After Saddam, What's Next in Bush's Iraq?
Make no mistake about it: this was an execution promulgated by George Bush, who oversaw more than 100 executions as the "Death Penalty Governor" of Texas. Reports are that U.S. forces held dictator Hussein in tight custody until moments before his hanging, lest Iraqi powers changed their minds.
Macabre videos of Hussein's barbaric death may be viewed almost anywhere on the internet... made available, I suppose, to stem conspiracy theories and posthumous Elvis-style sightings.
What's Next for Iraq?
So Saddam is gone, but the Iraq War remains. What's next?
The respected Iraq Study Group (ISG) Report issued its 79 recommendations almost a month ago now, but the President remains sequestered with Dick Cheney and Condi Rice, hashing out a "new" strategy for their failed Iraq debacle.
No word if Bush gives a whit about the ISG's 8 months of expert findings and common sense recommendations.
Reports have leaked that new Defense Secretary Robert Gates, a member of the ISG, doesn't support sending more U.S. troops to Iraq. Reported the New York Sun on December 27:
"According to two administration officials who asked not to be named, Robert Gates expressed his skepticism about a troop surge in Iraq on his first day on the job, December 18, at a Pentagon meeting with civilians who oversee the Air Force, Army, Navy, and Marines.The view of the new defense secretary appears to be at odds with the leanings of Mr. Bush, who is expected to announce a new troop surge when he unveils his new war strategy next month."
Even the Military Disapproves of Bush's Handling of Iraq War
And on December 29, Military Times reported that:
"For the first time, more troops disapprove of the president’s handling of the war than approve of it. Barely one-third of service members approve of the way the president is handling the war...Just as telling, in this year’s poll only 41 percent of the military said the U.S. should have gone to war in Iraq in the first place, down from 65 percent in 2003."
But Bush Wants $100 Billion More
And yet, the Bush administration will soon request "nearly $100 billion for operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere," per the New York Times today.
If approved by Congress, the President's latest war funding request would bring the fiscal year 2007 total to $170 billion, and the cumulative total to more than $500 billion. Of U.S. taxpayers' funds.
Then there's the people of Iraq.
Per various credible sources, estimates of Iraqi civilians killed since the U.S. attack on and occupation of their country range from 100,000 to 600,000 dead. Unemployment ranges from 25 to 60%. More than 40% of the professional class... doctors, attorneys, teachers, professors... have fled Iraq.
1.6 Million Iraqi Refugees
And the Iraq War has caused more than 1.6 million Iraqis to flee their homes and live in Iraq refugee camps.
Sen. Ted Kennedy, incoming chair of the Senate subcommittee on immigration, border security and refugees wrote in today's Washington Post:
"America bears heavy responsibility for their plight. We have a clear obligation to stop ignoring it and help chart a sensible course to ease the refugee crisis. Time is not on our side...Borders are being closed to more and more of these men, women and children, with the result that many who are most in need or in danger are trapped in the Iraqi caldron of violence. As it continues to boil, the humanitarian crisis will only worsen.
The recent report of the Iraq Study Group rightly concluded that if this refugee situation 's not addressed, Iraq and the region could be further destabilized, and the humanitarian suffering could be severe.' "
Will Bush Listen to Anyone?
In deciding his newest plans for Iraq, will George Bush listen to former President Gerald Ford, a Republican who fervently believed in a strong military, when he declared from beyond the grave that ""I don't think I would have gone to war"?
Will he listen to the senior U.S.commander in the Middle East, Gen. John P. Abizaid, who believes that " foreign troops are a toxin bound to be rejected by Iraqis... that expanding the number of American troops merely puts off the day when Iraqis are forced to take responsibility for their own security. "
Will Bush listen to his new Defense Secretary? Will he listen to the U.S. military forces?
Will he listen to the distinguished Iraq Study Group when they wrote:
"The Primary mission of U.S. forces in Iraq should evolve to one of supporting the Iraqi army, which would take over primary responsibility for combat operations.By the first quarter of 2008... all combat brigades not necessary for force protection could be out of Iraq...
If the Iraqi government does not make substantial progress toward the achievement of milestones on national reconciliation, security, and governance, the U.S. should reduce its political, military, or economic support for the Iraqi government."?
Will George Bush listen to anyone but himself?
CAN George Bush listen to anyone but himself?
Recommended Reading
The Iraq Study Group: The 79 Recommendations
Iraq War Results & Statistics, as of Dec 17, 2006
Washington Post, Dec 30, 2006: We Can't Ignore Iraq's Refugees, by Edward M. Kennedy
ArmyTimes.com, Dec 29, 2006: Poll: More Troops Unhappy with Bush’s Course in Iraq
San Jose Mercury News, Feb 9, 2000: George W. Bush, the Death Penalty Governor
Comments
shut up
I’m sorry you libs still won’t admit your only reson for oppossing this fight is because your boy slick willy didn’t have the courage to do it even though he said it should be done while he was in office. Also i would like to point out that chemical and biological weapons have been found and used here in iraq something you friends in th media seem to forget because it doesn’t help them.
It’s fun to read the silly, loser “comments” from liberal bashers. I guess arguing logically is out of the question since they cannot admit this imbecile, incompetent, traitor Bush is the single biggest disgrace for this country in at least 100 years. Who cares about Clinton’s affair? like that shit has any relevance in how the country is run?
at least the economy was good and when we went to war we had a mandate and an exit strategy (Kosovo, etc). I respect people who go for conservative politics but protecting Bush after this is unexplicable.
Gibberto The president is not a traitor he’s a man who decided to take a stand . Bill clinton didn’t have a mandate from the un but we went anyway he was right, by the way were still in kosovo . Also an affair wasn’t the problem pergury was . Though i don’t agree with how we always do things here ( i think we need more to kill more of the maddog islamists ) , i still think we were right in coming here and not trying to appease saddam it never works to do that history shows that we should learn it.
Going from the US support for just about every terrorist and murderer in the world its about time the world got together and dealt with the ‘madog Americans’
Everything the US does in the world makes things worse.
Just look at these votes.
1972-2002 Vetoes from the USA
—
Year —–Resolution Vetoed by the USA
1972 Condemns Israel for killing hundreds of people in Syria and Lebanon in air raids.
1973 Afirms the rights of the Palestinians and calls on Israel to withdraw from the occupied territories.
1976 Condemns Israel for attacking Lebanese civilians.
1976 Condemns Israel for building settlements in the occupied territories.
1976 Calls for self determination for the Palestinians.
1976 Afirms the rights of the Palestinians.
1978 Urges the permanent members (USA, USSR, UK, France, China) to insure United Nations decisions on the maintenance of international peace and security.
1978 Criticises the living conditions of the Palestinians.
1978 Condemns the Israeli human rights record in occupied territories.
1978 Calls for developed countries to increase the quantity and quality of development assistance to underdeveloped countries.
1979 Calls for an end to all military and nuclear collaboration with the apartheid South Africa.
1979 Strengthens the arms embargo against South Africa.
1979 Offers assistance to all the oppressed people of South Africa and their liberation movement.
1979 Concerns negotiations on disarmament and cessation of the nuclear arms race.
1979 Calls for the return of all inhabitants expelled by Israel.
1979 Demands that Israel desist from human rights violations.
1979 Requests a report on the living conditions of Palestinians in occupied Arab countries.
1979 Offers assistance to the Palestinian people.
1979 Discusses sovereignty over national resources in occupied Arab territories.
1979 Calls for protection of developing counties’ exports.
1979 Calls for alternative approaches within the United Nations system for improving the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
1979 Opposes support for intervention in the internal or external affairs of states.
1979 For a United Nations Conference on Women.
1979 To include Palestinian women in the United Nations Conference on Women.
1979 Safeguards rights of developing countries in multinational trade negotiations.
1980 Requests Israel to return displaced persons.
1980 Condemns Israeli policy regarding the living conditions of the Palestinian people.
1980 Condemns Israeli human rights practices in occupied territories. 3 resolutions.
1980 Afirms the right of self determination for the Palestinians.
1980 Offers assistance to the oppressed people of South Africa and their national liberation movement.
1980 Attempts to establish a New International Economic Order to promote the growth of underdeveloped countries and international economic co-operation.
1980 Endorses the Program of Action for Second Half of United Nations Decade for Women.
1980 Declaration of non-use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear states.
1980 Emphasises that the development of nations and individuals is a human right.
1980 Calls for the cessation of all nuclear test explosions.
1980 Calls for the implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples.
1981 Promotes co-operative movements in developing countries.
1981 Affirms the right of every state to choose its economic and social system in accord with the will of its people, without outside interference in whatever form it takes.
1981 Condemns activities of foreign economic interests in colonial territories.
1981 Calls for the cessation of all test explosions of nuclear weapons.
1981 Calls for action in support of measures to prevent nuclear war, curb the arms race and promote disarmament.
1981 Urges negotiations on prohibition of chemical and biological weapons.
1981 Declares that education, work, health care, proper nourishment, national development, etc are human rights.
1981 Condemns South Africa for attacks on neighbouring states, condemns apartheid and attempts to strengthen sanctions. 7 resolutions.
1981 Condemns an attempted coup by South Africa on the Seychelles.
1981 Condemns Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians, human rights policies, and the bombing of Iraq. 18 resolutions.
1982 Condemns the Israeli invasion of Lebanon. 6 resolutions (1982 to 1983).
1982 Condemns the shooting of 11 Muslims at a shrine in Jerusalem by an Israeli soldier.
1982 Calls on Israel to withdraw from the Golan Heights occupied in 1967.
1982 Condemns apartheid and calls for the cessation of economic aid to South Africa. 4 resolutions.
1982 Calls for the setting up of a World Charter for the protection of the ecology.
1982 Sets up a United Nations conference on succession of states in respect to state property, archives and debts.
1982 Nuclear test bans and negotiations and nuclear free outer space. 3 resolutions.
1982 Supports a new world information and communications order.
1982 Prohibition of chemical and bacteriological weapons.
1982 Development of international law.
1982 Protects against products harmful to health and the environment .
1982 Declares that education, work, health care, proper nourishment, national development are human rights.
1982 Protects against products harmful to health and the environment.
1982 Development of the energy resources of developing countries.
1983 Resolutions about apartheid, nuclear arms, economics, and international law. 15 resolutions.
1984 Condemns support of South Africa in its Namibian and other policies.
1984 International action to eliminate apartheid.
1984 Condemns Israel for occupying and attacking southern Lebanon.
1984 Resolutions about apartheid, nuclear arms, economics, and international law. 18 resolutions.
1985 Condemns Israel for occupying and attacking southern Lebanon.
1985 Condemns Israel for using excessive force in the occupied territories.
1985 Resolutions about cooperation, human rights, trade and development. 3 resolutions.
1985 Measures to be taken against Nazi, Fascist and neo-Fascist activities .
1986 Calls on all governments (including the USA) to observe international law.
1986 Imposes economic and military sanctions against South Africa.
1986 Condemns Israel for its actions against Lebanese civilians.
1986 Calls on Israel to respect Muslim holy places.
1986 Condemns Israel for sky-jacking a Libyan airliner.
1986 Resolutions about cooperation, security, human rights, trade, media bias, the environment and development.
8 resolutions.
1987 Calls on Israel to abide by the Geneva Conventions in its treatment of the Palestinians.
1987 Calls on Israel to stop deporting Palestinians.
1987 Condemns Israel for its actions in Lebanon. 2 resolutions.
1987 Calls on Israel to withdraw its forces from Lebanon.
1987 Cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States.
1987 Calls for compliance in the International Court of Justice concerning military and paramilitary activities against Nicaragua and a call to end the trade embargo against Nicaragua. 2 resolutions.
1987 Measures to prevent international terrorism, study the underlying political and economic causes of terrorism, convene a conference to define terrorism and to differentiate it from the struggle of people from national liberation.
1987 Resolutions concerning journalism, international debt and trade. 3 resolutions.
1987 Opposition to the build up of weapons in space.
1987 Opposition to the development of new weapons of mass destruction.
1987 Opposition to nuclear testing. 2 resolutions.
1987 Proposal to set up South Atlantic “Zone of Peace”.
1988 Condemns Israeli practices against Palestinians in the occupied territories. 5 resolutions (1988 and 1989).
1989 Condemns USA invasion of Panama.
1989 Condemns USA troops for ransacking the residence of the Nicaraguan ambassador in Panama.
1989 Condemns USA support for the Contra army in Nicaragua.
1989 Condemns illegal USA embargo of Nicaragua.
1989 Opposing the acquisition of territory by force.
1989 Calling for a resolution to the Arab-Israeli conflict based on earlier UN resoltions.
1990 To send three UN Security Council observers to the occupied territories.
1995 Afirms that land in East Jerusalem annexed by Israel is occupied territory.
1997 Calls on Israel to cease building settlements in East Jerusalem and other occupied territories. 2 resolutions.
1999 Calls on the USA to end its trade embargo on Cuba. 8 resolutions (1992 to 1999).
2001 To send unarmed monitors to the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
2001 To set up the International Criminal Court.
2002 To renew the peace keeping mission in Bosnia.
hey !!
its very interesting article.
Nice post.
realy gj
thank you