The Effort to Discard the Petraeus Report
In a world of sound bites, pay for play politics and something more than a cottage industry, built by those who earn their living commercializing public issues, who is giving General Petraeus a fair shake? This post focuses on three news reports. One addresses the forthcoming Petraeus report largely based on comments from first term Democratic Congressman from the 2nd District of Connecticut and Senator Joe Lieberman who needs no introduction. The second report is about MoveOn.org’s over the top comments about General Petraeus and the third is commentary from Michael Yon.
The above response from Courtney might cause one to ask what he means by ‘politically in Iraq’? Is he suggesting the Petraeus report from the general and the Ambassador were intended to alter the sectarian politics in Iraq? Or is he saying US politics ABOUT Iraq will not likely change due to this report? Since those opposing victory in Iraq chose to preempt the report through rhetorical campaigns with no intention of evaluating the report objectively, it is a safe bet Courtney’s comment is about US politics.
Since Senator Lieberman won re-election as an Independent and is not viewed in a positive light by Democrats, his comments may be a reasonable analysis of the situation but will be ignored by those opposing victory in Iraq. The tendency to prosecute a war with minimal control by the military and continuous meddling by civilian authority as well as the left stance that does little more than misuse free speech rights to aid the enemy, the foregone conclusion is no change or honest reassessment of conditions in Iraq. Even if complete and total victory was possible by tomorrow morning with overwhelming and convincing evidence, the liberal sentiment in this country would not support the troops, mission or effort to reconcile the conflict, both in war and politics.
The next reference focuses on MoveOn.org and their over the top reputation that has reached a new level of depravity. All that needs to be addressed is the short, simple condemnation of an organization that represents individuals incapable of self-restraint in executing their agenda. Referring to General Petraeus as a traitor is beyond words strong enough to describe their offense. There is no excuse for that behavior.
The commentary at the following link does a fine job on this topic
MoveOn.org Calls Petraeus a Traitor
Do Democrats in Congress agree?
by Pete Hegseth
09/09/2007 5:28:00 PM
Tomorrow–as General David Petraeus provides his Iraq assessment to Congress–the antiwar group MoveOn.org is running a full-page advertisement in the New York Times under the headline: “General Petraeus or General Betray us? Cooking the books for the White House.”
Let’s be clear: MoveOn.org is suggesting that General Petraeus has ‘betrayed’ his country. This is disgusting. To attack as a traitor an American general commanding forces in war because his ‘on the ground’ experience does not align with MoveOn.org’s political objectives is utterly shameful. It shows contempt for America’s military leadership, as well as for the troops who have confidence in him, as our fellow soldiers in Iraq certainly do.
Not surprisingly, the approach that should be adopted by everyone about the coming Petraeus report is offered by this commentary by Michael Yon.
Don’t Ask Me What I Think about the Petraeus Report
Ask the battalion commanders.
By Michael Yon
Weeks ago, as the deadline for General David Petraeus’s progress report on the war loomed, journalists were already asking me what I thought of it. Then, as now, I do not know what to think of the report since it is not yet published. Even this coming week, after listening to the general’s testimony before Congress, I will have to read the report and transcripts numerous times, sleep on the information, and reflect on it in light of my own observations of the situation in Iraq. The outcome of the war in Iraq, and to some extent the greater War on Terror, will largely depend upon our decisions today. The outcome is too important for quick words. Many will try to be the first to report on the report, and their reports likely will be the most unreliable.
There is no telling how long it will take this country to understand how to respond to issues like the Iraq war. There is a better way to perform civic duties than the way we have for several decades. It would be helpful if we could relocate that part of our history.
Stanford Matthews
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