Dems: Iraq report "too rosy"

Story link.

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Senior Democratic senators challenged a new intelligence report's assessment of President Bush's "surge" strategy Friday, saying the troop increase in Iraq has failed to achieve its strategic goals.

A Shiite fighter aims at Iraqi government troops in the Sadr City area of Baghdad during fighting this week.

The classified National Intelligence Estimate on Iraq, which was distributed to key lawmakers this week, sets the stage for the latest public progress report on Iraq that will be delivered Tuesday and Wednesday to congressional committees by Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, and Ambassador Ryan Crocker, the top U.S. diplomat in Baghdad.

"In my judgment, it's too rosy, but there are parts of it that are not so rosy, and both pieces need to be declassified," Sen. Carl Levin said, pointing in particular to the portion of the report describing Iraq's political progress.

A few things about this article bother me, as a Conservative who doesn't support the war. First of all, the hypocracy on the Democrats part is repulsive. If you recall, many Democrats have been staunch proponents of the war in the past, including Hillary Clinton. I find it hard to believe that many lawmakers are against Iraq on anything but political grounds. Then again, I suppose that's just politics.

Another issue that bothers me - and this is more against both parties - is the matter-of-fact way the deaths of soldiers is portrayed. Let's not mince words folks; when we say "troop surge" we're talking about more soldiers dying for Iraq, more soldiers being kept away from home for an un-Constitutional war, and more soldiers being used as political pawns! And this goes both ways. Even notable non-politicians, like Angelina Jolie have come out in support of the surge because of the "humanitarian efforts" in Iraq. Somebody tell me, when did it become the job of the American soldier to die for far-flung foreign nations? Soldiers sign up to defend America, not Iraq!

The Democrats are probably right about things not being as "rosy" as they're portrayed, but I see this as a non-issue. Our objective in Iraq, to get rid of the tyranny of Hussein, was finished four and half years ago. We cannot stay until the region is completely stable, even Ronald Reagan spoke about the irrationality of the middle east. We just marched in and we can just march out. It's way past time.

Well, there's my rant for the week. I have a feeling that most of my fellow Conservatives are going to take issue with my views...but anyway.

What do you think?