Safire: 'Spinning Into Control'

The New York Times ^ | 01/12/04 | William Safire

[scannell]

I liked the article but hated that line.

Allow me to make one comment. I think the line is appropriate. Not due to insensitivity to the supreme sacrifice that some soldiers have made, but by way of evaluating the comments on the left that Bush failed to plan for and win the Peace. This is all while the US Cities controlled by Democrats (including) Washington DC have repeatedly failed to plan for and win the Peace. During the same period we lost troops, they have had more people murdered in each of their cities. It is all too bad, but the point that should not be lost is that it is the Democrats that accuse Bush of what they are guilty of here.

I think in a reasonable amount of time it will get better in Iraq, but I'll bet that it only gets worse in these Cities.

[paul51]

Where's the "I'm deeply saddened" picture of dasshole?

[Kevin Curry]

I liked the article but hated that line. We should never compare the sacrifices of volunteer soldiers to the victims of chaos in our cities, many of whom are themselves perpetrators of that chaos.

He's making a fair and important point. As serious and deadly a business war is, we're fighting it phenomenally well and safe. We're taking good care of our troops, and they are taking great care of themselves. That's something to cheer.

He means no disrespect to those who hae died.

[OESY]

This is all while the US Cities controlled by Democrats (including) Washington DC have repeatedly failed to plan for and win the Peace. During the same period we lost troops, they have had more people murdered in each of their cities. It is all too bad, but the point that should not be lost is that it is the Democrats that accuse Bush of what they are guilty of here.

Perceptive comment. Here are the various muder rates, per a December 29, 2003 article in the New York Post:

New York ----------- 7 murders per 100,000
Boston ------------- 10 murders per 100,000
Los Angeles ------- 17 murders per 100,000
Philadelphia ------- 19 murders per 100,000
Chicago ------------ 22 murders per 100,000
Washington,DC --- 46 murders per 100,000

Baghdad (July) ---- 19.5 murders per 100,000
Baghdad (Oct.) ----- 5.0 murders per 100,000

Bless our military and their Iraqi allies for the job they are doing.

In the US, Giuliani showed the way, but the Dems lag far behind.

[Sergio]

Great Numbers!

I pray for our troops every Sunday, and wish them all a safe return, but these numbers will raise some eyebrows when used against a liberal sprouting off about losses in Iraq.

I would love those numbers to turn to 0 per 100,000.

My gratitude to our troops and their families.

Best Regards

Sergio

[blitzgig]

Great article! Safire did a masterful job.