for himself, by himself and on his own responsibility, must speak. And it is a solemn and weighty responsibility, and not lightly to be flung aside at the bullying of pulpit, press, government, or the empty catch-phrases of politicians.
"Each must for himself alone decide what is right and what is wrong, and which course is patriotic and which isn't. You cannot shirk this and be a man. To decide it against your convictions is to be an unqualified and inexcusable traitor, both to yourself and to your country, let men label you as they may.
"If you alone of all the nation shall decide one way, and that way be the right way according to your convictions of the right, you have done your duty by yourself and by your country — hold up your head! You have nothing to be ashamed of."
Smart words, indeed. And smart words are always timely.
My view on the President's speech and his idea to send more troops? Not just "No," but "Hell no!" President Bush and his administration have misplayed the Iraq situation consistently from the beginning and I have no faith in their abilities now.
He has stubbornly ignored good men and women who dared suggest what he admitted Wednesday night: That mistakes were made and that he is responsible. "Our past efforts to secure Baghdad failed for two principal reasons: There were not enough Iraqi and American troops to secure neighborhoods that had been cleared of terrorists and insurgents. And there were too many restrictions on the troops we did have," he said.
Thus, in my view, he has arrogantly squandered political currency (let alone lives, billions of dollars and U.S. credibility abroad) on the matter. His latest plan represents far too little, far too late. In fact, this seems more like a desperate attempt to save his legacy than a serious attempt to undo the quagmire of the Iraq War. The speech seemed to reflect the same stubbornness that has exemplified - and damaged - his presidency. Americans need to stop dying because they are trapped in the middle of a civil war that has roots older than our very republic.
If you need source material for the journey to my viewpoint, I suggest you check out:
• "Chasing Ghosts" by Paul Rieckhoff
• "Cobra II" by Michael R. Gordon and Gen. Bernard E. Trainor
• "State of Denial: Bush at War, Part III" by Bob Woodward
That's my view. So, whether you support the President or whether you have an opposing viewpoint, it is time to get off the fence. State your opinion in some way! How about taking some time to contact the White House?
Mailing address
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Phone Numbers
Comment: 202-456-1111
Switchboard: 202-456-1414
FAX: 202-456-2461
comments@whitehouse.gov
Stand up and be counted. It is the least you can do for your country.
More later,
Mark
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