Author: Jonathan Schwarz

Here’s the transcript from the famous “Wolves” ad run by the Bush-Cheney 2004 campaign:

ANNOUNCER: In an increasingly dangerous world… Even after the first terrorist attack on America … John Kerry and the liberals in Congress voted to slash America ’s intelligence operations. By 6 billion dollars… Cuts so deep they would have weakened America’s defenses. And weakness attracts those who are waiting to do America harm.

(On screen: Several wolves eye the camera, as if preparing to attack.)

BUSH: I’m George W. Bush and I approve this message.

You can watch the whole thing here.

Now, this appears on page 91 of the Pentagon’s Iraq Perspectives Project, based on captured recordings of Saddam speaking with subordinates:

…as [Saddam] often reminded his close advisers, they lived in a very dangerous global neighborhood where even the perception of weakness drew wolves.

AND: For more in the continuing “Thank god our leaders are completely different from Saddam Hussein” saga, see here, here, here, here, here, here and here.

David Swanson tells me he was just at an event featuring George McGovern. And in a conversation afterwards with several people, McGovern said that he’s been trying to get on television to talk about Iraq. But producers and hosts are telling him that they “already have too many anti-war people on.”

How many is “too many”? I’m guessing that number may be as high as one.

BONUS: Here’s Kenneth Pollack writing in the introduction to his 2002 book The Threatening Storm: The Case for Invading Iraq:

We are part of the world’s most vibrant democracy…it is critical that we engage in a comprehensive and informed public debate…

With this kind of insight into politics, it’s no wonder Pollack turned out to be so incredibly prescient about Iraq.

Here’s Washington Post reporter Shailagh Murray yesterday (via Atrios):

WASHINGTON, D.C.: I am somewhat surprised at the debate about the surge. In October, The Post’s own polling showed that 19% of voters favored an immediate withdrawal. Yesterday, CNN reported that more than 50% want an immediate or by year’s end withdrawal. Still, the politicians debate more or less, not sooner or later. Why won’t the politicians follow the polls when it comes to leaving Iraq?

SHAILAGH MURRAY: Would you want a department store manager or orthodontist running the Pentagon? I don’t think so. The reason that many politicians are squeamish about hard and fast goals of any kind in Iraq is that there is no simple response or solution — it would have emerged by now. A withdrawal by year’s end carries enormous, very serious implications.

LAKE LUZERNE, N.Y.: Why do we care so much more about Iraq, where our elected representatives have little influence, compared with affordable health care?

SHAILAGH MURRAY: Because the security of the most unstable part of the world is at stake.

Here’s my admiring email to Shailagh:

Shailagh,

Thanks very much for your cogent answer to the questioner in your Washington Post chat yesterday who asked why politicians are ignoring the clear desires of Americans vis-a-vis Iraq. For far too long American “citizens” have felt they’re entitled to some sort of say over what the U.S. government does. (I’ve noticed they get especially uppity when it affects whether their children live or die.) Only with the efforts of leaders like yourself can we stamp out this pernicious nonsense.

I also appreciate that, when someone else asked why the U.S. government cares “so much more about Iraq” than affordable health care for Americans, your response avoided the actual answer, “oil.” It’s imperative that we keep this reality from the eyes of the department store managers and orthodontists who simply don’t have the brainpower to comprehend it.

best regards,
Jonathan Schwarz

Dennis Perrin has a nifty story about being dive-bombed by Air Force One.

ALSO: Dems & Doze

George W. Bush:

Because the war on terror will require resolve and patience, it will also require firm moral purpose. In this way our struggle is similar to the Cold War…moral clarity was essential to our victory…

Here are two different people killed by members of Iraq’s Mahdi militia:

                       

Casey Sheehan:

Like all eight soldiers killed that night…[Sheehan] was part of a quick response team that rushed out of Forward Operating Base Eagle to rescue a platoon pinned down by gunfire in Sadr City…The firefight lasted into the early morning of Monday, wounding some 50 soldiers who went out in waves to put down the attack by a militia loyal to Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.

Saddam Hussein:

Saddam: (as the noose is put around his neck) Ya Allah [Oh God].

Witness: Mercy be on those who pray for Mohammed and the household of Muhammed.

All: Mercy be on those who pray for Mohammed and the household of Muhammed—

Executioner and two witnesses: And hasten his [the Madhi’s] return, curse his enemy and grant victory to his son, Muqtada, Muqtada, Muqtada!…

Iraqi National Security Advisor Muwafaq Al-Rubai’i: Longlive Mohammed Baqir Al-Sadr!…

Saddam: I witness that there is no god but Allah, and that Mohammed is the messenger of Allah. I witness that there is no god but Allah, and that Mohammed is the—[trap door is opened]

What would be really morally clear is if the men taunting Saddam had personally killed Sheehan too. But that may be too much moral clarity to hope for. In any case, I think we have lots more moral clarity to look forward to in 2007 when the U.S. tries to kill Sadr and all his supporters who participated in Saddam’s execution.