Get Out

I've been spending a bit more time than usual lately following the presidential primary race and what is going on in Iraq. It's pretty clear to me that there will never be a good or convenient time to get out and the argument that things will turn to chaos once we leave simply does not fly. Things will turn chaotic whenever troops are withdrawn and five years in this has turned into Vietnam with less casualties but still the same questions being asked. It appears as if the U.S. has done little to win the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people and little if any attempt has been made to fully understand and appreciate their nation's history and culture. The idea that Iraq will be a peaceful beacon in the Middle East is simply another one of the false foreign policy mirages this administration has flaunted to the American people. Troops are being stop-lossed at an alarming rate (that means being sent back to Iraq after thinking their tour of duty was over) and faith in the war efforts among the citizens is dropping daily.

I have little doubt that history will not look back favorably on this administration for perpetrating a war without adequate justification and for refusing to change course when it appeared rather early that our presence there was not only unwarranted but unnecessary. And to hear John McCain talk about staying in Iraq as long as it takes and fully supporting the current path the war has taken provides another reason why he is unfit for office. His time to run came and went and he is too old to be president and doesn't reflect the majority of the country's views on foreign policy. This country needs someone like Barack Obama who can unite and electrify people who have long since been ignored in the political process and who can deliver real change for a country in need of a new direction and fresh leadership. There can be little doubt from this entry that I vote democrat but I happen to think that if I was a republican, the last eight years would have left me bitter. Enough for my political rant.


On to new music suggestions:

California Snow Story - Close to the Ocean
Los Campesinos! - Hold on Now, Youngster...

Until next time.