So, how's the "surge" in Iraq going?
Jeff Emanuel of Athens, Ga., just spent three weeks with the 3rd Infantry Division, and is not pulling his punches in an e-mail to Georgia friends, posted at Peach Pundit:
I have personally seen evidence that the 'Surge' is working militarily. I have also seen, though, how broken and splintered this country really is, and what a difficult -- and perhaps impossible -- task it is to rebuild it in a way that accomplishes the US's goal of having a stable ally in the war on terror. Certainly the government, and the people, must buy into that goal and dedicate themselves to its accomplishment -- something that has not happened to this point, and something which may in fact never happen.
In my opinion, though, it is far too soon to close the books on the idea of Iraq ...
There is a great deal of information which is not getting out to the public in America -- primarily because so few are actually on the front lines telling it -- and, in my opinion, it is of vital importance that people have access to it so as to make a more informed decision, one way or the other, on the US's involvement here.
Sounds like good news military-wise but, as folks down home might say, still a long row to hoe in terms of developing a stable government in Iraq.
Jeff is an Air Force veteran and University of Georgia student with a keen eye and a sharp mind. Paul Harvey called him a latter-day Ernie Pyle.
Well-wishers may want to drop Jeff a note at InsideTheSurge@Gmail.com.
-- Robert Stacy McCain, assistant national editor, The Washington Times
Comments (2)
Reality and perseverance are the key to stabilizing Iraq, not consensus or hyperbole. Jeff may be able to give us sense of reality, but the next election will determine the perserverance. If we lose that perserverance, Iraq will not be a safe place for anyone.
Posted by Larry Stone | September 4, 2007 5:35 AM
I agree with Jeff Emanual that we must be dedicated to the accomlpishment of our goals in Iraq. No one knows what would happen if we left now but a revolt would most likely occur. The U.S. must keep on course and set bench marks for itself as well as seek aid from the U.N. Our country cannot take on the challenge with our few allies and needs to look past its pride and start drinking French wine again. I have only one reminder to keep everyone in sight of where this has gone. It did not start with Iraq. We went to Afghanistan to get our revenge and now we are fighting the war on gas prices? This entire war is completely unfounded on reality and a pack of lies made up by the current administration.
Posted by BigB | September 5, 2007 9:09 PM