In Closing: Escalation
Most Americans are soundbiters, people who do not dig deep into politics and news, but instead listen and read simple soundbites, soundbites that can be printed or aired without any concern to facts. It’s not that Americans are stupid, it’s just that busy lives keep people from prowling the 24 hour news stations, blogs, and online news sources (not that I do… really….).
Tomorrow, when Bush announces his escalation plan (which I‘ll be live blogging *ahem*), very few Americans will really fully understand what is going on, as the soundbites that come out of it will most likely not tell the whole story. It’s important to look for many things in this plan, and frame them in a way that the facts will allow.
• Will Bush’s plan actually contain anything new, other than more troops? There will be padding to make the escalation seem more sweet, but will any of it actually matter? Will Bush just simply promise to try harder and set goals where no action will be taken if they are not met? Or, will Bush set clear benchmarks that must be met, complete with penalties in case these benchmarks can’t be fulfilled?
• Will Bush explain why he isn’t listening to the American people, most of Congress, or the soldiers and leadership in Iraq? Will he explain why he knows more than all of these people, and who exactly it is that he’s taking tips from?
• Will Bush undertake diplomatic policy, like the ISG report suggested?
• Will Bush explain how more troops will solve another country’s civil war?
Can Bush adapt to a roll where he is no longer solely in charge of this country? A roll where he is at odds with the American people?
It should be interesting.
Technorati Tags: Bush•Iraq•Surge•Escalation
3 comments:
Will he tell us why he doesn't listen to us?
I just don't see him saying "cause I gots Jesus whispering in my ear!!" on national television.
LOL@ JollyRoger.
Steve, I'll be listening to him, simply because I have to. Most people without a deep knowledge of what's going on will fall for his spin... and I don't want that. I'm quite certain that what will come out here is simply adding more troops, padded with some things that sound good in theory, but really aren't anything new.
As painful as is it to listen to that moron - we should all pay close attention.
Bush regards himself as more of a king than a President. His speech tonight will be either shockingly discconnected from reality, or shockingly connected to reality.
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