The elephant in the livingroom

Nobody knows what the best solution to the Iraq conflict would be. But it's likely that we have no shot at approximating that anyway, given the political and military situation on the ground there and here at home. And yet, despite the striking change in public support for the war, no politician (let alone party) has been willing to take the take the lead in calling for an end to things, for withdrawel, for peace. In fact, the best candidate for an opposition party, the Democrats, aren't even willing to talk about Iraq, let alone suggest a solution. That makes them look ignorant at best and spineless at worst. It's on everybody's minds; you can't just hope it will go away on its own.

(via Atrios)

Update: just came across this all-too-apt quotation:

The darkest places in hell are reserved for those who maintain their neutrality in times of moral crisis.

Dante Alighieri

(via A Mindful Life)