Iraq: It's Worse Than We Think?

[Plaid Adder]

OK, it scares me to think this, but it is starting to seem more plausible:

Team Bush is now crawling toward the U.N. and getting the knife and fork out for that plate of crow. I never in a million years thought they would do that. Because, you know, they're idiot ideologues who were so hopped up on their own propaganda that they were genuinely surprised that the entire Iraqi people didn't welcome them with open arms and do all the transition work on their own so their brave liberators wouldn't be inconvenienced.

So what could get these idiot ideologues to run for U.N. help after having "gone it alone" all this time?

I don't know, exactly...but I have the sinking feeling that there must be shit going down over there that *they* know about and we don't. In other words, while the war as we see it is enough to scare the crap out of reasonable people, there is something brewing in Iraq right now that is bad enough to scare EVEN THE IDIOT IDEOLOGUES.

OK, scared now.

:scared:

The Plaid Adder

[Ripley]

1. It's only a ploy to raise Smirk's numbers.

They just want to stop the death toll of US soldiers from going up (who cares if French soldiers die?) because it is hurting his ratings.

[bahrbearian]

2. I don't think the French will buy into it.

[Ripley]

8. Actually I don't think ANY real allies will sign up.

No Germans, no French, no Italians, No Spaniards.

If they get any more support it will probably be a dozen at a time from countries we never heard of...like 20 truck drivers from Lichtensmonia.

[Raster]

14. ...without trucks, of course...

[sushi]

19. I read

that the Japanese are also reconsidering their promise to send troops, and Australia said it's done its part.

[ProudDemocrat]

4. Perfectly said

I couldn't have said it better!

[PurityOfEssence]

29. If the Pakistanis and Indians both come, they can start their war there

There were rumblings about units from each possibly coming, maybe they can get their licks in out in the former cradle of civilization...

We can just meddle in all sorts of things we don't understand, can't we?

[LittleApple81]

3. I agree. Did you see the post about the Al-Jazeerah reporters arrested?

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L29539591.htm

They don't want anybody to know anything not convenient to them.

And the Reuters cameraman... and... and...

[bamademo]

5. It's the cost

Billions and billions they didn't count on. Plus the deaths of U.S. soldiers.

[qanda]

24. Interesting read on how the cost is being driven up in Iraq...

From the Riverbend (a 24yo Iraqi woman) blog:

http://riverbendblog.blogspot.com/

Yesterday, I read how it was going to take up to $90 billion to rebuild Iraq. Bremer was shooting out numbers about how much it was going to cost to replace buildings and bridges and electricity, etc.

Listen to this little anecdote. One of my cousins works in a prominent engineering company in Baghdad- we’ll call the company H. This company is well-known for designing and building bridges all over Iraq. My cousin, a structural engineer, is a bridge freak. He spends hours talking about pillars and trusses and steel structures to anyone who’ll listen.

As May was drawing to a close, his manager told him that someone from the CPA wanted the company to estimate the building costs of replacing the New Diyala Bridge on the South East end of Baghdad. He got his team together, they went out and assessed the damage, decided it wasn’t too extensive, but it would be costly. They did the necessary tests and analyses (mumblings about soil composition and water depth, expansion joints and girders) and came up with a number they tentatively put forward- $300,000. This included new plans and designs, raw materials (quite cheap in Iraq), labor, contractors, travel expenses, etc.

Let’s pretend my cousin is a dolt. Let’s pretend he hasn’t been working with bridges for over 17 years. Let’s pretend he didn’t work on replacing at least 20 of the 133 bridges damaged during the first Gulf War. Let’s pretend he’s wrong and the cost of rebuilding this bridge is four times the number they estimated- let’s pretend it will actually cost $1,200,000. Let’s just use our imagination.

A week later, the New Diyala Bridge contract was given to an American company. This particular company estimated the cost of rebuilding the bridge would be around- brace yourselves- $50,000,000 !!

[never cry wolf]

37. Sounds to me like they know...

...shrub is in deep shit and not long for his office so they are grabbing while the grabbing is good!!

:grr::nuke::mad:

[ewagner]

6. As always Plaid

You're out ahead of the pack.

I, too, am surprised that they're going to the UN but so far they aren't willing to eat any crow and until they take a really BIG MOUTHFUL, France, Germany and other allies won't buy into cleaning up Georgie's mess.

One thing that strikes me is that they have just come to the realization that the "liberators greeted with flowers" line was crap and they are totally unprepared for the consequences. They are scared alright. But he's the crappy part: They're scared because of the effect Iraq will have on the election campaign NOT out of any concern for our boys and girls who are target practice for every nationalist group in the Middle East.

I suspect from these clowns selfishness first, patriotism never.

[Cheesehead]

34. The neocons are petrified

that Whistle-Ass won't be reelected and their PNAC dreams will be quashed just when they were getting a good start. Once out of power these assholes will never be in a position of influence again because their cards are now out on the table and we all know what their devious little plan is.

[Cheesehead]

35. The neocons are petrified

that Whistle-Ass won't be reelected and their PNAC dreams will be quashed just when they were getting a good start. Once out of power these assholes will never be in a position of influence again because their cards are now out on the table.

[LoneStarLiberal]

7. U.N. Irony

Now what will truly be a gauge of how bad things are is when/if the Bush administration has to beg, cap-in-hand, for U.N. assistance without qualification.

If I were France or Russia or another veto-carrying member of the Security Council, I'd rough them up some before helping them. At least let them suffer enough to force the administration to withdraw any of the qualifications it has to "allowing" the U.N. into Iraq; make them and all the U.N.-hating cretins over here eat a nice full steaming plate of crow and then take over operations.

Of course the Security Council has to be a little pissed that they are basically being called in to clean up George's blunder.

There is only one solution: SANCTIONS ON AMERICA!

In conclusion, the UNSC won't make Bush suffer. Because the U.N., unlike the Bush administration, realizes that dithering has a cost in lives: Iraqi lives and American lives.

[diamond14]

30. UN is still grieving their dead...there won't be any help from UN

for a long time...despite the rhetoric of support from UN, Kofi allowed all his people to LEAVE Iraq...and this was rapidly followed by a bunch of other humanitarian agencies and the world bank personnel leaving Iraq last week....

the problem is that bush* lied to the UN....bush* assured them that they would be safe in Iraq, that everything was under control, that the Iraqis love us....and less than a week after the UN Iraq headquarters was demolished, the UN people killed, including head UN officials, and the whole mess FILMED for other UN personnel to view the panic, horror up close and personal...there are certainly lots of injured, permanently injured UN employees...

NOBODY with any brains at all is going to want to go back to Iraq....the situation there is a real mess...there is no safe place to do business...for anyone...the UN will give lip service to the shrub, but drag their feet on any efforts for shrub....drag, drag...delay...shrub knows how that works...lots of speeches, debates and all that, but NO action at all...

[Spazito]

9. If you add up the snippets of truth that leak out....

it is VERY bad there. The troops are demoralized, underfed, lacking sufficient water for the temperature there, Iraqi money confiscated by the admin has run out, billions more needed to even hold the line, attacks on US troops daily, factional fighting, this list could go on and on.

The Bush admin is between a rock and a hard place, imo. They need to be bailed out, ain't gonna happen till Bush and admin is gone. Sadly Iraqis and US soldiers will continue to die, billions of dollars will be spent without any fruitful result.

[lanlady]

10. If our allies are smart

they'll realize they can contribute to Bush*'s losing the election next year. That would be much better for world peace than anything that can be done now in Iraq.

[Ripley]

13. I agree. But the sad fact is a lot more death and misery

will occur in Iraq between now and elections if no one helps now.

[PurityOfEssence]

33. Absolutely

Iraq is the ultimate tar-baby, and old Brer Junior just can't seem to shake him. Of course, it's not just as simple as letting Junior drown in his quicksand for the election's sake, there are other serious reasons to stay out. Why should they anger the Arab world? Why should they risk their boys? Why should they be seen as willing servants of our evil? Why enter something that can't be necessarily fixed?

You know they would love to see him fall. Some of that's revenge and maliciousness, but some is just out of frustration with the Junta and some is out of concern for the future. They have to play a reasonable hand and seem willing--under certain circumstances--to assist, but world opinion is so thoroughly against us that they needn't be on pins and needles...

[revcarol]

11. But, but, but,

wasn't it Congressman Harold Ford (D) who just came back and told us "Things are not as bad as stated?" Now would Congressman Ford lie or COULD HE BE DECEIVED??

Unless HALLIBURTON and the other corporate slugs are outta there, and unless IRAQ gets to control their own oil money that they may use however they wish short of buying arms, the UN SHOULD STAY OUT!!

COMPLETE CHARGE FOR THE U. N., WITH THE U. S. PAYING FOR RECONSTRUCTION...the ONLY way to go!!

[NNN0LHI]

12. Its worse than you can imagine. And next week it will be even worse

And the week after that worse yet. And next year this time we will not be in Iraq anymore.

Don

[jmcgowanjm]

15. BaghdadBlogger

While my family is waiting outside something strange happens, one of the soldiers comes out, empties his flask in the garden and start telling the medic to give him his, the medic shoos him away. They all think that the soldier is filling his flask with cold water from the cooler. Later it turns out that he emptied my father’s bottle of Johnny Walker’s into his flask and was probably trying to convince the medic to give him his to empty another bottle. Weird shit.

[Divernan]

16. Guess the privatized PX/liquor department never opened up.

Given the extreme conditions/fear/stress, stealing alcohol from an Iraqi citizen may be seen as a way to get drunk enough to forget reality for a little while.

[jmcgowanjm]

17. Declare victory(again),leave Iraq now, buy Euros n/t

[G_j]

22. what happened today was very, very bad.

my heart goes out to that poor country.

[Karenina]

23. How can any of us, save those

who know the horror of being in a war zone, even BEGIN to imagine the atrocities being inflicted upon our fellow human beings in Iraq? I come into contact with Iraqis, I cry, they cry, my sleep is disturbed, they've not been able to for MONTHS. It is MUCH worse than imagination will bear. How long will the military remain muzzled? Has the number of injured Americans surpassed the 10,000 mark? Daily death, destruction, hatred and violence are stewing in a desert toxic waste dump. Lies are being heaped upon lies, each one more brazen than the last.

Yes, Don. I concur with your prediction. The only indeterminate is the level of carnage we shall witness before the inevitable comes to pass.

[newsguyatl]

18. it's so much

worse than you can imagine... i just know of the video and stories that i see daily that DON'T get on the air, it's just incredible...


btw, just confirmed 95 killed in najaf bombing today.. my question is who's behind it? chalabi? hmmm

[gristy]

20. WTF?

btw, just confirmed 95 killed in najaf bombing today

What???? OMFG.

The U.N. might take Iraq off our hands. But they will force bushco to pay a very, very high price indeed. By the time the U.N. is done, it's going to look like a bushco surrender.

[ewagner]

21. thanks

for the additional insight.

It is much appreciated.

[Beetwasher]

25. Over 75 dead in a single car bombing today

Now the fun really begins...We ain't seen nuthin' yet...

[Solly Mack]

26. Much worse

This invasion was a SNAFU from start to well, present.

They didn't send MP's over in time to protect supply routes...which resulted in many deaths and captures. Heck, they don't have enough MP's in the entire military to do the job.

They let equipment float around the sea instead of docking and unloading.

They pushed on to Baghdad in a mad rush that left their rear open for attack.

They did this to boost Shrub's ego and to make it look as if the "war" could be "won" in days.

..and that's just from a strictly strategic standpoint...and does not include all the fuck-ups that were made.

That doesn't include the human factor...it's one big cluster-fuck. The troops are tired and scared shitless, and tired and scared people do really stupid things.

The Iraqi's are tired and scared shitless...some do aid the Americans...but they do it under a death sentence. They could be killed at any time by other Iraqis. And for what gain? The only thing being built is American bases and American businesses....

Contrary to all the lies being spouted on TV, morale is rock-bottom.

They send 3 soldiers to contain 500.....an impossible task. And the troops know it's impossible. Morale is nil.

Rumple-thin-skin is a liar and nothing more...

My husband recently moved closer to Najah. I haven't heard from him in days. I'm tired and scared shitless. I'm mad...beyond mad..with worry. I'm angry with nowhere to direct it. I write my Congress. I write that idiot in the WH...but for what? What will they do to stop this insanity? NOTHING. It's so easy for those not doing the dying to
spout flowery prose on the price of freedom...well, fuck those people.

Freedom doesn't mean stealing an election. Freedom doesn't mean finishing your daddy's job because the chip on one shoulder is matched only by the chip on the other shoulder. Freedom doesn't mean wrecking another people's land just to steal their resources.

It's a damn shame that people who wrap themselves in the flag don't suffocate.

[Karenina]

27. OH SOLLY!!!

May your husband be surrounded by guardian angels who will not even allow him to stub his toe. ((((((:loveya:)))))) ;( ;( ;(
Forgive me, I know we're supposed to "stay strong..."
((((((:loveya:)))))) ;( ;( ;( ((((((:loveya:))))))

[Beetwasher]

28. Hang in there Solly

We're all with you and your husband...

[ninkasi]

31. Solly...

I don't have a member of my family in Iraq, but I spend sleepless nights, worrying about the burden our troops are facing, sent to an insane war by a bully and a coward. I worry about the suffering everyone in that country is going through, all to satisfy the whim of a spoiled, arrogant, useless sociopath.

If I worry this deeply, I can only imagine what you must be going through. My good thoughts go out to you, may your husband stay safe, and be home soon.

[diamond14]

32. Solly, please send your story to these fine people...who are

working to bring our soldiers home NOW....these fine people just held an important press conference at the National Press Club in Washington DC, which was broadcast on C-Span...they are working to force Congress to bring 'em home NOW...please submit your firsthand story here...and any of your friends stories...YOU are a reporter...and YOU can make a difference....

http://www.bringthemhomenow.org/what/latest.html#force030827

-snip-

BringThemHomeNow.org wants to see more of these stories. If they have appeared in your local paper, email or send them to us. If there hasn't been anything yet, and you have first-hand information from the Middle East, consider writing a letter to the editor or calling a reporter to share what you know. Many people still don't know know the real situation over there. The more people who do learn it, the greater the pressure will get on the politicians to bring them home. Now.
by Dennis O'Neil
23 july 2003

[never cry wolf]

38. My heart and prayers go out to you Solly

I pray your husband and all our brave men are brought home safely and soon!

[Solly Mack]

41. Thank you all for your support and kind words!

DU has been a HUGE help today!!!! It keeps me sane.

[mikeytherat]

36. At the height of GulfWar II, the Brits had about 45,000 troops in Iraq

...and now it's down to just under 11,000. They said they were pulling some troops back but, did anyone notice all of the Brits heading out quickly?

When even your best, bought-off friends start trying to extricate themselves from your clusterfu**...who ya gonna call, Georgie? And don't say The Ghostbusters, because they weren't for real, Georgie.

mikey

[Kool Kitty]

39. Last week, on one of the shows,

maybe "hardball", the guy Chris was interviewing said it was more like 2500 British soldiers there. Some coalition, huh? UUUUUUUUSSSSSSSSS and *them*. Bad bad bad.

[Kool Kitty]

40. Last week, someone on one of the shows,

I think it may have been "Hardball", said that there are now only about 2500 British soldiers in Iraq. Some coalition, huh? UUUUUUUUUUSSSSSSSSS and a few of them.