The War in Iraq

I got in late last night, but just in time to see The Insurgency in Iraq on PBS's Frontline.   It was very interesting.  If you didn't see it, you should. 

We have created a very serious mess in Iraq.  If American forces pull out, there will be a blood bath the likes of which we haven't seen since Kosovo.  We are in a no-win situation.  As Col. H.R. McMaster said, "... the standard for success for the terrorists and insurgents is pretty low. . . . [While our]standard for our success is very high."  Another American officer said "They can't beat us [the American military], but we can't win, either."  Only the Iraqi people can win their freedom from this anarchy and terror of which the United States is the author.

I continue to be opposed to the war in Iraq.  While I don't propose we withdraw immediately, I do believe we need a regime change in the United States.  Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld should all be impeached, indicted and sent to prison for their crimes against humanity.  I am not speaking in hyperbole.  The three of them should go to prison for a long time.  It won't happen unfortunately.

Meanwhile, we are so fucked.

The program is very powerful.  Watch it if you can.

Comments

[Peter]

You know, if Bush & Co. held themselves to high standards that showed that real democracy was worth defending even when fighting the enemies of democracy, by guaranteeing the rights of prisoners in Guantanamo, by holding Rummy and some brass accountable for Abu Ghraib, then I might see at least some hope in Iraq. A flegling democracy can only learn by example. He seems to have gone about it in a way that, while not guaranteeing failure (at least I hope not), sure makes achieving it that much harder.

[sfmike]

There is no way our murderous, lying, graft-riddled presence in Iraq is going to make things any better for anyone (other than the recipients of that graft), in the short term or the long term.

We need to get out. Now. Period.

[jaye]

If I think anymore about these MFs I will have to up my meds.

Sad times, my friend.

[Lab Kat]

Remember Viet... oh, nevermind.

[Jack]

Call me the voice of dissent, but I think that it is too early to say whether Iraq is going to be successful or not.

We could have done everything perfectly and still been in a similar position.

Ideological change doesn't take place overnight.

[Houston]

We had no business going into Iraq, therefore any premise of success is based on a lie. Unless we begin on a level of truth, nothing but bad can come from the situation. We Americans believe ourselves to be a good people, but we are not. We're a selfish, brutal people. We could make Iraq right, but we would have to begin by acknowledging our mistakes. I don't see that happening with this administration, and no one in the world cares. We're tied up there and the rest of the world knows it. That's why we will continue to be fucked in and by Iraq until there's a regime change here.

Meanwhile, Iraq is Tar-Baby, and we are Brer Fox.