Anger? Not Even Close

Well, it seems Pelosi's visit to the Middle East has created quite a stir. Cries of violations of the Logan Act, the Constitution's separation of powers, etc., is mostly a loud buzz. The sheer number of pundits lampooning the congressional delegation – oh wait; it's just San Fran Nan they seem to be going after. The Washington Post's editorial was perhaps the most entertaining:

Two weeks ago Ms. Pelosi rammed legislation through the House of Representatives that would strip Mr. Bush of his authority as commander in chief to manage troop movements in Iraq. Now she is attempting to introduce a new Middle East policy that directly conflicts with that of the president. We have found much to criticize in Mr. Bush's military strategy and regional diplomacy. But Ms. Pelosi's attempt to establish a shadow presidency is not only counterproductive, it is foolish.

What about the Republicans in the delegation? Is the Skald defending her visit?

No.

A simple search yields myriad results castigating Pelosi for this trip, but I think the most telling reason to find the trip appalling is what any reasonable person would expect the consequences to be:

One terror leader, Khaled Al-Batch, a militant and spokesman for Islamic Jihad, expressed hope Pelosi would continue winning elections, explaining the House speaker's Damascus visit demonstrated she understands the Middle East.

Al-Batch expressed hope Pelosi and the Democratic Party will pressure Bush to create dialogue with Syria and Middle East "resistance movements" and prompt an American withdrawal from Iraq.

Abu Abdullah, a leader of Hamas' military wing in the Gaza Strip, said the willingness by some lawmakers to talk with Syria "is proof of the importance of the resistance against the U.S."

"The Americans know and understand they are losing in Iraq and the Middle East and that their only chance to survive is to reduce hostilities with Arab countries and with Islam. Islam is the new giant of the world."

All of those nice little blurbs demonstrating that the visit primarily served to encourage our enemies come courtesy of Right Wing News. This was utterly predictable, and though I don't have a clue if this was a topic of conversation when Bush more or less warned her off it is also utterly reprehensible. Predictable.

Predictable, and what could be more worrisome?

What's more worrisome -- at least to me -- than Pelosi's politics is her IQ. She's a twit. How did she think she'd possibly pull something like this off? Imagine Newt Gingrich trying to establish peace with Saddam Hussein in 1998, fresh off Clinton's aerial bombardment campaign of Iraq. Can you picture it clearly? How about the probable reaction of les bien-pensants? (From Jewcy)

<sigh> I think we're done here.