archy explains tony snow and w

Mike at The Questionable Authority used to support the war (perhaps not surprisingly, as he is a military husband). But he doesn't any more. On a particularly bad day he had to listen to the current president talking about sacrifice: here's W's actual statement, and Mike's reaction:

Bush: Well, you know, I think a lot of people are in this fight. I mean, they sacrifice peace of mind when they see the terrible images of violence on TV every night. I mean, we've got a fantastic economy here in the United States, but yet, when you think about the psychology of the country, it is somewhat down because of this war.

Yes, they serve too, who watch TV then go get another beer.

Sadly, though, that's not the worst part of this episode. Earlier in the day - the same day - the White House Press Secretary used "the troops" in an attempt to shield the president's ill-conceived "surge" "strategy" from congressional criticism:

Q: Okay. The sense in the Senate, this non-binding resolution, perhaps, that's going to move forward this week -- can you give a White House take on what that means, if the votes are there, that --

MR. SNOW: Well, look, they're claiming the votes are there. Again, the question you have to ask yourself is, do you understand what possible ramifications are? In an age of instant and global communication, what message does it send to the people who are fighting democracy in Iraq? And, also, what message does it send to the troops?

That's right. It's OK for the president to send the message that the sacrifice that the troops are making can be compared to the sacrifice that the TV-watching public is making, but it is A Bad Thing for the Senate to send, in a non-binding resolution, the message that they think that the president is out of what little there is of his mind to want to send more troops into the hellhole he has created in Iraq.

What can these people - this administration and its hangers-on - be thinking? Are they even thinking?

Well, over at archy John McKay tackles that. As he says,

I can explain Tony Snow's message, but it is only by invoking one of the ugliest political metaphors of the past century.

What metaphor? Go find out. I think he's right on the money.

Here's a taste:

The Bush administration--and Tony Snow is only the latest heir to this vile message--is trying to foist this murderous attitude off on the American people. They tell us we must stay in Iraq and continue to die or we betray those who have already died. We can't criticize the decision to send more to die or we betray those have answered their duty and faced death. The only answer to past sacrifice is more sacrifice, regardless of the possibilities of success.

Read the rest. And join him in his final call.