President Bush's surprise visit to Iraq paid tribute to the bravery of our troops and that of the Iraqis and their new government.It says reams about the sort of commander and chief we have--and the foreign policy of hope we are pursuing.
The Iraqis have a democratically elected government in place. They showed great courage in going to the polls under the threat of deadly violence.
Insurgents have unleashed terrorists to foment civil war and chaos. But, instead Prime Minister al-Maliki and the Iraqi parliament have given them a government and a cabinet that represents the major groups--Shiites, Sunnis, and Kurds. The last three positions to be filled were defense minister (Sunni) and national security and interior ministers (Shiite).
Not a bad showing under pressure.
Compare that with the filibuster problems the U.S. Senate has in dealing with cabinet and judicial appointments while NOT under threat by an insurgency NOR facing the undercurrents of a possible civil war.
The Iraqis have a long way to go. But, whose democracy looks pale in comparison? Whose leaders look more like profiles in courage and whose look more like, well, standard politicians?
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