Submitted for your approval....

We do live in a strange world and stranger times. AP for August 30 says that

[i]n 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."

That remark, AP says, sparked an "inferno of criticism" by Democrats who "pounced" on Bush with scripted outrage.

The truth is, it was probably the most honest, truthful thing George Bush has ever said. Of course "we" can't - no one can - "win" a war on "terrorism." You can't "win" a war on a tactic, which is what terrorism is. I said as much on October 2, 2001:

In the wake of September 11, a blunt truth: Barring divine intervention, and I for one do not count on that, we will never "rid the world of terrorism." As long as there are people there will be those, both individuals and governments, prepared to commit the most venal cruelties against innocents to gain political ends. What we can hope to do is control terrorism, limit it, minimize it.

So for once George Bush spoke the truth - and the Democrats slammed him for it, taking advantage of the political blunder of facing reality.

Strange times indeed.