Gilroy’s City Council should halt approval of housing
developments until there is a solution to the ongoing
school-facilities crisis
The situation is Iraq has devolved into a depressing and dangerous quagmire.
Our soldiers are now policing a civil war.
Our involvement in Iraq has lasted longer than our involvement in World War II.
Despite the president’s premature declaration of “mission accomplished” in Iraq, it’s clear our mission has not been accomplished. With the ever-shifting justifications for starting the war and the ever-shifting definitions of what constitutes success in Iraq, Americans don’t even know what our mission was or is.
Now, with the release of the Iraq Study Group’s findings, we have a chance for a graceful exit, if only our political leaders can seize the opportunity.
The bipartisan group has issued a report with 79 recommendations on a way forward in Iraq that has pleased very few. Those on the left are upset that it does not recommend immediate withdrawal. Those on the right are upset that it offers a stinging rebuke of current administration policy and repudiates “stay the course.”
That’s probably a good sign that the recommendations are on target.
The president is waiting for reports from the Pentagon and has embarked upon a “listening tour” seeking input on how to move forward in Iraq – something that should not be done three years into any conflict, but on an ongoing basis – before telling the American people in an expected address before the end of the year what will change in his Iraq policy and strategy.
It’s clear that the American people are demanding a new direction in Iraq. They’re tired of the heavy toll that coalition forces and Iraqi civilians are paying while progress is slow or nonexistent.
A clear mission, a strategy that supports it and an understanding of when the troops are coming home. That’s what Americans need, unfortunately we’re not even clear on what we’re aiming toward.
Let’s hope the Bush Administration doesn’t spin the various reports and advice into a way to restate the failed “stay the course” policy.
Let’s use the opportunity presented by the Iraq Study Group’s report to find a new course aimed at a graceful exit from this war in Iraq.
