Let Us Prey

A Group of Vultures Waiting for the Storm to Blow Over - Let us Prey (1871)
Thomas Nast

The above engraving shows Boss Tweed and his associates as a group of vultures, after having picked clean the bones labeled "city treasury," "law," "justice," "liberty" and "rent payers." The more things change, the more they stay the same.

But somebody in the Republican party is starting to use his head for something other than a hat rack.

Unfortunately at this point, it is one step forward and two back. Their glimmer of initiative regarding ending this failed Iraq expedition is hampered by their elephantine recalcitrance.

"Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, said in a letter to President Bush released Tuesday that the country must develop a withdrawal plan for U.S. forces in Iraq.

"In his letter to Bush, Voinovich wrote, "We must not abandon our mission, but we must begin a transition where the Iraqi government and its neighbors play a larger role in stabilizing Iraq (Senate GOP Backing for War Erodes.)"

Why can't the leadership understand that the reason we can not abandon our mission is that there is no mission?

After four years of needless U.S. involvement in Iraqi violence, one thing that is abundantly clear is that there is nothing achievable in this morass. If the U.S. military had a clearly-defined, achievable mission, then it would surely be accomplished by now.

Iraq is a bottomless kitty litter box that will continue to swallow U.S. dollars to no avail. As depicted by the Republican spinmeisters, our support is like that newfangled kitty litter that smells like roses, and encapsulates the kitty waste products in a batter of the scented litter. It may serve to cover up the offensive odor, but you're still left with a turd.

On the Charlie Rose show, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi recently discussed the U.S. monetary cost of the war in Iraq, which is topping $10 Billion per week. She said the Department of Veterans Affairs budget was was raised 7+ Billion, for the largest increase in that budget since the beginning of recorded history.

While impressed with Pelosi's presence, Ranger is personally hostile to the attitude that veterans should feel positive about this needed budgetary increase.

Do the numbers yourself--$10 Billion weekly versus a one-time $7+ Billion annual addition to the VA budget. A budget which still cannot encompass all the needy vets who require psychiatric counseling for PTSD, nor all of those who need physical rehabilitation.

This figure is an insult considering the overloaded status of the entire organization. And quantities of disabled vets are constantly being produced on a daily basis. This is the new growth industry of America--producing disabled vets.

Our non-combat elected leaders need a reality check.