Blood bath: It is unforgivable what is happening to Iraqis

The blame game has already begun. And, of course, those who refuse to admit that President Barack Obama has no clue how to create effective foreign policy are already pointing to former President George Bush as the reason for the debacle that has developed in Iraq.

There are many reasons why that is nothing more than irrational political buck-passing.

The decisions that have been made in the last six years -- including announcing that the U.S. would be pulling out of the Middle East, and giving a date -- are why we are facing so desperate a situation in Iraq right now.

Military commanders warned the president that he was making a mistake, but politics prevailed.

And the fact that we must now go and defend our embassy says something else, too: All those concessions we made and the way we described ourselves as marauders in an attempt to win favor with these Islamic terrorists was for naught.

They are out to kill Americans and anyone associated with them.

Here is the bottom line: Hundreds of Iraqi men are being tortured and executed.

Why? Because they served in the national army that we trained, supported and promised to help set Iraq on a new path.

And that is something that should enrage any American who cares whether this country is seen as a nation upon whom allies can rely.

The situation in Iraq is becoming desperate and one that requires decisive and aggressive action soon.

If not, we will send another message -- that we are weak and unwilling to do the tough thing when the chips are down -- even when our interests are threatened.

We do not have to tell you what happens to nations that get that reputation.

Published in Editorials on June 18, 2014 11:03 AM