Three Way News

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Thursday, January 11, 2007

T-Paw gets one right

I am extremely disappointed and frustrated that the tour of duty for 2,600 Minnesota National Guard soldiers in Iraq apparently will be extended. This decision by federal officials is not consistent with the expectation or understanding provided to our soldiers. It’s unfair to them and their families. It’s extremely important that all of us continue to support members of our military and their families in every possible way.

But Smilin' Norm gets it wrong:

I applaud the President for admitting mistakes and recognizing a need to change strategy in Iraq. However, I disagree with the President’s decision to provide a troop surge in Baghdad.

But did Bush admit any mistakes? Not really:

The situation in Iraq is unacceptable to the American people — and it is unacceptable to me. Our troops in Iraq have fought bravely. They have done everything we have asked them to do. Where mistakes have been made, the responsibility rests with me.
...Our past efforts to secure Baghdad failed for two principal reasons: There were not enough Iraqi and American troops to secure neighborhoods that had been cleared of terrorists and insurgents. And there were too many restrictions on the troops we did have. Our military commanders reviewed the new Iraqi plan to ensure that it addressed these mistakes. They report that it does. They also report that this plan can work.

Bush is saying that he's responsible for other people's mistakes -- which is true. He's the boss. But Bush accepts responsibility via the chain of command. He is not accepting responsibility for any mistakes he has made, because in his mind he has yet to err.

Labels: Bush, infallibility