Dishonest Discourse

By Michael Medved

"Both political parties and all major media distort the current Congressional debate on Iraq. Despite Democratic demands for "withdrawal" and "ending the war," the actual resolution that squeaked through the House of Representatives on a party line vote never mentions ending the U.S. mission. The legislation sets deadlines for troop reduction--not withdrawal, and specifically authorizes a "limited presence" in Iraq for the indefinite future, without defining how large that presence might be, but making clear it would engage in continued combat with al Qaeda.

Democrats won't offend their "peace now" base by admitting they've passed a redeployment resolution, not a withdrawal measure, and Republicans go along with the masquerade to label their opponents as surrender advocates. The media lie to make the fight look more significant than it is. The truth is the two sides argue about strategy, not abandoning the war, while quietly, jointly acknowledging substantial U.S. forces must remain in Iraq for years."