Cut the 'Cut & Run' Crap

As far as I know, the phrase 'cut-and-run' was thrust forward into the public's dialogue by the pro-Iraq-war Republicans in the US. And, like everything else that starts in America, it eventually trickled on down into Australia. It was - and still is - used by John Howard and Alexander Downer and those other low-lives in our federal government with a great deal of enthusiasm when they bag any person who suggests that perhaps the best thing for us to do is withdraw from that catastrophic mess.

I have always thought that 'cut-and-run' was, like everything else that comes out of George W.'s mouth, extremely simplistic and stupid. It seems that anyone in favour of withdrawal - in order to stop the killing of soldiers and to perhaps calm the widespread and completely understandable anti-American feeling in Iraq - is branded as a 'cut-and-runner'. We hear it all the time from George, from Tony, from John... 'We're not gonna cut-and-run like they would'.

Now, it seems that some of those opposed to our presence in Iraq have begun using the term as a way to describe their policy of withdrawal! And journalists, when describing the two main alternative policies, point to the approach of 'staying the course' and, on the other hand, the approach of 'cutting and running'. You know what? I think they've been watching too much GWB.

Simplicity and vagueness are the latest trends apparently.

Why do we look at a problem as complex and delicate as Iraq through such black-and-white eyes?

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The death toll of American soldiers in Iraq will very soon pass 3000. Yes... Let us reflect... In response to a terrorist attack that kills 3000 Americans, the American President proceeds to kill another 3000 Americans... The Bush Doctrine indeed.

Our John makes some darn good friends, doesn't he?