While arguing the other day that Iraqis want us to leave their country, it was necessary to concede that the Iraqi government seems to enjoy having the US military at its disposal. Now, though, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki seems to be saying he can get along without us, though he wants more of our heavy military equipment (possibly a bad idea, but a discussion for another day).
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The Iraqi View
14 Jul 2007 10:38 am
Comments (5)
So Maliki said the Iraqi troops are ready to handle security whenever we want to leave, but they need more training and weapons.
Isn't that the same as stating that they don't mind when we go, but they really need us to stay? I think he's been spending too much time talking to President Bush.
I'm not sure the Iraqi Prime Minister is co-extensive with the Iraqi government. There might even be an elected legislature in there somewhere, with a collective opinion of it's own.
In the mean time, I'll believe that a poll better expresses the opinion of the Iraqi people, than who they elect, when polsters start offering secret ballots. Polls are, (I know I keep harping on this.) not particularly trustworthy in countries where people are rationally concerned that giving the 'wrong' answer could get them murdered.
$12 billion per month that we borrow from China so we can act as babysitters in Iraq.
This is the kind of complete nonsense that our political culture is somehow able to justify. Our country has taken leave of its senses.
Of course he wants you gone. You're starting to interfere with his Sunni killing. Genocide is a lot harder with the victims trained, armed and protected by the USA.
Comments closed July 28, 2007.
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Heads in the Sand
Bush is always proclaiming a stable Iraqi govt able to provide for its own security is the current goal. Iraq is in an area of the world bristling with arms. Hostile attitudes and intentions are harbored by nearly all of its neighbors. For Iraq to truly be capable of adequate self defense it would need short and medium range missiles, heavy mechanized armor and artillary pieces, fighter, bomber and reconnaissance jets, fully trained infantry, a navy with a wide array of ships and radar installations to watch it all. All this would require thousands of highly trained noncombatant employees to administer along with billions in computer hardware and the requisite highly advanced, sensitive software to make it work. Now, what idiot or group of idiots believe Iraq is getting all this? Who is going to provide it? How are they going to pay for it? Who is going to trust they won't turn it all on the very people bequeathing it? And someone explain how they'll be capable of providing for their own security if they don't get all of it.
Posted by steve duncan | July 14, 2007 10:56 AM