Drill, Baby, Drill and “God’s Plan” in Iraq

For those of us interested in a positive future for our nation and our world – indeed, for any future at all – the Republican convention was disturbing for any number of reasons. Two signature moments, however, were “Drill, Baby, Drill” and the revelations about Vice-Presidential nominee Sarah Palin’s views on foreign policy.

“Drill, Baby, Drill” was first uttered during a speech by Michael Steele, former Maryland Lt. Governor and current head of GOPAC (Newt Gingrich’s political action committee). It was enthusiastically picked up by the convention delegates, who chanted it frequently during the rest of the convention. It is hard to imagine a more glaringly callous disregard for the future of our planet, and therefore the future of all life including us, than to joyously call for ever more drilling for oil. For these folks, it seems, global warming is not only a giant hoax, it’s a huge joke as well.

Alaska Governor Palin’s views on foreign policy were a little better hidden at the convention, but have emerged quickly enough over the internet. And to all appearances she is right in line with George W. Bush’s messianic view of the world. Speaking recently in front of her former church, the Wasilla Assembly of God, Ms. Palin exclaimed that “our national leaders are sending [U.S. soldiers] out on a task that is from God. That’s what we have to make sure that we’re praying for,” she added, “that there is a plan and that that plan is God’s plan.”

Let’s be clear about two things here. First, President Bush and the rest of our national leaders have not been sending U.S. soldiers on a task from God. They have dishonored their country, our military, and their oath to the Constitution by sending our soldiers into harm’s way in a war based on deception and lies.

And second, there is no such thing as “God’s plan” for this war, or for any war. God does not support or participate in human wars. If God does anything in the face of the immense and tragic human folly that is war, it is to weep.

As extreme as these statements are, though, it is sobering to realize that Democrats generally play right along with the central themes. So when Mr. Bush focused his weekly radio address on the “need” for offshore oil drilling earlier this summer, the Democratic response – delivered by my opponent in this race, Chris Van Hollen – began with the words “Let me be clear, Democrats support more drilling.” Not quite as in-your-face as “drill, baby, drill,” perhaps, but talk about blowing an opportunity to define a new energy future for our country, and to distinguish yourself from the opposition. (And you just watch, as the Democratically controlled Congress is about to capitulate on off-shore drilling.)

With regard to Iraq, it was disheartening to hear the Democrats’ standard bearer, Barack Obama, say during an interview with Fox’s Bill O’Reilly that the “surge” in Iraq has “succeeded beyond our wildest dreams.” That will no doubt be welcome news to the relatives of the million plus Iraqis who have died during our occupation, or to the 4-5 million Iraqi refugees created during the past five years. Sen. Obama went on to state that we must continue to “go after” Al Qaeda, the Taliban and “a host of networks” – he is in favor of expanding the war in Afghanistan and Pakistan – and the he would “never” take the military option off the table with respect to Iran.

The sad truth is that Barack and the vast majority of Democrats are simply incapable of formulating, articulating or defending a fundamentally different foreign policy for our country, or of presenting a narrative to the American public that does not focus on war as central to our policy and our national self-image. This campaign will endeavor to do all of those things.

Meanwhile, in the real world of war, there has been a rash of civilian deaths in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Afghan President Hamid Karzai has condemned recent U.S. military operations in his country, and the Pakistani government filed a formal complaint over U.S. attacks in theirs – attacks, which in addition to killing innocent civilians, were also a gross violation of Pakistani sovereignty and international law.

In Iraq, U.S. “mistaken fire” killed 6 members of Iraqi’s security forces, including members of the “Awakening,” the Sunni fighters that we have paid and armed to fight with us, and some of whom are now quitting as a result. In the words of one of those who left, 18 year old Ali Younis, “we don’t feel safe working with the Awakening anymore because of the American forces.”

Sound like God’s plan to anyone?

For more on recent developments in Afghanistan and Pakistan, read our latest press release on our website (link in the upper right hand corner).