I'm having a problem following Obama's line of reasoning on Iraq. It begins with an excellent syllogism:
We should be in Iraq only if Al-Qaeda is there.
Al-Qaeda is not in Iraq.
Therefore we should leave.
Flawless. If you accept the major (stipulative) and minor (factual) premises, the conclusion falls neatly into place. But then the logical structure begins to breaks down:
Al-Qaeda in Iraq is in Iraq.
But it is Bush's fault.
[Implied: Therefore it doesn't count]
Therefore we should reserve the right to return to Iraq if Al-Qaeda in Iraq is in Iraq after we leave Iraq.
This sounds like a proposal to dig holes in order to fill them up again. Am I missing something? Can anybody make this make sense?
PS, the post title (as well as the illustration) comes from Alice in Wonderland:
"Contrariwise,'' continued Tweedledee, "if it was so, it might be; and if it were so, it would be; but as it isn't, it ain't. That's logic.''
I invite anyone to submit any candidate's statement for similar scrutiny. I'm happy to be Alice to either Dum or Dee. Who knows? This could become a continuing feature. As long as candidates persist in running for office over such a long period of time, we might as well find a way to enjoy ourselves at their expense.