Don't Give Bush An Exit Strategy

Norman Solomon is author of a new book called "War Made Easy: How Presidents and Pundits Keep Spinning Us to Death." His analysis of recent events is that "The Bush administration may ratchet up the Iraq war." Even in the midst of public voices calling for an end?

Back in the United States, while the growth of anti-war sentiment is apparent, much of the criticism—especially what’s spotlighted in news media—is based on distress that American casualties are continuing without any semblance of victory. In effect, many commentators see the problem as a grievous failure to kill enough of the bad guys in Iraq and sufficiently intimidate the rest.

So beef up the troop levels to finish the mission?

In the Democratic Party’s weekly radio address over the weekend, former senator Max Cleland said that “it’s time for a strategy to win in Iraq or a strategy to get out.”

Forget part one Max. It is part 2 and part 2 with a timeline that equals NOW!

It matters why people are critical of the U.S. war effort in Iraq. If the main objections stem from disappointment that American forces are not winning, then the war makers in Washington retain the possibility of creating the illusion that they may yet find ways to make the war right.
Criticism of the war because it isn’t being won leaves the door open for the Bush administration to sell the claim that—with enough resolve and better military tactics—the war can be vindicated. It’s time to close that door.

So let's close the door by demanding (1) US out and UN in immediately and (2) an end to lies