Dean's World

By a significant margin, Americans now believe we are going to succeed.

And even Hollywood is getting on board; Angelina Jolie (!) is advocating we stay and help Iraqis build their new democracy, in an op-ed published by the Washington Post:

My visit left me even more deeply convinced that we not only have a moral obligation to help displaced Iraqi families, but also a serious, long-term, national security interest in ending this crisis.

Today's humanitarian crisis in Iraq — and the potential consequences for our national security — are great.
...
What we cannot afford, in my view, is to squander the progress that has been made.
...
And when I asked the troops if they wanted to go home as soon as possible, they said that they miss home but feel invested in Iraq.

Do they ever:

After completing two tours in Iraq, Sgt. Wayne Leyde won $1 million from a scratch-and-win lotto ticket on Tuesday.

Now that he's won, Leyde, a 26-year-old member of the Washington National Guard, says he's still going to volunteer to go back to Iraq for a third tour and won't spend any of the money in the meantime.
...
I met the most amazing marine in Fallujah - Gunny William Gibson from Pryor, Oklahoma - his friends call him Spanky. Gunny Gibson lost his entire leg after an Iraqi sniper fired a round through his knee in Ramadi in 2006 - May 16, 2006 - just 19 months ago. He is the first full leg amputee to be returned to the fight - redeployed as an active marine. This Gunny had been in the marines for 18 years - that is who he is. He said all he wanted to do was get back into the fight. He said returning to Iraq was his first step back to feeling like he was a marine again. He runs half marathons with his prosthetic and it was when he swam in a race from Alcatraz and ended up at the feet of General Mattis out in California. As he emerged from the water General Mattis asked him what he could do for him - he said, “Sir, send me back to Iraq.”

This is all reminiscent of last year's interview with UPI's Pamela Hess.

"...and he's talking to me very low, under the chatter, and what he said was 'Every morning I wake up, and I feel like I'm pushing a little girl out of the way of a bus. And I pick her up, and I bring her to the other side of the road, and I've saved that little girl,' he said, 'every day I feel like that.' And in fact that is what s happening there. I can't tell you--"

(link)

Scott McLoud (mail):

To Jolie,

Wow, I guess having children does make one less narcissistic and more responsible.

What she said was dead on and what I've been saying for years.

2.29.2008 3:45pm

Dean Esmay:

It's refreshing to hear someone in Hollywood saying what's been so obvious to so many of us for so long.

Let's hope no one mistakes her for one of the dreaded "neocons."

2.29.2008 3:54pm

2.29.2008 4:11pm

Tom Hawkson:

By the way, will the people who continually use "a majority of the American people now agree that going to Iraq was a mistake" and translate it as "a majority agree we should turn tail and leave as quickly as possible" now stop?

Maybe some of them.

We are having an unusually civil and detailed discussion about success in Iraq and whether to stay at That Other Place.

Yours,
Wince

2.29.2008 7:24pm

Commenting on Dean's World is a privilege, not a right. Dean is your host, you are his guest, and you should behave in that fashion. Dean is not your babysitter, nor is he your punching bag. Please remember this. In general, you are free to disagree with anyone on any subject you wish, but abusive behavior will not be tolerated.

Of course we all lose our tempers now and then. Dean freely admits to being imperfect in this regard, which is why regulars to this establishment will generally be cut more slack than people who we don't know very well.

Still: behave like an adult, or go find somewhere else to play. Thanks.