Propaganda Wars, Pt. 3 - The Exodus Begins

Oh boy are these guys good!

Let's backtrack a bit and follow the logic:

1. Invade Iraq in order to...(We still really can't be sure about this. My best guess - large defense contracts to close allies of the Bush Administration, but that is a bit cynical.)

2. Completely destabilize (aka "liberate") the country by removing a tyrannical leader AND demanding that the historically-divisive rift between the Sunni and Shiite branches of Islam be healed by a newly-elected parliamentary government.

3. Make complete asses of ourselves in the eyes of the Iraqi people and the international community by failing to 1) democratize as advertised, 2) stabilize an increasingly anti-US insurgency, or 3) find weapons of mass destruction and/or terrorists.

4. Ditch the warmongering, line-toeing Republicans from Congress and elect a bunch of moderately conservative, agenda-less Democrats in their place.

5. Realize we can't get out of a five year war until we drop the responsibility on somebody else. Only problem, Iran and Syria are the only ones sitting in on the auction.

But let's take a look at some recent developments, which, as the BBC News concludes, may be seen as politically motivated jockeying, rather than a genuine attempt to reach a point of resolution in our bungling of "Operation Iraqi Freedom."

Of course, based on the obvious inability of anyone in the military, Congress or the White House to solve the problem before now, I would just conclude that no one has any idea how to do it and still make it look like the US is running the show.

More logic:

Two days ago, the US "leaks" a memo reporting doubts that Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki can't handle the heat in Iraq. [Is this some kind of pscyhological projection? Are we mistaking the Iraqi Prime Minister for our waffling President? Has anyone actually given Maliki an opportunity to do anything yet?]

Meanwhile, Iraqi President Jalal Talibani speaks with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmanidejad. They figure out that they both have a lot more to gain than we do in establishing a functioning, powerful government in Iraq, so they best collaborate to prevent further increases in sectarian violence and get us the fuck out of there. [Just imagine the laugh riot that meeting was! Tee hee, how can we get rid of the US?]

Yesterday, Bush goes to meet Maliki, who stands him up [the different stories on all sides only serve to illustrate the truth - Maliki was pissed about that leak and decided to show Bush that he's not the one in control].

Today, Bush makes a long term commitment: no doubts about Maliki, no premature pull-outs, no matter what anybody else says.

And then, Joint Chiefs Chairman General Pace, who basically denies anything specific and tries to confuse the public with overarching statements of rhetoric and asshole sunshine, backs him up.