In the past 24 hours, Dick Cheney has been in Baghdad, calling the Iraq War a "successful endeavor." John McCain's there too, and actually uttered those four magic words, "the surge is working," which only differs from Cheney's analysis in the scary possibility that McCain might actually believe it. Then again, maybe Cheney's pronouncement can be chalked up to youthful exuberance -- after all, he's almost 5 years younger than McCain.
And then there's that other possibility, the one that's starting to scare me: That by a certain neocon definition, Iraq is a success.
What if the war in Iraq did go on for 100 years, as McCain suggested it might? What are we looking at? An entire century of ever-increasing military spending, necessitating deep cuts in all other government programs -- like public education and health care and all that other sissy stuff. A staging ground for ten decades of warfare with Islamist militants, for whom the place is becoming a terrorist fantasy camp ("Come to Iraq and fight real Americans in your own back yard! Get your picture taken with real al Qaeda pros! Learn the fundamentals of blowing yourself up!"). And endless, lucrative contracts for American companies that support the war effort, from Grumman to Raytheon to -- of course -- Halliburton. Companies that in the absence of a Cold War might otherwise see their prospects dwindling.
What about that is not a success, by neocon standards? I've been scoffing at it for so long that think I missed the point. It's not a question of if the surge is working -- it's about whom it's working for.
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Bill hitting it on the head, as usual.
The US will be bankrupt long before the 100 year mark is reached. We're a country that doesn't like to pay taxes, remember.
You and John Stewart - funny palefaces: ) Why isn't anyone talking up the building of permanent bases in Iraq, and how that pertains to Iran? And how do we "pull back", in total - without the resultant fallout to the people we invaded? Wars aren't meant to be won - this ain't no fuckin' sport. You help those that can't help themselves, then go home. Or to spank a fanatic or two. We don't have enough Centurians to defend Hadrians wall......oops wrong millenia.
The bases are the point. They're the reason we invaded. But more important is the reason for the bases: the forward projection of American military might through the region. It's not just about controlling Iraq's oil; it's about controlling all the oil in the Middle East.
Yes. Oil is fundamental to the neocons' New American Empire. They understand that quite clearly.
Bill Maher you always seem to nail it and I like the fact that you always keep it light! As you've said in the past there is no one left in Iraq to quell. They are either dead, displaced or have fled. And what is up with the media in this countrie's ass? Why is the battle between Obama and Clinton such a negative thing? Because we choose to call it a "battle." Why can't we refer to this neck and neck situation as a something that is still be figured out? It's a work in progress.
Be well and keep making me laugh!
Both Cheney and McCain are in bad health. Maybe......but that's too much to ask for and who would take their places? The voters for once in their apathetic lives need to turn out and elect...who? I don't know, but I have always maintained this issue will not end peacefully or with a whimper. The economy will be a deciding factor as it was in the fourth decade of the last century. Lock and load folks.
May you live in interesting times.
Well, I guess the remnant Nixion-ites have just about run their course. Even Cheney has admitted defeat, the Imperial Presidency will not fly.
What of the Counter Culture that the O"Reiley, Fallwell, Murdock, Limbaugh, Robertson, Haggard, Dobson would have had Bush and Cheney destroy?
The only houses selling, are "Green Tech".
Whole, Organic foods now are found in every store.
The WAR driven economy has tanked.
Those with a nest egg, are running away from A.G. Edwards as fast as they can .
The back to nature movement is a lead advertisement strategy for Century 21 and Re/Max.
Sustainable farming is no longer the sole providence of bell-bottom clad, long-haired Hippies.
Wisdoms of Green Technologies are now in boardrooms from GE, to GM and from Texas Instruments to Toyota.
Ford is now manufacturing their first FLEX FUEL, cars since the Model T.
Community based, local farm sourced foods being sought by City leaders from New York to New Mexico.
WARS for Oil gave way international competition for alternatives, innovations and energy independence.
Spirituality has moved from the pulpit to plow, from politics to the people, from the sanctuary to wilderness, from the Temple to forest; with no loss of reverence, awe, inspiration, thanksgiving or wonderment.
Trash Picking, now Mega-Business.
Wall Streets gone Eco-Friendly.
2 BILLION turned out, just to SING TOGETHER.
WOW!
Not bad for a bunch of Dreamers, Tree-huggers and Malcontents
100 years war???????
NOT!
.
YEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!
All the best
Knute Neo-LIB
There's a lot of talk in these boards, anger and disgust with the current administration.
But no action.
Talk is cheap.
Yes, but when well meaning individuals DO manage to get their congressmen and women to actually craft a legitmate piece of legislation, directives come out of the WH at the 11th hour to make sure that only those contracts IN the United States have to undergo accounting scrutiny. You tell me sir, at what point do I quit attempting to frame the debate in a civil manner and engage in those activities that get me arrested--let me know will ya? Thanx
SO?
in remember in old days when people did not like the Government they will go out on streets and protest burn some cars and inhale some tear gas. I think its the only was to put some pressure on these politicians.
When people have nothing to lose, then they'll take to the streets. Not before. I am not saying a tanking economy is a good thing, but some people need more prodding than others.
Good article. I recently saw a grainy video of Presidend Eisenhower's farewell address (1960?). Eisenhower was ten times the war hero McCain is, but he learned the lessons of war. In it he warned of the dangers of the up and coming military industrial complex. How prophetic. Seems his worst fears have come true.
Mission accomplished Bill, mission accomplished.
Cheney is pure evil where McCain is simply a naive, if not dumb warrior. Disastrous either way.
When Nancy Pelosi took "impeachment off the table" I Knew we were collectively screwed!
It sure as hell is not working for the 4000 family's who are mourning their loved ones. However, Bush et el are happy or to quote Chaney "So?"
HuffPost's Pick
Excellent analysis Bill, as always, the US cannot continue feeding this national security state at these levels, it will mean a devastated economy and backward society for us all and a world united against our arrogance and violence. We know that it doesn't matter what happens on the ground in Iraq empirically, facts don't matter, McCain-Patreaus-Bush will always tell us progress is being made but there is great work to be done -- occupations always fail in the long run, it is just a question of how many lives and dollars we will be stupid enough to throw away on this Halliburton war.
I love your brain and humor, Bill. As usual you hit the mark dead on. The reason this war will be a never ending one is because many people currently in government, being unable to completely dismantle the programs that aid members of our society, finally found a way to do so. They have "terrorism" ---a war on it. And of course, Iraq was an excuse to find a physical area where to conduct the war and waste lives and wealth. Thus, with the pressure to "save ourselves form 'evildoers'" our government officials will find any and all excuses mm reasons for perpetuating war. when they feel we can't stay in Iraq, they'll move over to Iran to create a new mess---ah that's -- a new democratic government.
"lucrative contracts for American companies" - that's the whole point here. In fact that is the whole point of ALL American foreign policy aims. Dick Cheney is the personification of the whole war effort. It was he who drove the effort to manufacture the false intelligence that was used as a flimsy excuse to invade Iraq. For him to say Iraq is a failure would be to admit the he himself is a failure. Which he is, or isn't, depending on if you are a taxpayer (failure) or part of the corporatocracy (huge success!).
Why should we be angry at Cheney? We should really question the Democratic leadership and the media, especially the "paper of record" for uncritically swallowing the trail of transparent lies and not seeing the whole farce of WMD and "ties to Al Qaeda" for what it was. The NY Times is a disgrace for parroting spoonfed lies from Cheney. And now they tell us "the surge is working!"
It doesn't matter if the surge is working - eventually things in Iraq will take their own course, as they should, once we leave. Therefore the sooner we leave the better, whatever the circumstances, unless you are Raytheon or Halliburton, of course. But we will still make billions selling arms to Iraq, so in essence it doesn't matter if we leave now or in hundred years, the corporatocracy wins either way.
I keep wondering where the money is coming from. No raised taxes since the war began. We're obviously paying off Muqtada as well as the Sunni Neighborhood Watch groups. Got a problem with home mortgages in the US? Give people $600! Institutional problems on Wall Street? Bail 'em out! It's a shame Bush Jr. was never taught any responsibility by his parents. He never had to worry about earning money, so it's all just a concept to him. Future generations for many decades to come will have to pay for his ineptitude. BTW Viper, the CIA also made Saddam's ascendancy possible. Ironic, ain't it?
I think Bill has got it right. The reps keep saying we have to stay in Iraq until we acheive our goals. But what are our goals? Or should I ask 'what are THEIR goals?' Since absolutely nothing they've done in Iraq has ever been in the interest of the American people.
Right on Bill!
Acme Coffin Corp. had a record year in '07. As Monica said "that leaves a bad taste".
There is something that should have been done along time ago!!! We should impeach both Bush and Cheney. With the lies they have tried to sell us and the major debacle this whole administration has made out of the legislative and judicial bodies of this once, proud and prudent nation, we should have joined together as american citizens and collectively requested from our senators and congressmen that still have some backbone and morals (rules out many Dems and Repubs), that this entire administration be locked up in prison for crimes against humanity and worked together to assist the government and insist that the soldiers properly get rotated out on leave and shift our focus on offense to a better defense with the right equipment and stronger tactics to route out the insurgents. You're right about the surge working for them and setting them up for retirement. Meanwhile, many of our soldiers - even those who want out and did not volunteer for redeployment, are being permanently retired or dissabled without proper compensation to them and their families. 4,000 lost to a cause that brings no stability and only fuels their hatred towards us? We should eliminate the high paid contractors and shift the money being paid to local militias to our combat soldiers. How dare Cheney and Bush act so smug and dishonoring with the lives of our soldiers. IMPEACH!!! IMPEACH!!! IMPEACH!!!
Go ahead make my day.While your at it take the democratic party with you!
IMPEACH!!! IMPEACH!!!! IMPEACH!!! is right.
Here's why George won't be impeached: unlike his predecessor, he hasn't broken the law. The same things that George said about Iraq Clinton said in the previous administration.
Seems to me the murders of 4000 American soldiers and thousands of Iraqies are against all laws.
You don't know whether he broke the law or not. That's the purpose of congressional impeachment processes. There IS certainly enough legal reason to pursue those processes and see where they lead us. And, if, in the course of investigation, there is evidence that Democrats participated in defrauding the American and Iraqi people, so be it, indict and try those people as well. This administration has proven itself, time after time, to be the most mendacious collection of bureaucrats in American history. Time to figure out if any of those lies led directly to even a single loss of life, or loss of property.
Yes, he broke the law. He scoffed at the fisa court and spied on americans anyway.
I beg your pardon, Bush and Cheney did not lie. They "mis-spoke"!
LOL. Yup, and Bill didn't lie about his dalliance with Monica. He misspoke.
We're going to be out of oil in a few decades.
Excellent piece. The problem is, if anything is working, it's the local Iraqis fed absolutely up with al Qaeda & their ilk...and the probability of getting a limb blown off on their way to the market....give me a break.
Is it working? Hmmm.......maybe someone should ask a Kurd for their opinion - now that the bully was committing genocide on their population is gone.
America's amoral war industry is alive and thriving and needs your childrens blood for it's profits.
I saw at the beginning that if they could seize the wells and stabilize the country it would be a huge startegic success. Otherwise it would be a financial give away to the war and oil idustries. But they've already hedged their bets and built an uneducated coalition of red Sate folk and young people to elect a naive poser like Obama. The red Sates have always ignored the rule against bearing false witness, and they cut themselves off from the enlightenment long ago. Young people were taught rhetoric instead of logic and don't know much about the world yet. Neither group can reason their way out of a paper bag; and they're easily manipulated by the pretty words of Professor Harold Hill, I mean Barac Obama.
So war and oil win again. Resistance is futile.
Dont slag WillBFair, just because Obama says "hope" and "change" a lot doesn't mean you are going to get it. Follow the money trail folks. Obama's bigest funders are the banking elite. And who makes the money from the wars? The folks that lend the government the money to fight them. It always goes up.
You sound like a rethug pretending to be a "Moderate" liberal for Conservative Hillary.
Posted March 21, 2008 | 01:11 PM (EST)