Iraq spins further into disarray. Its president's entourage was ambushed. Soldiers and civilians die daily. The constitution, drafted by Shiites and Kurds, is abhorred by the Sunnis, and still must be voted on in October -- a vote likely to be fraught with more in-fighting and more terrorist attacks, even given the very recent compromise offered by the Shiites. If the Sunnis can't stomach the constitution, it may even be voted out in October, plunging the country into additional darkness -- and not just from the lack of electricity.
At the same time, 1500 additional U.S. troops will be deployed to Iraq over the next several weeks -- in time to help "support security efforts" during the election process -- once again demonstrating our administration's inability or unwillingness to recognize the strategy we're currently following is not working. More troops sent will just put more people in the line of danger.
To top it all off, John Bolton decides to play all-omnipotent God, helping him fit right into the administrative mold. One hundred and ninety ambassadors have spent six months creating a 30-page proposal about development, security and human rights. Topics included in the document included goals in lessening poverty and AIDS, dealing competently with the climate change, nuclear armament reductions, and improving education.
Last week, the United States suggested the proposal be cut to three pages (500 edits) and yesterday Ambassador Bolton sent a letter to all the ambassadors, suggesting they hurry up with negotiations and approval of the proposals.
The new guy on the block seems about as interested in the thoughts of world leaders as does his boss. Between the two of them -- and the rest of the inner circle appointed policy makers -- it appears that we look at diplomacy as "do-it-our-way-or-else."
Iran looms in the background, as does North Korea. So too does our new inefficient energy policy and the reductions in Medicare benefits and lack of federal funding for the federally mandated No Child Left Behind act.
While we're failing to bring democracy to Iraq we're also failing to provide a climate where our own democracy can be freely enjoyed. A polluted planet, under-educated children, sick poor and elderly people with inadequate (if any) health coverage, and an administration intent on foreign lands is a recipe for disaster.
I could go on but I won't. I'd rather focus on saving our world from its current future which really means we have to start right here in the USA. The amount of money we're spending each month in Iraq could surely be used -- even a small part of it -- to remedy some of the ills our own country faces. But, how can we accomplish this? What can any of us on the outside do besides complain and alert each other about what is going on?
Please advise us all if you have any ideas.
--
Written in collaboration with Jennifer Hicks.