Bush resolute under 'friendly fire' as Osama looks on and laughs…

Iraq Forum

Tuesday night's presidential press conference highlighted a serious problem for the nation. As President George Bush leads in the war on terrorism, his efforts are being handicapped by increasingly partisan critics here at home.

In a brief but significant speech preceding questions from the press, Bush gave a somber review of the Iraq war. He said the spike in violence is instigated by remnants of Saddam Hussein's regime, Islamic militants and terrorists from other countries. "They want to run us out of Iraq and destroy the democratic hopes of the Iraqi people," he explained.

Despite rising casualties and intense resistance, Bush was resolute in reaffirming his policy in Iraq. He pledged, "On June 30, Iraqi sovereignty will be placed in Iraqi hands." For that to happen, of course, U.S. and coalition troops must continue to provide enough security to allow Iraqis to govern themselves without the threat of terrorism. That may require more troops. And, yes, more casualties.

Whatever our differences as Americans, there ought to be unity in what the president seeks to do. A free Iraq is a good thing. Sadly, while violence has been escalating in Iraq, the tone of criticism here at home has become more bitter, divisive, accusatory.

Some questions from the press reflected that on Tuesday night. What does the president think of comparisons to Iraq as another Vietnam quagmire? Would the president apologize to 9-11 victims' families? If the president loses his job, will all this have been worth it? How has the president failed in communicating?

Such questions are echoes of the political campaign. They also reflect the increasingly strident tone of the 9-11 Commission's work. That independent panel set out with a worthwhile mission, to identify and correct problems that kept the government from detecting the 9-11 terrorist attacks. However, the hearings have degenerated into a blame game.

Our form of government thrives on debate of issues. We do not suggest that the war on terrorism, and particularly the war in Iraq, are off limits. We are suggesting that, in their opposition to the war and disdain for the president, some critics give aid and comfort to the wrong people. Yes, we mean terrorists, who monitor this and hope to weaken Americans' national resolve. Remember how well they succeeded after the Madrid, Spain, attacks.

On Tuesday, the president declared, "There is no safe alternative to resolute action." Where terrorists are concerned, that is true. Even if the nation were to elect a new president in November, the gravest mistake he could make in the present circumstances would be to pull out of Iraq before Iraq is prepared to govern itself. Indeed, it is possible to run from terrorists—but there is no hiding place from such evil. It is far better to confront the menace at its source.

The Jackson Citizen Patriot
Thursday, April 15, 2004

And by the way, the article in this thread starter is for Americans, not American-hating foreigners for whom U.S. politics is obviously off limits. The latter will nonetheless blow their gas, and of course they are irrelevant as always.

What about Britsh people I got friends out there and I lost a dear friend out ther Joe When there is a coalition fighting then Bushs policy on Iraq will ahve an affect on friends and others families why don't we get a say.

But when it comes to an issue on American foreign policy then surely foreigners should have a say and when it come to the war ( which is what this is about) where UK troops are fighting and dying then again we should have a say. Remeber waht you said about Spain when they started pulling troops out? if what you ssy is truen then you should have kept your mouth shut becuase that was a Spanish decsion.

Like I said, this thread starter is regarding American citizen's reaction to the Iraq situation and how we as a nation need to come together, eliminate the partisanship that only mires our efforts and support our President and our troops in order to see this thing through. This has nothing to do with foreigners and what they think we ought to do amongst ourselves. No one is preventing you from venting your gas—by all means, it's all you've got—I'm just saying it's irrelevant to Americans.

Alright if it will make you fell better I stay out of it .