Every morning Americans wake up to the same BREAKING NEWS from Iraq: Car bombs; pipeline explosions; assassinations of Iraqi government officials; more American soldiers and even more innocent Iraqis killed; US forces on yet another offensive against insurgent positions, etc. etc.
Of course, breaking news is hardly ever good news. But where the rebuilding of Iraq is concerned, it is invariably (the same) bad news!
The toll of American success in rebuilding Iraq
Therefore, it came as no surprise that last weekend 20 Americans were reported killed in Iraq amidst more car bombings, serial assassinations and general mayhem. It was instructive, however, to observe President Bush during his press conference on Monday when he was asked how he thought things were going there. Because his answer suggests that he’s suffering from a variant strain of the Groundhog day syndrome that characterizes the stalemate in Iraq.
After all, Bush replied without a hint of irony or repetition that “we’re routing out the terrorists…and enjoying tremendous success”. But this has been his unwavering refrain for almost 2 years now despite the mounting death toll of American soldiers and innocent Iraqis and frank admissions by his own generals that their war objectives have been plagued by unforeseen obstacles (like being killed by Iraqis who resent their country being occupied by Americans).
Despite evidence to the contrary, Bush insists that his declarations of victory in Iraq are as valid today as they seemed 2 years ago!
In fact, Bush seems completely averse to the realities of his war in Iraq. For it was one thing to make such upbeat and triumphant declarations 2 years ago – after US tanks stormed into Baghdad with only accidental casualties. But it seems utterly delusional to maintain such unbridle confidence today with Iraq being blown to smithereens by strikes and counterstrikes between the insurgents and US forces.
Of course, it is also instructive to recall that this is the President who when asked at another press conference just months ago if he felt he had made a single mistake as commander-in-chief of the Iraq war, he answered: “I can’t think of any….” Indeed, Bush seems constitutionally immune to admissions of human frailties and pathologically committed to rosy scenarios about Iraq – come what may.
Therefore, it’s really no wonder that Bush’s generals and foot soldiers have deployed lies and deception in the execution of his wars. And, as if manipulating intelligence about WMDs and faking the rescue of Jessica Lynch were not bad enough, it was revealed only yesterday that the military concocted an elaborate web of lies to convince Pat Tillman’s parents (and the world) that he died a hero by enemy fire when, in fact, he was killed accidentally by his fellow soldiers.
Ultimately though, notwithstanding Bush’s cheerleading, the daily bleak pictures coming out of Iraq defy his confident words a thousand times. But perhaps to appreciate how profoundly disassociated he has become from these realities, one has to think of Nero who played with his fiddle as Rome burned!
Earth to President Bush: Iraq is burning!
It may be that Bush had good intentions when he invaded Iraq. But good intentions cannot excuse delusional, irresponsible, incompetent and deceptive decisions that have killed so many and caused so much misery. And, despite the heroic efforts of Iraqis to set-up his puppet regime, Bush has little to show for investing (wasting) so much in Iraq. Moreover, an increasing number of Iraqis now see his promise of democracy as a diabolical misadventure because they feel as though he has led them down a primrose path to hell.
The despairing and hopeless faces of liberated Iraqis
Note: To be fair to Bush, he insists that but for the living hell that he has created in Iraq, there would be no discernible move towards democracy in Libya, Lebanon, Egypt, Georgia, Ukraine and other places he would undoubtedly cite. And, if that helps him sleep at night, so be it. But if any leader has ever lived to boast of a pyrrhic victory in a war he started, that leader is George W. Bush, President of the United States!
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Anonymous says
So much for “You can’t pull the wool over the american peoples eyes.” All of this and nary a peep. Nothing from the people and nothing from the media.
You’d think that after Bush won the white house americans lost their vocal cords. Pathetic!
Noel
Anonymous says
but if liberals like you had your way we all would be talking german or arab by now. wise up buddy. yeah this war is messy. but our life and your freedom depends on it.
Anonymous says
Actually spanish and some derivitive of Arawak! But you’re close there Godzilla. The Honorable discharges that hang on my wall I guess don’t mean shit.
Didn’t we go there originally to find WMD? How the fuck does that end up equating to fighting for my freedom. Ninety percent of the assholes that flew those airplanes into those buildings were Saudis but we’re killing Iraqi’s. Maybe you should wise up there cupcake.
Oh and Fuck you!
Have a nice day asshole
Noel
Anonymous says
down boy. i obviously hit a nerve. but i wont get into a pissing match with you.
just for the record, you guys keep beating the wmd drum and at the same time you accuse bush of planning to topple saddam to avenge his dad. maybe you’re right on both counts. bush really wanted to get rid of that sob and wmd was just 1 of many good reasons for doing so! how’s that?
and hey, thanks for your service noel.
Anonymous says
Sorry man(It is Man right?): I was having a really bad day and you became an easy target.
I guess what I’m trying to say is that there are a lot of us that go head first, balls to the wind to support our troops and just because we question; not necessarily oppose the viewpoint of the current leadership, we’re lobbed together into the same pool of yahoo’s who’d feel more at home with anarchy than democracy.
I question the wisdom of our leaders in this whole matter. I question anyone who attacks me for questioning our leaders. I refuse to reamain silent and as you’ve noticed I still have my vocal chords.
Have a nice day and please accept my apology for going off on you.
Noel