In George Bush’s current version of the old shell game, the shells have names, but don’t expect the outcome to be any different. The pea will still remain hidden from sight. The pea being true motivations, accurate appraisals and honest intentions.
The first shell is John Negroponte. One day after his appointment to his dream job as Asst. Secretary of State, Mr. Negroponte has the overwhelming compulsion to assert that Hezbollah poses a terrorist threat to the United States.
Almost simultaneously, and before the ink has dried on his appointment as the new chief at Defense, Robert Gates has called for additions to the Army & Marines of 65,000 troops & 27,000 troops respectively.
Both of these announcements come just hours apart from the President laying out his case for an additional 21,500 troops to be sent to Baghdad. Over and over we have heard the President pass the buck by saying he would do whatever his Generals on the ground suggested regarding sending more troops.
Since the Generals on the ground disagreed with the President’s call for more troops, he inserted into leadership roles in Iraq, Lt. General David Petraeus and LT. General Raymond Odierno, who coincidently back the President’s call for more troops. Gen. Odierno told the N.Y. Times this week that, “It might take another two or three years for American and Iraqi forces to gain the upper hand.”
And then we have Condolezza Rice, the Secretary of State or is it Press Secretary; I get confused about her job description. In her role as the President’s spokesperson she has been beating the table with her usual message, that the President is right, that he is always right, and if we know what’s good for us we will listen to him.
The next shell is Congressman Boehner, who declares that beefing up the forces in Iraq would help bring about a positive result and has the nerve to say, would be good for the President’s legacy.
The fact that the President is materially disregarding the Baker Committee’s analysis, is yet another milestone on the way to stretching out this problem until his term is over. At which time, be prepared for the incessant cry of; “we would have won if it were not for the liberals undermining us.”
None of these announcements, if made separately would raise any eyebrows, but the concerted beat of war drums is undeniable. RJB
One response to “Bush’s Shell Game”
Concerted and “DEAFENING” beat!