One of the recurring phrases used by people in arguments is "they just don't get it." It expresses the belief that one's position is the only logical, reasonable, sensible one, and if the other side could simply hear that position spelled out clearly, they would embrace it.
It's rarely effective or useful, but I'm going to give it a whirl anyway. I'm going to spell out, in excruciating detail, just why I think the war in Iraq was right and necessary, and why I support it to this day.
You might want to get a beverage, or hit the facilities; this is going to be a long one. In fact, it's going to take all week to get it all out in a semi-coherent form.
The current plan is for one portion to be published each weekday, at 11:00 a.m. EST. Here's the outline:
Monday -- Part I: From "Feel The Power" to "Fear The Power"
Tuesday -- Part II: "Honor The Threat"
Wednesday -- Part III: You Go To War With The Geopolitical Reality You Have, Not The One You Want
Thursday -- Part IV: The Path To Victory
Friday -- Part V: Who's Next, or Where Do We Go From Here?
The titles might change before publication (the first draft is finished, at just over 6,500 words), as I'm probably going to be tweaking and editing it right up until each piece is published, but that's a pretty good representation.
As I said last week, this is by far the longest piece I've ever written, and the one that's taken the most work. I think it's worth it, and I hope you'll agree.
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War On Terror
Comments (20)
Friday spoiler: Iran, then... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Kevin | September 18, 2006 8:41 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Friday spoiler: Iran, then Syria.
1. Posted by Kevin | September 18, 2006 8:41 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on September 18, 2006 08:41
2. Posted by BAM | September 18, 2006 8:48 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Bill Whittle would be proud.
2. Posted by BAM | September 18, 2006 8:48 AM |
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Posted on September 18, 2006 08:48
3. Posted by Old Coot | September 18, 2006 9:11 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
When do you sleep?
3. Posted by Old Coot | September 18, 2006 9:11 AM |
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Posted on September 18, 2006 09:11
4. Posted by UncleZeb | September 18, 2006 9:15 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Will it have pictures?
4. Posted by UncleZeb | September 18, 2006 9:15 AM |
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Posted on September 18, 2006 09:15
5. Posted by muirgeo | September 18, 2006 9:28 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Jay,
I can shorten it down a little for you.
Because you support your party over your country. Because you have a sports fan mentality that tells you to support "your team" no matter what and you apply that to your politics.
Writing more and more and more words won't make you right. Disregard me for a liberal but the majority of Americans are now on my side and many old time and former Republicans are on my side as well. It's NOT me/us Jay its you.
But anyway tell me how we are safer now that we've kicked a hornets nest, now that we have no money for the homeland, now the the debt is $8 trillion, now that China owns a huge chunk of the US of A, now that all the real threats (Korea, Pakistan, Russian nuclear material, our ports and our nuke plants are being ignored), now that the Taliban is re-surging, now that OBL is still free and Osama is becoming a popular name for Muslim newborns, now that more then 10,000 soldiers have been seriously maimed or killed and now that we are growing and already ignoring a whole new generation of homeless war vets, now that our president is considered a war criminal, now that we have over 10,000 detainees to deal with many who had NOTHING to do with terrorism.
I'm listening because I listen to both sides but I'm very skeptical because sometimes I believe following a mis-guided President is not always the patriotic thing to do and that supporting war and bombing is not always supporting the troops.
5. Posted by muirgeo | September 18, 2006 9:28 AM |
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Posted on September 18, 2006 09:28
6. Posted by blackflag | September 18, 2006 9:33 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I'm looking forward to reading it Jay.
Unfortunately it will bring out the trolls in force (who's comments I skip over anyway).
6. Posted by blackflag | September 18, 2006 9:33 AM |
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Posted on September 18, 2006 09:33
7. Posted by Heralder | September 18, 2006 9:37 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
muirego,
Why don't you read it before you criticize it? A novel idea, I know.
7. Posted by Heralder | September 18, 2006 9:37 AM |
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Posted on September 18, 2006 09:37
8. Posted by kbiel | September 18, 2006 10:07 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Y'all keep saying that, but I don't see any proof. Which party controls the White House and both houses of congress?
And as for your "former Republicans [who] are on [your] side" you can have McCain and Graham.
8. Posted by kbiel | September 18, 2006 10:07 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on September 18, 2006 10:07
9. Posted by VagaBond | September 18, 2006 10:22 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I'll take Joe over McCain and/or Graham in this climate....and I am from South Carolina.
9. Posted by VagaBond | September 18, 2006 10:22 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on September 18, 2006 10:22
10. Posted by jhow66 | September 18, 2006 11:33 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Hey mun-go I believe you should change your name to "ball-less" ( you know you and old "pucker puss"-lee lee could pass for twins as you both quote the latest Democoward talking points word for word in every post.
10. Posted by jhow66 | September 18, 2006 11:33 AM |
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Posted on September 18, 2006 11:33
11. Posted by Tom Blogical | September 18, 2006 1:05 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
muirego:
You're reminding me of Dr. Evil. Too bad for you, Jay isn't his son, Scott.
Like Heralder said, why don't you keep your trap shut until you read it? Then you and all of your troll friends can start spamming the comments section with all kinds of jibberish nobody reads.
11. Posted by Tom Blogical | September 18, 2006 1:05 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on September 18, 2006 13:05
12. Posted by Jay Tea | September 18, 2006 1:55 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
muirgeo: excellent observations. Only two minor flaws:
1) I don't belong to any political party;'
2) I have no interest in sports.
Apart from those two flaws (which, the more I think of it, are pretty much fatal), good synopsis.
Kevin:
YOU CHEATED! Now I gotta go rewrite the ending. Um... Belgium and Belize?
J.
12. Posted by Jay Tea | September 18, 2006 1:55 PM |
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Posted on September 18, 2006 13:55
13. Posted by muirgeo | September 18, 2006 2:12 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Ok Jay then I guess you can answer this honestly.
Which Presidents have you voted for?
I voted
Reagan
Reagan
Bush
Bush
Libertarian guy( forgot his name)
Gore
Kerry
Gore
13. Posted by muirgeo | September 18, 2006 2:12 PM |
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Posted on September 18, 2006 14:12
14. Posted by Jay Tea | September 18, 2006 2:19 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
How about this, muirgeo? It's a bit more timely. November 2004, I voted Bush (R) president, Haddock (D) Senate, Bradley (R) House, and Lynch (D) governor. Bradley and Lynch will most likely get my votes again this November.
In 2004, I voted for Lieberman in the primary. In 2000, it was Bill Bradley, then Bush in the fall.
Also, kinda wondering how you voted for Gore AFTER you voted for Kerry... or did you pull a "I voted for Kerry after I voted against him" stunt?
J.
14. Posted by Jay Tea | September 18, 2006 2:19 PM |
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Posted on September 18, 2006 14:19
15. Posted by muirgeo | September 18, 2006 3:00 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
OK good enough Jay I guess you aren't to be pigeon-holed. Although I suspect that a significant majority of Bush supporters DO fall into the team/party mentality I suggested.
Certainly no one could accuse me of the same....so onto the merits of why life is so much better with a war in Iraq then with out...
15. Posted by muirgeo | September 18, 2006 3:00 PM |
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Posted on September 18, 2006 15:00
16. Posted by Peter F. | September 18, 2006 5:26 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Hmmm, wait a tick, muriego:
How did you vote for a "Libertarian guy( forgot his name)"—I assume you mean Ross Perot—while simeltaneously voting for Bush 1? Are you awkwardly admitting to voter fraud in 1992? ;-)
16. Posted by Peter F. | September 18, 2006 5:26 PM |
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Posted on September 18, 2006 17:26
17. Posted by field-negro | September 18, 2006 10:07 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
"muirgeo: excellent observations. Only two minor flaws:
1) I don't belong to any political party;'
2) I have no interest in sports."
Jay, you keep saying that enough and even you will beleive it! GMAB! Honestly Jay, maybe it's time you join one. May I suggest the republican party? They could use a bright mind like yours, and you wouldn't have to change your thinking to fit in.
BTW, I know you are from Mass., but was growing up a Red Sox fan so bad that it turned you off from sports completely?
17. Posted by field-negro | September 18, 2006 10:07 PM |
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Posted on September 18, 2006 22:07
18. Posted by Jay Tea | September 18, 2006 10:19 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
fn, them's fighting words!
I'm a proud New Hampshirite. Born here, lived here all my life. My postings about MA are largely inspired by the "thank god I don't live there."
TAKE THAT BACK IMMEDIATELY, or I'll ban your ass.
J.
18. Posted by Jay Tea | September 18, 2006 10:19 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on September 18, 2006 22:19
19. Posted by field-negro | September 19, 2006 6:43 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
OK OK Uncle!
19. Posted by field-negro | September 19, 2006 6:43 AM |
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Posted on September 19, 2006 06:43
20. Posted by epador | September 19, 2006 9:17 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
My first Presidential vote was for Shirley Chisholm.
The only time I put my vote for a non-major party candidate.
Any like her in the HOR now?
20. Posted by epador | September 19, 2006 9:17 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on September 19, 2006 09:17