Fact vs. Fiction

I'm grateful that the truth is so readily available here. But the idea that facts can influence your opinion seems to be missing in the national discourse. Facts are used, especially on the left, as a reinforcement of a bias or ridiculed as propaganda when they don't fit.

Thanks for the post.

You’re right! Facts are used (or misused) to support a POV or position. However, facts can and do stand on their own merit…as do these.

Someone here at TH once said, “Everyone’s entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts.”

Ciao, Tim

Great piece on the current state of Iraq. I did some writing earlier on the story that we never found WMDs and all the facts which argue against that. I don't have the link handy, but if I find it, I will post it here later.

Basically the entire conflict in Iraq has been surrounded by misinformation form both the media and politicians. Before that, Afghanistan was equally distorted, but once we entered Iraq, suddenly the left decided they supported Afghanistan all along, even though they had been calling it the "next Viet Name" until Iraq became the next "next Viet Nam".

Ah, but as KenUSA said, facts aren't going to convince anyone on the other side.

The Provinicial Powers Act is staunchly opposed by all but the Kurds and the SCII/DAWA. It is in fact the major stumbling block to the amendment of the Constitution, something you never here mentioned when it is cited as a sign of progress. It is in fact the Iranians who wanted the provincial authorty act passed because it creates an oil rich zone headed by their invention the SCII, and leaves the central gov't toothless.

The pension, DeBath, and Amnesty laws could eventually be important moves but they depend on judicial interpretation, and guess what...Iraq still has no functioning judiciary. Another important benchmark one never hears about.

The Maliki gov't has been 'committed' to integrating the SOI for 18 months now, but the SCII has been pushing back. In fact, I don't know where you get your numbers, but if they are correct the 21,000 are close to the limit the gov't agreed to accept. So what of the remaining 60k armed former militants?

Most importantly, no analysis here of the fall provincial elections. That is where the rubber will hit the road.

I couldn’t have said it better. The purpose of the post is to provide factual ammo to anyone combating misinformation and propaganda.

I agree that most in the ultra-left can’t be swayed. They have vehemently staked their claim in defeat and anti-Bush rhetoric. However, there are clear thinking independents and fence voters who will consider the facts, and more importantly, recognize defeatism.

Thanks for the comments.

Ciao, Tim

Thanks for the thoughtful comments.

The source for this article is: http://iraqstatusreport.com/. The link is at the beginning of my post.

Here is an article written by Dave Price, a contributing editor at “Deans World”, that might address your concerns better than I ever could: http://www.deanesmay.com/2008/05/12/sadr-surrenders-msm-de clares-him-victor/

You are correct; there is no analysis of the provincial elections...or anything else. As stated above, it is a collection of facts posited to dispel agenda driven myth.

You sound like a smart, well informed guy. But with all due respect, I trust Gen Petraeus and his staff has a better clue on events in Iraq than anyone residing here.

Please don’t get me wrong. I sincerely think it’s a good thing that someone with your intelligence is well informed and taking an interest, in what I believe, is the most important issue. Having said that, I know who has the best gouge and experience for decision making. More importantly, I understand what the General’s agenda is...to win.

Ciao, Tim

For your kind words. My real concern is that we have an opportunity right now to put Maliki's feet to fire in terms of integrating non-Shiite elements into the gov't and marginalizing his ailing Iranian backed coaltion partner Al-Hakim, but we can't do so without a deeper examination of the forces we are defending.

...is, in reality, just a battle in the greater war against islamofascism which should have been prosecuted to conclusion by September 21, 2001 through a real shock and awe offensive of our and our allies' navies ans air forces.