In honor of President Bush’s recent revelation comparing the Iraq War with Vietnam, I present this lyrical effort to be sung to the tune of George of the Jungle!
George, George
George of the Bungle,
Dumb as he can be.
(Ahhhhhhhh)
Watch out for Iraqis.
George, George,
George of the Bungle,
Lives a life that’s free.
(Ahhhhhhhh)
Watch out for Iraqis.
When he gets in a fix,
he shows us a trick
with the help of his fiend,
a dick named Dick.
Then he’ll go vacate
at his ranch till its late
While Condi and Laura
Gravitate.
Well….George, George
George of the Bungle,
Friend to Turks, Sunnis.
Watch out for Iraqis.
Fawaz Gerges is an expert on the Middle East and Islam. He holds a Chair in International Affairs and Middle Eastern Studies at Sarah Lawrence College in New York. At present, he is a Carnige Scholar residing in the Middle East studying the complex relationships between Islamist, Radicals and everything else that goes into Arab politics. I saw him on “Bill Moyers Journal” and knew this was a guy who knew what he was talking about.
Everyone knows that Iraq is a mess. Everyone knows that we would be better off if we had never invaded Iraq. The question for me focuses more on whether or not we have any chance of achieving our goals in Iraq. Will our “export” of Jeffersonian democracy to the Middle East take root? What is going to happen when we leave, because we will leave? Is the surge working? What deals have we struck with one group, the Sunnis (the minority), at what cost with regard to our relationship with all the other groups, particularly the Shia?
The centuries old rivalries and conflicts between Sunni and Shia is pretty much impossible for Americans to understand. Even if we can glimpse the origin of the conflict, can we possibly understand how these differences affect our chances for success? Bush ‘41 knew enough to stay out of Baghdad in 1991. Bush ‘43 has created a legacy which he richly deserves.
I got the impression from Fawaz that it is just about impossible at this time for anyone to stop the natural progression of events which will lead Iraq through a civil war that may last for years, after which some form of national government may emerge. But it may not resemble what our president envisioned when he declared “Mission Accomplished!”
Fawaz also comments on our current strategy of buying peace in various areas by arming the local Sunni leaders and essentially giving them control of specific territory in order to keep the peace. Not only does this undermine the national government which we are trying to create, but who knows what effect this favoritism toward one sect will have on the others.
No wonder the Iraqi Parliment went on vacation!
Fawaz Gerges [29:58m]:
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Congressman Barrow discusses the Democrats and the War in Iraq, the 2007 Farm Bill and legislation to help veterans.
Congressman John Barrow (D-12) [27:25m]:
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I just happen to be in Jackson Hole, Wyoming getting ready for a deposition. There is an HBO special playing consisting of interviews with families who have lost husbands and wives, sons and daughters, fathers and mothers in Iraq. These are tear-jerkers of the most tear-jerking kind. A recent phone call, a letter home, and a day later two people in uniform show up at the door. Lives destroyed, dreams sacrificed and hope shattered.
It looks like the show may be several years old, but the war is still there, deaths continue, and families still have the sad, sad stories. Unimaginable sadness.
And then I think of the lies, the deception, the secret agendas, the WMDs, the arrogance, the bigotry, the “little general”, the surge smokescreen.
Yeah, I could probably vote for impeachment.
After all, impeachment means only there is a trial. I would like a trial. Definitely!
This interview with Erick was last Tuesday, the day he was to be elected (without oposition) to the Macon City Council. Congratulations Erick! And remember, you asked for it!
Erick discusses Fred Thompson’s non-candidacy for President and the curse of U. S. Senators being elected President–it doesn’t happen!
Erick thinks the “child pornography” issues against David McDade, the DA in the Genarlow Wilson case are not going any where, and offers some observations about the efforts to get Wilson out of jail.
On the national front, Erick thinks Republicans lost their majority because of corruption and earmarks, as much as because of the war in Iraq. I am not sure I agree, but what do I know. He attributes the low approval rating of Congress to the fact that since taking control in January, Democrats have actually blocked many of Pelosi’s initiatives. News to me. I thought it was the Republicans in the Senate.
He does admit surprise that the President has stuck to his guns on Iraq even in the face of near universal opposition and eroding Republican support. I am not at all surprised. Disappointed? Yes! Disgusted? Yes! Why should I be surprised! If you are surprised, “You don’t know Dick!”
My apologies to Erick for this shortened interview, but at the beginning of this interview we had phone problems and I deleted the 10 minutes of my babbling monologue while it was being fixed. I am sure everyone will appreciate the editing.
Erick Erickson [17:01m]:
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Jason is a good choice for the first interview posted on the new site! We cover the field from Speaker Glenn Richardson prediction of the death of blogging, to the curious dissemination of possible child pornography by elected officials in their attempt to skirt the real issues of the Genarlow Wilson case. The do nothingness of Governor Perdue and DuBose Porter’s attempt at a special session for gasoline sales tax relief have their place in the conversation. But the meat of the discussion has to be our mutual observation that the Iraq War is accomplishing nothing but the loss of more young American lives. Last but not least, Jason plugs his choice for the next President of the United States. Listen and find out!!
Jason Pye [30:03m]:
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