John McCain must have been suffering from a severe case of dementia when he stated last week that the U.S. was finally turning the corner and making significant progress in Iraq. How long have we been "turning the corner" in Iraq? They (the neo-cons) have been saying this for the past 4 years. The U.S. has been turning the same corners over and over again, since it has been in Iraq.
It's that strange neo-con Republican reality kicking in again.... Their perception of reality is usually different from the reality that the rest of us see. McCain has boxed himself into a tight corner on the Iraq issue; so much so that his entire Presidential campaign hinges on the outcome of the U.S. adventure there. This is why McCain wants to paint such a rosy picture of Iraq.... he has a big stake in making sure the public hears more good news than bad news.
But aid groups who are on the ground everyday paint a different picture. These are aid groups who have no political motives...they are not running for office. They say that living conditions in many areas are on the decline in Iraq.
Not to mention the upsurge in violence that occurred last week throughout Iraq, particularly in the town of Tal Afar. At least 150 Iraqis were killed in that town alone, in one attack. As I have mentioned in earlier postings regarding the U.S. troop surge, insurgents decided long ago that they would move out of Baghdad and would hit other parts of the country, in anticipation of increased security in the Capital. This is exactly what is playing out. A Truck Bomb last week was also the deadliest bombing attack since the war in Iraq began, more than 4 years ago.
There was another troubling aspect of the Tal Afar killings- Iraqi Policemen (Shias) were involved in revenge massacres. What does that say about the security situation in Iraq? Can these security forces be trusted with the country? Can the U.S. expect these people to Stand Up and provide security for their country, while maintaining the letter of the law and establishing legitimacy that the masses will respect once U.S. forces supposedly leave? ("Supposedly" because I have always felt that the whole idea of the U.S. leaving Iraq anytime within the next decade was probably a falsehood....but the media has taken that bait hook, line, and sinker).
Many analysts have pointed out that many of these Police officers and Army soldiers owe their primary allegience to their tribe and sect, before any alliegance to their jobs.
Even more troubling was the fact that many of the Iraqi officers involved in the massacres were recently arrested, but quickly released. To me, that move doesn't encourage all Iraqis to have confidence in their government.....especially the Sunni minority. This will only lead to more sectarian trouble down the road, because Sunnis will continue to feel that they have no chance at justice and fairness through "legitimate" avenues. Therefore, they will instead be more willing to seek help from Sunni militant groups.
Innocent Iraqi children were also ruthlessly mowed down by militants in last weeks bloody violence. Ironically, the victims were both Sunni and Shia children, playing together when they were killed. I would like to ask the Muslim radicals (cowards) where in the "Holy" Quran does it say slaughtering innocent babies is one of the Islamic virtues that must be followed in order to be a good Muslim?
Iraqi deaths were up 15% in March despite crackdown. And U.S. Troops have also paid a heavy price in Iraq over the last month- the first full month of the so-called security crackdown. The U.S. death toll in March was nearly double the toll of the Iraqi Army.
____________________
The Moderate Voice Also Covered this Story
U.S. Surges & Iraq Violence Upsurges
Is The Surge Working?
It's that strange neo-con Republican reality kicking in again.... Their perception of reality is usually different from the reality that the rest of us see. McCain has boxed himself into a tight corner on the Iraq issue; so much so that his entire Presidential campaign hinges on the outcome of the U.S. adventure there. This is why McCain wants to paint such a rosy picture of Iraq.... he has a big stake in making sure the public hears more good news than bad news.But aid groups who are on the ground everyday paint a different picture. These are aid groups who have no political motives...they are not running for office. They say that living conditions in many areas are on the decline in Iraq.
Not to mention the upsurge in violence that occurred last week throughout Iraq, particularly in the town of Tal Afar. At least 150 Iraqis were killed in that town alone, in one attack. As I have mentioned in earlier postings regarding the U.S. troop surge, insurgents decided long ago that they would move out of Baghdad and would hit other parts of the country, in anticipation of increased security in the Capital. This is exactly what is playing out. A Truck Bomb last week was also the deadliest bombing attack since the war in Iraq began, more than 4 years ago.
There was another troubling aspect of the Tal Afar killings- Iraqi Policemen (Shias) were involved in revenge massacres. What does that say about the security situation in Iraq? Can these security forces be trusted with the country? Can the U.S. expect these people to Stand Up and provide security for their country, while maintaining the letter of the law and establishing legitimacy that the masses will respect once U.S. forces supposedly leave? ("Supposedly" because I have always felt that the whole idea of the U.S. leaving Iraq anytime within the next decade was probably a falsehood....but the media has taken that bait hook, line, and sinker).
Many analysts have pointed out that many of these Police officers and Army soldiers owe their primary allegience to their tribe and sect, before any alliegance to their jobs.
Even more troubling was the fact that many of the Iraqi officers involved in the massacres were recently arrested, but quickly released. To me, that move doesn't encourage all Iraqis to have confidence in their government.....especially the Sunni minority. This will only lead to more sectarian trouble down the road, because Sunnis will continue to feel that they have no chance at justice and fairness through "legitimate" avenues. Therefore, they will instead be more willing to seek help from Sunni militant groups.
Innocent Iraqi children were also ruthlessly mowed down by militants in last weeks bloody violence. Ironically, the victims were both Sunni and Shia children, playing together when they were killed. I would like to ask the Muslim radicals (cowards) where in the "Holy" Quran does it say slaughtering innocent babies is one of the Islamic virtues that must be followed in order to be a good Muslim?
Iraqi deaths were up 15% in March despite crackdown. And U.S. Troops have also paid a heavy price in Iraq over the last month- the first full month of the so-called security crackdown. The U.S. death toll in March was nearly double the toll of the Iraqi Army.
____________________
The Moderate Voice Also Covered this Story
U.S. Surges & Iraq Violence Upsurges
Is The Surge Working?
Posts
1 comment:
I’m with you Angry Independent, John McCain has to be a real moron or, as you say, “must have been suffering from a severe case of dementia when he stated last week that the U.S. was finally turning the corner.”
And this guy want’s to be president of the United States? Electing him would be as bad as re-electing George Bush for a third term (if there were no term limits). This guy is Bush on anti-depressents.
Post a Comment