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February 13, 2012
Binyamin Rose: Back to the Bunker: How a life-risking act by a Christian family during the Holocaust saved a family and built a thriving community a world away
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David G. Savage: Why activists may not be in a hurry to have High Court rule on alternative marriage
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Warren Richey: Why momentous Prop. 8 ruling might not satisfy gay-rights groups
Menachem Wecker: Though Controversial, LL.M.'s Can Lead to Specialized Legal Jobs
The Kosher Gourmet byDana Velden: Going to the bother of making soup? You know it better be good. This CREAM OF TOMATO SOUP certainly is! And it's a cinch to make, too (Includes techinques and serving secrets)
February 7, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.: Caught off-guard? President's Super Bowl interview with Matt Lauer gives those who need a reason not to vote for him, a darn good one
Suzanne Bohan: Leaping lizards! Tiny reptiles advancing robot design
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Jonathan Tobin: Iran Threatens Israel With Destruction, But the New York Times Doesn't Hear It
Jeffrey Fleishman: In newly democratic Egypt, tens of democracy activists jailed, to stand trial; their groups are 'threatening the stability of the homeland'
Julie Deardorff : Researchers say antioxidants may not be that effective and could do more harm than good
Mark Clayton: How did Anonymous hackers eavesdrop on FBI and Scotland Yard?
February 3, 2012
Edmund Sanders : Israeli official says Iran is creating missile that could reach East Coast of US
Victoria Kim: Immigrant-smuggling ring used black drivers to avoid racial profiling
February 2, 2012
Jim Carney: Wrong number call may have saved her life
Reza Kahlili : Ex-CIA spy in Iran's Revolutionary Guard: What Obama doesn't grasp about striking deals with Tehran
Tina Susman: For woodchuck rescuer, every day is Groundhog Day
February 1, 2012
Brian Bennett: US officials see increasing threat of domestic attack from Iran
Emily Brandon: How to Take Advantage of New 401(k) Fee Disclosures
January 31, 2012
January 30, 2012
Paul Richter and Ramin Mostaghim: Misreading Teheran's limits -- deadly and economically devastating as they may be -- is a risk administration, Europe seem willing to take
Suzanne Bohan: Warning: Nap-deprived tots missing more than sleep, study finds
Meg Handley: Banks Revamping Rewards Programs to Woo Customers
January 27, 2012
Caroline B. Glick: Obama: Of course I intend to prevent a nuclear holocaust . . . in a few months
Yochonon Donn: In liberal New York City, fervently-Orthodox Jews may soon be getting a district to call their own
Jeannine Stein: An inflated ego and thinking you're 'all that' doesn't just make others sick of you, it can make you ill
Katy Hopkins: New budget rules may affect how much money you get for college
January 26, 2012
Ed Koch: To the New York Times, calling for the murder of Jews by those capable of having their incitement taken seriously isn't news
Jeannine Stein: Mental illness struck one in five U.S. adults in 2010: Report
January 25, 2012
Richard Simon: House passes two bills endorsing the use of religious symbols at military memorials
Fred Weir: Putin: Multiethnic Russia cannot survive as a US-style 'melting pot'; must find its own way
Susan Johnston: 5 Sneaky Coupon Strategies Consumers Should Watch Out For
January 24, 2012
Carol Clark: The price of your soul: How your brain decides whether to 'sell out'
Caroline B. Glick: America lost most in 'Arab Spring'. Sadly, many voters still don't grasp the extent
Warren Richey: Drug criminal scores win in GPS ruling from conservative-leaning high court
Erika Bolstad: Black conservatives gather to talk about gaining strength
January 23, 2012
Melissa Dribben: Jewish voters to play a key role in Florida's Republican primary
Jordan Rau: In quest to grow, Catholic hospital system will announce this morning its break from church
Ali Safi: U.S. envoy gives Taliban terms for peace talks
January 19, 2012
January 18, 2012
January 17, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney Jr.: No-kidding red lines: U.S. response to an Iranian nuke may be bluster, but Israel's won't be
David G. Savage: They sued their principals after slandering them online --- now the cases are headed to the Supreme Court
David Francis: Where to Invest in 2012: With stocks expected to rebound, opportunity abounds for investors
January 13, 2012
Ben Lynfield: Israeli lawmakers move to annex Jewish Judea, one museum at a time
Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz: Thriving through touch: Gentle massage helps older people with low mobility improve in mind and body
January 12, 2012
Warren Richey: Landmark Supreme Court ruling a 'resounding win' for religious groups
Warren Richey: Supreme Court says no to new rule on eyewitness testimony
John Fauber : Statins found to raise diabetes risk in postmenopausal women
Katy Hopkins : Consider This Before You Pay for an Online Degree
The Kosher Gourmet by Joseph Erdos: This mushroom and barley soup has an intense -- almost nutty -- flavor that mixes robust with Middle East. It has creaminess without cream
January 11, 2012
Shari Roan: Millions of atrial fibrillation sufferers at risk for devastating, but preventable, stroke
Tom Hussain: Pakistan -- recipient of more than $21 billion in civilian and military aid -- speeds pursuit of Iranian pipeline, defying US
David G. Savage: High court signals it won't be loosening TV's 'indecency' rules
Stephen Ceasar: Oklahoma's Islamic law amendment can't go into effect, court rules
January 10, 2012
Reza Kahlili: From an ex-CIA spy: US must exploit new split in Iran's Revolutionary Guard
Karen Kaplan: Study: Nicotine replacement products ineffective when used in real-life situations
January 9, 2012
Michael Doyle: Put through legal hell over dream home, couple fought back hard --- all the way to Supreme Court
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Jewish World Review
August 30, 2005
/ 25 Av, 5765
Needed in Iraq Results, not cut-and-run
By
Ruben Navarrette Jr.
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http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
About a year ago, just after the first anniversary of the beginning of the Iraq War, I wrote that I was starting a club. The idea was to give voice to a perspective that isn't usually heard in this era of extreme, blindly partisan politics where you're tossed into either one camp or another and you're expected to stay in your assigned seats.
In order to join the club, I explained, you had to support President Bush but you also had to believe that it was time for Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to head back to the private sector. You had to support the war either because you believed that Saddam Hussein was a bloodthirsty tyrant who had to go, or because you thought it was a noble cause to liberate an oppressed people and turn a former dictatorship into a functioning democracy but you also had to be of the opinion that the Bush administration has mismanaged the war six ways from Sunday.
The idea was a hit with readers. Apparently, there are a lot of Americans who don't feel comfortable being characterized as 100 percent in support of Bush and the war, or 100 percent against Bush and the war. And as a result, they feel totally lost in the Iraq debate.
Granted, at times, it seems like more of a food fight. Opposing camps of placard-waving protesters are squaring off outside the president's ranch in Crawford, Texas either to show support for "Gold Star mom"/protester Cindy Sheehan, or to tell the world "You don't speak for me, Cindy." The traditional political alliances are fraying; it used to be only dovish liberals were disappointed with Rumsfeld. But now that the defense secretary seems to be looking for an exit door in Iraq, some hawkish conservatives may also be eager to see him go. And as the number of U.S. military casualties in Iraq approaches 2,000, public support for the war, and the president's handling of it, is on the skids.
This month, a USA Today/CNN/Gallup Poll found that 57 percent of Americans thought that the war had made the country more vulnerable to terrorism.
Asked about the progress of the war, 56 percent said things were going badly while only 43 percent thought that things were going well.
So I think it's time to start a new club. In order to join, you have to believe that the war protesters many of whom, I'm sorry to say, seem reminiscent of the "Blame America First" crowd are flat-out wrong in their foolish and irresponsible demand that the United States immediately withdraw from Iraq. Not only would that mean that nearly 2,000 service men and women had died in vain, but it's also a sure recipe for complete chaos. A pullout would embolden terrorists around the world, and inform our enemies that the American people have no stomach for long and sustained military conflicts.
Yet, you also have to believe that those flag-waving folks who won't admit the failings of our Iraq policy and who simply stick to the script of "stay the course" are being just as foolish and irresponsible. They should be more willing to accept that as they say in Washington mistakes were made.
Among them: Not sending enough troops in the first place, and caving in to the assumption that a larger commitment of manpower was not politically feasible; allowing the outrageous behavior that occurred at Abu Ghraib prison, which ensured that Americans would never win the hearts and minds of Iraqis; and overestimating the ease with which Iraqi security forces could be trained by U.S. troops to protect the country so our troops could eventually leave.
I understand that there are those who don't want to dwell on such things and instead, simply rally around the president and the war. But when they do that, they're only doing a disservice to themselves and their cause.
We shouldn't ignore the polls or blame them on war fatigue. Americans are saying loud and clear that, while they don't favor an immediate and complete withdrawal from Iraq that position was embraced by only about a third of respondents they are fed up with the lack of a clear policy objective, let alone any sense that the objective is being met. They don't want to cut and run, but they do want results.
If that sounds like where you're coming from, then join the club.
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