2008 Woodie Awards
The Patraeus Report: Is the End in Sight?
By Tim Weilert
9/17/07 - Opinion
September 11 this past week marked the sixth anniversary of the World Trade Center attacks, an event that caused the U.S. Armed Forces to enter the middle east, ultimately resulting in the invasion of Iraq in 2003. Nearly four years later, a large portion the American public has become weary of the war and President Bush's requests concerning the war.
This week General David Petraeus, who became the top commander in Iraq earlier this year, presented his assessment of Iraq, offering a few recommendations.
The underlying theme of Petraeus's report was the continued need for U.S. presence in Iraq, although small cutbacks could be possible soon. However, Petraeus did not present a definite time-line for an exit strategy, which troubled Democrats and a few Republicans in Congress. During the proceedings Sen. Norm Coleman stated, "Americans want to see light at the end of the tunnel." This quote echoes the larger question of "when will our troops come home?"
If recent history has taught the American public anything about the Bush administration, then it should not come as a surprise to find that the President supports Petraeus's suggestions. The White House has not, and I believe that it will never, sign off on a time-bound exit strategy. Why then is the Petraeus report important?
As an engineer, certain duties regarding research and knowledge play integral roles in making decisions about projects and assignments. Petraeus has been on the ground level of the Iraq war and has a direct knowledge of the situation. Iraq is his assignment. Although he has been ridiculed for being highly supportive of the war and current administration, Petraeus's suggestions will make an impact on the near future concerning the war.
I am not a fan of war; in fact, I would tend to agree with those who want definite time-lines for withdrawal. However, I also believe that Petraeus should be taken seriously. The Iraq war is similar to an equation involving an extensive amount of variables (political instability, Iran, sectarian violence, etc.) and everyone seems to have an "answer." As with any such problem, the person with the best understanding of the concepts will provide something that is may be a viable solution.
Petraeus could possibly be dead wrong in what he suggests, and Bush will most likely support his suggestions, but the American public should not jump to conclusions.
The refreshing part of the entire situation is that in 2008 there will be a new Commander-in-Chief calling the shots. The next President will most likely have a different outlook on Iraq, since the current "lame-duck" administration has no motivation to change. The challenge to the American public is to listen to Petraeus, take his words with a grain of salt, and wait for "the light at the end of the tunnel."
This week General David Petraeus, who became the top commander in Iraq earlier this year, presented his assessment of Iraq, offering a few recommendations.
The underlying theme of Petraeus's report was the continued need for U.S. presence in Iraq, although small cutbacks could be possible soon. However, Petraeus did not present a definite time-line for an exit strategy, which troubled Democrats and a few Republicans in Congress. During the proceedings Sen. Norm Coleman stated, "Americans want to see light at the end of the tunnel." This quote echoes the larger question of "when will our troops come home?"
If recent history has taught the American public anything about the Bush administration, then it should not come as a surprise to find that the President supports Petraeus's suggestions. The White House has not, and I believe that it will never, sign off on a time-bound exit strategy. Why then is the Petraeus report important?
As an engineer, certain duties regarding research and knowledge play integral roles in making decisions about projects and assignments. Petraeus has been on the ground level of the Iraq war and has a direct knowledge of the situation. Iraq is his assignment. Although he has been ridiculed for being highly supportive of the war and current administration, Petraeus's suggestions will make an impact on the near future concerning the war.
I am not a fan of war; in fact, I would tend to agree with those who want definite time-lines for withdrawal. However, I also believe that Petraeus should be taken seriously. The Iraq war is similar to an equation involving an extensive amount of variables (political instability, Iran, sectarian violence, etc.) and everyone seems to have an "answer." As with any such problem, the person with the best understanding of the concepts will provide something that is may be a viable solution.
Petraeus could possibly be dead wrong in what he suggests, and Bush will most likely support his suggestions, but the American public should not jump to conclusions.
The refreshing part of the entire situation is that in 2008 there will be a new Commander-in-Chief calling the shots. The next President will most likely have a different outlook on Iraq, since the current "lame-duck" administration has no motivation to change. The challenge to the American public is to listen to Petraeus, take his words with a grain of salt, and wait for "the light at the end of the tunnel."
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