Previous post
today is ‘national sovereignty day’ in iraq. the US has pulled back from baghdad and other urban areas, leaving iraq’s elected government and its own security forces to maintain order and keep the peace.
MOSUL, IRAQ – The commanding general in charge of US forces in the north says American combat troops pulling out of Iraq’s most volatile cities are being shifted to areas encircling the cities to try to stop what has proved to be a resilient Al Qaeda in Iraq and other insurgent groups.
dear iraq: though some would say you are not grateful to us, we know from many eyewitness reports, that you recognize and appreciate the sacrifices our country has made in blood and treasure for your freedom and liberty. we are waiting and watching as your neighbor iran takes to the streets in the great hope of having what you now have. we are praying for your great success as a democracy-loving nation!
it’s all yours now if you can keep it.
PenniePan says: Oh good God!!! They have NEVER been grateful!!! They have hated every single second of every single day since the invasion. Look what they did to Shrub!!! They threw shoes at the “great liberator” in front of the ENTIRE world. THAT is the definition of HUMILIATION. This is all fantasy Kate.
Our hopes and prayers are with them. There are some very good people in Iraq and its success will depend on whether or not they step up to the plate.
Pennie, you’re so ignorant. Please tell me, what are you basing your conclusions on? Your experience in Iraq? Of course not, leaving the safe confines of your computer would be out of the question to a person like you. You know nothing about Iraq or her people, but that’s nothing new.
“This is all fantasy Kate.”
No, Pennie, the only fantasy here is your perception of reality.
Paul says: There is no way that Iraq will be safe and secure. The shear waste and loss by this country for that hell hole is staggering. This is a clear “Blame Bush” moment.
“it’s all yours now if you can keep it.”
HA! Even you war hawks are not fully convinced they can do this.
It’s so amazing that the neo-socialists who infest this site would rather see death and destruction in Iraq just to get a “Blame Bush” moment.
Truly pathetic.
‘HA! Even you war hawks are not fully convinced they can do this.’
paul you are no dummy. countries that live under the boot of tyranny and historical cultural clashes don’t turn to democracy on a dime. what we did was give them a fighting chance to live in a democratic society. a chance to self determine. how can you want that to fail? how can you simply overlook the huge-ness of that just for a petty poke at president bush?
micky says: When you look at the history of the middle east with all its theological dictatorships its hard not to see whats happened in Iraq as a near miracle. As long as these people have their sovereingty under a democratric electorate they have as much chance as any fledgling democratic country ever did.
Right now there are people in Iran taking a look at whats happened in Iraq, what America has, and they want it without anyone shoving down their throat as the left so wrongly says we are arrogantly doing.
These people are willing to to die for what they see us and Iraq having and its all being presented to them through example and display, not force.
Pennie.
One deranged reporter tossing a show does not represent the sentiments of most Iraqis any more than your attitude towards certain things represents all Americans.
There are those who will always reject change or be loyal to the bathist regime for the benefits it allowed them.
Weve done what we should of done for them and what we can for them. Its up to them now to see that our troops didnt die in vain. I suspect that the majority dont want to go back to what once was, wouldnt you agree ?
I know two people who served or are serving in Iraq. The people love them and appreciate everything they do, every sacrifice they make. The media may want us to believe otherwise to advance its own agenda but the fact is – the Iraqi people are grateful to us for what we have done for them.
And its the unwavering of former President George W. Bush that made it happen. His commitment to the people of Iraq has brought them to this point – the possibility that they can govern themselves in a democrat way. If they don’t – it won’t be Bush’s fault as it will happen on Obama’s watch.
Read the book “The Blog of War” – first hand accounts of interactions between U.S. soldiers and Iraqis – it shows unequivocally that they were happy we went in and saved them from decades of abuse and genocide.
Sure there were people who didn’t want us there – but I would hardly say one shoe-throwing person speaks for his entire country.
Jane says: What’s pathetic is the conservative’s attempt to make lemonade out of rotten eggs. Iraq is a mess…STILL. Countless deaths. Countless injuries. Countless families broken. More American soldiers just died this week. AND NO ONE MENTIONS ALL THE IRAQIS WHO DIED UNNECESSARILY BECAUSE OF OUR MEDDLEING. All of it because we stuck our nose where it should have never been. You mention Iran in this post. Are you willing to lose the same there to for such a fragile strawman regime? There is no real democracy in Iraq. It’s a horrible joke that you even say that. Let the people groups of the world rule themselves in the manner they choose.
micky says: Jane.
Today there are an average of 10 to 12 attacks a day as opposed to the 600 a day last year. Please, show me any reports that dont acknowledge theres still much work to be done.
You’re entitled to your opinioin, but the facts dictate otherwise.
You and your friends should really try to start making Iraq look as if thousands of Americans didnt die for nothing. These men and women of ours went head on into a war, volunteering for something they believed in. If I were one of the troops and I had to listen to you dimishing the value of what my fellow troops died for my reaction would be less than desirable, to say the least
They are ruling themselves in the manner they choose. Thats what the celebration is all about.
“you willing to lose the same there to for such a fragile strawman regime?”
Wait a minute. You dont really think that Obama wants American soldiers to die for the Ayatolla and Ahmajinedad, do you ?
The people of Iran, the ones in the streets, are not a “regime” by any stretch of the imagination.
The focus of the present adminstration should be on the desires of those in Iran who want what we have. In order to help Iran no American blood has to be spilled, this has been said many times by politicians and pundits much wiser than you or I. So I really wish you guys would put away this bullsh*t argument you keep bringing up that the right is pushing for an armed invasion of Iran.
The Iranian people need our support by means of letting their governnemnt know that will will stand behind those that want what we have. There are many tools at our disposal that would let the dictatoirship know that we mean business without a drop of American blood being spiled.
My feeling is that If Obama doesnt get his chance to negotiate with Irans present regime he wont have the chance to look like the hero that can turn radical theocracies around with his smooth brand of BS he said would work during the campaign.
He should be interested in ousting these a$$hats for the simple reason that it would a lot easier to get Irran under a different leadership to come to some negotiable terms.
Ya know, its not that bad an idea to tell a more peaceful Iranian regime that they dont need nukes but should India or anyone else present a threat to them we’ll watch their back.
We must get involved. Not just for the people there. But also because the present government there cannot be allowed to have these weapons.
PERIOD
Dave says: No fanfare really. No big news reports or big spreads in the papers and magazines. No Independence Day fireworks. You know why? Because no one believes it will last. It is a fire keg waiting to blow up when the slightest problem come along. These people should have been left alone to fend for themselves. It was their decision to make to rebel and overthrow not George Bush’s. Just the monetary cost of Iraq is staggering. The human cost is infinity.
I hate blogs like yours and comments like these who pretend it’s such a great thing that we did there. It wasn’t the horrors are unmentionable and you are a liar and a fool. The Iraqi people celebrate because WE ARE LEAVING not because we did them any good.
Eric says: I hope the best for the iraqis but truth be told, their security forces are not ready to take total control of their security.Iran is the cause of most of the attacks that happen now and they are just sitting back waiting for our troops to pull out. Ask our troops over there who work side by side with the iraqi troops and they will tell you, that you do not go on patrol and let the iraqis walk behind you, they cannot be trusted. you always keep them in front of you. Things will unravel fast when we pull out
Eric says: People need to stop blaming Bush, its congress who controls the show and who runs it, the democrats
micky says: Dave.
Cornered the market on koolaide ?
Theres not one official in Iraq, U.S or Iraqi that thinks this is alll over and everythings going to be peachy keen from here on in.
I read the post. I dont see any indication on the part of the author that she is “pretending” anything other than the fact that this is one of the greatest opportunities in history that the Iraqis have had. Wouldnt you agree ?
“These people should have been left alone to fend for themselves. It was their decision to make to rebel and overthrow not George Bush’s.”
Are you aware of what the consequences were to any Iraqi who voiced opposition to Saddam ? Where have you been ? Are you totally oblivious to the mass graves of those who spoke against the tyranny ? Are you really that disconnected ?
“Just the monetary cost of Iraq is staggering. The human cost is infinity.”
“INFINTY”?
That would mean the total anihalation of the human race.
Seems to me you’re just another one of the one dimensional thinkers who thinks the only reason we went to Iraq was for hearts and minds.
Afghanistan did not provide the kind of structure we needed to establish a precense in the middle east. Iraq provided us with a foothold enabling us to keep an eye on what has been the single greatest threat to America since the midle east.
Wise up. Our move on Iraq contained many other motives besides just that of rescuing a people from tyranny.
As long as people like you and those on the left continue to spew that it was noly about hearts and minds you’ll keep finding yourself angry simply due to ignorance.
From Charles Krauthammer, the man is a genius.
“In 2005 there was the ousting of Syria from Lebanon, first elections in Iraq and early liberalization in the Gulf states and Egypt — was aborted by a fierce counterattack from the forces of repression and reaction, led and funded by Iran.
Now, with Hezbollah having lost elections in Lebanon and with Iraq establishing the institutions of a young democracy, the fall of the Islamist dictatorship in Iran would have an electric and contagious effect. The exception — Iraq and Lebanon — becomes the rule. Democracy becomes the wave. Syria becomes isolated; Hezbollah and Hamas, patronless. The entire trajectory of the region is reversed.
That’s our fundamental interest. And our fundamental values demand that America stand with demonstrators opposing a regime that is the antithesis of all we believe.
And where is our president? Afraid of “meddling.” Afraid to take sides between the head-breaking, women-shackling exporters of terror — and the people in the street yearning to breathe free. This from a president who fancies himself the restorer of America’s moral standing in the world.”
Its all about stabalizing that part of the world and saving American lives in the long run…
Get it ?
Eric says: our president who stand quiet over iran, yet speaks out about the situation in honduras, its scary to think he is supporting the president of honduras who wanted to ignore the countries constitution and stay in office. it shows where obama stands on his believes, he sure has taken most of his fathers marxist believes to heart
Paul says: Eric so you want him to turn Iran into another Iraq????? Iraq will forever be a stain on Shrub. Obama is a hell of a lot smarter and will never use force for such a non-existant reason. Diplomacy will work with President Obama even while using verbal influences in Honduras. The LAST thing we need is for South America to implode.
micky says: Paul.
You’re another one who keeps bringing up this false argument that anyone is calling for a forceful solution to Iran.
Where the hell do you guys keep getting that from ?
“Non existant”?
You wanna help me out here and tell me what the hell you’re talking about ?
“Diplomacy will work with President Obama ”
Not so far.
Ken says: “AND NO ONE MENTIONS ALL THE IRAQIS WHO DIED UNNECESSARILY BECAUSE OF OUR MEDDLEING.”
As opposed to the countless who died unnecessarily because of our indifference. That must be that liberal compassion I keep hearing about. Very impressive.
“There is no real democracy in Iraq. It’s a horrible joke that you even say that.”
Yes there is real democracy in Iraq Jane, I saw it. I watched as thousands of Iraqis lined up to brave 120 degree heat, snipers, suicide bombers, and car bombs just for their right to have their voices heard. You would know nothing about that, you and the rest of your band of merry morons. You’re quite content in turning a blind eye. The only horrible joke is your understanding of the real world, cause you apparently don’t spend much time in it.
“No Independence Day fireworks.”
They’re not celebrating their independence, Dave, they are celebrating that U.S. forces are handing over security to Iraqis it’s a proud moment, try and keep up. U.S. military will be pulling back to areas around the cities just in case.
“These people should have been left alone to fend for themselves.”
Ahhh, yet another example of the liberal compassion. Let the women be raped, let the children be tortured, let the men be murdered. Not to mention Iraq’s support of terrorism and aggression to numerous other countries. “Not my problem!” How Chamberlain-like of you!
“I hate blogs like yours and comments like these who pretend it’s such a great thing that we did there.”
Gosh, Dave, I’m sure kate will lose sleep over that. Fact is, we did do a great thing there, regardless of whether you believe it or not. Having enjoyed the freedoms and all the other pleasantries we have, you seem like a typical liberal who doesn’t really understand how life without them would be.
“Freedom for me, not for thee.” That should be the dems slogan for their foreign policy.
“It wasn’t the horrors are unmentionable and you are a liar and a fool. The Iraqi people celebrate because WE ARE LEAVING not because we did them any good.”
Wow, Dave, did you reach that conclusion from your endless hours of research watching MSNBC?! Or perhaps the NY Times? You know nothing about Iraq, much like your cohort Pennie, nor do you care.
However, there’s something you Obamabots may want to consider before you go gleefully hoping for Iraq’s demise. Iraq was handed over to BO with the terrorists all but defeated and violence at an all time low. If it, in turn, blows up the voters will hold HIM, not Bush, responsible. BO may have a hard core of brainless, drooling, babbling, herd of sheep as supporters, but there are plenty of those who voted for him who are watching Iraq carefully to see what happens on HIS WATCH.
Be careful what you wish for.
Ken says: “You’re another one who keeps bringing up this false argument that anyone is calling for a forceful solution to Iran.
Where the hell do you guys keep getting that from ?”
It’s the strawman argument, Micky. They make believe that the Republicans are screaming for an invasion of Iran and then dismantle the argument. It’s all they have.
Pity them.
Paul said:
Iraq will forever be a stain on Shrub. Obama is a hell of a lot smarter and will never use force for such a non-existant reason. Diplomacy will work with President Obama…
No, Iraq will not be a stain on former President Bush’s record. At some point in the future people will realize that it was his commitment to the people of Iraq that gave them a chance a democracy. If it fails, it won’t be his fault.
Oh yes, diplomacy worked so well with Saddam Hussein in the past. A man who used chemical weapons on his own people, who murdered his own people by the thousands.
Jane said:
Let the people groups of the world rule themselves in the manner they choose.
Um Jane – do you think the Iraqi people choose to be led by a brutal, ruthless dictator like Hussein? They enjoyed living in squalor, fearing for their lives if they even crossed the street in a manner Husseins’ minions didn’t like? Do you realize that people who are ruled by dictators don’t have any choices in their lives at all? If they are to be saved, who is going to do it for them? Their military? Themselves?
Please – you liberals really take the cake. You claim you are the party of compassion, yet you seem to believe it would have been OK to let the Iraqis continue to be slaughtered by one of the most brutal dictators in the modern world.
By your logic – we should have stayed out of WWII and let Hitler achieve his final solution.
The idea that Iraqis have any measure of sovereignty in their country is absurd. They are under military occupation, they have a corrupt government and their oil resources are slowly but surely being opened up to foreign multi-national corporations.
I wrote a longer analysis of this National Sovereignty Day here:
http://www.whyweworry.com/blog/2009/07/06/the-iraq-show/
No Comments