October 29, 2007 by Alpha.

Some time in the sixth century BC in China, Sunzi composed a code of maxims for the sensible prosecution of a war–not just the how, but the when and the why. He writes in his Art of War that “to fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting,” and that “the clever combatant imposes his will on the enemy, but does not allow the enemy’s will to be imposed on him.”

There’s a great deal of murmuring and muttering continuing to circle concerning whether or not and if so to what extent there presently looms a broadening of the occupation of Iraq into Iran.

Of course, no one is talking about it like that. The discussion seems to be about “bunker busters” and “bombardments” with the plain assumption that Iran won’t retaliate in any way. Does that really seem like something that even could happen?

If we were to hypothetically pursue some strategic initiative involving smart bombs and precision-guided widgets and whatnot, here’s what would happen: the 1,458 km border between Iraq and Iran would evaporate, a large portion of the 30 million Iranians ages 18-49 would be hastily activated for military service and they would fortify the border and in a trice we would find ourselves involved in a three way regional conflict between the predominantly Sunni Iraqis and the predominantly Shi’ite Iranians, neither of whom have much love for the Stars and Stripes.

The most successful combatant is he who imposes his will on his opponents without resorting to war to do it. While recreating the preconditions to the genocide in Rwanda may serve someone’s interests it certainly would not serve the interests of the United states. What is the enlightened nation to do when faced with an oppositional, defiant opponent and regional rival?

First, we must remember that we do not and cannot act in a vacuum. Iran would respond to any at of war with a vigorous response, if only because the leadership of Iran would have to respond as such in order to maintain their authority over their own people.

Second, we must consider our position. We are involved in two wars now, with almost half our military missions staffed by private contractors (or mercenaries, if you prefer). Our ability/willingness to deploy another 100,000-plus soldiers to keep the Iranians out of Iraq is pretty well depleted. One wonders whether Americans have much stomach to fight a war with one group so that we can “protect” another war.

Third, we have to consider where exactly we would like to be. It seems as though there is some division on this point: do we prefer war or peace? There’s certainly some sizable portion of America that seems to relish war. They bask in the simplicity and the unity of a nice, long, ugly scrap. I understand–there is a purity of both action and purpose, and an intoxicating abandonment of critical thought that can be very charming.

Whenever we consult the angels of our better judgment, whenever we take a moment to think of honor, dignity and nobility, we know that peace is preferred.

So why, I ask finally, would anyone suggest that we bomb Iran?

Posted in Iraq, National, Rants | 1 Comment »

August 28, 2007 by Alpha.

So there’s more coming down the pike on Senator Larry Craig’s current situation.

1. Congressional Quarterly reports that Senate GOP leadership will ask the Senate Ethics Committee to open a file on Senator Craig. While I wouldn’t expect any serious repercussions, this is certainly going to keep the story circulating. It also indicates that the Republican Party has no plans to rally around Craig - it looks very much like they’re cutting him off and hoping the stink won’t spread.

2. Speaking of smelly things, Craig has resigned his post as Senate co-chair for former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney’s Presidential race. This could be an issue going forward for Romney, as he was no doubt banking on southern Idaho’s heavy Mormon population for long-term support. Will he be able to get the backing of another major conservative leader in the west?

3. Michelle Malkin’s readers (not usually me, I swear) think Craig should get gone. Malkin herself called Craig “a supremely arrogant lying crapweasel” which may actually enter my personal lexicon. Thanks Michelle, you “supremely arrogant lying crapweasel!” Awesome.

4. Conservatives are jumping all over themselves to give Craig the hairy eyeball, from Malkin (above) to Ari Fleischer to Sam Brownback. And to think that just yesterday I was worried that Dems would look bad for piling on. Since when do Republicans do Democratic dirty work?

5. Finally, Craig on Craig: it’s the Statesman’s fault. That’s right, Senator, blame that notorious left-wing media for all of its, you know, investigative journalism.

In other news, Rep. Brian Baird threw a town hall last night. Brian’s a pretty charismatic guy, alright, but what anti-war Democrat holds a town hall the night after announcing that President Bush’s surge might be helping? Jon Soltz, of VoteVets, showed up and called Baird out on his support for a clearly failing policy.

My question is what Rep. Baird thinks he’s doing here. I’v met the man and most of his staff, and he doesn’t seem to put up with a lot of foolishness. So where’s the percentage here? He took heat for voting against the Iraq war, he took heat in the ‘06 cycle for not being anti-war enough for his more liberal constiuants, and now he’s taking heat for saying we need to give the surge another 6-12 months.

Brian, please. Pick a stance, and stay with it. And if you’re going to pick the least popular of all possible stances, do it with some finesse!

Posted in Idaho, Elections, Washington, Iraq, Campaigns | 1 Comment »

July 18, 2007 by Bravo.

In a recent fit of insomnia, I happened upon the C-SPAN coverage of the all-night Senate debate over funding for the war in Iraq. I caught the arguments of a Republican Senator from Oklahoma pressing the panic button repeatedly over an early withdrawal of troops. Early withdrawal, he said, would place the troops in grave danger.

Am I missing something? Seems to me that staying in Iraq longer is the grave danger for troops. Maybe our leaders would be better served to get some sleep before the next vote.

Posted in Iraq, National, Rants | No Comments »

June 20, 2007 by Bravo.

Every other Sunday, a group of peace advocates meets in downtown Walla Walla. They wave signs saying, “Peace Now,” “Wage Peace,” and “Honk for Peace.” They flash the peace sign to passing motorists for half an hour or so, then they gather in a small circle to read and honor the names of American military personnel who have died in the war during those past two weeks.

Last Sunday that list totaled 45 names. A Vietnam veteran reads the names from his wheelchair with his hand to his heart and tears in his eyes.

During the reading of names this past Sunday, a man approached and walked directly into the center of the group during the reading of the names. Then he said with a voice of disdain, “I’m a veteran and I fought to protect the rights of losers like you.”

At that same time, a woman walking outside the circle chimed in, “Yeah, see how you like it in Iraq.”

They walked on. The reading of names continued.

But I had to ask myself, in what way is the American presence in Iraq protecting our rights of expression? Is our goal to turn Iraq into a little America? What is our goal in Iraq? What are we fighting for? How will we know if we’ve accomplished it?

In many ways, I think the man interrupting that peaceful demonstration and Vietnam veteran reading those names want many of the same things. We want to live free from the threat of terror. We want to protect each individual’s right of self-expression and self-determination. We want to support the brave men and women who put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms.

But how is fighting in Iraq doing anything but breeding future generations of terrorists? How is the surge doing anything but providing more targets of opportunity? Is it not supporting our troops to provide them with clear military objectives and then bring them home rather than placing them in an indefinite role as an army of occupation?

No—I wouldn’t like to live in Iraq, thank you—especially the Iraq we have created.

Posted in Walla Walla, Iraq, Rants | 2 Comments »

June 15, 2007 by Bravo.

Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, apparently wants to keep the region’s veterans from getting the care they need. The Walla Walla Union-Bulletin reports that Craig is criticizing an appropriations bill that would actually fund the much-ballyhooed vets outpatient clinic at the VA in Walla Walla. Cathy McMorris Rodgers couldn’t wait to pose for photos with VA Secretary Jim Nicholson last summer when he announced plans for the clinic at a surprise visit.

But it is Sen. Patty Murray who is making the right moves for local vets. Her office is reporting passage of a $3 billion appropriation bill for VA improvements. Part of that bill will move the clinic construction project up on the list of priorities for funding in 2009.

A group of vets and community members, called the Walla Walla Community VA Taskforce, meets monthly to check on progress in restoring services that the hospital has lost in recent years. The 20-member group continues to push for 24/7 emergency services and inpatient hospital beds.

Murray’s appropriations bill next goes into House-Senate negotiations, and vets here are hopeful of a presidential signature by August.

The new director of the Walla Walla and Spokane VA hospitals, Sharon Helman, met with the taskforce Thursday to talk about upcoming plans. She reported that documents have been signed to provide local vets with VA-funded emergency hospital services at the downtown hospitals in Walla Walla. Since the VA emergency room was closed, some local vets have faced long delays and denials in getting VA benefits for emergency services at area hospitals.

The taskforce also got word today that John King, the director of Veterans Affairs for Washington State, has submitted to Congress a bill for approval of a joint effort of the state and the VA to establish an 80-patient nursing home at the VA in Walla Walla.

Vets in Southeastern Washington were promised by two VA directors that all lost services would be restored. They are still waiting for the fulfillment of that promise, especially for emergency and hospital care. Thanks to the efforts of Sen. Murray and others, they have some reason for hope.

You can bet Larry Craig and his cronies will be squealing like stuck pigs at the next vote to bring troops home from Iraq. Yet they don’t seem to want to stand and deliver when it comes to paying the real costs of Bush’s war.

Posted in Idaho, Walla Walla, Rural, Iraq, Rants, Cathy McMorris | No Comments »

June 5, 2007 by Alpha.

Hello and cheers! I’m Alpha, and I’m a blogger.

I’ll be responsible for the lion’s share of the national and international commentary hereabouts. And where to start but with Iraq news, if we can call it that.

We’ll begin at the Democratic debate in New Hampshire last night, with John Edwards fairly skewering Senators Clinton and Obama for caving in the recent supplemental spending showdown. Said Edwards, “…they went quietly to the floor of the Senate, cast the right vote. But there is a difference between leadership and legislating.” Both Obama and Clinton did vote as Edwards would have had them–to refuse to send Mr. Bush a bill without timelines. They failed to get in front of the issue, where they might have been able to actually get the original supplemental back before the President.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Iraq, National, Rants | 1 Comment »