msnbc breaking news: "Iraq Study Group’s Baker: 'Stay the course' strategy no longer viable"

[lwcon]

Well, knock me over with a daisy cutter! I guess this is why they pay them the big bucks.

Here's the link to the in-development story.

The full Baker-Hamilton Commission report is here.

(Bush) was flanked by Baker and Hamilton in a remarkable scene — a president praising the work of a group that had just concluded his policy had led to chaos.

At first blush, the report appears to be unflinching in owning up to the facts on the ground:

It warned that if the situation continues to deteriorate, there is a risk of a “slide toward chaos (that) could trigger the collapse of Iraq’s government and a humanitarian catastrophe.”

“Neighboring countries could intervene. ... The global standing of the United States could be diminished. Americans could become more polarized,” commissioners said.

I'm not sure about that last point — shouldn't Americans start becoming less polarized as this quagmire is increasingly seen for what it is?

The report suggests that we may have reached the option of last resort: diplomacy.

But the main proposal appears to be to take two Friedman Units and call me in the morning:

“As these actions proceed, U.S. combat forces could begin to move out of Iraq. ... By the first quarter of 2008, subject to unexpected developments in the security situation on the ground, all combat brigades not necessary for force protection could be out of Iraq.”

Unexpected developments? With this administration and this mission, that certainly couldn't happen, could it?

At a minimum, the report will strain the backwashers' prodigious skills of denial and truthiness:

"The current approach is not working and the ability of the United States to influence events is diminishing. ... No course of action in Iraq (is) guaranteed to stop a slide toward chaos.

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Hey, the liberal light is always on at the Vast Left-Wing Conspiracy. Please stop by and say "hi!"

[Avalux]

1. Translation: quit saying "stay the course" -

it is no longer an effective sound byte with the American People.

[Fridays Child]

2. Sophisticated truthiness but truthiness all the same. nt

[lumberjack_jeff]

3. "polarization" = universal consensus that GW is an idiot.

I also find it amusing when the press and the republicans decry the increasing polarization which results from being dead wrong.

From their increasingly isolated point of view, I suppose they have a point.

[lwcon]

4. Indeed

The more surreal the rabid Right gets, the more polarized we become -- unless the MSM gets its wish and the Left makes a truly mad dash to the so-called center.

I guess that's the essence of the Overton Window.

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Hey, the liberal light is always on at the Vast Left-Wing Conspiracy. Please stop by and say "hi!"

[lumberjack_jeff]

5. Thanks for the link on the Overton Window

It's the first time I've seen this phenomenon so well written.

The Overton Window is not something I've previously seen here. Perhaps a better writer than I can make it its own topic. :thumbsup:

[lwcon]

7. We have a tremendous problem with framing and communication

My blog name notwithstanding, I am so not a conspiracy guy.

But the MSM is out to get us. The modern news media have decided that mean and wrong is better than reasonable and nuanced, that war is better than peace, and that a simple lie is better than a complex truth.

Because progressives stand for something, and we crave rationality, peace, and truth, we are personnae non grata with the MSM.

The Republicans play their games, such as equivalation and Overton Windows, and as they turn fair further and further into foul, the media is with them every step of the way, helping propel and rationalize their twisted messages.

It's so frustrating, because we don't want to become corrupted like they are, and yet we're playing in a crooked house.


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Hey, the liberal light is always on at the Vast Left-Wing Conspiracy. Please stop by and say "hi!"

[ClassWarrior]

6. It's now "Stall the Withdrawl."

NGU.