Petraeus picks and chooses

The Petraeus-Crocker hearing is coming back from intermission.  I caught most of it.  For the most part, I was unimpressed with some of the questioning on the part of the Democrats.  They could have done a better job of putting their foot down and challenging some of David Petraeus' vague statements.

Crocker and Petraeus cited gains in certain areas, such as Anbar and Northern Iraq, yet left out the fact that the security situation has gone backward in Southern Iraq, West Baghdad and even certain portions of Northern Iraq.

Also, it was either Petraeus or Crocker that bragged about Iraq's electricity coming back up to speed, despite clear evidence that shows otherwise.

I will post clips from the hearing later today.  Feel free to comment and give your take.

Comments

[Jon]

I have come to the conclusion that the US is too wealthy, too powerful in a conventional military sense and too full of itself on a whole range of issues. For the fact that our government is sitting around debating why we should or shouldn't continue a war of pure choice lets me know that America has too much time, money and perceived power to be affected by reality.

[Jon]

I just saw a protester stand up with what looked like a bloody American flag on her chest. She was carried out after yelling a message about Iraq. I admire her courage and how she wont be harmed for doing what more people should be doing.

[George]

Too wealthy is right. What other country could even afford to wage wars of choice?

And I'm so amazed, by the way, that the General who recommended this course, finds that it's working out well. But who am i to question the General, for he went to Princeton. I look forward to the day when I can write my own reviews at work.