The spleech

Preznit's address to the nation had some fascinating moments of deeply confused logic.

The consequences of failure are clear: Radical Islamic extremists would grow in strength and gain new recruits. They would be in a better position to topple moderate governments, create chaos in the region and use oil revenues to fund their ambitions. Iran would be emboldened in its pursuit of nuclear weapons. Our enemies would have a safe haven from which to plan and launch attacks on the American people.

That assumes the various Shi'a and Sunni factions would placidly allow religious groups to take control of the oil reserves that they'll be fighting to the death for.

On September the 11th, 2001, we saw what a refuge for extremists on the other side of the world could bring to the streets of our own cities. For the safety of our people, America must succeed in Iraq.

Funny, it was my impression that the hijackers were from Egypt by way of Hamburg, Germany, funded by money from Saudi Arabia. And now, the spiritual leader is living in Pakistan.

The Iraqi government will appoint a military commander and two deputy commanders for their capital. The Iraqi government will deploy Iraqi Army and National Police brigades across Baghdad's nine districts.

When these forces are fully deployed, there will be 18 Iraqi Army and National Police brigades committed to this effort, along with local police. These Iraqi forces will operate from local police stations; conducting patrols, setting up checkpoints, and going door- to-door to gain the trust of Baghdad residents.

Well, that inspires confidence. And I'm sure having the Iraqi police go "door-to-door" in Baghdad will gain the trust of its residents.

In earlier operations, political and sectarian interference prevented Iraqi and American forces from going into neighborhoods that are home to those fueling the sectarian violence. This time, Iraqi and American forces will have a green light to enter these neighborhoods. And Prime Minister Maliki has pledged that political or sectarian interference will not be tolerated.

And do what? The assumption here, as has so often been the case with Bush's war plans, is that the opposition will do what we want them to do. Never mind the idea that Maliki will give the green light to going after the Sadr brigade, far-fetched enough. But the idea that the brigade will decide to go toe to toe with armored American troops is ridiculous. They will float away, alive to fight another day.

And then the whole thing gets silly. My favorite:

And Secretary Rice will soon appoint a reconstruction coordinator in Baghdad to ensure better results for economic assistance being spent in Iraq.

Heckuva job, Brownie.

Acting on the good advice of Senator Joe Lieberman and other key members of Congress, we will form a new, bipartisan working group that will help us come together across party lines to win the war on terror. This group will meet regularly with me and my Administration, and it will help strengthen our relationship with Congress.

Joementum! Feel it!

Yet times of testing reveal the character of a nation.

And, throughout our history, Americans have always defied the pessimists and seen our faith in freedom redeemed. Now America is engaged in a new struggle that will set the course for a new century. We can and we will prevail.

Read his lips: No new taxes.