OPINION:
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, in a tweet that came on the heels of Iran’s launch of a dozen ballistic missiles against U.S.-populated military bases in Iraq, said she was “closely monitoring the situation” and that in this close monitoring of the situation she has determined President Donald Trump should quit poking the Iranian bear.
She blamed Trump for Iran’s hostile actions. She faulted the White House when she should have faulted Iran.
This is liberal logic, at its worst. It endangers U.S. troops, U.S. citizens and U.S. interests.
This is what Pelosi tweeted: “Closely monitoring the situation following bombings targeting U.S. troops in Iraq. We must ensure the safety of our servicemembers, including ending needless provocations from the Administration and demanding that Iran cease its violence. America & world cannot afford war.”
Needless provocations from the White House? Holy cow, what Pelosi is saying is that America is to blame for Iran’s ongoing aggressions.
What Pelosi’s is messaging is this White House is at fault for Iran’s targeting of American interests.
It’s a ridiculous view. A dangerous view, even. And either Pelosi has rounded the bend into insanity — or she’s been blinded to truths because of her political lusts and hatred of Trump.
The fact is Iran has been a yapping dog nipping at the heels of America for years. Everybody knows this; it’s no secret. What’s more, America, under the previous Barack Obama administration, has been a bit on the softy side with the military response, preferring diplomacy at all costs, even to the point of trading cash for peace — or, more like, cash for pretend peace. Can you say U.S. sailors held hostage?
It’s been this soft-and-queasy approach of dealing with terrorist types in Tehran that have placed America’s safety and security, and the safety of America’s service members, in harm’s way. Why? Simple. You can’t bargain with people who see you as satan and simply want to wipe you off the face of the earth.
Pelosi knows this.
Pelosi also knows the power she yields with her words.
Pelosi, in her position, with her experience, should know better than to take to a public platform like Twitter, read worldwide, and express an opinion that sets America as the moral equivalent of a terror-funding regime like Iran — as if yes, Iran has been a bad actor, but then again, this White House hasn’t exactly been a peacemaker, either.
The tweet is like a whisper in Iran’s ear that says, hey, you have a friend in me.
And that, far more than this administration’s refusal to stand down and cower and cater to Iran’s aggressions, is what ratchets dangers to American troops and interests.
• Cheryl Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com or on Twitter, @ckchumley. Listen to her podcast “Bold and Blunt” by clicking HERE. And never miss her column; subscribe to her newsletter by clicking HERE.
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