Centerfield

Yes, thank you from me. There is certainly a difference between chickenhawks and veterans. Without the success of our bravest, chickendoves would be the national bird........

What some of our future veterans are doing today.

More than a year ago, Centerfield debated tactics to use in Iraq. While bloggers called Iraq a lost cause, a number of sites outlined a change in strategy. In general, the idea was to play spoiler between Shiite and Sunni trying to gain some support from the later as AQ continued to strike tribal chiefs. Kurds were given a free pass, though their referendum was considered by some as an eventual obstacle without more deal making. Last, more force (more troops) had to be used against Shiite militias and throughout Baghdad. Bobby talked about the difficulty of reaching benchmarks quickly and the necessary political games as well understanding more violence was unfortunately need before deals could be made.

This last January Bush switched gears, rejected the Baker model, fired Rumsfeld as suggested and began a new strategy. Then the surge followed against the backdrop by Democrats that the war was lost.

Ten months later, has Iraq turned the corner and defied Democratic projections? This is far from over and with Afghanistan has cost probably 1.5 trillion, but are we gaining momentum towards, stabilizing Iraq, blocking Syria, thwarting Hizb'Allah and shoring up Afghanistan with our two new buddies Brown and Sarkozy?

Wasn't this more the prophesized emerging reality Clinton spent the better part of seven years trying to lay claim to as a Democrat? Should she pander now at the end of the primaries, or hang tough seeing the trends shift towards the administration? Should she scold Musharraf who she might have to deal with and whom her husband wanted arrested? I suggest new reports help Hillary if she dares render praise to the administration. Somehow she must be part of any upturn without being labeled a Republican by the desperate anti-war. The news lately gives some optimism to those who wish America wins abroad rather retreats into a Viet Nam Syndrome. Perhaps Brown and Sarkozy don't want us to retreat at this critical juncture leaving them to lead and bleed.....

Which brings us back to those who are becoming veterans presently and those who sacrificed in the past…..