A new responsibility in foreign policy

The unexpected Democratic congressional victory of 2006 shakes the political status quo in ways that were unexpected. Democrats go from being a powerless entity in the wilderness to actually having to exercise a significant amount of responsibility for world events. After twelve years of near irrelevance, the capacity for exercising this responsibility could well be atrophied.

Monitoring the progressive blogs, we see the difficulty in adjusting from a resistance movement to party partially in power. While I applaud Nancy Pelosi's 100 hours agenda as both principled and politically savvy, it is in the area of foreign policy that the Democratic responsibility will be sorely tested.

Personally, I advocate an immediate, unequivocal phased withdrawal from Iraq to over the horizon bases. Keeping troops in Iraq will leave them increasingly vulnerable to the day when the multiple local factions, having had enough of the occupation and not needing it any longer for whatever political advantage, simply sever our supply lines and starve our troops in place. The resulting chaotic withdrawal will not be a pretty picture. If Bush had an iota of brain cells left, he would recognize that it is better to withdraw with some honor now, while it is possible. I'm not holding my breath.

About Bin Laden's tape

Friday's Bin Laden tape reminds us, once again, of how the BushAdministration obsession with Iraq distracted America fromcatching the mastermind of 9/11.

Let's review the Administration's record on terrorism once again.From the failure to capture Bin Laden in Bora Bora by notsending in American troops, to stretching our armed forcesin Iraq so thin that there's no strength left to pursue Bin Laden,to letting go of Zarqawi in Northern Iraq against the adviceof our intelligence services, this Administration has failedin its most basic duty to protect America.

When John Kerry says he'll go after Bin Laden, I believe him. He defended our country as a young man. He knows what that means.

Picking the next Dad

In the faces of frustration, http://www.democrats.org/news/200410010006.html, you see a man who has not had a good night's sleep for a long time. He's tired, incoherent, impatient, and annoyed at Kerry's disobedience.

A very tired, very cranky dad. Pity his children.

To an undecided voter, choosing the next president is in good part picking a father figure. Who would you rather have for your dad?

Hi

You'll see my thoughts here both on short term and long term social and political issues.
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