If you need another example of boneheaded warblogger thinking that substitutes wishful thinking for actual analysis, check this. An excerpt:
You get all that? The Iraqis are motivated primarily by material concerns. Concerns that were being well taken care of by Saddam Hussein under the sanctions regime. The problem is that Iraqs don't know how to compete, like Americans. They better learn how to swim damn quick, or we'll be forced to pour more money and lives down a hole in the sand just to prove we can.[A] tiny minority, a clique -- are causing a ruckus. A larger percentage of the population may share in the "goals" of these knuckleheads but there are quantifiable reasons why this may be the case: a warm, snug security blanket has been yanked out of a spider hole and tossed into the furnace. It's now sink-or-swim time for everyone. The demonstrative value of this to the people of the Middle East is a big reason why the Iraq model must not be allowed to fail.
And hey, if it doesn't work out, it's the liberals' fault.
Right. If we fail in Iraq it'll be liberals fault because we didn't clap loud enough.
Posted by: Terrance | April 25, 2004 at 02:35 PM
Ouch. My retort to these individuals is that when they volunteer to go to Iraq themselves, to do civilian or military work, then I begin taking them seriously. Never have I seen so many so eager to send so many others to die for their own beliefs.
But they can blow b.s. like this because somewhere in the back of their heads, they aren't thinking of going themselves.
It's a little bit different when it's your own neck on the line.
Posted by: Oldman | April 26, 2004 at 01:52 AM
Well, the chickenhawk critique is often correct, but I know people whose lives are on the line still support the invasion. Now, some of that might be an unwillingness to abandon an effort that has cost their friends' lives, but I don't want to assume irrationality. But that bloggers' thoughts don't even stand up to a minute's thought.
Posted by: Mithras | April 26, 2004 at 11:03 PM