Letters to the Editor
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Note how the right wing talks about "victory"
Good grief. The situation in Iraq - let alone in one geographic area of Iraq - is so amazingly complex that people like McWarmonger can get away with whining about how the Democrats want to surrender in Iraq.
What a total crock.
We are occupying a country we invaded illegally. Look at what we have wrought. And for what? To strengthen Iran? To feed the ambitions of Sadr? To allow thugs to siphon oil money from ordinary Iraqis? To enrich Republican-friendly contractors?
Frankly, the situation seems hopeless.
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What I don't understand
Is why does the U.S. continue to back Maliki if we really want to leave, and want to leave someone to oppose Iran? If I remember correctly Maliki has some pro-Iranian leanings. On the contrary, al-Sadr seems more like a nationalist who wants to keep Iraq intact, instead of creating a autonomous southern region that can be absorbed at leisure by Iran.
Maybe Bill Maher and John McCain are right: Success is hanging out in Iraq for 100 years.
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Unfortunately
Saddam is dead or the US could reinstall him. If you don't think the Bushies wish they had this option now, I've got some Iraqi peace and prosperity I'd like to sell. The devil you know, you know.
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"Basra Primaries"
In a previous Salon thread, I had likened the Al-Maliki offensive to the “Basra Primary,” in an attempt to simplify things for myself by comparing events in Iraq to things I understand over here in America. I sincerely apologize if my weak attempts at analogy fall so far short of the reality on the ground, but I am a mere fabulist, and unlike the fabulists at the Heritage Foundation or the American Enterprise Institute, I do not get paid for my fabulosities…
We all owe a debt to Tim Weiner for his History of Ashes, for although we do not know what is going on at this moment in our intelligence community, we can certainly appreciate the “gist” of what they are saying:
“Dick” Cheney (or one of his “Little Dicks” (hereinafter referred to as “The Dicks”)):
“We can’t have Al-Sadr winning the hearts and minds (and votes) of the Iraqi people. It would mean the end of our oiligarchy, and all of our plans to dominate the “arc of instability” for the “New American Century!””
Al-Sadr (speaking for the Iraqis?): “When in Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these [Provinces]; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government.”
The Dicks: We have got to kill this guy…
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Its about permanency
Greetings
More horns of dilemma for the Dubya and Darth Cheney, they want/need permananet air bases in Iraq both for projecting power into Middle east and as staging areas for actions attacks further East ie China.
Al-Mailik, ISCI, and Dawa will be perfectly fine with that permanency since that ensures the continued flow of 'Murcan Money' and keeps them propped up as they feather their nests but that also means that IRAN gets primo access to Basra and the south oil regions
Sadr and his Madr Army is less about Iran much more a Iraq nationalist but he's also not so damn excited about a big ass air base filled with American troops and planes FOREVER!!!!
So the choices are poor for the home team and after the election when the Sunni pick up seats and Sadr adds to his 50 seats...
Like the man said, they'd happily dig up Saddam and offer him the job if they only could. [;)]
Enjoy the journey
WasLord
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The Basra Assault
President Bush, when asked by a reporter, advised he had no prior knowledge from Maliki of the planned offensive, with the same disclaimer coming from Mike Hayden on Meet The Press. It rang pretty hollow. Maliki's reputation is rather milquetoast so I believe Bush pushed the issue, perhaps hoping for expansion as cover for pursuing his Iran agenda. It is apparent from the wire services right now that it's not looking very good for Maliki. His position is even further weakened; he's described as "humiliated" by failure against Sadr and as "quick to grasp" Sadr's offer to cease fire, even with strings attached. Bush is itching for a go at Iran. Maliki is on his way out, one way or the other, as he's seen as a puppet of the Americans. No 'installed' government will be able to pursue reconciliation unless they are seen as autonomous.
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Because it was good for BUSINESS!
The more conflict, strife and violence, the longer we will stay and the more money we will pay the warbuckers. If you think they want to end this war, you are a fool. He is doing what he was told to do. The people who gave him the orders probably flew back with a load of heroin from Afghanistan and they don't have to worry about customs or the DEA.
The only characters that can save us from this are the ones played by Bruce Willis and Mila Jojovich in the Fifth Element. We are gonna need a lot of popcorn.