There has been a recent increase in the violence in Iraq. I find it no surprise, and think the link is to a excellent PBS show called Bush's War. At last check you could still watch all four hours of it on line at
www.pbs.org It is a in depth look at the war. what lead up to it, mistakes made and is typical Frontline quality.
I know I'm remiss for not going back and getting the spelling correct, but I'm sure you will get my train of thought if I just use pronouns. To say we were wrong in going in is a moot point, were there now. To say that there has been some monumental mistakes isn't necessary. To say that this war has several fronts is important only in the need to include the front in D.C. between the egos of those supposably in charge.
The clash of titans in D.C. isn't the direct cause of this latest burst of attacks. Everything is interconnected. There are egos in Iraq that play into this increase.
Here comes all the pronouns so hope you can follow. Several times the Frontline show mentioned the debates in D.C. between the military and civilian egos on how to handle a little known religious leader who was and still is radical in his teaching and actions. In the beginning he had a small following of about two hundred. but wielded enough influence to gain attention. Back in D.C. and on the ground in Iraq there were discussion and both sides of the argument on weather or not he should be targeted and removed from power. That's a polite way of putting it.
Keep in mind that from their point of view America is the terrorist that have invaded their country. This religious leader is still in power, his following has grown into the thousands. Early in the prewar build up Bush made the statement, and his advisors have made sure that he only said it once, Bush made the comment," that after all this is the government that tried to kill my dad." That one statement made the whole war look like it had a revenge motive, that we were going to use our great military force to serve up a dish of revenge. Bush never repeated it.
Now we have PBS: FRONTLINE reminding this now more powerful leader and his followers that just like Bush Sr. was a target, so was he. If one failed attempt, is to be included in the argument to go to war, well than it just stands to reason that the discussion of one is enough reason needed to resume attacks on Americans in large scale and hit them in their safety zone or Green zone.
I'm not saying that FrontLine was wrong in airing the facts, but just as I can go online and read their news and propaganda, they watch ours. The mistake was when Bush made such a childlike statement. In wars the direct targeting of a individual makes sense. Maybe the current situation would be different should we have decided to take out this leader. No, let me rephrase that, the situation would be different today. I just can't say if it would be better or worse.
We just need to remember cause and effect. This up-surge should have been anticipated and not come as a surprise. Now what we do about it is just as important today as it was five years ago. I think in simple terms, get out. We don't need to stay for another five years and have this mess look more and more like Vietnam. Peace with Honor was the catch phrase back then, we need a catch phrase today. Maybe something like "OOPS, sorry this was all just a big mistake." Isn't saying your sorry the new way, or do we still believe "that love means never having to say your sorry" I don't think the people in Iraq love us to much, so we better say were sorry. Saving face is easier if your not living in denial, and can admit to mistakes. Countries often act just like individuals and the longer we act like the big bully we will continue to be hated.
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