How Pelosi Ended 'The War With Iraq'

Perhaps you haven't noticed, but The War With Iraq is over.

Like everything with the Bush administration's relationship to it's gullible public, the point is never what they're doing, but what they say they're doing; it's the words, not the deeds.

So No Child Left Behind of course has nothing to do with helping challenged children in bad schools to keep up, it's about defunding and dismantling the public school system. And 'saving Social Security' has nothing to do with saving social security, its about handing over what's left of the public trough to the investment industry, etc, etc, etc---is there a single American under a rock anywhere that doesn't know this drill by heart by now?

And now the war with Iraq is no longer 'The War With Iraq'; its been successfully rebranded as 'The War with Iran'.

Try and sit through a single newscast or reading of the international page without finding a reference to how Iran is the real 'enemy' over there; whether it's the nuclear bomb there's no evidence of them developing, the IEDs there's no evidence of their government smuggling across the border to harm the agents of our benign humanitarian effort in Iraq, or how Ahmadinejad's denial of the facts of the Holocaust means he's ready to wipe out the free world---or at least America, which can't really be called the free world anymore. But I digress.

Mel Gibson denies the facts of the Holocaust, too, but unless he's planning on wiping out the free world by boring them to death with shitty movies, I don't really see him as much of a global threat. And our own leader, the intellectual from Yale who can't pronounce 'nuclear'--he routinely denies the facts of not only evolution, but global warming, contraception, carcinogens in drinking water, etc, etc, etc and you never hear a peep about him bringing on Armageddon. (Well, only in fundamentalist churches, but they're happy about it.)

But if you scan any of the news for idiots---The NY Daily News say, or CNN--- you'd think Ahmadinejad had actually flown the planes into the World Trade Center and that he literally walks around Tehran with American blood dripping off his bib. When he spoke at Columbia the other week, the conservatives who run American mainstream media spun it like Hitler had spoken at ACLU headquarters in the middle of the Blitz.

The rebranding of War With Iraq into War With Iran is only Phase I of a multi-phased rebranding strategy that will go on for years, a strategy that is in fact prepping us for the big hand-off to a Democratic White House that needs its own public spin for staying in Iraq until we've met the one and only (private) benchmark we've had all along; a permanent force in the world's largest military base securing the theft of the world's second largest deposit of oil. But don't take it from me--ask Alan Greenspan, that liberal.

If you doubt the existence of this strategy, than you must've missed the emergence of Phase II last week, when all three of the leading presidential candidates from the 'opposition party'--- the party that supposedly has a mandate from the American people to end the war---furrowed their collective brow and professed dismay that it just seemed too darn unrealistic---and no doubt unpresidential--- to get troops out of Iraq any earlier than--are you ready?--2013.

Why not just let Bush stay president? It's what he wanted all along.

Of course the troops the Dems plan to keep there won't be 'combat' troops, because the 'war' will be over---at least rhetorically. They'll be a 'stabilization force'--that's Phase III of the rebranding.

Phase III will last 50 years, and you'll never hear the word 'combat,' only 'stabilization', but on the ground, the facts will be the same they've always been; unwelcome Americans kids getting killed and maimed by a debilitated local populace who hate them. Desperate Iraqis--armed and otherwise--with no water, sanitation, electricity, protection or hope will still be slaughtered in the streets or made into internal or external refugees. And of course there'll be the big cherry on top we've wanted all along; control of the oil.

And voila--we'll basically have our new Israel; a permanently volatile and unstable place that we'll diplomatically dither with for eternity, all the while pumping tax dollars into a 'stabilizing' military infrastructure to ensure the local population will never have peace and are so distracted by survival that we'll get away with grabbing what we've decided is ours to steal.

Any questions?

The opposition party 'came back into power' and passed non-binding resolutions to chide a president who doesn't give a shit who chides him and then voted to support an ill-advised surge and increase funding for the very war they had a 'mandate' to end. These are facts, not rhetoric.

The Democrats bought Bush the time he wanted by pitching their rhetoric to their constituents, while the White House bought time pitching their rhetoric to their few remaining constituents, and now the moment to get out of the whole abhorrent mess has passed. Bush will be gone but the troops will stay and we'll have gotten the oil.

Oh sure, there's all the side 'benefits'--the American taxpayers funding the creation of a massive invasion/occupation industry--companies like KBR, Bechtel, Blackwater, you know the names--that take taxpayer dollars to at first rip a region down and then take taxpayer's money to build the region up again, albeit in accordance with their own privatized corporate needs and with inferior materials and slave labor.

(or perhaps you thought all those buildings in the Green Zone were built by well-paid union construction workers outfitted in state of the art protective gear with round-the-clock-workplace safety standards in place--you know, like in Katrina)

In short, a massive, publicly funded destruction/reconstruction industry for private profit. Call it 'socialized terror.'

They'll call it 'job creation.'

What could've stopped it all, the great rebranding, the escalation, the extra deaths and crippling debt, not to mention yet another gutting of the power of the American voter? The impeachment process. This is of course the one thing Nancy Pelosi declared was 'off the table' before she'd done a single thing as Speaker.

Say it again, to yourself: 'The one thing that truly could have derailed the longest war in US history, in the one moment where it was still possible, was declared 'off the table' by the leader of the opposition party, placed in power by a mandate from the people.'

The 'Ending The War Phase' is over and the 'How Can We Sensibly Approach A Solution Phase?' has begun. Feel any different?

It's like Karl Rove is still writing the script. Maybe he is.

Our new Democratic president will tell us the 'war is over' and it will be as hollow as 'mission accomplished'--especially to the Iraqis. But Americans will hear our 'combat troops' are coming home and sigh with relief as they nod with a feeling of democratic triumph at 'the wave of change in Washington'---and go back to American Idol and Dancing With The Stars.

Maybe we should stop parsing the spin and arguing over which lie seems closer to the truth we want to believe.

Maybe we should forget about reality TV for a sec and start thinking about reality reality.

Comments

[KenTao]

"Call it 'socialized terror.'"

Nailed it!

Earthlings Unite!

[IntegrityIntact]

The Dem Lites are not serious about ending the war, never mind they were given a mandate to do so by their constituents. Apparently, they used the mandate to wipe their collective cowardly & incompetent asses instead. Nancy Pelosi has less leadership skills than a dumptruck driver. She needs to be replaced, as does Harry Reid and countless others (and add McNulty (NY) above to that contingent­.) My only advice is to look very, very closely at who represents you in your county/dis­trict/cong­ress/senat­e and WORK tirelessly to get them out and/or give $ to opposing candidates with more progressive agendas. 1 by 1. It can be done--look what MoceOn.org did last time around. Let's do it again and again, revolving door style, until we get the best batch for the people inside who WON'T back down to bullshit and propaganda and rightwing intimidation tactics--if it has to be YOU or ME or our children in the Beltway.

Right now there's going to be KEY race in Maine by a progressive strong Dem named Tom Allen. He'll be attempting to take over Rep. Sen. I-follow-B­ush-to-the­-end Susan Collin's seat in the senate. I've already contributed to the campaign and will mobilize constituents in Maine to go out and register/vote for Tom Allen. This is how it needs to be done. 1 by 1.

[claytongrayum]

No Impeachment of Bush/Cheney?
No restoration of the Constitution
No ending of the War in Iraq
No focus in Afganistan
No focus on Pakistan
No focus on Bin Laden

What are the Democrats good at?

[Tellmethetruth]

remind us again - another war with Iran and no impeachment of Bush, increased the war in Iraq under Democratic funding, it's just awful.

It's Animal Farm all over again, where you look at the pigs and you look at the men and you can't tell the difference.

[knowBuddhaU]

Now that's what I'm talking about! Great analysis. The players change, but the game remains the same.

It's all about myth-making. The power of myth is that it shapes the cosmos in which one acts. Everybody in this system, with the possible exception of Kucinich, believes in Life as Holy War. Let me explain.

Once upon a time, there was a Golden Age. But then the Others, anyone on the other side of a line I never stop drawing, did Us all in. So if We just get rid of the Others, We'll restore the Golden Age. Just like a murderous Blackwater mercenary, you have only two choices: with Us, or against Us. There can be only 1.

This binary thinking sees no common ground between opposing stances. Its practitioners take their wide stance astride the whole planet. Rummy said, "We don't talk to evil," when presented with an overture from Iran. Bush is infamous for living in an impenetrable bubble. That's because it's psychic, not physical.

We all share the assumption of an atomised self: we think we exist apart from that which gives rise to us. Watch:

Draw a one-sided line. Note that 'Side A,' 'Side B,' and the 'Line' all appear in a field that begins and remains _indivisible_. That's us, that's our common ground. All this dividing is tearing us apart.

That field in which 'things' seem to have independent existence, that's the source of We, the People. That's why political power inheres in us.. Just so, divinity also inheres in us. It's for this reason that human rights are inalienable.

Partisanship only gives a false sense of progress. Partisanship powers the wheel of samsara, the endless vicious cycle of living in the Divide and Conquer frame of mind.

out of the infinite
post-partum, we stand; divided, we fall
back into the infinite

[KenTao]

Earthlings Unite!

[knowBuddhaU]

earthlings united CAN never be defeated!

[TheNewHampshireLiberal]

Classic fascism.

Create an enemy and use propaganda to stir up the populous against it. Hate is what binds us together.

[knowBuddhaU]

Fascists do it too, yes. But take another guess at the source of my little myth.

First it was All Good. Then the forces of darkness, of the Lie, corrupted everything. Now you either fight the 'good' fight, or you'll be fought against. I hate the evil-doers, the Others, why don't you? Why are you soft on the Other? You must be in league with the Others. I knew it!

Hate doesn't bind us, my friend. Nothing binds us.

[Hadok]

I find it interesting that no presidential candidate who has a chance of being elected is advocating rapid withdrawl from Iraq. The Dems in congress, now that they actually must act like responsible adults, seem to be backing off their pre-election "withdraw now" rhetoric. Could it be that these folks know something that the Huffpost bloggers dont? Nah.

And by the way, Mr Gilroy, you refer to the "Bush administration's ... gullible public," those who watch and read "news for idiots," and the "mandate from the American people to end the war." Did this mandate come from the same gullible public, idiots who watch CNN?
I watch CNN from time to time. I resent being called an idiot. Let me give you some free advice: If you want to be taken seriously, try to avoid personal insults directed to your readers.

[huffluffer]

I watch CNN from time to time. I really wanted to watch everything about poor Princess Di and the conspiracy of papparazzi out to get her. Now that´s in depth reporting!

[research]

If you were polled about who you will vote for, who would you pick? One of the top three? It's still kinda early, or the candidate you really would like to have win, say Kucinich? If you wouldn't tell the pollster, or your friends who you really want, why?

[waynesmyer]

Right On Hadok! Gilroy is a vile and evil person
who says nasties about our beloved GOP (Grand Ole Pedophiles)He just does not understand about true moral values or how Christ-like our beloved presinator, Gee Dubba Bu$h really is! very truly yours, Jeffy "HotStud" Gannon, Ace White House Press Reporter
p.s. I approve this important FAUX News Alert! Fuck-Thee Cheney, your truly "vice" war presinator
WHAT'S GOOD FOR HALLIBURTON & BLACKWATER IS GOOD FOR AMERIKA!

[PazparaTodod]

Yeah maybe we can all stop blogging and really really do something to get this country back

[IowaGirl]

The bitter sharp truth of this blog sets in stark relief the crapabulum we have to slog through in the other media. More and more, I just find the Demos repugnant. When you say you stand for others, but you only stand for yourselves, it is the worst lie. The oil, of course, is the bottomline and the reason we have to wean ourselves from oil.

[imadf]

Totally and absolutely.

Let's try some painful humor here. What if: Democrats were to resign from both houses. All of them (including the few decent ones.) Most of that party occupy seats and are not doing anything positive anyway. Would this not give some '3rd voice' candidates, whatever they are, a chance to run for those seats and perhaps, maybe, God willing, something will represent us, which is less 'homogeneous', not a bureaucratic lying bunch with same dress & walk & talk & suit & ties? God forbid some 'argument' might take place in those big rooms occupied by our 'representatives'. Maybe even yell at each other for different opinions?

But again I'm looking at highly desperate anything, cause that's we're down to.

This Pepsi-Coke "choice" is choking America. HELP!!!

Matt

[Jonni Rae]

The Clintons ruined the democratic party. They moved to the so-called center, republicanized the party, abandoned the progressive agenda. Then 911 happened, and instead of blaming Bush, for it happened on his watch, we called his reaction leadership. The war in Iraq was so damn stupid, where were all the bloggers when that was being discussed. Clinton voted for it. Obama opposed it. Of all the candidates he has the best chance of getting us out because he trully believes it is wrong. Also, he has the brains and restraint to do it right. There's an article in the NY Times today about Generation Q being too much on-line and too little out-there making change happen. The party does need to be re-built. Howard Dean started doing that. Obama is continuing. Saying you won't vote or will vote green or something is just stupid, like those misguided folks who voted for Ralph Nader, causing Gore to lose the election. Building a new progressive, anti-war movement involves hard work, not just whining. Pick your candidate and get to work trying to get him elected. Write to congresspeople and senators. I have been doing this. Show the nation that the people ARE serious about change. Elect a candidate who will bring this about. Obama 08.

[Kendo Nagasaki]

When the oil runs out we will not have to worry about CO2 and global warming.

[Primadonna]

Perhaps Karl Rove IS still writing the script and partisan politics is the green screen to give the illusion that there is a difference.

Tom - I dig your candidness.

[Neuromancer13]

1992: "It's the economy, stupid!"

2008: "It's our soul, stupid!"

[MsEngineer]

The Democrats should rebrand the "war with Iraq" to the "civil war in Iraq." The dems should never say war and Iraq in the same sentence again unless civil is in there.

It is fairly obvious to anyone who is not a complete dolt that this war was about oil. The neocons thought they could waltz into Iraq, overthrow the government, install their own and grab the oil. These numbnuts thought the people of Iraq would be so grateful that Saddam was gone, they would roll over and do whatever we told them to do.

[Jane22]

Hey, Tom, while I agree with your analysis, you all need to stop bashing American Idol and Dancing with the Stars! We gotta have some respite from the INSANITY of this regome some way! As one who likes to sing, American Idol is a fun way to unwind with scant few hours away from the "Real Deal"! Hey, I have an IDEA! THE REAL DEAL! The newest entry to Reality TV. WOW! A new, comedy show, a way for the politically illiterate, disinterested, unaffected couch potatoes to get their political news! HMMM? This might work! Peace, JaneC P.S. Maybe Nancy Pelosi could be in the cast?

[TucsonEd]

So how come Limbaugh, O'Rielly, and Michael Savage still attack the dems?

[deminmo]

Because they can. Even going after a 12yr old and S-CHIP.

[realitytrumpsbull]

Well, Nancy truly blew it, as far as a lot of
people were concerned, me anyway, the 06 election was a clarion call for action, and they
whiffed a lot of opportunities. Luckily,
some of the conservatives seem to smoke a little
less dope, and be a little more inclined
to listen to the consumers, nee voters,
and are registering that there is some
public discontent with the general course of
the old human events these days, and are backing
away from BushCo like it has something contagious. It isn't quite impeachment, doubtless those august Ladies and Gentlemen
are far too deeply financially and politically
involved to pull one of those out of the black
hole that billions of our tax dollars disappear
into each day, but at least it is symptomatic
of a minor sea change. Hopefully
we'll see more, more facts on the table, more
congressional oversight restored, and the
departure of the clowns who've basically
done as they please with their authority.
Congress should be able to stand as a
co-equal branch of government, and be able
to utilize their oversight authority to
take issue with this kind of activity,
control spending, maybe even have a vote to
end the war, form a quorum to evaluate what's
going on against the body of knowledge
associated with our Constitution over the last
couple hundred years or so, something like that,
but Billions Upon Billions Of Dollars
speak pretty loudly, and I think a lot of
our representatives etc. just kind of followed
the pied piper down the garden path, there.
Doesn't speak much for their integrity,
nor for their capacity to exercise independent
reasoning abilities, decisionmaking skills, or the capacity to take some kind of
meaningful action in the face of political
pressure from people that want Billions Of Dollars, No Questions Asked Or Permitted,
but at least it seems like these days that people are kind of more aware that there's an Issue in that area...non­etheless, on the Iraq
war, and effectively exercising their authority
to change what's going on, I give Congress a D-.

[plutorage]

The MSM has to take a lot of blame

The questions to each candidate is posed as

"how can you advocate pulling troops out of Iraq when you know people will die in Iraq after we leave?"

Why doesn't the media pose the following question to the candidates: "How can you not take concrete steps to end the war today, when 2 out of 3 Americans want the war to end? What exactly are those concrete steps you would take today to end the war?"

The issue of the Iraq war has really cast into relief the rather iron grip the MSM has over the political process.

[nohobear]

The democratic party has proven itself to be as corrupt and cowardly as the republicans. Pelosi and Reid should hang their heads in shame for having failed to protect and defend the Constitution from the most corrupt administration in our history.

Now is the time to get angry and take our country back from self serving politicians. I am voting out any incumbents that continue to support this administration, be they republican or democrat. Below is a link to Speaker Pelosi. Let her know loud and clear how unhappy you are.

http://www.speaker.gov/contact/

And no, I am not a republican troll saying there is no difference between republican and democrat. Never had, never will vote republican. I am a very pissed off American citizen who loves our country and will not sit by and watch it destroyed by self serving politicians who play political games with the Constitution.

[claytongrayum]

I am a 24 year old Democrat and will not vote Democrat in the 2008 election. (I will not vote for Republicans either). Pelosi an Reid don't deserve the chairs they sit in. They can't stomach the kind of change Americans demanded in the 2006 elections.

Dems, don't vote for other Dems who do not stonewall this President.

[Tellmethetruth]

Why don't the 45% who want to sit out the elections come to the polls and vote for a write in candidate - yes, the truck driver, the plumber, the bus driver, etc.

Why not in every election, a write-in common folks person step forward and offer themselves as an alternative choice to staying home and doing nothing. One person who steps forward and lets the public know, if you want to go write in - put my name down.

Who knows maybe the common persons could actually get elected.

[BuyMoreAmmo]

Great to see a young un take up the gauntlet in trying to save what is left of this country of OURS. I hope there are many more of them out there paying attention like claytongra­yum.....