Josephine Polacek – 10/26/04

This page was last updated on October 26, 2004.

We’re fighting a war; Josephine Polacek; Beaver County Times; October 26, 2004.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“Bush quote (Oct. 20): ‘You cannot win a war when you don’t believe you’re fighting one.’

“Did he not say ‘Mission Accomplished.’”

[RWC] No he didn’t. This was on a banner on the USS Abraham Lincoln. Gen. Tommy Franks – the military leader of the actions in Afghanistan and Iraq – suggested the banner to signify the end of the invasion phase of the Iraq War and to pay tribute to those who participated.

Here is an excerpt from President Bush’s speech on the USS Abraham Lincoln.

“We have difficult work to do in Iraq. We’re bringing order to parts of that country that remain dangerous. We’re pursuing and finding leaders of the old regime, who will be held to account for their crimes. We’ve begun the search for hidden chemical and biological weapons and already know of hundreds of sites that will be investigated. We’re helping to rebuild Iraq, where the dictator built palaces for himself, instead of hospitals and schools. And we will stand with the new leaders of Iraq as they establish a government of, by, and for the Iraqi people.

“The transition from dictatorship to democracy will take time, but it is worth every effort. Our coalition will stay until our work is done. Then we will leave, and we will leave behind a free Iraq.”

“I think he is the one who doesn’t believe we are fighting a war.”

[RWC] If Ms. Polacek thinks President Bush “doesn’t believe we are fighting a war,” I can’t help her.

“Also, I suggest Kerry put a muzzle on Teresa. If he loses this election, I’d put the blame on her. She sure isn’t keeping the cause.”

[RWC] Though I’m not a fan of Mrs. Kerry, it would be unfair to blame her should John Kerry lose. Unless a candidate plans to make the spouse a co-president, a responsible voter votes for the candidate, not the spouse.