This isn't the time

Congress on Iraq: One War, No Strings Attached

By Rick Horowitz

This is not the time to be putting strings on our brave men and women fighting in Iraq.

We know this because the president's people in the White House tell us so. And not just the president's people in the White House; the president's people in the Congress tell us so, too.

This is a terrible time, they say, to be putting strings -- or timelines, or goals, or benchmarks -- on our effort in Iraq. Especially not now, they say -- not when the violence is down, and Baghdad is calmer. Not when some of the provinces are turning against al-Qaeda, and we're finally seeing progress, and we've turned a corner, and there's light at the end of the tunnel, and...

This is the worst possible time to tie the president's hands.

Except for all the other times when it was the worst possible time.

You may have noticed: For the president's people -- in the White House, in the Congress, even on the campaign trail -- there has never been a good time to try to keep this president from doing exactly what he wants to do in Iraq, and for as long as he wants to do it.

When things are going poorly, we'd be abandoning our troops in a time of need.

When things are going well, we'd be pulling the rug out from under them.

When things are going poorly, we'd be waving the white flag of surrender.

When things are going well, we'd be losing our will on the brink of victory.

They can sell it flat, and they can sell it round. And they're going to keep selling it, no question about it:

We can't attach strings when the Maliki government is coming together.

And we can't attach strings when the Maliki government is falling apart.

We can't attach strings when our troops need better body armor.

And we can't attach strings when our troops have the body armor they need.

We can't attach strings when the Green Zone is peaceful.

And we can't attach strings when the Green Zone is under mortar fire.

We can't attach strings when we're part of an international coalition.

And we can't attach strings when we're nearly the only ones left.

We can't attach strings when Osama bin Laden hasn't been heard from in months.

And we can't attach strings when Osama bin Laden is churning out new videos every few weeks.

We can't attach strings when roadside bomb attacks are increasing.

And we can't attach strings when roadside bomb attacks are decreasing.

We can't attach strings when private security firms are keeping American officials alive.

And we can't attach strings when private security firms are shooting innocent Iraqis dead.

We can't attach strings when oil prices are affordable.

And we can't attach strings when oil prices are skyrocketing.

We can't attach strings when our troops are following all the rules.

And we can't attach strings when our troops are suspected of torture.

We can't attach strings when there are dust storms everywhere.

And we can't attach strings when it's sunny and clear.

We can't attach strings in months that have an "r."

And we can't attach strings in months that don't.

We can't attach strings in daylight.

Or at nighttime.

Or at dawn.

Or at dusk.

Or now.

Or then.

Or later.

Or ever.

That would be the worst possible time.

Posted 11/16/07. This is a great time to tell your friends about "Rick's"!

Rick Horowitz is a syndicated columnist, TV commentator, writing coach and public speaker.

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