Iraq Study Group Issues Beyond Palo Alto, posted by Jag Singh, a resident of the Duveneck/St. Francis neighborhood, on Dec 9, 2006 at 11:37 am
The much hyped Iraq Study Group (ISG), deserve a resounding failing grade for their efforts to provide a fig leaf to extricate George Bush and his advisors from their criminal behavior. Largely ignored by the US corporate media, was the unabashed efforts of the ISG to recommend suspension of military, economic and security support to the Iraqi government if it fails to alter its laws and constitution to allow privatization of its oil industry and unimpeded access to “international companies.” This statement exposes the true intent of the Bush administration’s misadventure in Iraq. Author Antonio Juhasz ("The Bush Agenda: Invading the World, One Economy at a Time,") writes "the oil companies are trying to get what they were denied before the war or at anytime in modern Iraqi history: access to Iraq's oil. Our feigned outrage Saddam Hussein atrocities, is ludicrous given our sale of military weapons to our former ally. US fatalities, now approaching 3,000 and the 650,000 Iraqis who have perished and the devastation of their country is an appalling commentary on the gross misuse of US military power. It is a pity that the ISG did not recommend that the Bush administration issue an unconditional apology to the Iraqi people for the death and destruction heaped on their country, an immediate, unconditional withdrawal of combat forces, shutting down permanent military bases and massive reparations to rebuild their country.
Posted by Dave, a resident of the Duveneck/St. Francis neighborhood, on Dec 9, 2006 at 2:21 pm
Jag,
I partially agree with you (but only partially). The ISG IS crazy to suggest that there should be an increase in training forces, while subtracting combat forces. How is it possible to protect the trainers, when armored protection/reaction is removed?
In terms of oil, your central point, Iraq is full of oil. Proven reserves, using older methods, show about 110 Bb. That would make it about the second or third largest proven pool. However, more modern methods suggest that Iraq is floating on a pool of oil. If international oil companies are allowed to drill deep enough, even the Sunnis will be happy.
The Iraq war was not blood for oil, but oil IS a central issue in the middle East. The hope for Iraq is that the international companies are allowed to come in and discover the immense riches that belong to Iraq. We would all be better for it.
If Iraq can become a reasonable democracy, it will prosper in ways it can, currently, barely imagine.
Jag, as far as I can tell you hate Bush, and you hate Jews. That's your business, but Iraq's future will be far better off by embracing democracy, than by bowing down to you and yours (e.g. Saddam).
Posted by Periwinkle, a resident of the Downtown North neighborhood, on Dec 9, 2006 at 7:13 pm
The report IS a scathing indictment of the failed Bush policy. That's undeniable, so the longer that the Prez avoids it, the worse he looks. I think he knows, but doesn't want to tip his hand.
He's trying to be too clever (not an easy thing for him, IMO), instead of "fessing up" and getting our troops out of that seething cauldron.
Also, it's an interesting note that of the members of the commission that authored the repost, not even one was against the war for any reason, even on principle, before being named to the commission. That gives what they say more weight, but also might be one reason why the report is not more harsh in its conclusions or recommendations.
They should have had some pure anti-war people in there.
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