To Lurking Conservatives -- We want progress in Iraq...But hold your fire

[Armstead]

This is my own opinion, but I think a lot of us on the left of center feel similarly about this.

I was and am against the Invasion of Iraq. But I want as good an outcome as possible, for the US and for Iraq.

If Al-Zarqawi is dead, I am glad. He was a rotten bastid, whose actions went beyond the scope of legitimate resistance or warfare. It will be especially good if his death helps to weaken the positions of the terrorists who have been attacking Iraqi civilians.

On that basis I actually will agree with those over here who are calling this a positive development in the war and the attempt to put Iraq on some kind of solid footing.

BUT HERE"S THE RUB.

Based on past experience, the real significance of this will be twisted and distorted and misused by the administration, the GOP and the parrots in the Mainstream Media. All perspective will be lost.

We will be told endlessly that this shows that the opponents of the Iraq Invasion were wrong. We will be told this is proof that we are winning the war, and this is an important turning point. We will be told that Bush and the Neo-Cons were right all along, and that it is possible to reshape the Middle East in our own image.

We will be told that this vindicates Bush, and that he was correct all along. We will be told that this will restore his popularity with the American people. We will be told that this will weaken Democrats.

That's all a crock of Bull Manure. The same things were pounded into our heads many times over the last several years. Bush was supposedly vindicated and the "Anti-War Left" was supposed to have been shamed and proven wrong when the status of Saddam was torn down....Same thing when Bush played soldier and flew to that aircraft carrier and declared "Mission Accomplished."'...Same thing when Saddam was captured. Same thing when Iraq held elections. Same thing when we supposedly transferred sovereignty to Iraq. Same thing when they first voted on a Constitution......etc. etc. etc.

EACH of those times have suppoedly been turning points. But they were turning points that were the exact opposite of all of this spin. Bush's popularity has dropped, the majority of the public has turned against the war, Iraq becomes bigger quagmire every day, more American troops continue to die, the Middle East gets worse politically and the world becomes more anti-American. Our credibility as a real military and political power in the world has become weaker, not stronger...Etc. etc. etc.

That's why people like me get so angry whenever these "turning points" occurs. It's not because we don't want progress. It is because we object to the distortions and lies that inevitably follow such things.

So, I (we?) will join you in being glad if a horrible terrorist is dead. We will join you in hoping that this will be a positive turning point.

BUT don't get carried away and DON'T use as a bludgeon yet again say "I told you so. You were wrong to oppose this war. We really are winning."

The fact is that you have been proven wrong before. And most likely you will be proven wrong about the impact of this now. So hold your fire and keep this in perspective.