PARTISAN SCREAM MACHINE

Bush sought to reinvigorate support for his foreign endevours during his Veteren's Day address in Pennsylvania (as a note, I'm going to have to say NYTimes' article headline is a bit harsh. I think it's fair for Bush to retaliate when he's being so critically challenged by Congressional Democrats). He criticized Dems for trying to revise history, saying:

As president and commander in chief, I (accept ?) the responsibilities and the criticisms and the consequences that come with such a solemn decision. While it's perfectly legitimate to criticize my decisions or the conduct of the war, it is deeply irresponsible to rewrite the history of how that war began.

Wow... uhhhhhhh. Here, how about a refesher for everyone. Remember how we were all sold (well, a majority of the public at least) on WMD, nukes, and Saddam's conncetions with bin Laden and Al Qaida? But then this:

Our mission in Iraq is clear. We are hunting down the terrorists. We are helping Iraqis build a free nation that is an ally in the war on terror. We are advancing freedom in the broader Middle East. We are removing a source of violence and instability — and laying the foundation of peace for our children and our grandchildren.

Hey, why are the terrorists in Iraq right now? What happened to WMD and bin Laden? Do you really want to talk about rewriting history? Yes the Dems are a bit out of line. They said the exact same stuff as Repubs before the war. But then this from Bush today:

Two weeks ago, in Operation Clean Sweep, Iraq and coalition forces raided 350 houses south of Baghdad, capturing more than 40 of the terrorist killers. Acting on tips from local citizens, our forces have recently launched airstrikes against terrorist safe houses in and around the towns of Obeidi and Husaybah. We brought to justice two key senior al Qaeda terrorist leaders. And in Mosul, coalition forces killed an al Qaeda cell leader named Musslit, who was personally involved in at least three videotaped beheadings. We're on the hunt. We're keeping pressure on the enemy.

Great, just great. The War on Terror Bush wanted the entire time has come to him. But this is hardly the time to criticize anyone about rewriting history.