Or, Open Letter to a Certain Someone
Let's agree to disagree about the strategic value of the Iraq war, shall we? Suffice to say that I believe the long-term benefits will outweigh the short-term drawbacks, and that while I admit that it is a huge gamble, it is a risk worth taking, for the long-term benefits it will bring if successful (and also because I'm convinced that the consequences of not taking this risk would be worse than the consequences of taking this risk and failing).
I know you disagree with me on these points. We've both presented the best arguments we can in favor of our positions. Neither of us is going to change the other's mind.
What's more, it will be several years before we have any clear idea about which of us is right, and which of us is wrong. Only time will resolve this disgreement for us.
In the mean time, what are my options? What would you recommend a good conservative do?
I couldn't really vote for Kerry, since as a "liberal" Democrat he'd be even more likely to increase spending and expand government power (without even getting a war on to to justify it). Not only that, but other than opposing the Iraq thing, he didn't really have a plan for fighting terrorism. In fact, I have yet to hear a single Democrat say anything substantial at all on the subject of immigration reform (for example) in the context of the war on terror. If the Bush plan is so bad, where's the Clinton plan?
For that matter, where's your plan?
How about this: You come up with a solid, detailed plan for combating terror. Take into account state sponsors of terror, the occasional necessity of choosing the lesser of two evils, the various trade-offs in liberty and security your plan would require, and the amount of collateral damage you expect and would be willing to accept if your plan was implemented. Post your plan on JU, and defend it fiercely in debate. If it turns out to hold together better than the Bush plan (which shouldn't be too hard; even I have some doubts about the Bush plan), and one of your liberal candidates adopts your plan or something like it as part of their campaign platform, I will vote for them or support their candicacy in any way I can.
Ready?
Go!