"Iraq, an ally of the United States, is fighting for its survival. Terrorists and extremists who are at war with us around the world are seeking to topple Iraq's government, dominate the region, and attack us here at home. If Iraq's young democracy can turn back these enemies, it will mean a more hopeful Middle East and a more secure America. This ally has placed its trust in the United States. And tonight, our moral and strategic imperatives are one: We must help Iraq defeat those who threaten its future and also threaten ours."

Let us count the pile of Bush Shit, starting with the word "ally":

How many allies of the United States have we invaded recently? How many former enemies, now allies of the United States, have American troops on their soil? Japan and Germany, you say. Sure. Now ask how many American military lives have been lost in Germany and Japan due to hostile enemy action since the American occupation began 60 years ago. The answer is in the hundreds. Now ask how many Americans have dies from enemy action since Mission Accomplished as announced in May 2003. The answer is approaching 4,000.

Bush is actiing like the do-nothing, sectarian Iraqi Parliament is an American ally instead of a corrupt obstructionist legislative body that hasn't done dick since the Constitution was adopted. Bush is acting like the Iraqi army is a viable partner in the war on terror, instead of a Shiite-controlled, Baathist-infected snakepit just waiting for the opportunity to ramp up ethnic cleansing without American military interference.

Bush says Iraq is under attack by the same enemy "at war with us." No, Iraq is under attack by the same enemies Iraq has always been under attack from -- its own people. Yes, there are foreign fighters in Iraq Al Queda. But their goal is more about spreading Islamic fundamentalism and anti-Americanism on Arab soil than "toppling" Iraq's toddling democracy.

Bush directly links the those "who threaten" Iraq with those who "who threaten our" future. Meaning, if we don't fight them there, we'll be fighting them here. Where have we heard that before? Oh, yeah. Vietnam. We were told that if we didn't defeat the Communists in Southeast Asia we'd be fighting them in San Francsico next. And so 58,000 Americans died in a war we lost to the Communists and the last time I checked that invasion armada of Vietnamese Communists is still somewhere at sea awaiting orders to attack Alcatraz. All Vietnam has done since the Communists took over has been to fill our Wal-Marts with cheap textiles, including -- I swear to God -- American flags!

Look for the "Made in Vietnam" tags. It'll break your heart.

Bush got us into this jam, and for all the wrong reasons. His speech made it clear that he's still a slave to his neo-con ideologist advisors. He's the "decider" all right, and he's decided to let the next president inherit his mess. And no sooner will the next president -- a Democrat, of course -- do what needs to be done in response to something that never should have been done, then the Republican jackals will be braying about cowardly Democrats.

Go ride your bicycle, Mr. President. Only you would have invented a wheel complete with feet you can stick in your mouth.