Requirements for troops in Iraq

I like this new approach to preventing President Bush from escalating the war in Iraq, namely, by blocking new deployments by requiring troops to meet a series of conditions and training guidelines. It makes perfect sense and only an idiot or insane person could argue against requiring fresh troops to have proper training. To me, it seems unconscionable for troops being sent into the line of fire not to have a proper rest from the front line, proper personal protection, proper vehicle protection, proper rest, a clear mission, a date certain that will be able to leave, and a commander in chief who refuses to seek the support of the representatives of the people.

But, it seems rather silly to me to resort to such a convoluted strategy rather than simply pulling the plug and simply cutting funding until the President submits a "war plan" that Congress is overwhelmingly willing to fund.

And, I would say that if Congress doesn't feel strongly enough about the quagmire in Iraq to push for impeachment, then maybe they should simply say their piece and promptly sit down, shut up, and stay out of the way.

Congress should either support the President (albeit with reservations) or impeach him, but hog-tying him seems like a glorious waste of time, even though it is sure to score bonus political points and be loads of fun to boot.

In short, if Congress wishes to add requirements for deploying fresh troops to Iraq, that's great and I'm all for it, but Congress should then also have the common sense to give the President amble time and resources to implement those new "requirements."

-- Jack Krupansky