Leaders should focus on issues instead of blame
Regarding the letter of Walter Milosky (Nov. 21) about blaming the Democrats for "everything" now, beginning with his power outage the day after the election, he may want to wait until January when the Democratic majority in Congress becomes a reality.
As for blaming President Bush for "everything," it has been well documented from many sides that mistakes have been made regarding "everything" from Iraq to the response to Katrina. It would be refreshing to hear "someone" own up to blunders, but we'll have to just do with the "resignation" of Rumsfeld, and the bipartisan government report, "A Failed Initiative," on the delayed and inept response to Katrina, as "apologies," I guess.
The arrogance of the current administration and staunch defense by the likes of Limbaugh, etc., will continue, but, I hope our leaders —Democratic, Republican, and Independent — will focus on the real issues.
Kent Benfield
Greensboro
Comments (9)
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Kent,
In a perfect world, we would have this. But for one person, we would have this today. That's right.
In the days after September 11th, this country was as united as never before. We were a country in need of a leader who would take on the ones who took down our towers, took down our plane in Pennsylvania, and took down the wall of the Pentagon. We were ready to sacrifice but were never called upon. We stood ready to give to the effort to find Bin Ladin and take down his organization. Unfortunately, our "leader" decided it was time to go to Baghdad rather than finish the job in Afghanistan.
Posted on December 5, 2006 8:47 AM
For me, the main issue is Iraq. By now, all thinking people know it was a grave mistake and that the current administration had no follow up plan. Their arrogance told them we would be welcomed, that they would gladly accept the "American Way", and that we could control the behavior in the Middle East. Arrogance and a total lack of knowledge of the Middle East will be our undoing. Thanks to Bush & Company, there is NO good solution. Therefore, I support immediate withdrawal of our troops. Bring them home safely as quick as we can. They have suffered enough for their leader.
Posted on December 5, 2006 9:40 AM
Carol,
I disagree that "all thinking people now know" that invading Iraq was a mistake. I can agree that things have not gone well, but I won't go as far as to say there was no plan. I will agree that a change in strategy is needed, butnot immediate withdrawl.
I read a columnn the other day that contains ideas that are much better than I could come up with:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/30/AR2006113001159.html
Try that one.
Posted on December 5, 2006 11:21 AM
That was a good article, Nic. I still don't see how our interests have been served by the war. I certainly don't see any gains for the people of Iraq. All I see are dead people, a country ravaged by war, our nation in deep debt to fund the war, and I really don't see peace in the middle east anytime soon. I think the situation in Iraq will be the same whether we withdraw today or "stay the course". Staying will just result in more dead soldiers.
Posted on December 5, 2006 12:30 PM
Thanks, "Kent," for your "letter." You're "right." I will "wait" until "January" until blaming the "Democrats" for "everything."
Posted on December 5, 2006 2:10 PM
Carol,
You nailed it. The war was such an inflammatory action by inept leaders. Our children's children will be paying for this arrogance for many many years. In fact, I pity the poor soul who has to clean up Bush's mess. Whether she/he be Democrat or Republican, they have one heck of a mess left to them. W's legacy will be the war that was for...now what is today's reason????
Anyway, Carol, I think you have a firm grip on what is wrong and how it is wrong. Your intuitiveness is uncanny. Will you please run for something!
Posted on December 5, 2006 2:54 PM
While the election has apparently eased the symptoms of BDS for many, it apparently has not been enough to treat the most severe and deranged cases. But then, there are some who will carry it to their graves... Pity.
Posted on December 5, 2006 4:11 PM
Blame is for people without enough to do. Document history, record its mistakes, learn its lessons, but move on.
The future is determined by what we do today. As the last election proved, there's a call to action in this country. The majority wants the direction of this nation changed, but if that direction is a u-turn simply to revisit and punish the mistakes of the past, how are we determining the future?
Drop the weight of politics, lower your finger from somebody's face, lift your head to the horizon and do what you can do to kick America into gear.
The future begins every day you wake up. Spend your day wisely.
Posted on December 5, 2006 8:08 PM
Pragmatist,
Great post. I hope our President will not respond with the usual arrogance when the Baker/Hamilton report is released in a few hours. Seems arrogance is the theme of this current administration, but this offers hope and opportunity for them to change.
BTW, wonder how the homophobic base is reacting to the latest news out of the Cheney household?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16070170/
Seems DICK Cheney's lesbian daughter wants to raise children with her long time partner. While that is A-OKAY with me, I am sure the religious fruitcakes are about to poke their own eyes out over the news! LOL!
Posted on December 6, 2006 9:17 AM