Freedom Folks: Remember: Semper Fi

Earlier today, I posted on what Joe Lieberman had to say upon his recent return from Iraq. He is speaking out about the progress he saw in Iraq, and the necessity that we not withdraw our troops prematurely in order for their efforts to come to fruition.

Then I come home to this AFP article on Yahoo:

Bush fails to allay Democrats' doubts about US Iraq policy

Of course he does. The only way he could "allay Democrats' doubts" would be to become a weak, defeatist, irresponsible leader who advocates bringing the troops home before their work in Iraq is done. There is not a single thing the man can say that will allay doubts like those of Nancy Pelosi...

"I'm endorsing what Mr. Murtha is saying, which is that the status quo is not working and that we need to have a plan that makes us safer and our military stronger and makes Iraq more stable."

But Lieberman says, "I have just returned from my fourth trip to Iraq in the past 17 months and can report real progress there," and "Progress is visible and practical."

While Pelosi says...

"I believe that what he has said has great wisdom. While the president is digging a hole, Mr. Murtha is speaking from the light of day about the realities in Iraq," she said.

But Lieberman says, "I have just returned from my fourth trip to Iraq in the past 17 months."

With his usual, fervent politico-speak, John Kerry says...

"The strategy for exit is, in fact, part of the strategy for success. They go hand in hand."

But Lieberman says, "...the Iraqi people are in reach of a watershed transformation from the primitive, killing tyranny of Saddam to modern, self-governing, self-securing nationhood--unless the great American military that has given them and us this unexpected opportunity is prematurely withdrawn." (my emphasis)

Meanwhile...

Senator Ted Kennedy, an outspoken critic of the administration, said the White House was attempting "to put lipstick on his failed Iraq strategy."

OK, forget what Lieberman says. I say trust Ted Kennedy to draw a comparison between the president's "failed Iraq strategy" and the girl in the passenger seat while angrily trying to take charge of the wheel.

And forget the frantic mass of desperate Democrats who have recently been trying to outdo each other in their attempts to provide quote-worthy anti-war statements to the drooling press. Forget them, and remember the troops who are serving us right this very minute, watching this pathetic contest to see which elected official can step the farthest away from reality, reason, and honestly acknowledging the sacrifices of our armed forces.

Remember those men and women. Remember what they have done and continue to do for the people of our country, and for the people of Iraq. Remember the risks they take and the sacrifices they make on a daily basis to maintain our system of democracy, warts and all, and offer the Iraqi people a chance to build one for themselves.

Remember the words of the commanding general of the Marines with whom Joe Lieberman shared Thanksgiving dinner at Camp Fallujah:

"I would guess that if the opposition and division at home go on a lot longer and get a lot deeper it might have some effect, but, Senator, my Marines are motivated by their devotion to each other and the cause, not by political debates."