Where's the Center in the Iraq debate?

I consider myself a Centrist. However, I find myself writing Blogs about the Iraq debate, much more Left than in the middle of the debate between Republicans and Democrats. Is the Centrist position to stay the course in Iraq for the long haul, supporting the military's tactics and waving the flag or is it advocating an immediate withdrawal from Iraq and bringing all the troops home?

It appears that the Democrats have found a new middle ground and are staking it out. It is to ensure the well being of our troops by ensuring that they spend as much time at home with their families as they spend in Iraq. This Amendment to the funding Bill is being put forward by Sen. Webb D-VA. Yesterday on Meet the Press Sen. John Kerry D-MA argued for a change in mission there to training the Iraqi Army, fighting al Qaeda and securing the borders of Iraq. It looks as though the Democrats have found the middle and are trying to stake out this middle ground and bring along some Republicans with them.

Being a Centrist it was difficult arguing for the exact middle of previous arguments between Republicans and Democrats because the American people had moved away from the Republicans to the point where over 70% wanted the troops home. This middle ground seems more reasonable and balanced and should garner enough support for Moderate Republicans to leave President Bush with his unyielding position, to join Democrats. Let's hope we can bring along the American people with this Centrist position. We may lose some Democrats on this issue but that might not be a bad thing if a more reasonable course of action in Iraq would emerge.

The missing element in this entire Iraq equation was articulated yesterday by Senator Kerry. He asked, "Where's Condi Rice?" I had posted a topic on her whereabouts back on July 9th in a piece titled, "Where's Condoleezza Rice? " Here's that post:

"With all the talk that we can't win militarily in Iraq and that we need a diplomatic solution, where's Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice hiding? Has anyone seen her in the past 30-45 days? Could it be she went back to Stanford to teach summer courses, or is she taking a long needed vacation with the Iraqi parliament this summer?"

With the Congress ready to bring up some Amendments to the funding of the war Bills to include endorsing the Iraqi Study Group recommendations for a diplomatic push to involve Iran, Syria and other neighbors of Iraq, Condi isn't to be found anywhere. But then again, she has had plenty of time to get those parties to the table to discuss diplomatic solutions to end the violence. We may need someone other than Condi for this as she is reminding me daily of FEMA's 'Brownie'."

Where's Condoleezza Rice? (Update below)

With all the talk that we can't win militarily in Iraq and that we need a diplomatic solution, where's Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice hiding? Has anyone seen her in the past 30-45 days? Could it be she went back to Stanford to teach summer courses, or is she taking a long needed vacation with the Iraqi parliament this summer?

With the Congress ready to bring up some Amendments to the funding of the war Bills to include endorsing the Iraqi Study Group recommendations for a diplomatic push to involve Iran, Syria and other neighbors of Iraq, Condi isn't to be found anywhere. But then again, she has had plenty of time to get those parties to the table to discuss diplomatic solutions to end the violence. We may need someone other than Condi for this as she is reminding me daily of FEMA's "Brownie".

UPDATE: July 12, 2007 As reported by newKerala.com the latest news on Condi:

"No show for Rice at ASEAN meeting?

Bangkok, July 12: US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is expected to cancel her scheduled attendance at this month's meeting of South-East Asia foreign ministers in Manila, Thai media reports said Thursday.

The cancellation has disappointed the member countries of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) as the ministerial meeting was intended to strengthen ties between the US and the regional grouping, a Bangkok-based diplomat told the Nation newspaper.

The source blamed Rice's no-show on rising criticisms in the US of the Iraqi quagmire, which has forced all US cabinet ministers to remain close to home.

President George W. Bush cancelled his scheduled attendance at the ASEAN-US friendship meeting in Singapore last week. Singapore will host the annual ASEAN summit in November, which the US president may attend.

ASEAN, a four-decades old regional grouping, includes Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
--- IANS"

Anyone seen Condi? Please add a comment.

Condi Rice laughs at Administration's mistakes with Katrina- Get serious for a change!

Condi Rice laughed while delivering her response to questions on ABC's This Week with respect to discoveries that aid from other countries for Hurricane Katrina never made it to help the victims, was lost, spoiled over time because they were perishables or because our government refused the aid. She responded to questions with "certainly mistakes were made", but did so, not with some regret, but with a wide smile. What's so humorous Dr. Rice? Maybe if it was your family down there in New Orleans still trying to make it you wouldn't be so glib. Get serious, you are all incompetent even when you jest, and that's not anything worthy of a laugh!

I'm sick of the lack of sincerity by Condi Rice, Dick Cheney and President Bush. Everything has political spin, even grief. Hide you heads in shame.