While the country was obsessing over OJ (again?), football, and the new television season the war in Iraq continues. The war that'll never end goes on and on and on. It appears President Bush only wants to hang on until he's out of office and leave the mess for someone else. Hillary's positions on Iraq have been so supportive of the President's I don't see how anything would change under her leadership. I see another five-nine years of death and destruction in our future.
Meanwhile Republicans have managed to inflame the country in opposition to a newspaper ad. Not the war, not the brutal cold blooded murders by Blackwater mercenaries, not the increased level of violence in Iraq, but a nickname for General Petraeus. Maybe they should take into account the origin of the General's nickname. I've heard "Betray Us" is what his own soldiers tagged him with so I don't understand all this feigned outrage against MoveOn.org. Perhaps if Petraeus had testified honestly about the conditions in Iraq people would support him instead of demonizing him.
Cholera is increasing as Americans prohibit the use of chlorine for fear it will be used in attacks. Water, already in short supply, is expensive and electricity continues to be provided for only a few hours per day.
Violence in Iraq is on the upswing. Rebels are increasing their attacks, most logically as a result of new support from Iraqis after the latest Blackwater incident. The cutting down of eleven civilians for what seems to have been the sport of it has completely enraged the country against Americans. Any progress Petraeus had made in counter insurgency was lost in those few moments.
Meanwhile our government's actions after the Blackwater escapade have illustrated that Iraq actually has no sovereignty at all. Unable to charge, prosecute, convict or penalize the Blackwater mercenaries, they were forced to back off by the Secretary of State. As usual, Blackwater simply removes their renegades before the Iraqis can do anything and they're out of harm's way. The Iraqi government continues as nothing more than an American puppet regime and now will lose whatever credibility that remained among it's people.
Meanwhile trials continue for American soldiers accused of war atrocities, as they are subject to court martial. Let's remember we have 30,000 privatized soldiers in Iraq completely above the law and more than willing to kill anyone they please. It was the Bush White House which designated them as such in Order 17 issued by our Coalition Provisional Authority.
Returning veterans still cannot obtain adequate medical care, especially for traumatic brain injuries and post traumatic stress syndrome. Adequate resources for the wounded, both mentally and physically, have lagged because of funding. If we're going to send our people to war we must make the commitment to care for them when they return. We must not abandon them to homelessness they way we did after Vietnam.
Support the troops, End the war.
If you think ANY of the dems campaigning for the presidency are going to pull the troops out of Iraq during their term, you are not facing reality. Edwards will keep them, Hillary will keep them, Barrack will keep them, Kucinich will...well, maybe not him. But you get the idea. If you are hitching your wagon to the dem you think will pull out all the troops in 08 or 09, be ready to be sorely dissappointed.
Hillary has already changed her tone from having the troops out by 08 to practically following the Presidents outline of trying to take it one day at a time and succeed over the long haul.
I came across this story this morning...
http://www.examiner.com/a-953145~Bush_quietly_advising_Hillary_Clinton__top_Democrats.html
Posted by: tyler | September 27, 2007 at 10:30 AM
Only Bill Richardson has said he'll keep no troops in Iraq among the top andmiddle tier Democrats.
Hillary's record on Iraq is abysmal.
Posted by: John Morgan | September 27, 2007 at 11:50 AM
I just read this article...
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20070927/D8RTOBOG0.html
Senator Chris "I love former klansmen" Dodd (sorry, couldnt resist) also echoed Richardson's statements about his willingness to have the troops home by X date.
However...and I know its still early...do they really have a chance? The big three...Barrack, Edwards, Clinton cannot and will not make any more committed statements to having the troops pull out. Sure, when they are speaking to the left wing extremists (see? I can use that term too!) they may throw out a few lines...but it will all be talk.
Now here is the important question...if they all wont commit to it themselves....why did they all say they wanted timetables just a few months/years ago? If they agree now that they can't just pull out by a certain date, why the change of heart now after giving President Bush an earful for so long?
Playing politics with the war perhaps?
have a great day :)
Posted by: tyler | September 27, 2007 at 01:20 PM
Every one who isn't committed to bringing the troops home asap is splaying politics with it. It is the political season after all.
As long as masses of voters are saying they support the likes of Hillary in spite of her support for the war in the past no one is going to position differently. It's up to the voters to send a message to the candidates that this is what they want.
Posted by: John Morgan | September 27, 2007 at 05:40 PM
"It's up to the voters to send a message to the candidates that this is what they want."
By voting for Bill Richardson.
Posted by: LeeLevan | September 27, 2007 at 08:41 PM
That's one way. He's made a few too many gaffes for me though.
Posted by: John Morgan | September 28, 2007 at 01:03 AM
I have to agree with you, John. In the Wednesday debate, he reiterated his support for a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.
Wasn't that in Gingrich's 1994 Contract on America?
With this many candidates, you'd think I could find one I'd really like.
Posted by: Joyful Alternative | September 28, 2007 at 06:31 AM
The balanced budget amendment was one of several items that was part of the Contract with America like the line item veto and term limits...the one I loved the most...and it was never enacted.
Both sides need to get the dinosaurs out...
but hey, thats just me.
have a great day.
Posted by: tyler | September 28, 2007 at 12:38 PM