Upside-Down Logic on the Left

TalkLeft links to and quotes a report by Human Rights Watch about the risks to women who vote in Saturday's Afghan elections. Here's some of the quoted material:

When a U.S.-led coalition invaded Afghanistan in October 2001, one of the justifications for the war was that it would liberate women from the misogynistic rule of the Taliban. There have been notable improvements for women and girls. More than one million girls are enrolled in school and the new Constitution contains guarantees for women’s equal rights.

However, warlords and the Taliban are undermining Afghan women’s participation in the political process through ongoing threats and attacks. Throughout the country, militarized political factions are using force, threats, and corruption to stifle more legitimate political activity and dominate the election process.

About which TalkLeft says:

We'll be listening to Bush in the debate closely as he credits his Administration's achievements for Afghans, particularly women. I hope the mainstream media and bloggers will be fact-checking him.

So there have been "notable improvements for women and girls," however, "warlords and the Taliban are undermining Afghan women’s participation in the political process through ongoing threats and attacks." I would say that the notable improvements are to Bush's credit and the efforts to undermine those accomplishments are to the discredit of the warlords and Taliban.

How is it Bush's fault if things are better but not perfect in Afghanistan? That's like saying it's a cop's fault if he grabs two muggers and a third one gets away because the cop has only two arms.