What's that smell?

Could it be change?

Whether in the Defense Department, the United States Congress, or bush's war of choice in Iraq, it's seems that there's a whiff of change in the air.

Former member of the Iraq Study Group, former Head of the CIA under poppa bush, and most recently former President of Texas A&M, Robert Gates has been appointed, with overwhelming support, to the postition of Secretary of Defense, leaving rumsfeld time for possible future court battles. One point that everyone is keyed in on from his hearings was his difference in opinion with the lame duck prince on whether we are winning in Iraq. Senator John McCain asked "We are not winning the war in Iraq. Is that correct?" Mr. Gates replied "That is my view, yes, sir." Then mccain followed with "And therefore, the status quo is not acceptable?" to which Gates answered "That is correct, sir." A vast departure to the president's "Absolutely, we’re winning." To be fair, he did say that all the way back in October of 2006. Words and phrases like fresh, a different set of eyes, all options are on the table, pepper Gates's congressional testimony. Hopefully this isn't all just wrapping paper to gain the bipartisan support of Congress. We shall see.

Speaking of Congress, yesterday marked the red leadership's last day. Can you see the smile on my face? (Sorry, I'm really trying to be bipartisan, I swear). The incoming Democratic Leadership has been doing a lot of talking about their "First 100 Hours" in power, and the changes in governmnent that will be made once they take their seats in January. One of my favorites is the incoming ChairWoman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works , Barbara Boxer. She had this to say. "Any kind of weakening of environmental laws or secrecy or changes in the dead of night it's over," Boxer said. "We're going to for once, finally, make this committee an environment committee, not an anti-environment committee. … This is a sea change that is coming to this committee." Not to be outdone, soon to be House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer came out with the new congressional work schedule. Can you imagine an actual 5 day work week for Congress? Currently they are working from Tuesday to Thursday afternoon. Maybe that's what the reds meant by "small government". Rep. Jack Kingston (R-Ga.), who typically flies home on Thursdays and returns to Washington on Tuesdays had this to say “Marriages suffer. The Democrats could care less about families — that’s what this says.” You must be kidding! Give us all three day work weeks! You know, for our families.

And finally the Iraq Study Group has come out with its report. The grim assessment of what's happening presently in Iraq starts at the top of the "Executive Summary" with "The situation in Iraq is grave and deteriorating". And even though they admit in the first line of the report "There is no magic formula to solve the problems of Iraq" they put together a 150+ page plan to try. Of course it was not in their charter to look into the what, who, and how we got into what Al "An Inconvenient Truth" Gore has called "the worst strategy mistake in the history of the United States". There are two major points the Iraq Study Group make that stick out to me at this point (I haven't read the whole thing yet). First, the countries in the region, including Iran and Syria, need to be brought to the table to help settle the crisis in Iraq. No one will be served by all out chaos in Iraq, why not try to negotiate with the most powerful nations in the region. The second explains how the commitment of United States combat troops must not be open ended. The Iraqi government needs to know that US troops will not be there forever, and will leave them to chaos if progress is not made. No one is sure how the president will handle the 79 recommendations the comission has presented, but one thing is for sure. This report is another rebuke of the way this war is being executed, much like the last election was. There needs to be a change in policy in Iraq that discusses what is best for Our country and not just what's better for Halliburton or bush's legacy. This "study group" was really a political think tank made up of 5 big reds and five big democrats. They were not military experts, or middle east experts for that matter. They have given real thoughtful observations and suggestions and have started the ball rolling on this essential discussion. If only this discussion had happened three years ago.

Better late the never, I guess.

Oh and Bye Rummy. See you in the funny papers!