Some wise men said he had a tumor.
He should undergo surgery.
In the OR
Andrew is on the operating table, his life in the hands of professionals who took it upon themselves to cure him, of their own accord.
The surgeon cuts ... deep ... he removes the tumor, but is surprised to find that Andrew had many tumors. He starts to cut ... and cut ... all the while Andrew is losing his lifeblood faster than high technology is able to support his weakened frame. The surgeon is overwhelmed; unexpected hemorhaeges and complications mount and the situation looks bad ... and is getting constantly worse.
The surgeon gets frustrated. Things are not going the way they should, he is no longer the hero. Andrew is not getting better ... in fact his situation is very much more serious.
Disappointed, the surgeon decides that he has done enough and that he should not be expected to do more.
Andrew is on the operating table, cut up and bloody, his life slipping away.
Andrew is one man.
Iraq is much, much more.
Before the surgery: Andrew was walking down the street, musing about his overbearing boss, when he was grabbed by armed men and thrown into a van.
During the surgery: The wise men told the surgeon that Andrew had a tumor, but the surgeon couldn't find it, but they made him keep cutting, and cutting...
Posted by: Otter | June 21, 2007 at 02:48 PM
Very good analogy, however Iraq is not Andrew. Even if Iraq goes the way of Bosnia and splits into regions in order to be able to stay alive and one day learning to live together, there are options. The process could take generations.
Posted by: ljm | June 18, 2007 at 05:55 PM
The surgeon and hospital staff declare to Andrew that they are losing patience. Andrew will have to step up and they step down. Really, it is impossible that Andrew is not taking better responsibility for his health. Andrew's doctor had expected gratitude. Instead, this!
In addition, Andrew's medical costs are colossal. The doctor would like Andrew's family to sign over the proceeds of Andrew's business to certain companies that are connected to the physician. It is, after all, only fair since he has done so very much for Andrew. Without, of course, informed consent, but it was such an emergency, no?
Sadly, no one was able to check the doctor's qualifications before this invasive procedure began. Worst of all, he obviously did not ascribe to the most important aspect of his sacred oath: first, to do no harm.
Posted by: Laura | June 18, 2007 at 10:16 AM