So, Iraq is a "sovereign" nation now...

[apnu]

... will this blow up in W's face? According to Chimpy's story, Iraq is now "not occupied," and therefore not a US problem and its not a campaign issue (that's the implied message I'm getting).

OK, so given that, who thinks (if this story is swallowed) that the call to bring the troops home will become a deafening roar?

If, the chimp caves in, then I'm betting Iraq will disintegrate into hell.

If, the chimp sticks to his guns and keeps the troops there, then I'm betting that he'll spend a lot of campaign time explaining why the troops are still there (probably being shot at) while his numbers get smashed over the mixed message of a "sovereign" Iraq.

What does DU think about these ideas?

[Liberal Veteran]

1. Well, duh, our troops are now "invited guests" in Iraq.

Didn't you get the memo?

[phillybri]

2. He's painted himself into a corner...

You said it...

If the troops stay, people will demand to know why. If the troops pull out, all hell will break loose.

Really smart, chimp...:eyes:

[fryguy]

3. just don't pay any attention to the 140,000 US troops....

[AwakeAtLast]

4. I think they are scrambling

They are in panic mode and doing whatever they think will raise their numbers. As many have said before on DU, that makes this a very dangerous time, and this so-called handover will make the danger worse. And who will be in the most danger? Well, our troops, of course. They will try to mop up the mess, only to make it worse. The cycle will not end.

[apnu]

8. Some one suggested that there might be some F 9/11 FUD involved.

Which is a bit tinfoil hat-ish for me, the notion that W fears MM so much that he'd go a head and change Monday's news from F 9/11 to Iraq "rah rah's"

But then, the paranoid in me says there's something to that thought...

Either way, this "transfer" seems to be half-cocked and rushed, just like the rest of the war. And that makes this even more dangerous and fragile.

I do agree that the Chimp and his trainers are in quite a twist right now, and like cornered, desperate animals they will turn and be very dangerous.

Its always darkest before the dawn.

[AwakeAtLast]

16. I am hoping for dawn - in November! n/t

[xxqqqzme]

5. it was a sovereign nation

when squatter invaded it. It continues 2 B occupied by US troops, bombing, imprisoning, torturing and shooting civilians at will. What has changed but words on a piece of paper.

[MadHound]

6. Sovereign in name only, but you already knew that

Yeppers, this is just more double speak from the administration. Iraq now has "legal" custody of Saddam, but the US has physical custody. US troops are "invitied guests" yet we are building fourteen new permanent military bases, and the worlds' largest embassy. And while Iraq is free and sovereign, able to make decisions on their own, apparently the US has veto power. For instance, this morning it was reported that the new Iraq government was contemplating pushing back elections beyond January 11. Shortly thereafter Bush boy was quoted as saying elections WOULD be held on January 11.

This handover is nothing more than smoke and mirrors. The US military is still the real power in the country, and the US administration is who is giving the orders. All this handover is is a feel good smoke screen for American consumption, designed to boost Bush's sagging numbers.

[apnu]

10. That might make for some interesting impacts on our election.

As Iraq rails against the collar we've put on them, Chimpy will have to explain why he's vetoing all of their "sovereign" decisions.

I wonder what that would do to opinion for Chimpy here in the US?

[Raven]

7. Sovereign means "independent of all others"...

Iraq has our laws and our troops. We still have their prisoners. Hardly a sovereign nation, I'd say.

I don't think that there is any way that our troops will come home before the election.

Iraq faces a severe security problem with insurgents and terrorists. The rap on Bush is that he made Iraq a magnet for terrorists from all over the world. If he pulls the troops out and all hell breaks loose, he won't be able to duck responsibility. If the keeps them there and manages to keep a lid on the violence, he can babble about how much better things are and make vague promises about getting out troops out "soon".

[apnu]

12. I'm not suggesting that the nation is "sovereign"

Which is why I'm using the word in quotes here. It's a mixture of dissent to the war, and sarcasm on my part.

I do think this will blow up in the chimp's face. The bushco cabal is in a no-win scenario now.

[tom_paine]

9. Like my cat is a Sovreign Animal

I mean, he has his own food dish and litter box to shit in.

On the other hand, if I don't change his litter, it goes dirty. I control what he eats and what rules he needs to adhere to.

Yep. Sounds about right.

[apnu]

11. LOL! Funny and accurate! Brilliant! n/t

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

13. So was Vichy France.

I guess those 135,000 troops are there just to keep the jubilant crowds from getting out of hand.

[Zorra]

14. Iraq is a reservation. n/t

[apnu]

15. Ouch!

That's a rude assessment, on so many levels. But I do think there's a strong possibility for Iraq to be handed the same kind of generational brutality that faced (and still does face) Native Americans here in the US.

[drb]

17. Well, it's "Limited Sovereignity," which is....

...kinda like "Limited Virginity."