My Report on Iraq

Over the next few weeks the public and congress will be briefed on the situation in Iraq by a number of experts. Among them: Army General David Petraeus (commander of the US forces there - expect to see him on Jimmy Kimmel plugging a book by Christmas), Defense Secretary Robert Gates (appointed by the President so you know Kool-Aid is his beverage of choice), Marine General Peter Pace (the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, appointed by...guess), retired Marine General James L. Jones (with pension and full P.X. privileges), Ryan Crocker, the US Ambassador in Baghdad (still missing the good old days when he was assigned to Pakistan), even CBS journalist Katherine Anne "Katie" Couric (who reports at great personal risk that a street market was thriving), and something called the Government Accountability Office (which turns out isn't a joke but really exists).

Despite all of that expertise, I decided to conduct my own report, the findings I shall share here.

Last weekend I was in the Dallas-Fort Worth airport and encountered a whole group of soldiers returning from Iraq for R&R. They were wearing those green camouflage fatigues that allow them to move about undetected in the forests of the Middle East. Airport security made them all take off their combat boots, which lace almost up to their knees. It's the TSA's little way of saying thank you to our boys. "Dog tags in the bins, fellas."

So as we were all putting our shoes and boots back on I asked them what it was like over there. Answer: "bad!" And then I said, "When do you think you guys will all come home?" Almost in unison they said, "When a Democrat is elected."

What other data, reports, hearings, debates, presentations, photo ops from street fairs do we need?

You can read more from Ken at kenlevine.blogspot.com

Comments

[kardwell]

For anyone on this blog truly interested in taking a stand beyond firing totally useless barbs and insults at one another, do what I did this morning, and will continue to do until the US rights its course -- voice your concerns to ALL of your state's congressional reps. Send letters, emails, and call their offices regardless of their district.
What we have in the US is either apathy, or "analysis paralysis" -- but not nearly enough true activism on behalf of the American public.
While to some, it might sound naive or futile, I still believe that it is worth the time and effort to share my views and concerns with the political body that has the ability to bring our troops home, and to prevent Bush's planned attack on Iran. These are the folks who really need to hear your voices. And they need to hear it NOW, before it is too late.

[iisguy]

The conservative would like for this to be about winning and losing. Only the simple minded think about this in these terms. There is no winning or losing here. It is about what makes sense, not about pride. 4 million Iraqis diplaced http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19055852/
by a war we chose to start. How is that not brutal any way you look at it? Not to mention tens of thoudands killed. Why? Why are they dead? So we can enforce our notion of freedom on them? Hah. It's not even our notion of freedom we're bankrupting our country for. Have you READ the Iraqi consitution? Seriously, have you read it? Is that what this is about?

Article 2:

First: Islam is the official religion of the State and it is a fundamental source of legislation:

A. No law that contradicts the established provisions of Islam may be established.

This is not about winning and losin and progressives should not be sucked into that conversation as it a sidetrack.

[TheDude1369]

no surprise. not all troopers are brainwashed by their religions or the propaganda machine. some fiqure it out after seeing injustices. they are first hand observers but their silence is required. they live in a pack mentality where straying might get you killed or dishonored (which is worse). the sad part is that reality will face them all someday. all this while intellectuals debate the nuances of geopolitics.

[LiarLiarIraqsOnFire]

They were wearing those green camouflage fatigues that allow them to move about undetected in the forests of the Middle East.

That ranks right up there with a 'quote' from future Senator Blutarsky - "Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?"

[magen]

If progressives could get a LOT of regular soldiers saying this on TV, that would be an excellent rebuttal to the "Betray-us report"

[cae]

Wow. Wonder how many of the other troops feel that way? That is some statement.

[hawkeye58]

BTW, is the Iraqi government back from their vacation yet?

[NickfromCali]

Shouldn't that be "when a Democrat not named Hillary is elected President"?

[Colmore]

Why should the troops be used to defend civilian contractors who make 3 times more than they do? Why should troops be used to try to force Iraq to give up most of their natural resource to oil companies run by the US? Their country has been destroyed, their citizens killed or run out of the country. They did nothing wrong, probably never even were aware of the twin towers, or Osama B.L. No wonder they hate the foreign invaders. We would too, if someone invaded this country. Bush has never been to a military funeral, wants the flag draped coffins kept out of sight. No honor for the brave young people dying for a lie. He should be dropped off in Baghdad, to finish his military service that he went AWOL from. I would not want to serve in the same area as him. He would be crying for his Mama.

[dclobbyist]

I think it's amazing that when Democrats and liberals go to Iraq and ask the troops how things are going, they claim the response is "bad" "horrible" etc. But when Republicans go to Iraq and ask the troops how things are going, the response is "good" and "improving".
The truth is, no one knows. There is a liberal spin and there is a conservative spin.

[rivrgrrl]

Well then, if all things being equal, let's err on the side of humanity, compassion and decency and extract ourselves from the mess we created. We can help rebuild their country without our troops being there.

[Liberal2]

Oh, I'm sure it's "amazing" to someone who calls himself "dclobbyist".

But the explanation is quite simple: democrats and liberals ask E-5s and down how their fight is going. Rethugs and fascists ask generals and administration appointees whether they feel safe.

See? No spin, just a question of whose reality is the actual predictor of outcome. The Army has no shortage of generals, it's the guys working outside the green zone who are in short supply.

[rabun666]

What a great post, thanks.I'm amazed that the MSM isn't greeting them at the airport, asking their opinions of Iraq, with videos of them having to take off their boots, thank god for the brave TSA security who are protecting the country from our troops.Troops returning from Iraq and being insulted and abused after being insulted and abused by being sent to Iraq in the first place, what a great country.

[SeattlePublicMarket]

No matter what you think of what's happening in Iraq - this is at least thought provoking. Check out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U623_GTYX-8
It's a quick trailer for a new documentary some fellow DC-ers made after spending a year in Baghdad.

[rivrgrrl]

Thanks for that. I will watch for it.

[chazaroo]

These young soldiers should'nt be worrying about getting out of Iraq as much as getting into Iram. Anyhow, this is another faction of the fascist wingnut party that has awoken and finally realized they've been lied to and are abandoning ship. Now if only some of the christian family values (ha ha) crowd could do the same thing, we could throw the fascist group of assholes into the dust bin of history. Remember, THE INTERNET WILL DESTROY THE republican PARTY.

[anxious4change]

what the troops are hoping for is that a democrat such as HillBill will save the day, when in fact they will only be able to bring back a nominal amount of troops. HillBill are part of the problem, not a solution- their hands are too dirty from politics (ie: sleeping with corporate interests and the pentagon). what we need is a real departure from this same fate, this new world order that bush1 'envisioned'. the way i see it, only someone who is unelectable like Kucinich or a green (or peace party) candidate can turn this mess around. yes, it would be messy at first (this is an inevitable future for this country, no matter who gets elected), we'll lick our wounds, collect our wisdom, and be all the wiser from the mistakes of an old regime-style government. coke or pepsi cannot be the choice anymore. we need more voices/choices. it's difficult to see this while sleep walking.

[timbyrnes]

DK saw that the war was unjustified from the beginning and voted against it. He is committed to peace and diplomacy. He is the man for the job.
This is where the revolution starts.

[LizM]

But, it does matter WHICH Democrat is elected because it matters very much HOW US forces leave...HOW is just as important as WHEN...if you care about what is left behind and how much time will elapse before US forces will have to return...

[gvincent]

So vote for the only guy that truly wants to end the war, truly knows how he is going to do it, truly has the credentials to be a war president, and truly should be polling above 3%, Joe Biden.
http://www.crookedinc.com

[LizM]

You got that right! And, I couldn't have said it better myself.

[brantl]

Kucinich is the only one taking the lead on defunding the war, who will put his money where his mouth is.