Truespeak

One year ago today, Truespeak began. It began as a lark with a post about the death of Ronald Reagan. I wasn't sure how long it would last, I had hoped to make it through the summer. Then I figured I'd stick it out until the election. Then... Well, here we are. I've met a lot of great people along the way. I've learned a lot of wonderful things about my country and even a few thing I wish I hadn't. But in the end, I feel like I've gained quite a bit. Truespeak has become a pretty important part of my life. On a daily basis I can come here and vent my frustration, my worries, my anger, my disappointment, and my joy. It's definitely the most cathartic thing I've ever done.

Over the last year, I've often tried to put a face to some of the people I've met. Schaul was easy as I know her. Oldwhitelady I've always pictured in front of an easel with a brush in one hand, a pallette in the other, a pastoral scene on the canvas, and a cat at her feet. Jesse is always sitting in front of the computer with a pile of books next to him, the radio on, and his backpack open on the floor next to his chair. And I always see Ickabod as the character from the Disney "Sleepy Hollow" cartoon; tall, skinny, and very scholarly looking. I'm probably way off, but that's what I always see. Not that anybody probably cares, but this is me:

Now nobody has to guess.

I should say thank you to the Washington Post and ABC News for the wonderful gift. It appears that in honor of my first anniversary here they've taken a new poll. And the results are everything I've ever wanted.

For the first time since the war in Iraq began, more than half of the American public believes the fight there has not made the United States safer, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.

While the focus in Washington has shifted from the Iraq conflict to Social Security and other domestic matters, the survey found that Americans continue to rank Iraq second only to the economy in importance -- and that many are losing patience with the enterprise.

Nearly three-quarters of Americans say the number of casualties in Iraq is unacceptable, while two-thirds say the U.S. military there is bogged down and nearly six in 10 say the war was not worth fighting -- in all three cases matching or exceeding the highest levels of pessimism yet recorded. More than four in 10 believe the U.S. presence in Iraq is becoming analogous to the experience in Vietnam.

Perhaps most ominous for President Bush, 52 percent said war in Iraq has not contributed to the long-term security of the United States, while 47 percent said it has. It was the first time a majority of Americans disagreed with the central notion Bush has offered to build support for war: that the fight there will make Americans safer from terrorists at home. In late 2003, 62 percent thought the Iraq war aided U.S. security, and three months ago 52 percent thought so.

It's so nice to see the rest of the country finally coming around to my way of thinking. Oh, but wait... there's more:

There were signs, however, that Bush and Republicans in Congress were receiving more of the blame for the recent standoffs over such issues as Bush's judicial nominees and Social Security. Six in 10 respondents said Bush and GOP leaders are not making good progress on the nation's problems; of those, 67 percent blamed the president and Republicans while 13 percent blamed congressional Democrats. For the first time, a majority, 55 percent, also said Bush has done more to divide the country than to unite it.

Ahhhh... That's so sweet. And what's Bush's approval/disapproval rating? An anemic 48/52 with 58% saying that Bush is not focused on issues important to them. Maybe my time here is starting to pay off. (Yeah, right!)

So to all of you that have been here throughout the first year I would like to say "Thank You." Thank you for your wisdom, your insight, your comments, and your support. I'm looking forward to a second year.