Hugh Hewitt blogs about an AP report that General Peter Pace (Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff) said Iraq has undergone a "sea change", and that the current situation on the ground will definitely affect his recommendation to President Bush in September. For example, in Ramadi -- once a hotbed for terrorist violence -- Al Qaeda has been effectively pushed out, and the continued U.S. presence is helping local police and army personnel get up and running.
Meanwhile, in an admittedly pointless political stunt, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has forced an all-night debate tonight on an amendment (even though no one thinks he's got enough votes to push the amendment through) that would begin the retreat from Iraq in four months and complete it by the middle of 2008. The Senate Republicans were up for the challenge -- in my humble opinion, this is a welcome change from the norm -- as evidenced by the words of Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican leader: "Our enemies aren’t threatened by talk-a-thons, and our troops deserve better than publicity stunts." So, even now as I write this, the debate goes on in the Senate building. As usual, Michelle Malkin is "liveblogging" the debate here - go check it out! Or, tune in to C-Span or online here.
Some interesting things to note from other recent war-related debating:
- the Dorgan amendment, on bringing Osama bin Laden and other Al Qaeda leaders to justice, passed 87-1, with 12 not voting
- the Cornyn amendment, "to express the sense of the Senate that it is in the national security interest of the United States that Iraq not become a failed state and a safe haven for terrorists" also passed 94-3, with 3 not voting
The thing I find curious about these voting results is the people who actually voted against these amendments - this should show you something about the total lack of willingness of those Senators to confront an enemy intent on killing us! Thankfully, none of the Missouri or Kansas Senators is included in that group of idiots.
Anyway, assuming this amendment does not pass tonight, it would probably be good to continue contacting your Senators to give them your thoughts on cutting and running from Iraq.
There's my two cents.
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