Sen. John Tester has outlined a new Iraq policy designed to bring the troops home. What makes his proposal interesting is that it's based on the premise that we have already achieved our stated objectives in Iraq. He states that we have searched for the weapons of mass destruction, removed Saddam Hussein from power and oversaw democratic elections. Essentially we have completed our mission and now it's time to end the war.
This is a new strategy in addressing the war. Over the past few years the media has relentlessly reported that we are losing the war and that we should get out before it gets any worse. This message has resonated with the American public making this war very unpopular. So why change the course and now declare victory as the reason to get out of Iraq? It appears that this effort is a way to end the war while selling the notion that we are still a superpower that cannot be defeated. This idea appeals to the public because we like to consider ourselves invincible and better than anybody else, especially a bunch of third world terrorists.
Tester's message of claiming victory in defeat reminds me of the book 1984. I just started reading it a couple weeks ago and his proposal fits right into the doublespeak methods utilized in the book. The government uses phrases like "war is peace,” “freedom is slavery” and "ignorance is strength” to confuse and enslave the public. I am not suggesting that this is Tester's goal but I do believe he inentionally manipulating language by changing the definition of success in Iraq to fit his agenda. Most rational people can observe the war in Iraq and determine that we are far from our goals in the region. But these same people will jump at the chance to leave and claim victory under Tester's scenario simply because they want to believe that truth.
The public's reaction to his proposal will be interesting to watch, especially contrasted to the long held notion that we are losing the war. Either way it looks more and more likely that we will be leaving Iraq before the year's end. Victory or not.
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I stick with my original assessment...Iraq was necessary not only because of Sadam but it gives us access to Iran and Syria.
Unfortunately, because we have been told for years and made out to be bad people we aren't going to do what is necessary in both countries.
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