October 22, 2006 at 06:58:31
Cut and run or Stay the course?
by Joe Plummer
http://www.opednews.com There are two ways to make progress toward a desirable goal:
1. Engage in activity that is clearly "productive."
2. STOP engaging in activity that is clearly "counterproductive."
As an example: Imagine spraying gasoline on a forest fire in an attempt to "put
out the flames." Within a reasonable amount of time it should be obvious the chosen course of action is not working. More importantly, it should also be obvious the chosen course of action is actually making the situation WORSE. In this example, it would be better to "cut and run" from the chosen course of action than it would be to "stay the course." (-Better for everyone, save perhaps those profiting from the sale of the gasoline.)
Now, let's apply this analogy to the situation in Iraq. Our top military leaders have told us repeatedly our approach is not effectively "putting out the fires." Worse, they've said our presence in the country is actually "fueling the flames." Now, I suppose we can keep dumping gasoline on the jungle that is Iraq. Who knows, maybe 20 years, millions of dead civilians, countless American lives and trillions of dollars later, the forest will be leveled and there'll be nothing left to burn. But is that REALLY our only option? And what other costs will America incur? What kind of "blowback" might we expect? (Not just from newly created "terrorists" incensed by the illegal invasion and subsequent slaughter, but also from an outraged international community?)
...it's clear Al Qaeda and their handful of followers are gaining the most from the war in Iraq, the loss of goodwill toward America and the erosion of our founding principles here at home. Since those responsible for these polices have no intention of changing their approach (despite their history of being wrong on nearly everything) I think it's fair to say: A vote to "stay the course" is a vote to weaken America and empower its enemies. The time is long past due to "cut and run" from those who've led our country astray.