Wednesday, August 17, 2005

Pro-War Left-Winger?

I've mentioned Democracy Arsenal a few times lately and I'm going to do it again today, because David Adesnik has another good post up about a song by National Guardsman Luke Stricklin. I disagree with the slight he gives conservatives (can they understand the complex issue of success in Iraq and its impact on personal freedom?) but for a post on a left-wing, pro-Democrat site to come out and applaud the noble efforts of the troops in Iraq. That's a first for me.

It's just a shame that the leadership of the Democrats cannot express similar views- how different would the political landscape of the US be right now if they could actually stop slandering the troops with Nazi-analogies and praise the difficult job being done? Could it be that the continued mission in Iraq, the successes that have been accomplished are gradually beginning to filter through to the Left? Could it be that while "mother" Sheehan grabs the limelight, that the polarising effect of the war is beginning to fade?

I'm not quite sure it's at that point yet (be sure to check out some of the comments there) but it does seem that at least some Democrats realise that the way forward is not to denigrate the efforts of the military nor to demand an immediate pull out from Iraq. If such sentiments begin to spread then it will make future elections in the US that much more interesting- can you imagine a 2008 election with both candidates in favour of staying the course in Iraq? Sounds like an hallucination right now but it could be that as Iraq continues its slow march forward, it will become obvious to all that slamming Bush for going to war in the first place- regardless of where we're at now- is a patently absurd place to be.

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