To the Editor:
Many of my fellow progressives disagree with President Obama’s decision to send an additional 30,000 troops to Afghanistan. In my view, he deserves the benefit of the doubt on this decision.
The reckless assault on Iraq was based on hubris, ignorance and an absurdly Pollyannish view of the likely consequences (not to mention the lack of a clear connection with any national interest of the United States). Both this country and the Iraqi population have suffered deeply as a result.
In contrast, President Obama has been forced to choose among a series of bad options in Afghanistan. He has done so with admirable deliberation and thought. He may or may not have made the right decision. Time will tell. But the process by which he reached his determination cannot be faulted, and I believe that it is premature to say, without knowing the eventual outcome, that it is wrong. [Boldface added by KBJ.]
Richard Cohen
Davis, Calif., Dec. 2, 2009
Note from KBJ: Did the letter writer wait to see how the invasion of Iraq turned out before "faulting" President Bush? It has turned out well, has it not? Therefore, by the letter writer's standard, President Bush did the right thing. One standard, please, not separate standards for presidents you like and presidents you dislike.
Keith Burgess-Jackson, J.D., Ph.D. 