More on Bush supporting the troops...

Links and stuff for this week's cartoon:

• The main inspirations for the 'toon were the last two episodes of Frontline, which I thought were interesting for the contrasting perspectives they offer on the Iraq War. The episode "Bush War" certainly was a thorough attempt at covering the behind-the-scenes events that led to the war. However, as they recap all of the political gamesmanship that has occurred within the Bush administration, the true weight of their crimes gets lost. At some point in the portrayal, it almost starts to seem like their monstrous actions are excusable as simply being the result of "business-as-usual" in Washington. Those of us who don't live in that moral vacuum know better.
  
  The next episode touches a little more on the true consequences of a pointless war. "Bad Voodoo's War" follows a National Guard platoon as they do "convoy security missions" day after day for months on end in 130 degree heat, all the while being forced to simply cross their fingers and hope they don't get killed by an IED or small arms fire. After their tour is over, they get to go home, battle PTSD, and if they're lucky enough to still have all their limbs, get stop-lossed and go do it all over again. Repeat for the next 100 years.
  
  
• Of course, the other main inspiration for the 'toon was the litany of asinine quotes we've been given by Bush and Cheney lately.
  
  Cheney:
  

  Noting the burden placed on military families, the vice president said the biggest burden is carried by President George W. Bush, who made the decision to commit US troops to war, and reminded the public that U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan volunteered for duty.

  
  Cheney:
  

  "So?"
  
  Vice President Cheney, March 19, when asked about the American public's disapproval of the Iraq War.

  
  Bush:
  

  "I must say, I'm a little envious. If I were slightly younger and not employed here, I think it would be a fantastic experience to be on the front lines of helping this young democracy succeed. It must be exciting for you...in some ways romantic, in some ways, you know, confronting danger. You're really making history, and thanks."
  
  President Bush, March 13, speaking by videoconference to American military and civilian personnel in Afghanistan.

  
  
• Spencer Ackerman:
  

  We need to ask "if we left tomorrow, what would happen in Iraq?" and from there, we need to determine which of those anticipated results are unacceptable to us. Then we must aim our efforts on making sure those unacceptable results do not occur. When I look at the problem that way, it becomes almost impossible to find a purpose in what we do. Regardless of what we do, the Shia are going to take control. They have completely infiltrated all the security forces. The only kind of leader who could keep them in check was a tyrant like Saddam. And when the Shia take control, as soon as we leave, they are going to be as brutal as they like against the Sunni and there will be little we can do about it. That is what will happen whether we leave tomorrow or in ten years. As far as the foreign fighters, they will leave Iraq when we do. So what are we trying to accomplish here? Train the Iraqi forces? History shows that training forces in the Middle East can backfire. Any training we offer these people will find its way to our terrorist enemies.