Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Molly Ivins--Eternal Optimist
Molly Ivins is only worth reading to stay in touch with far lefty feelings (and I choose that word carefully) about World events. For her, there is no amount of good news that will change her mind. Witness:
The debate over this war is unrealistic and even ludicrous. A) It is not going well. B) It keeps getting worse. C) Yes, it is possible that if we stay there long enough, it will get better eventually. D) There is no evidence suggesting that beyond hope.
[...]
I would hope the right would at least be concerned over the damage being done to the American military by this war. Morale, my ass. Excuse me, but our government doesn't even seem to be able to pay these people on time. Not to mention stretching them past the breaking point in Iraq, leaving them without adequate mental care when they come home, endlessly extending their tours, bribing them to re-up, and so forth and so on. Then, of course, something like Haditha happens, and they all get a black eye out of it.
I'm on the right, and I'll admit that the buggy whip media, of which Ivins is a very veteran member, has covered this war in a way nearly guaranteed to demoralize out troops. Fortunately, the soldiers know what's really going on and morale is very high indeed, as is the 're-upping' of the troops when their contracts come up for renewal. As are our efforts to get new soldiers to join. As for damage to our troops' morale caused by our mission itself--I've seen no evidence for that. Perhaps Ms. Ivins would be so kind as to support even one of her assertions.
The debate over this war is unrealistic and even ludicrous. A) It is not going well. B) It keeps getting worse. C) Yes, it is possible that if we stay there long enough, it will get better eventually. D) There is no evidence suggesting that beyond hope.
[...]
I would hope the right would at least be concerned over the damage being done to the American military by this war. Morale, my ass. Excuse me, but our government doesn't even seem to be able to pay these people on time. Not to mention stretching them past the breaking point in Iraq, leaving them without adequate mental care when they come home, endlessly extending their tours, bribing them to re-up, and so forth and so on. Then, of course, something like Haditha happens, and they all get a black eye out of it.
I'm on the right, and I'll admit that the buggy whip media, of which Ivins is a very veteran member, has covered this war in a way nearly guaranteed to demoralize out troops. Fortunately, the soldiers know what's really going on and morale is very high indeed, as is the 're-upping' of the troops when their contracts come up for renewal. As are our efforts to get new soldiers to join. As for damage to our troops' morale caused by our mission itself--I've seen no evidence for that. Perhaps Ms. Ivins would be so kind as to support even one of her assertions.
# posted by Roger Fraley @ 8:06 AM 
