Can the Market End the Iraq Occupation?

With the latest Blackwater screwup (or massacre, depending on which end of the gun you happen to be on) we may be looking at a quasi market decision that could end the occupation.

We have no status of forces agreement with Iraq, hence no honorable and fair way of holding any American, soldier or mercenary, accountable for crimes committed against Iraqis or their property. Given that we have slaughtered, maimed, and displaced so many of them, as this comparative chart shows, it is hard to imagine what it would take to make us leave after having had so much uninterupted fun, and building all those permanent bases.

But that aside, what people want, as Maliki well understands, is sometimes what they must have. Iraqis want justice and peace. If Blackwater leaves, the whole occupation will collapse. The cash flow to those profiting from the occupation (and being protected by mercs) will collapse (the bases are already built, and oil is going nowhere, so "security" is the only real commercial enterprise left where American companies have the corner).

Further, Blackwater does the kinds of things that Americans will not allow their own uniformed enlistees and officers to do, and it won't take many more massacres, and public trials back home of the lowest ranking example to completely end new enlistments into the army by anyone not already an accomplished felon, or so stupid they are completely untrainable.

Wow -- actually being punished for business mistakes and moral terpitude, and removed for incompetence. By the Iraqi government, no less! When can we get some of that bottled and sent to Washington!

Comments

[wiseoldgranny]

Karen, you post as though you really believe that the Iraqis have anything to do with what their puppet government does.

I look for them to start a campaign against Maliki for friendship with Iran, corruption, or anything that will get a more 'pliable' operative for bushco and co.. i.e. Chalibi.

I believe that condi has already threatened him with her last 'little visit'. The last time, they started showing him 'who was boss', he caved, let's see what happens now.

[altohone]

I'll chime in with BillZBubb's sentiments...

The assumption in this post is that the Iraqi government can dictate to the occupying power.

Yes, they were elected by the Iraqi people, but they will have no true sovereignty until we leave.

Blackwater- "License? We don't need no stinkin license".

[Plowboy]

Get out of Iraq? Well, first there's that promised attack on Iran to be carried off. Then we'll think about it --- or maybe not.

[Advocate123]

Given that we have slaughtered, maimed, and displaced so many of them, as this comparative chart shows, it is hard to imagine what it would take to make us leave after having had so much uninterupted fun, and building all those permanent bases.

So according to you: 1) none of the people dead were insurgents or foreign terrorists; 2) None of the people killed were as a result of foreign terrorists or insurgents.

[OrvilleHLarson]

Damn straight, Colonel. Blackwater's extralegal, thuggish behavior is all the worse by virtue of the fact that they've never been called to account.

Get the hell out of Iraq, NOW.

Dr. Ron Paul for President.

[BillZBubb]

I wouldn't count my chickens about Blackwater being forced out of Iraq just yet. The Decider will put in a call to Maliki to get him back in line.

There will be some phony "investigation" and Blackwater will be fined and that will be that. Business as usual.

[Podewumun]

I know I sound like a broken record, but.....

The next time George Bush goes to Congress seeking ANOTHER Emergency Supplemental Funding Outlay, Congress needs to give him money for the TROOPS IN UNIFORM, and NOTHING ELSE!!!!!!

No money for Blackwater, Custer Battles, DynCorp, KBR, etc., etc. NOT A DIME!!!!!!!!

I find it morally repugnant that Bush and our spineless Congress expect American taxpayers (not to mention their children, their grandchildren and ultimately their great-gran­dchildren) to pay the bloated salaries of an armed gang of lawless, Sgt. Rock wannabes.