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EVEN A BLIND HOG WILL OCASSIONALLY FIND A TRUFFLE
If you haven't read David Brooks' column today, I recommend it:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/24/opinion/24brooks.html?hp
David Brooks is always good at spinning GOP achievements, but today Mr. Brooks has topped his previous best.
In these circumstances, it’s amazing that George Bush decided on the surge. And looking back, one thing is clear: Every personal trait that led Bush to make a hash of the first years of the war led him to make a successful decision when it came to this crucial call.
Bush is a stubborn man. Well, without that stubbornness, that unwillingness to accept defeat on his watch, he never would have bucked the opposition to the surge.
Bush is an outrageously self-confident man. Well, without that self-confidence he never would have overruled his generals.
The thought that sprang to mind as I read his column is: Even a blind hog will occasionally find a truffle.
Today, our troop level in Iraq remains at the surge level of 150,000. The Sunni have declared a truce in the civil war in Iraq. Sadr is maintaining a low profile. Provincial elections will be held in the Fall. And the UN mandate expires in December. Bush is trying to backdoor Congress with a treaty he styles a "status of forces agreement". The demand for US troops to police a restless situation has not diminished.
The fundamental truth about Iraq has not changed. Our military forces serve gallantly and cannot be defeated, but Iraq demands a political solution. Even victory in battle falls far short of a political solution. That is the lesson we learned in Vietnam and are struggling to learn again in Iraq.
Once again we are waist deep in the big muddy and the big fool says, push on.
Comments (2)
I find it interesting that everytime someone says the surge is working, there is a suicide bombing and people are killed in the new "safe" Iraq. Just the other day 4 servicemen were killed... about a week and half ago, 51 people were killed... but the surge is working.
And by the way... what exactly are we "winning"... what is this "victory" we must achieve because "surrender" is so bad?
June 24, 2008 4:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Probably a blind hog is more likely to find a tartufo since they are found by smell and a blind seeker would be less distracted.
As for Iraq, the economy and the government are still in tatters, or more so, in the sixth year of US military occupation.
June 24, 2008 7:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
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