Every time I thought I'd got it made, It seemed the taste was not so sweet

On Pace with the ch-ch-changes in Iraq:

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs says he's seen a major change in security in Iraq in recent months, and says that will influence his recommendation to President Bush on how long to continue the current strategy.

General Peter Pace says a "sea change" has been taking place in many places in Iraq, which he says should help give local police and the military "a chance to get on their feet."

Pace has conferred with several commanders in Ramadi, west of Baghdad, and says he's gathered a positive picture of the security environment there and in Baghdad.

Is he high? Did he mistake the title 'Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff ' in a hand rolled sort of way? I mean WTF is he smoking!?

The civilian and US casualties are higher than before the surge escalation began.

There are mortar rounds impacting the Green Zone daily.

Visiting US congresscritters have to wear armor in the most protected area of Baghdad, can't leave the Green zone during the day and can't spend the night, (and that's what you might call a downward trend from their visit to a market in Baghdad, “like a normal outdoor market in Indiana in the summertime” a couple of months ago.)

If we gather any more positive pictures like that we can claim a Pyrrhic victory ... and get out!





Cross posted at Vidiotspeak

Do it wrong or do it right it's alright, it's alright

Must be something in the water lately. We sure have seen some interesting mea culpas from some Righties, like Sen. Gordon Smith (R-flipflopper):

On the Senate floor Thursday night, Sen. Gordon Smith (R-OR) said Bush’s Iraq policy “may even be criminal.” This morning on ABC’s This Week, Smith elaborated on his criticism of Bush, calling his Iraq policy a “dereliction” and “deeply immoral.” Smith said the death of ten soldiers on Wednesday made him go from “steamed to boiled” about Bush’s failed policies.

Very nice. That should be deserving of accolades, of bi-partisan support in the spirit of forgiveness and peace, right?

Not so fast, Spanky.

Exactly what has changed since you said this:

"The rhetoric on this is too heated," said Sen. Gordon Smith, R- Ore., whose state is home to the parents of one of the soldiers killed this week by insurgents. "When I hear things like 'Bush lied, kids died,' or even on our side that 'Retreat and' -- whatever the mantra is, my soul cries out for something more dignified.

"I don't believe their dissent is unpatriotic," Smith said of Democrats. "I simply believe it to be unwise. It is a tactical mistake of monumental proportions."

I can tell you exactly what has changed: an election. And polls.

This is barely an act of moral strength. It's really an act of a politician sensing his career is doomed.

Want praise and support, Gordon? Not gonna find it here. You had plenty of chances to show moral leadership and courage.

Instead, you show exactly what has been wrong with the Republican leadership the last several years:

If it doesn't affect me, I love it.

If it's going to hurt me, I'm against it.

Those are the deciding factors.

Bastard.