Web Letters: A General Dissembles

The two Generals stand at attention, shiny tin-soldier bookends, backs turned to the mess of blood, oil, and money between them, honorably putting the best possible public face on it on behalf of their Commander in Chief.

General Hear No Evil was tapped to give a nice silver and brass shine to the "civilized" world's perception of the bombing and invasion, while the towelheads got the "Shock and Awe" end of it.

General See No Evil is there to put a snappy crease into the grisly occupation, and provide the dramatically sustained drumroll that will convince the media that the President is leaving the Oval Office "with honor."

The good news: The Decider has finally turned his attention to an exit strategy. The bad news: It's a way out for him, not for the country. And certainly not for the thousands whose lives will be snuffed out as carelessly as candles on a Goodbye cake from the White House kitchen.

General Speak No Evil stands hidden in the shadows offstage, charts and photos of Iran in his steady hands, waiting to introduce Act Three: Wherein the Question of Whether the First Use of Nuclear Weaponry is Judged Humane or Intolerable is Demonstrated to Depend Upon Which Nation Wields the Weapons.

John Bostrom

Staten Island, NY

According to the Los Angeles Times today, the Army and Crocker are trying to work a deal with the Madhi army, similar to the one with the Sunnis in Anbar. Since they control most of Bagdhad, they don't seem to have too many other options. This bottom up approach to security may work for the short term, but both groups will want us out as soon as Al Qaeda is defeated. The Iranian connection seems to be weak with the Madhi army. While the Shia religion is important, being Arab and Iraqi is also important. Like Hamas, they may accept aid from Iraq, but, like Hamas, it doesn't mean they are going to compromise Iraqi Sovereignty. We need to get out of there. They are going to do it the Iraqi Way. Since the Shia control most of Bagdhad, we don't seem to have much control over the situation with our presence.

Pervis J. Casey

Riverside, CA