As dumbed down as you folks believe the electorate to be, talking like this to secure a base
of less than 30 % of American voters is not going to move the numbers up. You are actually undercutting the scaffolding of
that less-than-30%.
Republican House Minority Leader John Boehner proclaims that the blood of American troops in Iraq is a “small
price” to pay for the long term goals in the Middle East. Thanks to TPM via Crooks & Liars.
BLITZER: How much longer will U.S. taxpayers have to shell out $2 billion
a week or $3 billion a week as some now are suggesting the cost is going to endure? The loss in blood, the Americans
who are killed every month, how much longer do you think this commitment, this military commitment is going to require?
BOEHNER: I think General Petraeus outlined it pretty clearly. We’re
making success. We need to firm up those successes. We need to continue our effort here because, Wolf, long term, the
investment that we’re making today will be a small price if we’re able to stop al Qaeda here, if we’re able
to stabilize the Middle East, it’s not only going to be a small price for the near future,
but think about the future for our kids and their kids.
Even if on a logical "civic-minded" basis one is tempted to agree as a detached observer - particularly if
one has no "skin in the game," Boehner's public thinking out-loud is not where Americans are emotionally.
It's amazing how politicans tailor their answers to appeal to the intellectual level of the questioner, i.e.
Blitzer, in apparent ignorance that the comment - especially when controversial - will float out of the limited world of cable
TV political talk shows and into a public awareness that is addicted to controversy and sensationalism.
Too-little-too-late Mr. Kerry responded with an accurate reminder that Americans have had it with Bush's war.
"What a stunningly cavalier statement about the lives of the young men and women who serve our
country.
Whether you support or oppose the Bush escalation, no American should ever for even a moment
think the cost of war is small.
A single life is a large price to pay for any endeavor. Sometimes, in our national interest,
we choose to pay that awful price, but we must always make sure that the policy is worthy of it."
When I got home from work Thursday night, Lietta had the president and his speech on TV. My suggestion for the title of that speech (that should go into all American
history texts and presidential libraries) :
"Why I Must Keep Killing
Your Children."
© Arthur Ruger 2007
