Dumbo the Younger

Maybe it's just me, but whenever I manage adopt a state of mind capable of listening to Dubya, I notice his minor league brain latches on to a pitiful justification for Operation-Leap-Into-Mesopotamian-Quicksand:

And the world is better off without Saddam Hussein in power.

It's become his version of Cato the Elder's "Delenda Carthago!"

Bush, like Cato, is quite capable of bogotry and false displays of moral behavior, but that's where the similarities end.

However, over and over again he spits out this memorized phrase, usually following up with a used car salesman's grin.

One thing that amazes me about the neo-cons and their minions is their stupidity and stubborness, manifested in quotes like Dubya's noted above. They fail at basic elements of comprehension--for instance, regarding Iraq, there is indeed a case to be made for countering the viciousness of Saddam Hussein...yet, there's also a case to be made for whether or not it is--or was--in the strategic interest of the United States to launch an invasion in March 2003. Of course, when the preferred rhetorical device of the average neo-con is a mix of high pitched babble, ad homenim attacks on one's patriotism, and out and out threats, it becomes difficult to counter with anything resembling a reasoned approach. And, of course, there's the reaction to 9/11, which Karl Rove cynically used to his advantage in pushing through the 2002 war resolution.

The ouster of Saddam Hussein isn't a bad thing--but to imply that he needed to be taken out at any price is, well, stupid and stubborn. And, I think the public is beginning to understand this. To use an anology: having a car is nice, but it's pretty foolish to spend $50,000 dollars on a Yugo.

Bush might think that's a great deal--but he's never had to worry a whole lot about the consequences of deals he's made. In the past, Dubya alway could rely on bailouts. However, this time, it's the entire country that now has to deal with paying for the Yugo of occupations, and I get the feeling they're not liking it a whole lot. The thing stinks, leaks, doesn't start, and never gets you where you're going. 1700 dead soldiers, 15,000 injured soldiers, almost $200 billion dollars (AND the upwards of 100,000 Iraqi casualties, although I'll admit that most Americans probably don't care an awful lot about them OR the loss of our reputation internationally with the revelations about Abu Graib, Guantanamo, etc.)--anyway, that's a mighty high price to pay for something that so clearly doesn't work.

Bush might have been trying to "destroy Carthage." But the first shot was aimed solidly at our collective foot, and now he's loading--and AIMING--at the same place again.