A Turning Point

I now don't think it's overstating it to say that a turning point has been been reached with this administration, not only with Rep. John Murtha's press release today* in the House from a previously strong supporter of the war, but also with the budget being voted down with the help of 22 Republicans - all after yesterday's 98-0 vote requiring a better approach to resolving Iraq.

Left here to fend off the barrage, the vice president resorted to insults, accusing all who disagreed with him (by reference including Murtha) as having 'no backbone' - a comment that Murtha, a Marine's Marine, said was coming from a man with 5 or 6 deferments during Vietnam.

'Staying the course' has turned into a textbook example of the sunk cost syndrome. While bird flu is on the agenda of the president in Asia, the 98-0 vote yesterday shows that cutting our losses honorably and sensibly is now squarely in the sights of even his former supporters - while GIs continue to die and be wounded.

Murtha concludes: Because we in Congress are charged with sending our sons and daughters into battle, it is our responsibility, our OBLIGATION to speak out for them. That’s why I am speaking out.

Our military has done everything that has been asked of them, the U.S. can not accomplish anything further in Iraq militarily. IT IS TIME TO BRING THEM HOME.

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*Thanks to Tescht for the links.