Our national political leaders have framed the debate over our choices vis-a-vis Iraq and our "war on terror" with a false and misleading dichotomy: "Stay the course, and Fight?" (protect our country, like the brave and loyal patriots we are) or "Cut and Run?" (and turn everything over to the terrorists, as those cowardly radical Democrats now urge us to do).

This is a loaded, manipulative, self-serving, disingenuous framing of the debate, so worthy of the best of America's current conservative Republican political leadership. Besides trying to stack the deck so as to undercut any serious national discussion of this vital national issue, the two choices they present omit our most important choice of all, the very one we really should be focusing on.

There is a third option, and it should have been our first: Confront the problem, squarely, and resolve it.

Why fight? Why flee? If we can Fix it?

The Bush leadership has greatly exacerbated the problem that surfaced so dramatically in this country on 9/11. They've done nothing at all to fix it. We've made ourselves a threat to many in the Middle East. Some there responded by attacking us. They say we understand only violence, and we won't respond to their words. Under President Bush, we've increased our level of violence, threatened them in their own countries even more, and have refused to credit a word they've said as to why they've attacked us. No talk, no communication, no understanding, no adjustments of our behaviors or policies to accommodate their dignity, religion, security, community needs, or way of life. Just, well... violence. Attack, bomb, invade, frighten, punish, destroy. Do more of exactly what they complained about in the first place.

That makes sense, doesn't it?

That response, of course, only invites more attacks. Which we've seen. Tens of thousands of innocent people have now died as a result. Homes and whole cities have been demolished. Our allies around the world have been endangered and attacked because of our inept, inhumane bravado. A trillion dollars has been spent accomplishing this. And our own children are given the bill, along with now the hatred of increasing millions around the world, a hatred that now threatens their lives.

How did we get here? And how can we fix it?

Fixing it is the real issue, the main issue. And regarding this issue, it seems both our political parties are pretty much at a loss for what to recommend.

For thoughts on how a more reality-based, quite different, and eminently doable approach might go a long way toward actually fixing the problem, see this short opinion piece on "War, Conflict Resolution, and Respecting Reality". (4 pages)
"War, Conflict Resolution, and Respecting Reality"

Peace,

Mike O'Brien