Giving Thanks Inside the Bubble

From the text of Bush's speech: "Today, America we're blessed with great prosperity. We're blessed with farmers and ranchers who provide us with abundant food. We're blessed with the world's finest workers; with entrepreneurs who create new jobs. We're blessed with devoted teachers who prepare our children for the opportunities of tomorrow. We're blessed with a system of free enterprise that makes it possible for people of all backgrounds to rise in society and realize their dreams. These blessings have helped us build a strong and growing economy -- and these blessings have filled our lives with hope. . . .

"[O]ur nation's greatest strength is the decency and compassion of our people. As we count our many blessings, I encourage all Americans to show their thanks by giving back. You know, I just visited the Central Virginia Foodbank. If you're living in Richmond and you want to give back, help the Central Virginia Foodbank. The volunteers there help prepare thousands of meals for the poor each day. And in so doing, they make the Richmond community and our nation a more hopeful place. And there are many ways to spread hope this holiday -- volunteer in a shelter, mentor a child, help an elderly neighbor, say thanks to one who wears our nation's uniform."

But Bush couldn't just leave it at that -- he had to throw in a little divisive war rhetoric: "Today, the men and women of the United States Armed Forces are taking risks for our freedom. They're fighting on the front lines of the war on terror, the war against extremists and radicals who would do us more harm. Many of them will spend Thanksgiving far from the comforts of home. And so we thank them for their service and sacrifice. We keep their families and loved ones in our prayers. We pray for the families who lost a loved one in this fight against the extremists and radicals, and we vow that their sacrifice will not be in vain."

Critics of the war -- i.e. about two thirds of Americans -- generally agree that the problem is precisely that our troops in Iraq aren't fighting "extremists and radicals who would do us more harm," but instead are trying to tamp down a civil war that has nothing to do with our security interests. And vowing that the troops' "sacrifice will not be in vain" is a particularly manipulative way of making a political statement. Nobody wants to believe that soldiers have died in vain. But if they have, sending more soldiers to die after them doesn't make it better -- it only makes it worse.

The Townsend Departure

Ken Herman writes for Cox News Service: "Presidential homeland security adviser Fran Townsend announced her resignation Monday, leaving an opening in a critical slot at a critical time."

Peter Baker and Spencer S. Hsu write in The Washington Post: "Townsend, 45, has been a key player in Bush's circle, earning his trust despite initial Republican suspicion because of her work in the Clinton Justice Department. . . .

"In an interview, Townsend expressed pride in what she called the administration's 'extraordinary record' of security changes since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks but said she is ready to pursue private-sector opportunities. She expressed regret at not presiding over the capture or death of al-Qaeda leaders Osama bin Laden or Ayman al-Zawahiri. 'I would be lying if I didn't say I would be disappointed if I weren't there when it happened,' she said.

"Townsend is following other prominent Bush aides out the door, including Karl Rove, Dan Bartlett, Tony Snow, Sara M. Taylor and Harriet E. Miers."

James Gerstenzang writes in the Los Angeles Times: "With 14 months remaining in his second term and Democrats holding a majority in the House and Senate, Bush is struggling to fend off the appearance of a lame duck, insisting he will press ahead with domestic policy priorities and a foreign policy built around fighting terrorism abroad and bringing stability to Iraq and Afghanistan.

"White House Press Secretary Dana Perino said Bush had been able to find worthy substitutes, and she took issue with what she said was the 'story line' that the president's self-proclaimed 'sprint to the finish' would be more difficult with such top aides as Townsend heading for the exits.

"'Look at the people the president has been able to attract to the administration to work in the last little while: Fred Fielding, Ed Gillespie, Judge Mukasey,' she said."

Holly Rosenkrantz writes for Bloomberg: "Frances Fragos Townsend, who announced today she's leaving her job as White House homeland security adviser, said the U.S. must be on guard against the threat of a terrorist attack tied to next year's elections.