Trackback Test

there seems to be some problems with the trackbacks

Now I will add the link in the text, to see if the ping-O-matic is working

Update:  They’re sort of working.

Update:  My Technorati acct. hasn’t been updated for 18 days.

Bush’s SOTU Thread

I wanted to make a preemptive entry  here for the speech.  I’ll probably be busy at work while it’s on, so if I miss it I’ll have to wait until the transcript is up before commenting.

Prediction:   Bush will give his “new way forward” a deep massaging. 

While we wait, how about an OpEd from Liz Cheney?

Update: OK, I’m sure every blogger in America and beyond is frantically typing their thoughts and analysis into their entry screens right now.  I suppose I’ll do the same.

I hung out in the Lizard Lounge (LGF chatroom) for a bit to share some real-time reactions.  Aside from general comments about how everyone looked (funny faces, make up, etc.), there was one section of the speech that seemed to grab more attention:

This is not the fight we entered in Iraq, but it is the fight we’re in. Every one of us wishes this war were over and won. Yet it would not be like us to leave our promises unkept, our friends abandoned, and our own security at risk. (Applause.) Ladies and gentlemen: On this day, at this hour, it is still within our power to shape the outcome of this battle. Let us find our resolve, and turn events toward victory. (Applause.)

The bolded section is pretty disingenuous if you ask me.  As I pointed out a few posts ago, we did know this was going to be the fight we’d be in.  They were just bullshitting us before.  To me, he’s really just admitting it here.  I guess I should be relieved.  However, instead of the catchy slogan, he should have just came out and said “sorry” for neglecting to tell us about 1300 years of Sunni/Shia conflict when he was making his sales pitch 4 years ago. 

Howard Dean apparently got the memo:

There are other risks.

Iraq is a divided country, with Sunni, Shia and Kurdish factions that share both bitter rivalries and access to large quantities of arms.

Iran and Turkey each have interests in Iraq they will be tempted to protect with or without our approval.

Next?

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