I'm not saying they shouldn't. I was thinking as i was typing that maybe it's not really a good idea to put out a detailed plan right now. Maybe becuase of the moral of the troops and maybe becuase of the fact there are no good answers.
What we are looking for, or at least what you seem to be getting at, is a strategic and tactical plan in Iraq. That's really something for the president and the generals.
And 240 does have a point. IMO, It's been 4 days.
I think they have no stones. Many of them believe we should pull out. They should get behind Kennedy and support a timed withdrawal if that's what they believe.
I think I would be much more patient if they hadn't already proposed a legislative agenda before taking over and actually voted on measures right after taking over. Often, especially at the state level, both the executive and legislative branches know precisely what they are going to propose, oppose, etc. BEFORE the session even starts. Here is an example, from Governor Lingle in Hawaii (our session has not started yet):
Plan for economic innovation unveiled By Derrick DePledge
Advertiser Government Writer
Gov. Linda Lingle introduced her ideas yesterday at the state Capitol to create school academies specializing in science and technology.
JOAQUIN SIOPACK | The Honolulu Advertiser
GOVERNOR'S INNOVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE
Education and training in science and technology is a cornerstone of Lingle's plan to gear Hawai'i's workforce to the global economy.
INNOVATION IN EDUCATION
Create science and technology "academies" in middle and high schools.
Pay tuition of academy graduates who go to college in Hawai'i.
Increase college tuition tax deduction to up to $20,000.
Give K-12 teachers of math and science opportunities for refresher courses at UH.
Increase commercial spinoff from UH research.
Add three endowed faculty chairs at UH for science and technology.
INNOVATION IN THE ECONOMY
Develop a digital media center for film post-production and computer game development.
Develop a center for music production and promotion.
Support private sector life sciences and biotechnology research facilty in Kaka'ako.
Create $100 million Hawai'i Innovation Fund to provide capital for promising emerging companies.
Create a Hawai'i Innovation Council to guide public and private sector initiatives.
INNOVATION IN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Create 401K-type accounts in which workers could set aside pre-tax earnings, matched by employers, for job training.
Develop the ability to rapidly train workers in specific fields as business opportunities arise.
Help businesses identify and lure home skilled kama'aina workers now working away from Hawai'i.
Expand opportunities for high school students to gain experience through business internship and mentorships.
INNOVATION IN LINKING HAWAI'I TO GLOBAL ECONOMY
Support international activities in Hawai'i and ties to the Pacific region through the Office of International Affairs and a new International Affairs Council.
Position Hawai'i as the Asia-Pacific gathering place for meetings on economic, security, health and other issues.
Help middle and high school students find opportunities to study abroad.
Make all state permits accessible online by 2010, except those prohibited by law.
Provide free wireless Internet access in public areas of all state buildings, libraries and schools.
Expand affordable wirelsss broadband service on all islands.
Store more government documents digitally and strive for "paperless" state offices.
Create a position of chief information technology officer in the state administration.
Hoping to provide the creative spark for a new generation of Island scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs, Gov. Linda Lingle announced a series of initiatives yesterday to promote innovation and help move the state's economy away from land development.
The two-year, $30 million plan includes new school academies that would specialize in science and technology, a state-backed college scholarship program for science-based graduates, state investments in the life sciences, digital media and music, and incentives for workers to save money that can be used to upgrade their job skills and remain competitive as technology evolves.
Taken individually, none of the governor's ideas match the provocative rhetoric last month in her second inauguration speech, in which she vowed to shift the focus of the state's economy from land development. But collectively, her plan stitches together several promising initiatives that could help diversify an economy overly dependent on tourism, land development and the military.
Lingle, at an afternoon news conference at the state Capitol, said the administration would set measurable goals. The administration believes the plan, if approved by the state Legislature and fully implemented, would raise average household income, increase the number of jobs that pay more than $50,000 a year, and substantially reduce the number of students who enter college needing remedial help in math and other basic subjects.
INITIATING DIALOGUE
Lingle said she wanted to start a dialogue on innovation with lawmakers, educators and the business community. While some of her advisers and partners described the plan as bold and even breathtaking, the governor called it a modest investment with the potential to yield big results.
"Innovation is so important because it's the only way, in our opinion, to preserve the quality of life while raising the standard of living," she said. "It's a clear pathway to sustainability."
The plan has been in the works for months, but Lingle was inspired by a visit this month to New Hampshire, where she met with Dean Kamen, the inventor of the Segway scooter, and attended the opening of his annual school robotics competition. She acknowledged that many of her initiatives have already been tried in some form or have been suggested by state lawmakers in the past, but never in such a comprehensive package. . . .
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070113/NEWS03/701130337
