Debate About Iraq Parliament Going On Vacation
Do you support the Iraq Parliament going on vacation for August while our troops are in harms way? What does this say about their commitment to work out the sectarian hate in Iraq which is driving the violence between the Sunnis and Shiites in Iraq?
USATODAY
Baghdad’s dysfunctional leaders undermine U.S. military efforts.
“There does not appear to be much political progress” in Iraq, Navy Adm. Michael Mullen, President Bush’s choice to head the Joint Chiefs of Staff, allowed at his confirmation hearing Tuesday.
You read that right. With their nation nearing an abyss and 160,000 U.S. troops engaged in a desperate attempt to tamp down the violence, Iraq’s legislators have skipped out for an August break. That’s something U.S. forces sweltering and fighting in the 120-degree heat can only dream of, and it sends the worst message imaginable.
Opposing view
Cut Iraq some slack
U.S. is fighting for its own interests; Baghdad’s leaders could be worse.
Granted, Iraq’s government has disappointed. Americans liberated Iraqis from Saddam Hussein and gave them the right to vote. What we couldn’t give them are the institutions, values and habits required for effective democratic governance. Those they will have to develop over time, if they can.
But keep in mind: We are at least partly responsible for the Iraqi government’s dysfunction. Watching the debates taking place in Washington — hardly the most inspiring example of democracy in action — Iraqis don’t know whether we are going to stay to finish the job or abandon them to al-Qaeda terrorists and Iranian-backed death squads.
John,
Do you support the U.S. Congress taking its annual August recess while we are at war? Which has more effect on the outcome (I would argue the U.S. Congress because maybe our troops can go 30 days w/o hearing a dumbass comment from Harry Reid about how we have lost the war).
Bart
Do you think comparing Iraq in the middle of a sectarian civil war is the same as what is going on here in our country? WOW!!!!
John,
America is in the middle of the war…so yes, comparing vacations by each legislative body during the war is absolutely useful since dems (and you if there is a separation from the word dem when addressing you) have made it such a big issue.
Maybe while in recess Clyburn and his colleagues can devise a way to prevent General Patreus from winning the war. I am quite confident dem leaders are scrambling now that so much good news is coming from the war front against islamic terrorism.