.. it's Bush's fault
Posted on 02/23/2006 4:34:50 PM PST by jmc1969
It may seem bewildering to Americans who see themselves as helping Iraq.
The rush to blame the United States for the shrine bombing is a sign not only of the deteriorating situation in Iraq, but the tense state of West-Mideast relations overall. From riots over the prophet drawings to the United Arab Emirates ports dispute to Hamas' election win, little is going right for the United States across the Arab world.
Even a supposed friend – a top Iraqi Shiite leader, Abdul-Aziz al-Hakim, who President Bush once praised at the White House – took a poke after Wednesday's attack on the Askariya shrine in Samarra, saying the U.S. ambassador “gave a green light to terrorist groups.”
Some of that was predictable and even positive in an odd way: the Bush administration has achieved some success at promoting democracy here. It could have expected that determined foes like Iran and Syria would fight back hard – as they are.
With Iraq veering closer to civil war, many feel like Dr. Nabil Salim, a political science professor at Baghdad University who says U.S.-led forces share blame for the shrine bombing “because they are in charge of security in the country. ... And they are not doing a good job of improving internal security or controlling borders.”
Beyond Iraq, there have been other controversies undermining U.S. stature here that no one could have foreseen.
First was the “culture war” fight over the drawings of the Prophet Muhammad, and the serious misunderstandings it exposed on each side. Countries like Iran and Syria found the perfect chance to kick back at America – the symbol of the West – allowing violent riots that accused Europe and the United States of seeking to destroy Islam. Those protests then spread.
Then there was the Islamic militant group Hamas' victory in the Palestinian elections, leading to more tension over American support for Israel. Old friends Egypt and Saudi Arabia told Rice this week they won't go along with U.S. hopes for a total aid ban to a Hamas-led government.
Next – almost incredibly to many in the region – there was the dispute over the United Arab Emirates and whether it can be trusted to keep U.S. ports safe.
Many here see the UAE as the model of Arab modernity – the one country actually doing things right. They saw American fears as simple anti-Arab bias.
That dispute won't be simply or cleanly resolved, either, because America needs places like the UAE: Who else will allow the United States to base spy planes on its territory, or keep freighters to Iran from carrying the building blocks of nuclear weapons?
.. it's Bush's fault
Bush, the UAE and Walmart.
We did not blow up temple. They did, their fault.
Time to reinstate him as the butcher of Baghdad?
Quick! There's only one thing to do! Hand over management of any six U.S. airports, of their choice!
It's probably a good thing I'm not in charge--after today, I would be sorely tempted to call the Pentagon and tell them to bring 'em all home, and let the Iraqis figure it out for themselves. Well, I probably wouldn't once I cool down, but this makes me mad as a wet hen.
Hasn't the AP been using the term "deterioting situation in Iraq" as long as we've BEEN in Iraq? And why do I always detect a hint of snobbery, as if those fools in Washington should have listened to the AP.
I wish WE would start blowing up their temples to Satan. Since they think we're to blame anyway, why don't we just drop 100 MOABs and seize all the oil while we're at it.
How's my impression of the New Bush Haters at FR, who've sprouted pod-like from their earlier versions?
Mike Savage suggested a year ago that we put him back in power and give him 48 hours to establish order or he would be executed.
I thought we were Americans, but I guess I'm wrong.
Seems like the terrorists have succeeded in turning many Americans into jello.
The terrorists should fear us and hide in caves......not the other way around!
Awwwwwww, somebody forgot to take their humor pill today.
Lighten up, Francis.
The thing is, at some point, the Iraqis are going to have to step up to the plate and enforce the laws. We can't be tying their shoelaces and wiping their noses for them forever.
Very good.
.it's a new bush basher
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