Muse – Random Politicking

Downplay

It seems like a joke when people try and downplay the abuse of Iraqi prisoners in Iraq. I think Rummy’s assertion that there are some 3,000 court-martials in the military a year rings as a total diversion from the real issue. This isn’t your average, everyday court-martial material. These people have committed acts that put the lives of many US solders in danger and have more or less ratcheted up the difficulty of the effort in Iraq.

This isn’t drunk and disorderly or skipping several days of duty for some frivolous reason. Or any other general bad act that has a limited impact on the world. These people will be tried for acts that have put a region in greater danger. Not to mention the higher ups who set up this systematic screw up.

Sorry, Rummy and folks. Try and trivialize it as much as you want. It won’t change the dire nature of these offenses.

The same goes to those like Rush who try and portray the abuses as minor. Obviously Rush’s drug abuse has left him with a bit of brain damage. Anyone with a casual interest in Islam and who knows anything about the culture in the region knows that the society in general is male oriented and chauvinistic. It’s been like that a long time, though change is slowly starting to erode that particular monolith ever so slowly.

Add to that the general perception over there of Americans as lazy, hedonistic and impure and you can draw up several notes on just why the effects of the abuse will be greater than simple ‘fraternity pranks’. That men were abused in ways reminiscent of S&M as well as sexually abused is bad already. That American women had a part in it makes it even worse.

Overestimation

There are those who play it too high as well. Despite how bad these events are in the context of the culture of those we’re seeking to win over, overall we’ve done much worse in the past. It’s a fortunate thing the bloodier days are behind us(knock on wood).

This hasn’t made the effort in Iraq impossible. Not by a long shot. But it has tightened up the need for the US to start reaping some sweeping victories. WE can quibble over what hospital is under stocked, which neighborhood has power, what oil lines are being bombed and rendered useless and what needy people are packed with aid, but in the end it’s all a minor piece of the puzzle.

The next chance to make a big effort and turn things around is June 30th. The smoothness of the transition to a caretaker government is one aspect where we can score points. The less trouble with regard to it, the better. As well, this temporary government must have real power. If it’s viewed as a figurehead that just parrots for the Bush administration, then it’s positive effect could be blunted or even nullified.

If we can show some serious success there, then opinion could turn around and at least buy time while the rest of the behind the scenes stuff is finished up and elections are prepared. If there are screw ups during and after June 30th, then it’ll be time to get worried.

Searching for the Exit

One thing that continues to gall me is the lack of solid planning. The most substantial outline of what is planned seems to be no more than the barest possible skeleton. There seems no intent at all to set real deadlines and goals for anything but the most prominent events. The interim government and the vote for the lasting government are about the only defined dates, with everything else before, between and after without any definition.

Every official asked about it gives nothing in the way of an answer. No one knows just what powers each government will have, no one knows how the US will cooperate in terms of power. We know Bremer will likely be leaving on June 30th, but that doesn’t tell us too much. No one knows when US troops will leave the country, nor what general goals need to be met before there’s a withdrawal.

No one knows anything and it’s really getting annoying. The longer there seems to be no plan, the longer some, like me, will have to stew and wonder if there was any plan ever on the table, save for the military plan.

Siege of the Sandcastle.

Trumpeting of the military victory over Iraq always rigs hollow to me. It’s been peripherally mentioned from time to time recently. How we so easily won the day. Considering Saddam’s forces sucked, it was a foregone conclusion. That Saddam’s forces seemed to plan folding blunts that victory and makes one wonder what it would have been like had Saddam’s military kept it together and really fought.

Besides, considering it’s likely Saddam supporters continue to fight, the war goes on, even if the prez has said mission accomplished. And after the military cakewalk that led in to the occupation, little has happened that I see as being so much greater than the string of foul ups that have followed. Good things have happened, sure, but the leadership continues to cause issue after issue to eclipse those good things done.

Ammo Dumps

I hear from time to time about all of the weapons caches that our soldiers have found and destroyed. Why in the heck are they destroying these? Why aren’t the contents of these caches being confiscated and shipped into the green zone for some warehouse storage? Store the stuff and distribute it to civilian contractors who need protection or use it as initial ordinance for the new Iraqi army and police.

This would soften the economic burden on the US and allow for a quick access to weapons for operations, even if the weapons are old. As a temporary measure, they’d be grand.

Seems like a waste to me.

Moral Ground

The most fought over ground in any conflict since the dawn of man. No matter who is fighting and where they’re battling, the sides always seek to attain the moral high ground. The most elusive tactical strong point, which depends no on terrain, but on playing to the ideals, morals and emotions of those who are a part of an who observe the battle.

Nor is winning it decisive. One can claim it without truly attaining in it any eyes but his own and it can he won and lost in moments, no matter the power of one’s armies.

The Bush administration claims it currently, but as far as I’m concerned no one has the high moral ground. Everyone is battering on the gates to this ground, but no one has the key.

Runaway Emotions

As much as I can understand it, I dislike it when people let their emotions run away with them. That happens periodically amongst Americans with regard to the current Middle East difficulties. Chief amongst the catalysts for emotion overriding common sense is the death of Nick Berg.

It’s a little amusing in a way. Hundreds have died already, though not in so deliberately gruesome a way. Yet this one death seems to have turned some people into ravening beasts. Calling, even if not seriously, for the glassing of the Middle East(that means to nuke it, as it’s likely the monstrous heat of such a blast and all that sand would make a heck of a lot of glass).

One has to think that these people don’t seriously mean this. After all, when has it ever been moral to destroy a nation and kill millions of innocents over the death of a single individual? It never has and it never will be. But this venting of bile isn’t a good mark on someone. At least, where I’m concerned. The ability to control one’s emotions in matters like this is considered a high strength to me.

Every time I hear or read something like this, I think to myself “And that’s why you’re not in a position of power and I hope you never get into one.” Because we surely don’t’ need more overemotional folks with the reigns of power. It’s somewhat forgivable for common citizens to have such momentary lapses, but it becomes a whole new issue for anyone with power to go off half-cocked.