An Engagement Beyond His Presidency
September 14th, 2007 Posted in Of Interest[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwAwxEX1aWk]
It’s hard not to hear in optimistic stories of the “surge” the ironic evidence of the original crime, the obliteration of Iraq. Bush’s speech:
- Brazenly reminds us of the initial failure to establish security that destroyed the future of Iraq
- Rubs salt in the wound by asking us to treat a mendacious political farce, the Surge, as a serious albeit belated attempt at establishing this security
Bush recounts how bad Anbar Province was, for instance, just a year ago–how “the local people were suffering from the Taliban-like rule of Al Qaeda” and “need to feel safe in their homes and neighborhoods”. He doesn’t seem to grasp how odd that an American invasion subjected Iraqis, for a number of years, to a Taliban-like rule that followed a period when “chaos reigned”. Nor does he talk about how astonishing it is that an American invasion–the disembarkation of the brave new democracy-bearing saviors–inaugurated this reign of chaos.
That’s because Iraqi suffering is a useful tidbit in current PR campaign–no evocation is too shameful when Bush’s thinks what is at stake are his comically deluded notions about establishing a legacy. The plight of Iraqis is, rather than an occasion for remorse, a domestic political opportunity: even if it means rubbing salt in the wound by illustrating the stark difference between what could have been in Iraq and what is in fact the case. Take one small area of Iraq, add some troops for a brief irrelevant time, and remind us in microcosm of what how important it was to quickly and comprehensively establish security: four-and-a-half years ago. The surge may help Bush save face, but it does not seem to touch his conscience that his cynical political ploy means dead soldiers and has no implication for the fate of Iraqis. But then they are all dying for a good cause: Bush’s reputation.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CG6H_VebaI4]
