So, it may surprise no one that I am not President Bush's biggest fan. I think he squander a lot of good will and put our country on the wrong track and has set Republicans and Democrats against each other instead of bringing our country together.
And the surge was suppose to buy time for the Iraqi's to pull their act together, politically. It hasn't and we have armed the Sunni's to help us tame the regions that the Shites can't control. But...
Having bitched about that (and pretty much everything else Bush does), can I say the surge has done one thing that everyone can applaud. It has reduced deaths - both in our military and civilian life. It has free'd the United States Military to work with the locals - whoever they are - to bring a better life to ordinary people.
I would like to commend President Bush for that change. I am happy (and was proved wrong) as he accepted the changes on the ground which have lead to a better life for the locals and for our service men and women. No bullshit here. Just credit where it is due. The US Army and Marines have been working their asses off to make life better. The President changed tactics to help it occur. Kudos to both.
As a people I think it is incumbant on us to honor those who scrafice so much, when things go right or wrong. As a democracy I think it is incumbant on us to raise the warnings when we think our government is wrong and equally important to raise a voice in agreement when things go right.