(Cross-posted at Professor Dumbass.)
Bad news on the Iraq front today -- major attacks on government centers in Baghdad. The Ministry of Finance and the Foreign Ministry were both hit by massive truck bombs, within minutes of each other.
If anyone is reading, please follow the farking link above! This is major news -- a huge attack on the center of Iraqi government.
What do you expect? A puppet government installed by an occupying power in a time of war is not exactly the most stable thing in the world. When the occupiers withdraw their military support, it's a pretty safe bet that the puppet government won't last long. Without the firepower provided by their patrons, puppet governments have no power. A legitimate government has some sort of democratic approval, possibly even a popular mandate. Governments invented by foreign powers during times of war? Not so much.
The more ignorant and naive among you might be thinking, "Well, the Iraqi government is not a puppet government. It was installed by the good and holy Bush administration." (For the irony-impaired: I yust keeeeeding!)
If you need evidence or facts to back up my assertion that the Iraqi government is a puppet government needing protection consider this: These attacks started on the very day that the U.S. military withdrew from Iraqi cities.
Politically, this is pretty bad stuff for the Obama administration. No, that's an understatement; it's really bad stuff. Losing Iraq and Afghanistan pretty much guarantee that Obama will be a one-termer, and it's pretty much guaranteed that we're going to lose both. It's not Obama's fault, but there are enough stupid people in this country to blame it on him. If you think the Iran hostage thing was bad for Carter, just wait 'til the Iraq bodybag thing becomes an issue for Obama.
If you're the Obama administration, you have three two crappy choices right now:
- Go on the offensive and re-take ground in Iraqi urban areas (sustaining lots of casualties)
- Wait it out (and sustain lots of casualties after you are totally surrounded by the new Iraqi government which will be installed by the "terrorists." [Isn't it kind of offensive to call people terrorists when they're fighting you in their own country? Not for nothin', but if some country invaded the U.S., I'm sure their press would call people like me terrorists when we fought back.])
Get the fuck out of Dodge -- this is not an option because it's logistically almost impossible. Plus, we really do need the oil.
Of these, the first choice is probably the best, though heavy casualties will be blamed on Obama. Better heavy casualties now and getting the situation under control than much heavier casualties later and closer to election time. Not to be a cynic or anything...
We've basically lost Iraq. We're going to lose Afghanistan. Who knew that when the terrorists were chanting, "Death to America!" they were actually hoping that we would be a big stupid bully and invade their countries? We were just like that dumb bull chasing the little red rag over and over again, despite getting a knife in the neck every time. Thanks, Bush!
And Obama, it won't be popular to say it on this site, but this outcome really is your fault: If you had done what we elected you to do (get the fuck out of there and save our soldiers' lives and our money), you wouldn't be in this mess right now. Please learn that lesson where health care is concerned, Mr. President. And stop laughing at us when we call for the legalization of weed, which is the only rational course of action.
I wonder how expensive oil will get after the Iraqi government falls?