Barack Obama's debate strategy of portraying the Bush administration as a complete failure is running into one big problem: Bush's Iraq policy appears to be succeeding. How embarrassing! Well, at least the Democrats can try to make sure that no one finds out about this.
During his foreign trip, Obama tried to take advantage of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's statement that America should work out a withdrawal plan for Iraq. Obama triumphantly declared that now is the time for Iraqis to work out their own destiny. Obama failed to mention, however, that if he had been president, Iraq would still be ruled by Saddam Hussein. The only destiny that Obama would have consigned Iraq to is oppression, torture, and mass graves.
To understand what is going on in Iraq, we must distinguish between two approaches: the Bush doctrine and the Reagan doctrine. Unlike the Bush doctrine--which seemed to require invasion and occupation--the Reagan doctrine was one of assisted non-intervention. Reagan believed that people in foreign countries should fight for their own freedom. We do not fight for them. But if they are willing to fight, we are willing to help. And so in Afghanistan, in Nicaragua, in Angola and to some extent in Ethiopia, Reagan supported rebels who sought liberation from Marxist tyranny. For intance, Reagan supplied Stinger missiles to the Afghani mujaheedin who were fighting to repel the Soviet invasion of that country. Reagan did not, however, send large numbers of American troops to Afghanistan.
Now in Bush's defense it should be said that the Reagan doctrine could not have worked in Iraq. Unlike in Afghanistan, which the mujaheedin turned into a Soviet "bleeding wound," there was no Iraqi resistance that could substantially threaten Saddam Hussein. Bush's choice was either for America to get rid of Hussein, or to leave Hussein in power. But from the beginning the administration understood that, even in Iraq, over time the Bush doctrine must metamorphose into the Reagan doctrine.
It has taken longer than expected. But that's because Saddam's Baathist minority--let's call them the Saddamites--ran not only the government but the entire society. So it has been quite a process to train a Shia elected government to learn to govern a nation in which they were victimized for a quarter century. Slowly, however, the Iraqis have been rising to the task, assisted by able U.S. forces under the competent leadership of General Petraeus.
So now, finally, Iraqis are getting to the position where they can defend their own country and fight for their own freedom. This is what "success" means in Iraq: not the end of the insurgency, or the end of terrorism, but a situation in which Iraqis take the helm and America moves into a supporting role. Of course America is going to get out of Iraq. The only question is whether we will leave recklessly, precipituously, with the risk of escalating violence and chaos and perhaps even a return of the Saddamites. This seems to be the approach the Obama Democrats want. The other option is to leave cautiously, deliberately, in a way that leaves Iraq a self-governing society, the only pro-American Muslim democracy in the Middle East.
Postscript: Due to internal re-organization at AOL, it seems that this and other blogs are going to be suspended effective the end of this month. The blogs we have posted will still be online, but no new blogs will be posted. What a pity, especially as the election debate is heating up. I have enjoyed doing this blog and I want to thank my readers--yes, even the Dineshophobic atheists--for checking in and posting comments. (Sometimes I wonder if some of you atheists who post several times a day have regular jobs.)
AOL has informed me that the company is hiring a new blog manager and I will be negotiating the resumption of this blog--perhaps in a new format--with that person. This however could take a month or two. In the meantime look for my columns each Monday on Townhall.com and also consult my website dineshdsouza.com for forthcoming speaking events and updates.
Reader Comments ( Page 721 of 974)
10801. If observant is also MI, then he's DEFINITELY a closeted gay. No doubt.
So only you know for sure Observant... :-)
Saint Brian the Godless at 1:24AM on Jul 9th 2009
10802. tarnished halo who can give it out but just never expects it, God forbid (shiver!) back!
----------------
I make sexual jokes and references sometimes, but not in a personal, CREEPY manner, like you do, you silly fat cow. Get it through your silly fat cow brain, willya? You didn't 'give me anything back,' you made oblique off-color references to the size of my penis, and acted in general like a retard about it. You have no wit. You have no sophistication, no ability to employ or understand irony, you are just a child who wants to play with the big kids, and it shows. And all the fake swooning over me and trying to piss off pboy... are you twelve? Have you even had a fucking period yet? What are you, a forever-child in permament la-la land? Is that what Christianity does to people? Makes fucking idiot children out of them for all to see?
Jesus Christ, grow up.
Saint Brian the Godless at 1:33AM on Jul 9th 2009
10803. Harvey; re your 'free will' questions, esp. 10793, I was wondering if it isn't a bit like my son with money. What he earns, he spends; often more than he earns via credit cards. He has been warned about this lack of fiscal discipline and for instance, routinely loses use of his cell phone for unpaid bills, but continues to spend beyond his means. Because of the pattern, I have 'foreknown' the outcome of his choices for the last 4 or 5 years, and used to help bail him out. But as he continues to make wrong choices, as a loving father I have to let him suffer the consequences on his own, hopeful that he will someday accept responsibility for his actions. For a little contrast, I also have a 2 & 1/2 year-old grandson. We bought him a bike this Spring and I love to watch him ride. Though I've explained many times the potential risks of riding out of our driveway alone onto the busy street, I still follow closely to make sure the inevitable does not occur. But that's because he's 2 & a half. As he grows and matures, developing a better understanding of the consequences of his choices, he will have more freedom and less oversight. I see no conflict between God knowing my future choices and me making them. In fact, I'm thankful that, for the wrong decisions I've made, as long as I'm repentant and seek His direction, He has always been faithful to help me get back on track. Exactly what one would expect from a loving Father.
fanman at 9:18AM on Jul 9th 2009
10804. Hey fanman; On free will, I don’t think your analogy holds up because the way you imagine god, you cannot prove him wrong (i.e. he ALWAYS knows EXACTLY what you’ll do, thus negating free will). Your son CAN prove you wrong and likely will at some point. And even though you don't see a conflict between omniscence and free will, there is one.
Also, did you see that Obama nominated Francis Collins to head up the N.I.H.? I have to admit, I do like the guy, mainly because he reminds me that all evangelicals are not anti-intellectual young earth creationists nut balls. I have no idea how he reconciles his faith with his work, but more power to him if he does.
Ryan Anderson at 9:49AM on Jul 9th 2009
10805.
fanman,
In regards to freewill and your children as god and us analogy,
Do you believe you know every possible outcome of you children's actions?
Have you told them about the other children you smited because they didn't follow your orders?
If your son fails, will you banish him, forever, to suffer terribly?
mac at 11:52AM on Jul 9th 2009
10806. Fanman:
"I see no conflict between God knowing my future choices and me making them. In fact, I'm thankful that, for the wrong decisions I've made, as long as I'm repentant and seek His direction, He has always been faithful to help me get back on track. Exactly what one would expect from a loving Father.
fanman at 9:18AM on Jul 9th 2009"
I must admit that this is one of the most refreshing "takes" on the conundrum between free will and God's omniscience I have yet heard from a believing Christian. Although it may neatly explain how you can reconcile these issues for yourself as an intelligent human being, the last two posters have pointed out why this approach fails to reconcile the main issue. If God is all knowing, there is no possibility that any of your "choices" will turn out otherwise than what He already "knows" or has ordained, whereas your son may yet surprise you by making better choices or simply by "growing up" a little more. More to the point, since we are told that we cannot seek salvation but that it must be granted to us by the Holy Spirit, God must already know which of us are hopelessly damned for all eternity before we take our first breath (?original sin?) and which few of us He has already granted salvation. To my way of thinking, this is a much more important issue than whether the punishment for failing to be saved (eternal damnation) should equate with the punishment for all of the other potential sins we may commit (again, eternal damnation), rather than whether such a severe penalty scheme may suggest that God is not such a "loving father" after all.
Harvey at 12:38PM on Jul 9th 2009
10807. It's all a two-thousand year old lie.
Early christians (pre-constantine) were USELESS as warriors. They refused to fight. Non-violent, you see. That's what early christianity was all about. Then Constantine came into the picture and came up with the bright idea of a 'just war.' He whipped the people into a frenzy, christians included. Befoer him, peaceful and nonviolent. After him, bloodthirsty fighters for "God" (read 'the State').
Constantine killed off what was good about the faith, and made it into a control method.
Why is this so hard for people to see? It's pretty fucking obvious if you have open eyes.
Saint Brian the Godless at 3:09PM on Jul 9th 2009
10808. If God is such a mystery then why do Christians believe that they know all about Him and His motivations, what pleases Him and displeases Him, who He likes and who He dislikes, etc. He's only a 'mystery' when they're cornered and can't explain His actions or His morality or apparent lack thereof. Then, and only then, is He suddenly a mystery.
Saint Brian the Godless at 3:38PM on Jul 9th 2009
10809. Brian; if you look at Jesus and the Money Changers, Luke 19:27, Simon Peter chopping off the acolytes ear, Ananias and Sappheria, Pliny's letter to Trajan and the persecution of the gnostics and Arianism, you'll see that there was a long tradition of violence from the very beginning.
Constantine just harnessed it for the state, like you said.
Ryan Anderson at 3:58PM on Jul 9th 2009
10810. Harvey, you are, once again confused. Ever read the verse: "Seek ye First The Kingdom of God" and Seek and Ye shall Find?
God offers His Salvation; He doesn't ram it down anyone's throats. Rather, he mourns the loss of those who freely choose to say 'no' to Him and His Gifts and to His Salvation.
And, actually the last two posters (including yourself) are actually excellent poster-children for how having a not-so-wonderful father on earth turns one away from The Almighty Father. It hinders that person's ability to see the Good and the Love of The Almighty Father. And, as that habit becomes habituated, the cycle goes on. One becomes what is played out here before all of us to witness is what would seem to be a hopeless, helpless and rather disingenous, half-rational ("hafl-rash" ;)attempt at looking at the world and the reality at hand. That then, leads to the endless clouds of confusion, hatred and rash judging and name-calling and psycho-self-psychologizing babble of putting ideas forth and never really ever finding a solution or resolution of any rational sort due to the unhealthy amount of fear garnered at never really knowing if one ever really knows anything.... 'Cause, you never really know, you know?
I can understand how you cannot get this. And, thank you for stating that it is your way of thinking; rather than putting your confused thoughts out there as fact. Atleast, you have that going for you.
Keep seeking and hopefully, one day you will find and hopefully you will be found.....
I don't count on it; seeing how jaded and biased your thinking is, but I do pray for it and I do hope in a miracle of it for you.
Remember, when that moment comes; you are free to accept or decline. And, just as your pre-school teacher taught you and everyone else in the class, irregardless of race, religion, creed,sexual orientation, class, mental capacity, bias and bigotry----that, yes, Johnny, er, Harvey, there are consequences to every single action/deed, etc.
Oh, and in Science isn't there some thingy about for every action there is a reaction? .......
(LOL! That should give you enough material to stir up some more dusty and clouded illusions for you to busy yourself with for awhile....)
MI at 5:22PM on Jul 9th 2009
10811. MI said "And, actually the last two posters (including yourself) are actually excellent poster-children for how having a not-so-wonderful father on earth turns one away from The Almighty Father."
Try again. My dad was great while he was alive.
But let me ask you something, since I've never spoken of my dad on this blog and I don't think Brian has either, why would you presume to know anything about them?
Oh, right, you are out of your mind. That's right!
Ryan Anderson at 5:30PM on Jul 9th 2009
10812. Harvey; keep on hitting nerves. Nice work as always.
Ryan Anderson at 5:33PM on Jul 9th 2009
10813. Yah, Virgin Mary tree stump and other thingies. LOL!
http://whyevolutionistrue.wordpress.com/2009/07/09/stuff-that-looks-like-other-stuff/#comments
JefFlyingV at 5:50PM on Jul 9th 2009
10814.
“Question with boldness even the existence of God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear”
-Thomas Jefferson
I guess Mr Jefferson had a poor Daddy too?
mac at 6:00PM on Jul 9th 2009
10815. Fanman, that's one for cultural conditioning... Those Irish christians see the virgin mary in a tree stump that only vaguely looks like the silhouette of ANY random woman.
Ryan Anderson at 5:59PM on Jul 9th 2009