The Iraqi Briar Patch
I know that Creature has already flagged this, but I wanted to put in my two cents.
Many know the stories of Br'er Rabbit. The Disney incarnation is probably where most of this generation learned the tale of the wily rabbit who uses his wits to trick his foes. The most famous instance of course is the Briar Patch. Br'er Rabbit, having been caught by Br'er Fox, begs his nemesis not the throw him into the Briar Patch, which is exactly where Br'er Rabbit wants to go.
I was reminded of this tale when I read the reports yesterday of a message from Al-Qaeda in Iraq gloating over the resignation of Donald Rumsfeld as Defense Secretary. While it is expected that our enemies would gloat, other parts of the message make reference to the need for President Bush to "stay on the battleground." Given that we've learned (via intercepted communiques) that Al-Qaeda views a US withdrawal from Iraq as counter productive to their plans to grow and maintain their jihadist movement, it stands to reason they see Rumsfeld's departure as a bad sign. For it was his failed policies which lead Iraq to become a training ground and recruitment tool for Al-Qaeda. This message, to me, is a sure sign they are worried that this change in leadership could mean a true change from the "stay the course" policy.
So will Br'er Bush do just what the wily rabbit really wants?
(Filed at State of the Day)
Many know the stories of Br'er Rabbit. The Disney incarnation is probably where most of this generation learned the tale of the wily rabbit who uses his wits to trick his foes. The most famous instance of course is the Briar Patch. Br'er Rabbit, having been caught by Br'er Fox, begs his nemesis not the throw him into the Briar Patch, which is exactly where Br'er Rabbit wants to go.
I was reminded of this tale when I read the reports yesterday of a message from Al-Qaeda in Iraq gloating over the resignation of Donald Rumsfeld as Defense Secretary. While it is expected that our enemies would gloat, other parts of the message make reference to the need for President Bush to "stay on the battleground." Given that we've learned (via intercepted communiques) that Al-Qaeda views a US withdrawal from Iraq as counter productive to their plans to grow and maintain their jihadist movement, it stands to reason they see Rumsfeld's departure as a bad sign. For it was his failed policies which lead Iraq to become a training ground and recruitment tool for Al-Qaeda. This message, to me, is a sure sign they are worried that this change in leadership could mean a true change from the "stay the course" policy.
So will Br'er Bush do just what the wily rabbit really wants?
(Filed at State of the Day)
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