I stand with this setup for the piece:
Among the many distortions, misrepresentations, and outright falsifications that have emerged from the debate over Iraq, one in particular stands out above all others. This is the charge that George W. Bush misled us into an immoral and/or unnecessary war in Iraq by telling a series of lies that have now been definitively exposed.
What makes this charge so special is the amazing success it has enjoyed in getting itself established as a self-evident truth even though it has been refuted and discredited over and over again by evidence and argument alike. In this it resembles nothing so much as those animated cartoon characters who, after being flattened, blown up, or pushed over a cliff, always spring back to life with their bodies perfectly intact. Perhaps, like those cartoon characters, this allegation simply cannot be killed off, no matter what.
Truly, it is frustrating that the press passes along the lies of the anti-war side. And I don't know what to call them other than lies. The very same people had views 180 degrees away from their current views prior to 2003. What changed? The facts? No. Just the politics. And this change while our troops fight for what these opponents called for achieving just three short years ago is shameful.
And because of these reasons, I relish this possibility:
And so long as we are hunting for liars in this area, let me suggest that we begin with the Democrats now proclaiming that they were duped, and that we then broaden out to all those who in their desperation to delegitimize the larger policy being tested in Iraq—the policy of making the Middle East safe for America by making it safe for democracy—have consistently used distortion, misrepresentation, and selective perception to vilify as immoral a bold and noble enterprise and to brand as an ignominious defeat what is proving itself more and more every day to be a victory of American arms and a vindication of American ideals.
Bring on the investigation into who is lying about Iraq, WMD, and al Qaeda. We've failed miserably in hoping the press will accurately portray the facts. Perhaps the doubling down of the anti-war Left on this successful strategy of peddling the big lie will explode in their faces.
Go on the offensive over this shameful distortion of the record, Mr. President. You owe it to our soldiers and Marines who are fighting for the reasons that both sides of the aisle agreed were valid only three short years ago. Call those senators and representative out by name and ask them what changed! Quote them and ask them what has changed! Don't let them get away with this charade. Being polite to them has earned you no credit. Passing their legislation and standing with them at the signing ceremony has earned you no credit in their eyes. Force them to face the contradictions of 1998 and 2002 compared with today. Grind their noses in this shameful switch and don't let up until they are beaten. If you don't, you risk the abandonment of our troops who loyally fight an honorable war.
Don't leave our troops hanging out there. Defend the people who are bleeding and dying to keep us safe according to the oath they swore to uphold so we will win a just and noble war.
