Talking Iraq.

I would like to comment on some quotes from Sen. Murtha, one of the leading Democrat opposers to the war.

First, the Kudo's - No. 2 House Republican Roy Blunt challenged Democrats on Friday to pass a $50 billion war spending package, pouncing on new remarks by Democratic Rep. John Murtha who said, "I think the surge is working."

On this one, applause to Murtha for moving toward honesty and non-biased evaluation. Everyone is saying that the surge is working, but the politcal answer is more often skewed toward party politics and leverage for your cause. Also, shame on Roy Blunt for exploiting a positive comment by Murtha. That will only cause him to think twice next time and if he knows his words will be headlined by his counterparts, he won't give any ground. That's not moving toward cooperation.

Now to the rest - "I think the surge is working, but that's only one element," said Murtha, who chairs the defense appropriations subcommittee. "And the surge is working for a couple of different reasons. And one reason is the increase in troops."

OK, that makes sense.


Murtha, speaking to reporters Thursday in his hometown of Johnstown, Pa., mixed in renewed criticism of the Bush administration's management of the Iraq war, saying it was waged with too few troops, and that it is too costly.

OK, which one is it? You can't have more troops and spend less money! They aren't going to just show up there for free!!! You want this president to bring more troops and spend less money, and at the same time restrict what he can spend? It gets better....

THE VERY NEXT LINE - "We can no longer afford to spend $14 billion a month on this war and let our readiness slip," Murtha said. But, "If you put more forces in, things will work out," he said.

Can I just say something? "What the Frick?" We can't spend any more money, but if we put more troops in, things will work out. There's no way to win. He's basically saying, if we bring in more troops, we will win, but I won't approve any more money, so let's just lose...It gets better...

The House of Representatives has passed a $50 billion funding bill that provides the president, our troops, and our nation with a responsible plan for bringing our troops home," Murtha's statement read. "The President should heed the advice of the American people and allow this funding bill to become law. "

The American people have been educated by The Dixie Chix, John Melloncamp, and Tom Cruise...They aren't exactly "up" on the status of the war or really even what is at stake. Let's let our public officals duke this one out. I wouldn't let the American people decide what I'm eating for breakfast, let alone the direction of a crucial war.