Michael: The 'We Told You So' Moment
This Administration, which sees itself as whatever the opposite of 'reality-based' is, has begun leaking anonymously in an effort to lower expectations regarding democracy in Iraq. On the threshold of the deadline for a new constitution, such expectation engineering is tantamount to a tacit admission of failure. "We set out to establish a democracy, but we're slowly realizing we will have some form of Islamic republic," said an unnamed Administration official.Really? Color me unsurprised. A bunch of ideologues with no sense of the history or culture of Iraq, or even basic geopolitical facts on the ground, barreled in and dismantled a nation. Now they are surprised when it doesn't fit back together in the way they planned at their think-tanks back in D.C.? They estimated the war would last for weeks, that it would pay for itself with oil revenue, and that Iraqis would be glad to become a wholly owed subsidiary of American-based multi-national corporations and the GOP. Now when the gap between that much maligned concept, 'reality', and the bubble of denial the Administration has built around itself has grown so pronounced that over 60% of Americans aren't buying what they're selling, they drop the truth on us like a cluster bomb. "Guess what, folks? Iraq is not going to be a paradisical democracy like we said. Your children and spouses and parents are dying to create another Islamic state."
Well, it's little comfort now, but we told you so. Sometimes, it sucks to be right.
posted by Michael Bryan @ 8/14/2005 01:57:00 AM
2 Comments:
You are so right on with your comments and you are joined by illustreous company in that Frank Rich of the NY Times has penned an opinion today that, in summary says "The battle to keep the Iraq war afloat with the American public is lost." He is the first major columnist to go beyond the "q" (quagmire) and use the "l" word (lost). We will have to only wait a few days for the right wingnuts to attack him as a defeatist and question his credentials. But the administration is lowering the expectations just so they can call it a victory and leave. However, I have a question, what are we going to do for oil now. Invading middle eastern countries doesn't work, what is left, taking over Russia, China, Nigeria? Or maybe hybrid vehicles that get 80 miles to the gallon and higher CAFE standards? (See http://www.dailystar.com/dailystar/news/88613.php).
Neccessity is the mother of invention. I have little doubt the capitalist system will find a viable and profitable means to deliver suitable productive imputs when oil gets too expensive or impractical. I have faith in the ingenuity and adaptability of the American entreprenuer, even if conservatives, who claim to love the market (don't believe it), no longer do.
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