War of Words: Country needs honest debate, not name-calling

Dallas Morning News | Editorials:

"The administration has to recognize that the public and congressional debate over Iraq has entered a new phase, one in which sharp rebukes will not suffice as open and honest public discourse. Criticism is not coming just from the political fringes, but also from mainstream moderates of both parties."

It's said that the tipping point in America's support for the Vietnam War came the day Walter Cronkite, "the most trusted figure in America", used his commentary on the CBS Evening News to call for negotiations to end the stalemate in Vietnam.

It could be that history will record the tipping point in support for the war in Iraq came the day when Representative John Murtha (D-PA), 37-year Marine veteran, 30-year Congressman, one-time war hawk, introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives calling for the termination of the deployment of the American military in Iraq.