Emboldening the Enemy

Sometimes the anger I feel when I read something like the statement from new Defense Secretary Robert Gates that he believes a resolution by the US Congress expressing (even if in a non-binding way) their disapproval of George Bush's blind insistence on the escalation of the Iraq occupation, "...certainly emboldens the enemy..." keeps me from finding the words to write. Fortunately Darryl Holman over at Hominid Views says it all:

After producing a "short-list" of real and imagined enemies of the United States, Darryl runs down a pretty good list of things that might also embolden an enemy:

• Illegally invading a sovereign nation, in contradiction of international law.
• Leaving weapons and explosive stashes, formerly under U.N. control, unguarded for insurgents to loot.
• Needlessly killing tens or hundreds of thousands of civilians in Iraq.
• Chest thumping contests with Syria, Iran, Cuba, Venezuela, and North Korea.
• Turning over Saddam Hussein to a lawless lynch mob.
• Incompetence in managing the post-invasion period in Iraq, leading to a degenerating environment for Iraqis.
• Sending more soldiers into Iraq to be killed and injured.
• Widespread general arrogance and condescension on the part of the U.S. in dealing with foreign governments.

With so many examples of things that can embolden an enemy, I wonder what we might find to embolden a Congress intent on sending "symbolic messages"?

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue