Give peace a chance

The decision by both houses of Congress to set a time table for withdrawal is worse than anything Senator Harry Reid could say. Implied in the Administration's suggestion, to put it mildly, that the good Senator (D-NV) himself could "empower terrorists" says he has a louder voice than the President. This acknowledgement confirms the Administration's realization that, among other failures, we've failed to communicate who we are and what democracy is and the Administration's message is easily lost (Ms. Hughes, wasn't this a core self-appointed mission of yours? Are our deeds self-evident?). The Congressional plan for a time table is a real signal, however, is a critical blow to General Petraeus's leverage and capabilities. This vote speaks volumes on how the Administration has failed to manage the war, expectations, and emotional participation. The Administration, in its apparent attempts to keep its hands clean, failed to make sure the public knew that our surge was guaranteed to be met by "their" surge. General Petraeus, the wall notwithstanding, is spot on that success in Iraq is not possible without a deep commitment to the mission.

Give peace a chance by giving General Petraeus and his team a chance to operate and use their expertise, skill, and multidisciplinary tools without the meddlesome (and possibly fatal) interference of Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz (sub req'd), and others. Pressure on the Iraqis is required and by more than the uniformed representatives of the United States. A full effort by all of the bureaus of the Executive Branch is required for success. Where is State? Forget the strategic level, where are they tactically? Where is the rest of the Administration? Are they shaking the trees? Or will they let our servicemen and women and our civilians die in vain as our global credibility sinks deeper, our national debt subjects us to more non-US financial pressures while limiting domestic choices, while threatening our national military readiness and security?