Informed Speculation

Of course, it’s anonymously sourced, like everything else PlameGate related…

Meanwhile, in far more important news, President Bush addressed the Joint Armed Forces ‘Wives’ Luncheon yesterday, as you probably know. You can read the transcript here. This is the story that must not got lost in the buzzing, the reason why we are in Iraq:

With the greater economic and military and political power they seek, the terrorists would be able to advance their stated agenda: to develop weapons of mass destruction; to destroy Israel; to intimidate Europe; to assault the American people; and to blackmail our government into isolation.

…Some have argued that extremism has been strengthened by the actions of our coalition in Iraq, claiming that our presence in that country has somehow caused or triggered the rage of radicals. I would remind them that we were not in Iraq on September 11th, 2001, and al Qaeda attacked us anyway. The hatred of the radicals existed before Iraq was an issue, and it will exist after Iraq is no longer an excuse.

…Some observers question the durability of democracy in Iraq. They underestimate the power and appeal of freedom. We’ve heard it suggested Iraq’s democracy must be on shaky ground because Iraqis are arguing with each other. (Laughter.) That’s the essence of democracy. (Laughter.) You make your case; you debate those who disagree with you; you build consensus by persuasion; and you answer to the will of the people.

We’ve heard it said that the Shia and Sunnis and Kurds of Iraq are too divided to form a lasting democracy. In fact, democratic federalism is the best hope for unifying a diverse population, because a federal constitutional system respects the rights and religious traditions of all citizens, while giving all minorities, including the Sunnis, a stake and a voice in the future of their country.

It’s true that the seeds of freedom have only recently been planted in Iraq, but democracy, when it grows, is not a fragile flower, it’s a healthy, sturdy tree. As Americans, we believe that people everywhere prefer freedom to slavery, and that liberty, once chosen, improves the lives of all. And so we’re confident; as our coalition and the Iraqi people each do their part, Iraqi democracy will succeed.

That’s what 2,000 Americans have died for; that’s the real story. Yes, the drama of PlameGate is drowning things out now; that’s to be expected, for a time. But the larger story will remain long after the world has forgotten Joe Wilson…