Sequel

Turns out all the plaques to the fallen are wrong - this isn't Gulf War II. Howard Dean is probably right that we're repeating mistakes of Vietnam, namely that we've engaged ourselves in an unwinnable war against insurgency and seek to claim victory by handing authority over to an ill-prepared army vastly outmatched by its adversaries. This isn't anything new. Nor is Bush's hollow defense:

"Of course, there will be debate, and of course, there will be some pessimists and some people playing politics with the issue," he said. "But, by far, the vast majority of the people in this country stand squarely with the men and women who wear the nation's uniform."

Squarely with? On what planet? Behind is barely justifiable rhetorically, but with? I'm not certain I've seen any sign of the kind of sacrifice our troops are making lived out here at home. Neither consumers at large nor our government appear to be tightening belts for the war effort. I see no acknowledgment that we're being asked to give up our brothers' and sisters' lives. We live disassociated from the War, and the only component necessary to the act of "support" of the troops seems to be a failing to exhibit dissent. Mere silent compliance is not a war effort, it's political disengagement. We owe those we've sent into harm's way more than that, more than empty rhetoric, more than dedication without planning. We owe them the kind of realistic consideration as proffered by Dean.