We no longer give without demanding something in return. That's too liberal.
We no longer negotiate. That's a sign of weakness.
We no longer take responsibility for our actions. That would be...well, keeping a campaign promise.
We no longer listen to what our allies around the world tell us. That's too dependent - and besides, we always know better.
It's sad. Joe Conason knows.
At a moment of terrible shame for the United States, the credibility squandered by the White House in the months leading up to the war has left the nation morally defenseless before the world. The only way left to defend the disastrous war was as a war of liberation, to free Iraqis from shame and torture. Once it is shown that we imposed shame and torture, too, the last rationale for the war is gone. When George W. Bush grudgingly apologized for the crimes committed in our name, who believed that he was sorry? When Bush and the members of his cabinet and general staff promise to take responsibility and do justice, who believes that they will fulfill those pledges? Americans may believe, but the hearts and minds of other people around the world -- especially Arabs and Muslims -- are closed. [...]All this horrible news has kinda sapped the humor from this site. We'll try to turn that situation around tomorrow.
How and when American troops should be extricated from Iraq remains a matter for intense debate. It is not at all clear that a precipitous pullout, leaving a torn nation to the mercies of warlords and armed mullahs, would serve the interests of Iraqis, Americans or the rest of the world. But what becomes clearer with each day is that we are in deep trouble -- and that the Bush administration possesses neither the will nor the ability to prevent the worst consequences of a failed policy. They have given Osama bin Laden a victory that he could never have won for himself.
