tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37038499.post7012793865739892872..comments2023-10-29T07:27:19.099-07:00Comments on NonParty Politics: The audacity of hoping for defeat in IraqUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37038499.post-5788161201541556502007-04-05T07:58:00.000-07:002007-04-05T07:58:00.000-07:00You're right in the sense that I should have quali...You're right in the sense that I should have qualified my statement in that victory cannot be achieved by "simply" reflecting, etc.<BR/><BR/>My central bone of contention is the obsessiveness with the bad, and the reluctance or refusal by so many to have any belief in victory.<BR/><BR/>Perhaps it relates to our spoiled impatience as Americans. I've written about this before. I myself am spoiled by modern luxuries. We're used to having our way, and getting it now. I would re-iterate the oft cited example of post-war Germany/Europe and Japan. Who would have thought the U.S. could almost singlehandedly resurrect these countries in some ten years time?<BR/><BR/>The jury is still out on nation building per se, and even pre-emption (although widely regarded experts such as Thomas P.M. Barnett, who is very nonpartisan, are in favor of pre-emption).<BR/><BR/>However, with so much proof to have cause for hope (Germany, Japan, and one would argue France, Britain, South Korea) how can anyone have such strong convictions about the inevitability of failure? It baffles me.<BR/><BR/>I would go so far as to say that even if one holds such reservations, especially a politician, he or she should consider some restraint whilst issuing public statements for fear of impinging our nation's morale, public perception, our troop's morale, and inciting glee among our enemies.<BR/><BR/>This is not to say that criticism cannot be levied - only that it be done with restraint and prudence. A volley of (what I would say often) desultory critiques aimed at discrediting an administration at the expense of our country's strategy and best interests is guaranteed not to lead us to victory in this "long war."Paul Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00985305814369923325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37038499.post-25898786466991475812007-04-04T15:08:00.000-07:002007-04-04T15:08:00.000-07:00"However, victory cannot be achieved by reflecting..."However, victory cannot be achieved by reflecting on our mistakes and wallowing in self-pity."<BR/><BR/>I agree with the wallowing in self-pity part, but reflecting on our mistakes? How else are we to learn from them if not to think about them, at least a little?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com