Stay the Highway

Watch out. Don't get lulled into thinking this Iraq occupation is winding down. That's not the case.

One of many similar articles that are presently appearing in the news.


Bush seeks advice on new course in Iraq

excerpt: "He defined succeess in Iraq as "a country that governs, defends itself, that is a free society, that serves as an ally in this war on terror.""

""And the reason why that's vital," he said, "is because Iraq is a central component of defeating the extremists who want to establish safe haven in the Middle East, extremists who would use their safe haven from which to attack the United States ...""

Comment: Apparently one of the newer justifications for maintaining the Iraq occupation is a rehashing of an old justification, one heard during the invasion of Afghanistan. The idea here is that if we leave Iraq, then the terrorists will set up bases from which they will plan attacks on the United States. So now we are in Iraq to prevent the establishment of terrorist bases from which US attacks will be planned.

Just to review a point for a second, prior to the Iraq "Shock and Awe" war commencement, no Al Qaeda groups were in Iraq. Simply hold this in mind.

Presume the need by the government to play the fear card. This helps in allowing certain segments of the population to simply roll over and play "do what you need or want to do." It helps to quell a modicum of dissent.

Recall what happens to a part of the world where terrorists are grouping, from the US point of view. Basically all hell is let loose. This includes the establishment of places where torture occurs. In this case, the potential terrorist suspect is tortured to reveal the details of the plan, tortured by the US.

Also we will need to have bases from which to conduct these types of activities. Now what does this all amount to? It amounts to the same approach in Iraq. This leads me back to my original point.

Watch out. Don't get lulled into thinking this Iraq occupation is winding down. That's not the case.

Photo is of the Highway of Death, Iraq.