The Dusty Dog

I Want Justice

One of the strongest arguments for keeping American troops in Iraq is the resulting bloodbath if we just pull up our tents and leave. I've been scratching my head over this dilemma for the past few years, because on the one hand it seems to make no sense, given that the American invasion already unleashed a full-blown blood bath. On the other hand, I wrestled with the notion that maybe, just maybe the argument holds some merit. I sure do not want to be responsible for advocating such a horror. I like to believe that that is not who I am.

As I think about this dilemma, this contradiction, I have been sure that I am not alone in my ambivilence. I have continued to be angry about the whole stinkin' mess. I'm angry that the invasion was based on lies and deceipt. What makes me most angry about this is that I knew before the invasion that the Niger document was a fraud. For that, I hold the mainstream media and press responsible. If I knew, so did they. They had the power to trumpet this lie to the world, but instead chose silence, in deference to the decision made by madmen.

I'm angry that so many American families are forever changed by the death and injuries perpetrated by out dumbass decider. I'm angry that thousands upon thousands upon thousands of Iraqis have died or been maimed or their survivors, like the Americans, are changed forever. I am sorry that I often find myself using the collective "we" when I talk about the American invasion. "We invaded Iraq." But, "we" didn't. I had nothing to do with it. I was a helpless bystander watching a horror unfold before the American people. I'm not one of those who supported the decision. I'm not a "we", but I keep using the term. I am, after all, an American. I am, after all, deeply ashamed by the horrors perpetrated upon Iraq in my name, as an American. I am so angry.

Today, in the Washington Post, is an article written by William E. Odom, called Victory is Not an Option. It is one of the best bits of writing that I've encountered that describes the ambivilence and the dilemma of staying in Iraq or calling it quits. An excerpt:

1) We must continue the war to prevent the terrible aftermath that will occur if our forces are withdrawn soon. Reflect on the double-think of this formulation. We are now fighting to prevent what our invasion made inevitable! Undoubtedly we will leave a mess -- the mess we created, which has become worse each year we have remained. Lawmakers gravely proclaim their opposition to the war, but in the next breath express fear that quitting it will leave a blood bath, a civil war, a terrorist haven, a "failed state," or some other horror. But this "aftermath" is already upon us; a prolonged U.S. occupation cannot prevent what already exists.

William Odin has distinquished credentials. He a retired Army lieutenant general, was head of Army intelligence and director of the National Security Agency under Ronald Reagan. He served on the National Security Council staff under Jimmy Carter. In my opinion, he's not just some pundit talking head. He's got experience. And, for him to come out and say what he's saying indicates that he also has scruples. He's earned my respect.

I want justice. I want those responsible to be held accountable. I have a somewhat vindictive nature. I don't believe in the death penalty. I don't believe that torture is appropriate under any circumstances. But, I do believe that people should live the lives that they created for others. I would just love to see dubya and his dick, and condi and rummy too, living in the slums of Sadr City, behind bars, and under the authority of the Iraqi prison guards. I cannot think of a more apt justice. Of course, I would also take great glee in being a fly on the wall and watching dubya, his dick, rummy, condi, and all the little generals reading about the failures that they created; the misery they brought upon the world. I'd love to see them grimace over how the historians will be writing about their failed administration.

Labels: bush, dubya, impeach, Iraq, neocons, politics, war

posted by Dusty Dog at 2/11/2007