Mixed Signals
So President Bush has somehow convinced Congress that a "surge" in troops is necessary in Iraq. In fact, the Administration has recently stated that the surge is beginning to work, but that much work is still ahead of us.
And so it was with just a little bit of shock that I watched this week's video of Vice President Cheney, on yet another surprise visit to Baghdad's "Green Zone", exiting Air Force Two. You see the Green Zone is supposedly the safest place in Iraq, an oasis of peace among the war-torn cities of Iraq.
Why my surprise?
Underneath the VP's unbuttoned suit jacket, in plain view for everyone to see, was an item you won't soon find on sale at Brooks Brothers.
A bullet proof vest.
This might not have come as such a shock to me if the VP had worn a flak jacket openly before. Perhaps before the "surge" that is purportedly beginning to show some signs of success.
The VP's new fashion statement comes amidst reports that the Iraqi Parliament - whose work is critical in attempting to attain political and economic stability - will be taking a 2 month vacation. And Tim Russert reported Wednesday that a group of Congressional Republicans who previously supported the war privately met with the President to discuss their disgust at the situation. Speaking frankly, at least one Congressman told the President that the Administration has no credibility on the war, and that defeat should be admitted.
Either the surge is working or it isn't. Is more time needed? Perhaps. But carting out the VP with a flak jacket in what is supposed to be the safest area of Iraq, when none was previously required, after the surge which is supposedly beginning to work, is more than bad public relations.
It's a sign of defeat.
And so it was with just a little bit of shock that I watched this week's video of Vice President Cheney, on yet another surprise visit to Baghdad's "Green Zone", exiting Air Force Two. You see the Green Zone is supposedly the safest place in Iraq, an oasis of peace among the war-torn cities of Iraq.
Why my surprise?
Underneath the VP's unbuttoned suit jacket, in plain view for everyone to see, was an item you won't soon find on sale at Brooks Brothers.
A bullet proof vest.
This might not have come as such a shock to me if the VP had worn a flak jacket openly before. Perhaps before the "surge" that is purportedly beginning to show some signs of success.
The VP's new fashion statement comes amidst reports that the Iraqi Parliament - whose work is critical in attempting to attain political and economic stability - will be taking a 2 month vacation. And Tim Russert reported Wednesday that a group of Congressional Republicans who previously supported the war privately met with the President to discuss their disgust at the situation. Speaking frankly, at least one Congressman told the President that the Administration has no credibility on the war, and that defeat should be admitted.
Either the surge is working or it isn't. Is more time needed? Perhaps. But carting out the VP with a flak jacket in what is supposed to be the safest area of Iraq, when none was previously required, after the surge which is supposedly beginning to work, is more than bad public relations.
It's a sign of defeat.