You can count me among the people who were Not Very Happy about how the voting went Friday on the Iraq funding bill. I've read quite a few commentaries on the matter now, so it's only fair I subject people to mine.

Picture this. In the middle of a grocery store aisle, a kid who's plenty old enough to know better is on the floor, kicking his heels, pounding his fists, and screaming the place down because he isn't getting something he wants.

That's George.

A mortified mom is standing by, aware everyone is staring. It's a no-win situation. She can't run the little heathen over with the shopping cart and go merrily on her way--she's stuck with him. She's not quite at the point where she's willing to become even MORE of a spectacle by dragging him out by his ear. The only way to end the ugly scene, she thinks, is to cave and give the brat what he wants.

That's our Democratic congressfolks.

And of course, there's a self-righteous know-it-all watching the whole thing and saying, loudly enough for everyone to hear, "I have never SEEN such a horrible example of incompetence! She's just GIVING IN to him -- HE'S the one in control!"

That's the media.

I know my little parable isn't a perfect fit for every Dem who didn't vote the way WE would surely have done, if WE were there as the elected representatives of the people. I'm sure at least some of them did what they always do and voted in the way they thought would be most expedient -- for them. But on the other hand, I am willing to believe others honestly felt torn and were trying to do the best they could in a bad situation.

Because there's a much older tale that applies here too. Remember the story of King Solomon and the two women who claimed the same baby? He suggested the fair way to settle the matter was to cut the baby in half. Of course the REAL mother caved in an instant. She would rather lose her child to the phony than see him killed.

Bush has made it crystal clear that he is fine with cutting any baby in half, any where, any time, if it means that he isn't giving in and "losing" a battle of wills. The tactic of putting withdrawal dates and benchmarks in funding bills was a good idea, well worth an attempt. But sometimes the best way to win a fight is to change up and try something new, not keep bulling forward with the same weapon until all you end up with is a dead and bloody "victory".

To go back to my first parable, what is needed to help the mom deal with the heathen child is straight-forward, caring, intelligent assistance from someone who's a step or two outside the central situation. A very good friend, say, able and willing to suggest something else to try that might work better. Someone to be supportive, and yet honest about how things will get much MUCH worse for everyone involved if SOMETHING isn't done, and soon.

That friend is us.

No matter how upset and disappointed we are, we have to remember we're needed.

Don't give up.