Baird - Continue to Sacrifice Troops to Honor Troops' Sacrifice

It seems that Congressman Brian Baird has decided to offer up a bit more of an explanation with regard to his recent remarks about extending the so-called surge in Iraq.

Guest columnist

Our troops have earned more time

By Brian Baird

Special to The Times

Now, while I would normally use this space to offer my own observations on Rep. Baird’s piece, I believe that thehim over at EFFin’ Unsound does a much better job than I could begin to do. I do have one observation that I cannot let go unsaid.

”Our troops have earned more time” Congressman, our troops have earned leadership. Advancing the Rovian strategy of invoking “our troops” into what is purely a policy discussion is beneath a United States Congressman. What’s next; “Support our Troops – Support the War”?

You say in your Times piece, “… As one soldier said to me, "We have lost so many good people and invested so much, It just doesn't make sense to quit now when we're finally making progress. I want to go home as much as anyone else, but I want this mission to succeed and I'm willing to do what it takes. I just want to know the people back home know we're making progress and support us."” Now I don’t know which soldiers you are exposed to when you go on Bush’s guided tours of Iraq but maybe you should know that there are other soldiers with different points of view. And while you say, ” I do not know the details of what the September report will contain, but I trust and respect Gen. David Petraeus and U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker.” maybe you should read the original Petraeus Report and ask yourself again if this is the right person to place your confidence in.

Our troops deserve leadership. ”The costs have been horrific for our soldiers, their families, the Iraqi people and the economy. If we keep our troops on the ground we will lose more lives, continue to spend billions each week, and, given the history and complex interests of the region, there is no certainty that our efforts will succeed in the long run.” How many lives are you willing to gamble away? ”We are going to have to begin to withdraw troops next spring because our equipment and our soldiers are wearing out.” How many names would you see added to the IWR News before the equipment wears out?

The invasion was wrong. The continuing occupation is wrong. And sir, your current assessment is not going to ever make those things right.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue