Angry Iraqis Demand Utilities, Security, Democracy, And U.s. Out By Thursday

[fklhou]

ANGRY IRAQIS DEMAND UTILITIES, SECURITY, DEMOCRACY, AND U.S. OUT BY THURSDAY

Thursday Deadline ‘Problematic,’ Garner Says

Angry Iraqis took to the streets of Baghdad today demanding that the U.S. restore water, power and security, establish democratic institutions, and get out of Iraq by Thursday at the latest.

The impatient Iraqis, fresh from twenty-four years of brutal dictatorship at the hands of Saddam Hussein, made it clear in their protests today that two weeks of American occupation were more than enough.

“The Americans promised to rebuild the country from top to bottom and create a democracy here,” said Rifat Eshaiker, an organizer of the demonstration. “What on earth is taking these dudes so long?”

The anti-U.S. protesters filled Baghdad’s main thoroughfare, formerly Saddam Hussein Boulevard, and now called Not Saddam Hussein Boulevard.

Jay Garner, the retired U.S. general in charge of restoring Iraq’s infrastructure and establishing a civilian authority, said he understood the Iraqis’ impatience but cautioned that the Thursday deadline “might be problematic for us.”

General Garner, however, hinted at a compromise: “The Iraqis would like us to leave now, and we’d like to leave in twenty years. When you look at it that way, we’re really only twenty years apart.”

Pledging to “meet the Iraqis halfway,” Garner said that if the Americans "budget their time wisely" it may be possible for them to leave Iraq in as few as ten years.

He also addressed the issue of restoring electricity to Baghdad, urging all Iraqis to be in their homes tomorrow between the hours of 8 and 4.

**** BOROWITZ REPORT ****

 

[DawnCt]

Everyone wants ice cubes in H*ll too but that doesn't mean they are going to get it. We were in Japan and Germany for a long time after WWII, up to seven years. I guess the Iraqis will just have to be patient. They put up with Saddam for 30 years, a few months will have to do.

 

[fklhou]

LOL Andy Borowitz is a writer of Satire. This piece is a piece of satire, i.e. it is not real. LOL

 

[Keli]

LOL, the truth seems so close to this that I can see how someone didn't catch the joke.

 

[Laz]

I think some of the religious leaders are trying to set themselves up in authority positions for later by inciting the crowds. I believe that Friday afternoon protests after worship will become a regular occurance in Bagdad. The people are streching their "freedon wings."

We can not leave a political vacum. That leads to ditatorships.

 

[DawnCt]

Originally posted by fklhou
LOL Andy Borowitz is a writer of Satire. This piece is a piece of satire, i.e. it is not real. LOL

To be honest FKlhou, I have never been able to read past the first two or three words of your posts since they are rarely anything more than cut and paste. So perhaps if I had actually gotton to the end of the first sentence, I would have figured it out.

 

[WillyJ]

Yeah Dawn, and despite standing up in front of the Amercian people and the rest of world and claiming to indisputable evidence of chemical and biological-where it was and how much right down to the exact litre- it pretty obvious now our President didn't have a clue and was lying about the absolute certainty of his information. . .

. . and I'm sure ice cubes will melt in hell before Bush admits it, but some people in the Pentagon are starting too.. .

_________________________________________________

More than half of Iraq's top 'weapons sites' searched with no result . .


(04-23) 13:23 PDT WASHINGTON (AP)

American forces are changing their search strategy after coming up empty at most of the top suspected weapons sites in Iraq, officials said Wednesday.

And the White House appeared to be trying to scale back expectations that weapons of mass destruction will be found.

Troops on the ground have searched more than 80 sites that prewar U.S. intelligence judged the most likely hiding places for chemical and biological weapons as well as evidence of an Iraqi nuclear program, Defense Department officials said on condition of anonymity. . .

. . Another official said the Pentagon still intends eventually to search all of the more than 1,000 possible sites, which he called "guesses" based on satellite data, other surveillance, information gathered by United Nations weapons inspectors over the years, from Iraqi defectors and elsewhere. . .
_________________________________________________


Of course the excuses are already starting. . "they were taken to Syria" "they were destroyed as soon as the war started. . "


In his State of the Union adress, Bush said he had indisputable proof Saddam had over a 1,000 Tons of anthrax alone. . you don't smuggle that much of anything in a suitcase over a border or flush it down a toilet in a couple days. .

Maybe it's time for the 80% of the people who bought this nonsense to stop screaming about The Dixie Chicks and France for a minute and think about what our President has done. . and what he plans on doing from here.

It isn't any joke. . .

 

[Laz]

WillyJ, I am not trying to start a debate, but her is the mission objectives set at the begining of the war by the coalition. Department of defense website:

Mission Objectives

1. End the regime of Saddam Hussein
2. Identify, isolate, and eliminate Iraq’s WMD, systems, and facilities
3. Capture or drive out terrorists sheltered in Iraq
4. Collect intelligence on terrorist networks and on Iraq’s illicit WMD activity
5. Secure Iraq’s oil fields and natural resources for the Iraqi people
6. End sanctions and immediately deliver humanitarian relief and assistance
7. Help the Iraqi people rapidly transition to a representative form of self-government that does not threaten its neighbors and is committed to the territorial integrity of Iraq


1- completed

2-here is one debate. One could say it was accomplished--at least in part- because Iraq now has no WMD to be found and the systems and facilities have been contained or destroyed. One could also argue your point of view because no weapons were found.

3-being completed. Many have been taken care of with many more to go.

4- on going. relates directly to #2. As we capture more leadership, we could get more information. This could take a great deal of time. I guess how long you are willing to wait depends on whether you like our leaders right now.

5-completed.

6- Looks like France wants to mess this goal up, at least as far as sanctions go. Will the UN waffle on this one too? Yes, rebuilding the infrastructure of a war torn country takes lots of time. Again, I guess how long you are willing to wait depends on whether you like our leaders right now.

7- on going. As with #s 4 & 6, how long you are willing to wait depends on whether you like our leaders right now.

 

[MJames41]

Originally posted by WillyJ
Yeah Dawn, and despite standing up in front of the Amercian people and the rest of world and claiming to indisputable evidence of chemical and biological-where it was and how much right down to the exact litre- it pretty obvious now our President didn't have a clue and was lying about the absolute certainty of his information. . .

Yep, and we have so many "pesticide" storage facilities in our deserts, in facilities that have been specially created to make sure that satellite photography will not be able to see them.

For anyone to think that there is nothing there, that is their right. It's also people's right to believe in Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny as well.

 

[AllyandJack]

Here we go again....more about the Evil American President. It's getting really old. If you don't agree with the politics of the whole thing, fine, but to continuously come up with these insane conspiracy theories....I speak in all sincerity when I say that it's time to seek help. I don't agree with many politicians, but to sit here and come up with these stories about how they're all lying to me and out to get me is a sign of real problems.

I know....the Massachusetts government is out to take my house.....they say they need the taxes for "services" but nothing ever seems to get done in that state, so it must be my house they're after...yeah.....those dirty, rotten.....And to top it all off, they just instituted a new gas tax....some reporter had to break the story because the democrats (oops...did I just say that
??) didn't think it was necessary to tell me, as a tax payer, that one of my taxes got raised. What's behind that? Why are they all lying to me and hiding things from me? What's next? I have to go protect my house.....

 

[MJames41]

And, of course, the scientists who are now coming out and saying they created the stuff are of course part of the conspiracy as well...

 

[disneefamily]

Disnee Dad Says.....................................As Baghdad Bob would say... We have no scientists and they are telling you nothing. They don't exist, we are a stupid country, we have no scientists, and everything they say are lies. It is all in your sick head. The only scientist is Bush and...... no even he wouldn't say that!

 

[WillyJ]

Laz,

Let me say while I disagree with some of your conclusions, I don't doubt your sincerity and I very much appreciate the respectful way you expressed your opinions. And let me also say in advance that while the following addresses some of the issues you brought up. it's not in any way aimed you, but rather at the 3 posters who followed you and others of their ilk. . .


First of all, you people can save your jingoistic, bullying tactics for those they have obviously worked on- if you have an opinion, state it as strongly as you like, but if you think using childish insults and ignorant slogans cribbed from the Rush Linthead show will somehow prevent me from stating my opinions or challenging the rumors, half-thruths, and outright lies being presented as "facts" both here and in the national media, then I can assure you that you are sadly mistaken and you obviously don't know me very well.


( I'm going to explain my beliefs and motives for posting what I have, and anyone is welcome to take it or leave it. . and let me also say in advance that I'm quite willing and capable of dealing with respectful, open-minded opinions with respect and an open mind. . but I'm also quite willing and quite capable of dealing with disrespectful, insulting opinions with disrespect and insults. . it's your call.)


You know, we seem to have a short attention span in this country; but I live in Oklahoma and I recall how after Timothy McVeigh blew up the Federal Building Bill Clinton came here and gave a speech more or less blaming people like Rush Limbaugh for giving people like McVeigh a "moral justification" for the heinous act he carried out.

Clinton also used the phrase; "I believe in Free Speech, but with Free speech comes a responsibility . "

Now I don't agree with Limbaugh's politics, but when some left wing groups took Clinton's words and tried to use their economic clout to get Limbaugh taken off the air, I was offended and let my feelings be known. And to this day I make a point of listening to Limbaugh and supporting those stations that air his show because when any government tries to shut up someone they don't like, I actively oppose it.

And when Clinton had our troops in Kosovo; Limbaugh, Hannity, Liddy, etc. never let up on their slamming of him. . and when called on it, Limbaugh said; "just because I criticize the president doesn't mean I don't support the troops. . " and I took him at his word and never questioned his sincerity in the least.

But now the shoes on the other foot, and unlike the relatively small and short-lived commotion the comments Clinton caused, in the past few months Limbaugh, Hannity, and far too many people both here on the DIS and in our country have felt it's their "patriotic duty" to hypocritically do whatever they can to punish, degrade, insult, marginalize, bully, and basically "shut-up" anyone who dares even question, much less criticize, what "their president" is saying and doing. . . and have insulted entire nationalities and people of that heritage just because their governments didn't toe the line over this Iraq business. . and call them and fellow Americans "conspiracy theorists" "anti-American traitors" and saying they "need help" just because they have the gall to say "hey wait a minute; you were saying one thing then and now you're saying another thing now. . "



Let me tell you all something; America did not become a great country because it's citizens sat back and kept their mouths shut about the government- it became a great country because people had the courage, the right, and the obligation to stand up and hold thier elected officials accountable for what they say and do.


There is a famous line from a man who expressed regret for his lack of courage after having survived Nazi Germany. . and I'm going to paraphrase it here. . .


I'm an American. I'm a 1/4 Chippewa Indian and 3/4 Irish, and pardon me if I'm a bit naturally skeptical of the inherent goodness of either the US government or the British government- still I love this country and am proud of it.

But I'm not a Christian Separatist, but when the government came after Randy Weaver at Ruby Ridge and murdered his wife and child, then gave the people involved medals and promotions, and few Americans cared, I said something,

I'm not a Branch Dividian; but when the government under Clinton and Reno came after them and murdered women and children, then gave the people involved medals and promotions, and few Americans cared, I said something.

And I'm not French; I'm not Canadian; I'm not a "Dixie Chick"; I'm not liberal; I voted for Reagan in '80 and have voted 3rd party in every election since; I have no partisan agenda. .

But when theelected officials in my government uses my tax money and sends my fellow citizens to put thier life on the line in a foreign land, I expect to be told the truth. . and that hasn't happened here. And when people who disagree and question it are attacked, demonized, threartened with econimic ruin, and bullied into shutting their mouths, I'm damn sure going to say something and do whatever I can to make sure that point of view is represented whether I agree with it or not. .

And for the record, there was a poster here on the DIS who used those kind of tactics for 2 years to promote a philosophy similar to the one I've been presenting lately, and I stood up to him to.

Bottom line- maybe you've shut down any other dissenting opinons with your tactics, and I have no doubt I'm alienating a lot of people who used to like me. . but I can live with that because I know what I'm talking about, and I'm not about to be silenced by the likes of you. .

 

[Laz]

WillyJ: Take it easy! I hate to see anyone lose their temper on an internet board! If we have one thing in common, it is everything disney and concern for the soldiers in harms way.

I can not write as well as you. I am a simple high school teacher and I do teach my students what you quote:

Let me tell you all something; America did not become a great country because it's citizens sat back and kept their mouths shut about the government- it became a great country because people had the courage, the right, and the obligation to stand up and hold thier elected officials accountable for what they say and do.

I do think that many times falsehoods and trickery are used for national security. Only when history is written will we know the truth. I also think that political gain is involved.

I do worry about the soldier, that is why I don't like dissent during wartime-- Even when justified it may cost lives. As a student of wartime tactics, I have discovered that a war is fought on many fronts--even this board or your local newspaper. If one member of the enemy gets bold because of what is written, that could mean one more body bag. Yes, it is short sighted, but when the bullets start flying, we all become part of the war machine like it or not.

In the end, I may vote to ride Bush out of the White House, who knows. However, as you can see I focus on the tactics. In other posts I focus on what good has come out of the war. Later, when all are safe, I will focus on awards or blame.

I leave you with what I finally think we both agree on as well:

GOD BLESS AND PROTECT OUR TROOPS!!

 

[fklhou]

WillyJ

Good post. You should come over and play on the DB.

To me this is incredible and is a result of the failure of the US diplomatic efforts and a result of Bush and Powell using forged documents to justify the war in Iraq (documents that they either knew were forged or would had known if they were not grossly negligent). Russian PM Putin really laid into Bush and Blair in a way that is very amazing. See http://news.independent.co.uk/world/politics/story.jsp?story=401690

In an extraordinary snub to Mr Blair, Mr Putin told a joint press conference near Moscow that Russia would not bow to American and British demands for the early lifting of sanctions against Iraq until there was proof that Iraq possessed the weapons the Allies had said justified the war.

Mr Blair was left embarrassed when Mr Putin said with heavy irony: "Where is Saddam? Where are these arsenals – if they were really there? Maybe he is sitting somewhere in a secret bunker with plans to blow all this stuff up at the last minute, threatening hundreds of human lives."

The Russian President added: "Sanctions can only be removed if there is no suspicion and it is only the [United Nations] Security Council that can remove these sanctions because it imposed them in the first place."

The statement in the middle paragraph is one of the most sarcastic statements that I have seen one world leader say to another in some time.

 

[bsnyder]

Will,

For the record, I strongly disagree with many of your assumptions, most notably that our government has lied to us, or that anyone's opinion in this country has been silenced.

But you haven't alienated me in the least by expressing your opinions, and I'm still proud to call you a friend! Hugs!

 

[WillyJ]

Thank you Bet; I appreciate that more then you could know and the feeling is very mutual. .



Laz; as I said, I respect your opinion and appreciate that you state it in a sincere manner without seming to feel the need to completely tear down opposing ones. . . I'm not angry; I just feel like a person should be able to question and/or criticize any elected public official without having to put up with being called anti-American, delutional, or similar perjorative terms. .


If anyone is willing to say it was wrong; un-American; gave "comfort to the enemy"; and put our troops at risk for Rush Limbaugh and other conservatives to have criticized Clinton when he was Commander in Chief and we had troops risking their lives in Kosovo, Haiti, etc. . . then fair enough- I disagree with that, but I respect it as consistent with a set of nonpartisan principles. .

But if a person is now lobbing those accusations at anyone crticizing Commander in Chief Bush while at the same time not being willing to say that. . then I 'm sorry, but it seems to me they are not promoting a moral principle, but instead are just using unfair tactics to try and guilt someone into not voicing an opinon they don't agree with. . .


George Bush is not "America", any more then Bill Clinton was "America". . we the people are America; and we the people have a right to question, support, agree with, diasgree with, like, or dislike any elected official at anytime we please- they work for us, not the other way around. . and if more people remembered that and stopped turning on each other for having different political viewpoints while both the Democrats and Republicans spend our tax money like drunken teen-agers, send our soldiers off to put their lives on the line while paying them poverty-level wages, and strip away our Constitutional rights for our own "safety". maybe we could turn some of that around.

I don't dislike or hate anyone here- I have a lot of affection for this place and the people who make it what it is. . and I pray every day for the sons and daughters and brothers and sisters of people here who are serving in the military that they come home safely. .

I just think there's a lot going on in this country right now that we should be aware of and have a say in, but if every unpopular or critical opinion is shouted down and ripped apart then we won't even get the chance to evaluate and decide if our government is serving us. . or if it's taking advantage of us. .

Maybe a sharing of information and veiwpoints without the ferocious need to defend them would be more productive?

Just a thought. .


Oh, and in case the point was lost in all my pontificating. . I'm not partisan; I'm just cynical and distrusting of all politicians . .

 

[betz]

Unfortunately, I see here on this board extreme disdain for differences of opinions concerning this administration. I've been to many other boards, especialy during the height of this conflict, and posters more often than not respectfuly disagree without name calling and the twisting of other poster's comments. And many of these places have been mostly unmoderated.

I would have never thought in my lifetime in America that I would be treated with such rudeness for disagreeing and trying to logicaly explain why I disagree. On these boards I have been told I should Die, yes Die, in fact be the 1st to die in the line of all who disagree with the mindset of the majority here. I have been told to get the effe out of this country. I have been called names and even told that I am unpatriotic because I disagree with the actions of the administration. (As Willy has pointed out it was OK to do with Clinton, which there are many issues of concern I have with his actions, or even that that is what a democracy is about ~ being able to disagree with the administration's actions!) but you're damned if you do it with this administration. Most pro-war people do not have to support their beliefs with facts, but someone that disagrees has to research Lexus/Nexis for hours and still their facts are irrelevent. I am sure there are more people on these boards that do not agree with the actions of this administration, but would never speak out here because they do not want to be consistantly gang bashed. I know for a fact that many have just left these boards all together due the "Patriotic Bashings" that have taken place. I hope they come back.

Fortunately, IRL, for the most part, people are logical, respectful and are even able to disagree with me without telling me to die or leave My Country.

 

[AirForceRocks]

betz, I agree 100% with you that there is no excuse for wishing death on you (or your ilk, if I remember correctly ), nor is there any reason to tell people that disagree that they should just leave the country. But I also think that it's unreasonable to expect that unpopular opinions will be greeted with open arms by those that disagree with those opinions.

I know for a fact that many have just left these boards all together due the "Patriotic Bashings" that have taken place.

And I know for a fact that what some people consider "Patriotic Bashings" are simply people adamantly disagreeing with an anti-war view.

It just seems like a real double standard to me:

"I can *****, moan and complain about this war and this President endlessly, but I don't want anyone pointing out why they disagree with me or why they think I'm wrong"

I'm not saying that you have this attitude betz, but I've seen it, both here and on other boards.

 

[betz]

"I can *****, moan and complain about this war and this President endlessly, but I don't want anyone pointing out why they disagree with me or why they think I'm wrong"

Just to clarify, the above quote wasn't me

And I would also like to state that not everyone has the attitude I have mentioned in my above post.