In their fantasy world, we wouldn't have lost Iraq if Harry Reid didn't say the magic words. Reality has a way of sneaking up on you no matter how hard you try to avoid it. We would be losing the Iraq War even if no one said a word about it (which they didn't for a painfully long time -- and as we saw, that didn't make it any better).
Are Republicans now telling us that somehow we are going to pull Iraq back together, the Shia and the Sunni are going to start co-existing peacefully, the Sunnis are going to stop fighting even though they are not represented by the government, everyone is going to share the oil equitably without concern for their own sects, the Shia in Iraq are not going to work with the Shia in Iran and that democracy will flourish in Iraq just like George Bush promised us?
How much crack do you have to be on to believe that? I don't believe that anyone actually believes that fantasy. Not even the hardest right-wing man on the planet is that deluded. People are just arguing for the sake of arguing now. They have the "R" painted on the side of their helmet and they're just playing politics because they don't want their team to lose. But no one in their right mind believes we are going to be able to put Iraq back together again. So, Harry Reid was the first to say that. God bless him.
I don't believe the Republicans are even trying to win this war anymore. I think they are desperately trying to figure out a way to pin the defeat on the Democrats. Their main strategy is to pretend we could have won if the Democrats didn't make us pull out. They think that strategy worked in pinning fault on the Democrats in Vietnam, so they're trying it again.
As I wrote earlier, here's the reality:
"Let's get this straight - once and for all. It was a Republican president, a Republican administration, a Republican Senate, a Republican House and entirely Republican government that started and lost the war in Iraq. No excuses. They screwed this thing up entirely. It is 100% their fault.
Now that we have lost in Iraq, I think the country would be better off listening to the Democrats on how to extricate us from this mess. But I will not stand by and watch Democrats get blamed for losing Iraq when Iraq is already lost.
Why am I so adamant about this? Is it because I am a lifelong Democrat and an incurable partisan? No, I was a Republican until Bush invaded Iraq. My party loyalty has been to the Republicans for almost my entire life. No, it must be made clear that the Republicans lost Iraq because if it is not clear, the country might be deluded into believing them again."
Don't fall for this obvious political trick. To paraphrase Colin Powell: If they broke it, they own it.The Young Turks
Reader Comments ( Page 2 of 2)
16. Hey Cenk,
I'm not going to debate the war, but puleeeeze don't tell me you're going to use Harry Reid as the expert on the topic.
As a moderate and legitimately open minded individual I'll listened to both sides, but all this guy has done for a couple of years is whine like a school girl.
Lee at 12:56PM on Apr 21st 2007
17. The following 2008 presidential cabinet, if installed, should satisfy the political proclivities of "Cenk-ists" throughout the World and produce an end to US dominance in the world:
President – Sen. Harry Reid
Vice President- Al Franken
Attorney General - Ramsey Clark
Secretary of Defense- Jane Fonda
Secretary of State - Michael Moore (advised by Jimmy Carter)
Secretary of Human Services - Sen. Robert Byrd
Party Chaplain – Rev. Jesse Jackson
Chairperson of the Party – Rosie O’Donnell
Presidential Press Secretary – Keith Olbermann
U.N. Ambassador –Nancy Pelosi
Bob Rogan at 2:41PM on Apr 21st 2007
18. "My dad told me many years ago.....son, don't fool yourself, everything comes down to 2 things in life saddly...."money" and "power"....."
Abstract thinking is fine. It’s even fun sometimes. And your dad may well have been right; it may indeed all come down to money and power. But I venture to say that you are like me, an average middle-class American. Chances are that we will never see the money, and we will certainly never share the power.
The questions for us are: Are we going to permit women to become second-class citizens again? Do we want a theocratic style of government? Do we want mandatory obedience to religious dogma? Do you want to live as a Muslim? Would you rather live as an American, or under the dictates of an Ayatollah? Would you rather keep your head, or have it severed from you body by a twelve year old kid with a rusty knife. For people like you and me the choices are relatively simple.
Fight or die!
Maxx Foxx
Maxx Foxx at 3:13PM on Apr 21st 2007
19. Does anyone remember Tokoyo Rose, a Us citizen in WWII,She made statements such as Sen.Reids comments that the war is lost. The news she gave was broadcast and gave comfort to our enemies, giving them more will to fight on with the notion that all was lost for the US and its Allies. Well today We have Iraqi Reid, the Treasonous words are in the same vane. We have a legally declared war,,,,,it was in all the papers. We now need to support our Soldier in that battle regardless of our feelings on the way it is going now. Go into a hospital and visit an ill friend tell them how bad they look and you think they will be dying, see how much energy and will that will strengthen your friend. Do that everyday and call and tell them the same thing, I am sure you will brighten their day.
Jim Rich at 5:41PM on Apr 21st 2007
20. Do you liberals have the same goals as al-Qaeda in Iraq? It's a yes or no question.
Doug Duncan at 6:34PM on Apr 21st 2007
21. Tribes.
S at 9:38PM on Apr 21st 2007
22. Reid is a total and complete bubble-head. No historical perspective...perhaps even limited intellectual prowess, and an overall disregard for our service-people.
Todd at 10:05PM on Apr 21st 2007
23. The November elections were not about we need to change strategy in Iraq so we can win. That is NOT why people voted Democrat. They voted Democrat because they want the flock out of Iraq. The Republicans just can't face facts. They have been living in their little ideological bubble for so long, they actually believe you can live an ideology. There little catch phrases don't pass the reality test. Support the troops - bring them home.
Lynne at 12:22AM on Apr 22nd 2007
24. Ok, God bless Reid ... for what?
1.Saying the war is lost, or 2. Wanting to fund the war for another year and a half?
I would say God curse Reid and all those willing to keep our kids in a war they believe is lost simply to avoid taking responsibility for pulling out. Is this limp Lefty leadership?
If Reid were a man of conviction would he not lead the way to cut off funds for a war he says is unwinable, or is it enough simply to say the PC thing, and damn the consequences?
I need to ask because the morality suggested here escapes me?
Liberals want to micromanage a loss in Iraq, without getting their finger prints on it, and they are willing to let or kids get killed for another year and a half just so they can get away with it. And all we get from the freak that began this thread is 'God Bless.'
Seriously, there is nothing here for God to bless ... all I see is good reason to start another flood ... but to bless ... don't kid yourself.
Thomas J Gassett at 12:44PM on Apr 22nd 2007
25. The November elections were not about we need to change strategy in Iraq so we can win. That is NOT why people voted Democrat. They voted Democrat because they want the flock out of Iraq. The Republicans just can't face facts>>
Fact: Not one Liberal bed wetter ran on getting out of Iraq now. Liberals ran on 'changing the direction of the war.' You know the crap you want to lay on republicans. Just like a good liberal drone this freak has the memory of dog turd, and the intellect of a snow pea. Nothing new here.
Thomas J Gassett at 12:49PM on Apr 22nd 2007
26. In reponse to Scott's message... we democrats had the answers (or at least the foresight to see that this endeavor would be a pointless bloodbath)long before the war even started... however, no one listened. I guess that goes down as another "oops, guess we should have listened." Anyone else notice how Republicans always seem to take power when the county is prospering, and then the Democrats come in after it's been driven in to the ground?
Nishikant Sheorey at 11:48AM on Apr 23rd 2007
27. CENK, YOU ARE AN IDIOT AND IT IS BECAUSE OF PEOPLE LIKE YOU WORKING AGAINST OUR COUNTRY TO FIGHT THIS BATTLE AND WIN (WHICH WE ARE AND WILL DESPITE ALL DEMOCRATS) THIS WAR WOULD BE ALOT EASIER TO DEFEAT THE ENEMY WHICH HAS BEEN HARD BECAUSE PEOPLE LIKE YOU KEEP EMBOLDING THE ENEMY. WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO ONE NATION UNDER GOD? YOU PEOPLE WANT TO GIVE OUR COUNTRY TO INFILDELS, FOR THAT IS WHAT YOU ARE DOING BY RETREATING AND FIGHTING THE WAR AT EVERY STEP. THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY MIGHT AS WELL JUST BE TERRORISTS...YOU ARE WORSE THAN THEY ARE. YOU ARE NOT SUPPORTING YOUR COUNTRY AND OUR TROOPS. SHAME ON YOU!!!
Julie at 4:23PM on Apr 23rd 2007
28. Harry Reid is correct on being one of the few pro-life Democrats, but I think he is wrong in how he chose to criticize the president.
I think he (and others in Washington DC) ought to keep the troops' morale in mind when pushing to change the president's policy. They should also remember the enemy is listening to our newscasts.
If the senators and representatives were not such premodonnas, if they had a better working relationship with the president, they could talk off-camera (behind closed doors) about these matters, and then present the results of their talks in more reasonable, rational, manner.
Ken Berg at 11:29AM on Apr 23rd 2007
29. #16 I DON'T SCARE EASY, BUT HARRY REID AND POLOSI SCARE THE S**T OUT OF ME !
jackie at 6:56PM on May 2nd 2007