To Petreaus/Crocker: "...improved security involvement...has led to increased opportunity...reconcilliation has moved forward....much more needs to be done....today, it is possible to talk with real hope and optimism about the future of Iraq and the outcome of our efforts there....".... demonstrations erupt.... McCain warns of "terrible" consequences if troop withdrawal begins now...
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From all parties, it drives me mad when the "questioning" of such witnesses involves delivering a soliloquy. At most a couple of sentences on background, followed by a reasonable yet pointed question ("Are the problems preventing reconciliation among Iraq's groups something on which our military can have any significant effect?"), is 10 times better for getting your point across. And makes use of Crocker's and Petraeus's presence--otherwise everyone could just record their solemn rants, their young staff could post them to YouTube, and Crocker and Petraeus could totally promise to check them out when they had time.
Posted by Deborah | April 8, 2008 9:59 AM