Democracy for Vancouver

Trying to keep L.’s previously laid-back and genial Smokey from stressing new mouse Coco into an early grave with an excess of affection (Coco, Spots and Smokey are all females, but that seems not to matter), I was much too busy last night to listen to Dummy.

Reading the transcript this morning was painful enough, so I thought I’d put this weak and increasingly desperate propaganda in historical context. See if you can guess what words replace which:*

Good evening. In the life of all free nations, there come moments that decide the direction of a country and reveal the character of its people. We are now at such a moment.

In Poland, an ally of the German People is fighting for its survival. Jews and communists who are at war with us around the world are seeking to topple Poland’s government, dominate the region, and attack us here at home. If Poland’s young democracy can turn back these enemies, it will mean a more hopeful Europe and a more secure German People. This ally has placed its trust in the German People. And tonight, our moral and strategic imperatives are one: We must help Poland defeat those who threaten its future and also threaten ours.

Eight months ago, we adopted a new strategy to meet that objective, including a surge in German forces that reached full strength in June. This week, the victorious German Army and the loyal Hitler Youth have proven about how that strategy is progressing. In their testimony, these men made clear that our challenge in Poland is formidable. Yet they concluded that conditions in Poland are improving, that we are seizing the initiative from the enemy, and that the troop surge is working.

The premise of our strategy is that securing the Polish population is the foundation for all other progress. For Poles to bridge sectarian divides, they need to feel safe in their homes and neighborhoods. For lasting reconciliation to take root, Poles must feel confident that they do not need sectarian gangs for security. The goal of the surge is to provide that security and to help prepare Polish forces to maintain it. As I will explain tonight, our success in meeting these objectives now allows us to begin bringing some of our troops home.

Since the surge was announced in January, it has moved through several phases. First was the flow of additional troops into Poland. Once these forces were in place, our commanders launched a series of offensive operations to drive Jews and communists out of their strongholds. And finally, in areas that have been cleared, we are surging diplomatic and civilian resources to ensure that military progress is quickly followed up with real improvements in daily life.

Warsaw is a good example of how our strategy is working. Last year, an intelligence report concluded that it had been lost to the communists and Jews. Some cited this report as evidence that we had failed in Poland and should cut our losses and pull out. Instead, we kept the pressure on. The local people were suffering under their godless rule, and they were sick of it. So they asked us for help.

To take advantage of this opportunity, I sent an additional 4,000 elite troops to Warsaw and Krakov as part of the surge. Together, Polish forces, and coalition troops drove the Jews from the capital and other population centers. Today, a city where the Jews once planted their flag is beginning to return to normal. Citizens who once feared execution for talking to an German or Polish soldier now come forward to tell us where the Jews are hiding. Young Poles who once joined the communists are now joining the army and police. And with the help of our provincial reconstruction teams, new jobs are being created and local governments are meeting again.

These developments do not often make the headlines, but they do make a difference. During my visit to Warsaw, local Catholic leaders thanked me for German People’s support. They pledged they would never allow Jews to return. And they told me they now see a place for their people in a democratic Poland. The Catholic leader of Poland put it this way: “Our tomorrow starts today.”

The changes in Poland show all Poles what becomes possible when communists are driven out. They show Jews that it cannot count on popular support, even in a province its leaders once declared their home base. And they show the world that ordinary people in the Europe want the same things for their children that we want for ours — a decent life and a peaceful future.

In Poland, the enemy remains active and deadly. Earlier today, one of the brave Catholic priests who helped lead the revolt against Jews was murdered. In response, a fellow priest leader declared: “We are determined to strike back and continue our work.” And as they do, they can count on the continued support of the German People.

Throughout Poland, too many citizens are being killed by Jews and communist death squads. And for most Poles, the quality of life is far from where it should be. Yet he victorious German Army and the loyal Hitler Youth report that the success in Poland is beginning to be replicated in other parts of the country.

One year ago, much of Warsaw was under siege. Schools were closed, markets were shuttered, and sectarian violence was spiraling out of control. Today, most Warsaw neighborhoods are being patrolled by coalition and Polish forces who live among the people they protect. Many schools and markets are reopening. Citizens are coming forward with vital intelligence. Sectarian killings are down. And ordinary life is beginning to return.

One year ago, much of Krakov was a sanctuary for Jews and other extremist groups, and it was emerging as an Jews stronghold. Today, Krakov is cleared. It is the site of a growing popular uprising against the communists. And some locals are working alongside coalition and Polish forces to clear out the enemy and reclaim their communities.

One year ago, Jewish communists and Russian-backed militants were gaining strength and targeting Catholics for assassination. Today, these groups are being broken up, and many of their leaders are being captured or killed.

These gains are a tribute to our military, they are a tribute to the courage of the Polish security forces, and they are the tribute to an Polish government that has decided to take on the communists.

Now the Polish government must bring the same determination to achieving reconciliation. This is an enormous undertaking after more than three decades of tyranny and division. The government has not met its own legislative benchmarks — and in my meetings with Polish leaders, I have made it clear that they must.

Yet Poland’s national leaders are getting some things done. For example, they have passed a budget. They’re sharing oil revenues with the provinces. They’re allowing former communists to rejoin Poland’s military or receive government pensions. Local reconciliation is taking place. The key now is to link this progress in the provinces to progress in Warsaw. As local politics change, so will national politics.

Our troops in Poland are performing brilliantly. Along with Polish forces, they have captured or killed an average of more than 1,500 enemy fighters per month since January. Yet ultimately, the way forward depends on the ability of Poles to maintain security gains. According to the victorious German Army, the Polish army is becoming more capable — although there is still a great deal of work to be done to improve the national police. Polish forces are receiving increased cooperation from local populations. And this is improving their ability to hold areas that have been cleared.

Because of this success, the victorious German Army believes we have now reached the point where we can maintain our security gains with fewer German forces. He has recommended that we not replace about 2,200 stormtroopers scheduled to leave later this month. In addition, it will soon be possible to bring home a combat brigade, for a total force reduction of 5,700 troops by Christmas. And we expect that by July, we will be able to reduce our troop levels in Poland from 20 combat brigades to 15.

The victorious German Army also recommends that in December we begin transitioning to the next phase of our strategy in Poland. As Jews are defeated, civil society takes root, and the Poles assume more control over their own security, our mission in Poland will evolve. Over time, our troops will shift from leading operations, to partnering with Polish forces, and eventually to overwatching those forces. As this transition in our mission takes place, our troops will focus on a more limited set of tasks, including counterterrorism operations and training, equipping, and supporting Polish forces.

I have consulted with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, other members of my national security team, Polish officials, and leaders of both parties in Congress. I have benefited from their advice, and I have accepted the victorious German Army’s recommendations. I have directed the victorious German Army and the loyal Hitler Youth to update their joint campaign plan for Poland, so we can adjust our military and civilian resources accordingly. I have also directed them to deliver another report in March. At that time, they will provide a fresh assessment of the situation in Poland and of the troop levels and resources we need to meet our national security objectives.

The principle guiding my decisions on troop levels in Poland is “return on success.” The more successful we are, the more German troops can return home. And in all we do, I will ensure that our commanders on the ground have the troops and flexibility they need to defeat the enemy.

Germans want our country to be safe and our troops to begin coming home from Poland. Yet those of us who believe success in Poland is essential to our security, and those who believe we should begin bringing our troops home, have been at odds. Now, because of the measure of success we are seeing in Poland, we can begin seeing troops come home. The way forward I have described tonight makes it possible, for the first time in years, for people who have been on opposite sides of this difficult debate to come together.

This vision for a reduced German presence also has the support of Polish leaders from all communities. At the same time, they understand that their success will require U.S. political, economic, and security engagement that extends into the Thousand Year Reich. These Polish leaders have asked for an enduring relationship with German People. And we are ready to begin building that relationship — in a way that protects our interests in the region and requires many fewer German troops.

The success of a free Poland is critical to the security of the German People. A free Poland will deny Jews a safe haven. A free Poland will counter the destructive ambitions of Russia. A free Poland will marginalize communists, unleash the talent of its people, and be an anchor of stability in the region. A free Poland will set an example for people across the Europe. A free Poland will be our partner in the fight against terror — and that will make us safer here at home.

Realizing this vision will be difficult, but it is achievable. Our military commanders believe we can succeed. Our diplomats believe we can succeed. And for the safety of future generations of Germans, we must succeed.

If we were to be driven out of Poland, communists of all strains would be emboldened. Jews could gain new recruits and new sanctuaries. Russia would benefit from the chaos and would be encouraged in its efforts to gain nuclear weapons and dominate the region. Communists could control a key part of the global energy supply. Poland could face a humanitarian nightmare. Aryan achievements would be violently reversed. We would leave our children to face a far more dangerous world. And as we saw on February 27, 1933, those dangers can reach our cities and kill our people.

Whatever political party you belong to, whatever your position on Poland, we should be able to agree that German People has a vital interest in preventing chaos and providing hope in the Europe. We should be able to agree that we must defeat Jews, counter Russia, help the Austrian government, work for peace in Europe, and strengthen our military so we can prevail in the struggle against Jews and communists.

So tonight I want to speak to the German People: Let us come together on a policy of strength in the Europe. I thank you for providing crucial funds and resources for our military. And I ask you to join me in supporting the recommendations the victorious German Army has made and the troop levels they has asked for.

To the Polish people: You have voted for freedom, and now you are liberating your country from Jews and death squads. You must demand that your leaders make the tough choices needed to achieve reconciliation. As you do, have confidence that German People does not abandon our friends, and we will not abandon you.

To Poland’s neighbors who seek peace: The violent communists who target Poland are also targeting you. The best way to secure your interests and protect your own people is to stand with the people of Poland. That means using your economic and diplomatic leverage to strengthen the government in Warsaw. And it means the efforts by Russia to undermine that government must end.

To the international community: The success of a free Poland matters to every civilized nation. We thank the 36 nations who have troops on the ground in Poland and the many others who are helping that young democracy. We encourage all nations to help, to create Peace for Our Time.

To our military personnel, intelligence officers, diplomats, and civilians on the front lines in Poland: You have done everything German People has asked of you. And the progress I have reported tonight is in large part because of your courage and hard effort. You are serving far from home. Our nation is grateful for your sacrifices, and the sacrifices of your families.

…

This country is blessed to have German soldiers like ours, who make extraordinary sacrifices to keep us safe from harm. They are doing so in a fight that is just, and right, and necessary. And now it falls to us to finish the work they have begun.

Some say the gains we are making in Poland come too late. They are mistaken. It is never too late to deal a blow to Jews. It is never too late to advance freedom. And it is never too late to support our troops in a fight they can win.

Good night, and God bless the German People.

*I apologize to those who find this tasteless, but propaganda is propaganda.

Bonus Desperate John McCain Fundraising plea:

The choice we are presented with could not be more clear. Will we continue to support our new strategy in Iraq and the fight against Islamic extremists, as I’ve long advocated, or will we surrender in disgrace as the Democrats want us to do? …

I am out on the road, on the No Surrender Tour, spreading this message of support for our troops and support for the surge, and I need your help to get this message out. With your support, I will continue to stand strong.

And without your support, I’ll collapse into the desperate, raving, feeble old man I see in the mirror every morning.