1115.org

There is nothing like hands-on learning. That’s the gospel according to Snow. And it seems to be our official Iraq policy, according to Gen. Petraeus, Defense Secretary Gates and Commander-in-chief Bush as well. Those guys are in charge, right? (Even if they’re not responsible or accountable or anything else.)

White House press secretary Tony Snow on reports that two U.S. combat brigades will “surge” into Iraq without undergoing the usual counterinsurgency training in California’s Mojave Desert first: “Well, but they can get desert training elsewhere, like in Iraq.”

Surely, everyone can see the sense in that. If the best place for desert training is in the desert, the best place for counterinsurgency training is in the middle of a counterinsurgency.

You know, it strikes me that poor Tony Snow has been coming under fire a lot lately. I don’t believe he has ever been through under-fire training. Wouldn’t it be a PR triumph to rival the Pat Tillman story (the sign-up, I mean, not the creative fiction accounts of his death), if this handsome dashing ex-television personality was sent to the front lines for a spell?

Of course, once he gets there, his tour will probably end up being extended a few times like everyone else’s. All the better. Every time he bravely reiterates his resolve to be there for his country as long as his country needs him, this PR triumph will renew itself. It’ll just be the PR gift that goes on giving.