There is a lot I could write about President Bush’s speech last night. While watching it, I thought the right meme should be that he hadn’t quit smoking dope. The man is completely disconnected from reality. He continues to push the idea that the conflict in Iraq is about the “war on terror”. He continues to push the idea that Iraqi forces of all types are more loyal to the central government than to sectarian leaders of all stripes. He also continues with the idea that ideology is involved.
The challenge playing out across the broader Middle East is more than a military conflict. It is the decisive ideological struggle of our time. On one side are those who believe in freedom and moderation. On the other side are extremists who kill the innocent, and have declared their intention to destroy our way of life. In the long run, the most realistic way to protect the American people is to provide a hopeful alternative to the hateful ideology of the enemy, by advancing liberty across a troubled region. It is in the interests of the United States to stand with the brave men and women who are risking their lives to claim their freedom, and to help them as they work to raise up just and hopeful societies across the Middle East.
They’ll try to destroy each other before they get to us. Bush’s flanks are protected by a bevy of resources, but this comment stuck out as the most ludicrous.
To admirers, that is a virtue. “He’s going to do what’s in his heart of hearts and nobody can deter him from that course,” said James Jay Carafano, a Heritage Foundation scholar. “He’s never going to make everybody happy and he’s not going to make even most people happy, and he shouldn’t try. So the politics of this are going to suck, but he’s going to do what he thinks he should do.”
What does it take to get to be a scholar at the Heritage Foundation, cereal box tops?
We’ve seen what is in Bush’s heart of hearts, and it ain’t pretty. Can we try another body part please?