Bush says terror war may be unwinnable

From the AP via the Houston Chronicle:

President Bush ignited a Democratic inferno of criticism today by suggesting the war on terrorism could not be won, forcing his aides to scramble to defend his remarks just as he had hoped to bask in convention accolades.

Bush sought to emphasize the economy -- New Hampshire's appears to be on a rebound -- but his comments on terrorism dominated national attention.

In an interview on NBC-TV's "Today" show, Bush vowed to stay the course in the war on terror, saying perseverance in the battle would make the world safer for future generations. But he suggested an all-out victory against terrorism might not be possible.

Asked "Can we win?" Bush said, "I don't think you can win it. But I think you can create conditions so that the -- those who use terror as a tool are less acceptable in parts of the world."

Uh...could he possibly mean what he says? Hmm, we need a little clarification and spin:

White House spokesman Scott McClellan sought to clarify the president's remarks, telling reporters, "He was talking about winning it in the conventional sense ... about how this is a different kind of war and we face an unconventional enemy."

Click here for the rest.

I think that, whatever Bush actually meant, he had it right the first time: we cannot win a war on terrorism. Terrorism is a tactic; trying to beat it in a war is like trying to beat karate or something. An old friend, Jim, who conincidentally introduced me to my wife, said a few months back that the only way to end the threat of terrorism is for the United States to stop "pissing people off." The way that the United States government, and the corporate and wealthy forces that control it, treat the less powerful nations and peoples of the world as resources and markets to be exploited is what causes terrorism and deep resentment toward America--this is what "pisses people off." Nothing short of changing these exploitative policies will end the threat of terrorism. Sadly, the US political establishment will not even consider such changes. Indeed, the Chronicle article goes on to quote Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry's running mate, John Edwards, as saying, "This is no time to declare defeat...The war on terrorism is absolutely winnable."

We're stuck in an endless war, and everyone in power seems to like it that way.

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