Again with the mission creep. I don't know how many times Mr. Bush has expanded our goals in Iraq, but what he's offering tonight takes it around the bend and back again.
On an enduring relationship with Iraq that requires many fewer American troops:This vision for a reduced American presence also has the support of Iraqi leaders from all communities. At the same time, they understand that their success will require U.S. political, economic, and security engagement that extends beyond my presidency. These Iraqi leaders have asked for an enduring relationship with America. And we are ready to begin building that relationship -- in a way that protects our interests in the region and requires many fewer American troops.
Mr. Bush can throw in the "fewer American troops" pony, but the the highlighted section above is ominous. What it implies is that Mr. Bush is about to enter into an agreement with the Maliki government that will extend beyond his presidency and commit the U.S. permanently to Iraq. This was obviously the plan all along, especially when you take in the largest embassy on earth, and the football-long bases for troops.
Korea is the model? Only in Bush's little mind. We haven't taken serious casualties in Korea since the late 1960s. Does anyone believe casualty rates will plummet with Bush's new Operation Enduring Nightmare? Just for the record, Bush has been hinting at this for a while (via email from a friend):
"Korea may be Bush's model for Iraq, officials say""President Bush is looking at the decades-long U.S. troop presence in South Korea as a model for a future U.S. role in Iraq, senior administration officials said Thursday." [CNN, 9/13/07]
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"With Korea as Model, Bush Team Ponders Long Support Role in Iraq"
"Several visitors to the White House say that in private, he has sounded intrigued by what he calls the "Korea model," a reference to the large American presence in South Korea for the 54 years since the armistice that ended open hostilities between North and South." [The New York Times, 6/3/07]
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"Bush envisions U.S. presence in Iraq like S.Korea"
"White House spokesman Tony Snow said Bush would like to see a U.S. role in Iraq ultimately similar to that in South Korea." [Reuters, 5/30/07]
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"White House envisions 'Korean model' in Iraq"
"President Bush would like to see the U.S. military provide long-term stability in Iraq as it has in South Korea, where thousands of American troops have been based for more than half a century, the White House said Wednesday." [The Seattle Times, 5/31/07]
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"S. Korea Eyed as Model for U.S. Troops in Iraq"
"White house spokesman Tony Snow said last week that President Bush looks to South Korea as a sort of model." [NPR, 6/10/07]
This new plan for a permanent commitment in Iraq, not just a long-term presence that has been Bush's launching pad to tonight's gem, should not go unchallenged by Congress. Of course, we're likely to hear a chorus of we don't have the votes blah-blah-blah instead.
Oh, as an aside, the military isn't fooled by Bush's Iraqi hearing pageantry. The military are supporting the Democrats in droves. Sign 'em up and get 'em to run for office.
Iraq as another Korea?
Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse.
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1. According to the Geneva Conventions on Warfare and Occupation, the U.S. and our allies are still "parties of occupation" of Iraq and that will be so until a Senate-approved treaty with the Iraqi government has been signed.
2. Once the U.S. Congress is going to buy into Bush's "Korean-analogy" poppycock (they will!), the president can claim that we are no longer an occupying force, hence are no longer bound by the Geneva Conventions.
3. Today, the U.S. and our allies can "legally" (see Geneva Conventions)requisition as much crude oil from Iraq as is needed for the occupation forces (Oilman Hunt may actually become a war criminal if he takes more crude out of Kurdistan than needed, something his buddy GWB might not want to happen). When we are "at peace" with Iraq, Hunt can "legally" steal as much crude as he wants. If Iraq is a "close ally", we are "obviously" at peace with Iraq.
4. Since GWB does not think that the Geneva Conventions matter, the stealing of crude oil will go ahead anyway but it would be convenient for him and Al-Maliki to have a fig-leaf ready.
We are no different from the willing Germans of WWII that allowed for the Nazi genocide of jews and other "undesirables".
Shame on us.
March on Washington this SAT. SEPT. 15TH 2007 TO END THE WAR IN IRAQ/IMPEACH BUSH-CHENEY. Expect over 100,000 to show up for this historic stand against this American tyranny and tragic raping of American Democracy.
Tasteless you say? Unfair? So are nearly 4000 dead US military and God only knows how many Iraqi civilians killed for a lie.
We are being held hostage by a madman. Our bad.
Imperialism has its price.
we Americans will pay that price for our ignorance and our complacency.
they the Iraqis will bleed us slow and drain our treasures, which we do not feel the affects yet as this war is being waged on borrowed money.
they know we have installed a puppet government and want to control and occupy their country for their oil.
we would do the same if someone occupied our country.
maybe we will get lucky and someone will invade us and remove our dictator. Congress does not have the courage and Nancy and Reid are playing politics with this war.
we have hit the hornets nest and we are about to get stung.
Imperialism has its price.
we Americans will pay that price for our ignorance and our complacency.
they the Iraqis will bleed us slow and drain our treasures, which we do not feel the affects yet as this war is being waged on borrowed money.
they know we have installed a puppet government and want to control and occupy their country.
we would do the same if someone occupied our country.
maybe we will get lucky and someone will invade us and remove our dictator. Congress won't and Nancy and Reid are playing politics with this war.
we have hit the hornets nest and we are about to get stung.