The worsening emergency in Iraq, as forces of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria move toward Baghdad, has occasioned commentary from a number of architects and advocates of the 2003 U.S. invasion: Dick Cheney, Paul Wolfowitz, Frederick Kagan, Paul Bremer, Bill Kristol, and others. It’s worth listening to what they have to say; together, they share an significant amount of experience and knowledge about the Iraqi situation.

Of course, they also share a significant amount of blame for what is happening. And what’s missing from nearly all of their commentary is a simple acknowledgement of that fact. They don’t have to remain silent, don’t have to go into hiding, but their arguments would have far greater force if they noted that their own actions and earlier advocacy helped create the current mess.