Republicans: Let's not talk about Iraq, okay?

Via the NYT:

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2 — Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican leader, said Friday that his party would unite to block Senate debate next week on a bipartisan resolution opposing President Bush’s troop buildup in Iraq unless the Democrats allowed votes on at least two Republican alternatives.
[...]
Senate Republicans have also been squeamish about Mr. Reid’s decision to debate the Iraq policy in the form of legislation, which would be sent to the president if passed as such. They see such a move as overly confrontational, even though Mr. Reid has said the Senate will ultimately convert the proposal to a resolution to avoid having to send it to the White House.

Okay. Once again. Which part of non-binding don't people understand here? This bit of political theater has turned into a theater of the absurd. The Decider has decided. He's made it clear that he doesn't care what any of you think and you just keep fiddling while Rome Iraq burns as if the musical accompaniment somehow makes it all better. Tell that to everyone who's being tortured, shot at, blown up and dying over there. Maybe you'd like to sing to them too?

Republicans are afraid to go on the record about how they feel about the troop escalation. Democrats are afraid to take a stand that would actually count for something. What about the Iraqis? Shouldn't they be the ones who have the right to be afraid here?