Thanks George!

I have a friend who thinks that invading Iraq was the right thing to do. One of his justifications is that we have not had any terrorist attacks in the U.S. since 9/11. (He's right about that). He also says we're "safer" because we invaded Iraq and because of George Bush -- and less safe than we were under Clinton, when we had attacks on embassies overseas and a Navy ship took place. I disagree that we're safer. I think we're less safe.

My friend also claims that Liberals and the Liberal Media especially, do not support the troops. His last email closed with, "Here's to a free Iraq." Citing the new Consititution, he predicts the troops will be home by 2006 and says the economy in the U.S. (thanks to George, of course) will soon be "humming."

Here's my response:

Whenever I discuss Iraq, I'm in the uncomfortable position of hoping I'm wrong. I don't like the feeling. I think we have a disaster on our hands. And since I'm an American, it's not just Bush's disaster. It's MY disaster, too.

I totally support our military. The Right Wing media likes to accuse we Liberals of not supporting the military, which is balderdash. I personally have great respect for the military and its culture, and I don't know one Liberal who does not support the military. If I meet one, they'll get a piece of my mind.

I don't like the prison abuse scandals, though. This one has hurt us a lot in the Muslim world. For this I blame Bush and the tone he set. I blame the intelligence community, and I blame the military, too. In all our past wars, it was only "the enemy" who mistreated prisoners. We preached and mostly practiced decency toward prisoners. Now we're doing all the things we once stood in principle against. (It's not right how they go after little Private England and none of the officers are called to account; she didn't act on her own!)

A federal judge recently ordered the release of new prison-abuse pictures, which are supposed to be pretty bad. General Casey argues that releasing them will hurt our cause. And damnit, he's right. It will. On the other hand, the judge's decision that "truth" (the pictures are the truth) trumps expediency (not releasing them) shows what is healthiest about our country.

Yes, the pictures will inflame Muslims even more -- and that's too bad. Our unwarranted invasion of Iraq has already inflamed Muslims world-wide (which the Bushies refuse to acknowledge). But releasing them to the media also shows our commitment to the principles of open government. More than anything, it's that commitment to this principle that makes me most proud of my country.

Thanks George. Good work. I hope you prayed a lot about that one!

A free and democratic Iraq, you say? I really hope so. How about civil war, a persisting insurgency, a strengthened Iran, more unrest in the middle east, more Islamic extremism along with Jihad and a 'war of civilizations'. All or some is a possibility. We don't know. Whatever it is it will be long haul.

Anyway, thanks George. You have personally and single-handedly done more to LOWER RESPECT FOR THE UNITED STATES throughout the world, especially the Muslim world, than any president in history. You have absolutely made us weaker -- and weaker is NOT safer. I know you wanted to "out-president" your dad. Too bad you failed. (Thanks for dragging the country along).

When are you Republicans going to accept that Bush is a world-class bullshit artist who has gotten us into a damn mess, both militarily and fiscally. Now even many Republicans are beginning to slip away, which offers scant comfort since Bush will increasingly play to his "base" -- especially Evangelical Christians.

We are not safer

I am addressing this email to those of you who still insist that we are SAFER if "we fight them over there rather then over here." Beyond clever phrasing, the rationale never made sense to me. I have always believed that Iraq has made us less safe, not more safe.

An article in the lastest Time magazine entitled "The Jihad Generation" makes it clear the negative impact the war on Iraq has had on alienating young Muslims and moving them toward extemism, especially in Europe.

Thanks George. Good work.

Jim Fleming