reality-based educator

If the war in Iraq is making Americans safer, that is:

In the hearings' most stunning moment so far, Sen. John Warner (R-VA) asked Gen. Petraeus if success in the Iraq war will make America safer. His response -- by far the most surprising moment of the hearings -- was a blunt "I don't know." This is the first time that any general officer, let alone the commanding general in Iraq, has ever equivocated on whether success in Iraq will contribute to U.S. security.

Here's the whole exchange:

During the Q&A round at the armed services committee, Senator John Warner, the Virginia Republican ... asked Petraeus a pointed question:

"Do you feel that [Iraq war] is making America safer"?

Petraeus paused before responding. He then said:

"I believe this is indeed the best course of action to achieve our objectives in Iraq."

That was, of course, a non-answer. And Warner wasn't going to let the general dodge the bullet. He repeated the question:

"Does the [Iraq war] make America safer?"

Petraeus replied, "I don't know, actually. I have not sat down and sorted in my own mind."

Andrew Sullivan says Petraeus' inability to answer Senator Warner's simple, blunt question shows just how deep into "mission creep" the U.S.

They don't even know if the war is helping or hurting.

All they know is - keep going.

No retreat, no surrender.

Even if the war effort in Iraq is actually hurting the safety of the American homeland.

Of course, if the objective is simply to delay the inevitable retreat and defeat to the next president, as I think it is for both Bush and Petraeus, then no wonder they can't answer Warner's question.

They don't really care about that.

All they care about is saving Bush's ass and leaving the mess to the next administration to clean up.

What venomous, disgusting human beings these people are.