Last week, 100,000 Iraqis demonstrated in Baghdad, and thousands more in other Iraq cities against the U.S. occupation, which may continue after the 12/31 deadline the U.S. agreed to years ago, and against the inept Iraq government the U.S. keeps in power in the Green Zone.
In response, that government has been cracking down on Iraq protesters not led by religious leaders such as Muqtada al-Sadr, who can summon tens of thousands of people to the streets. Who these protesters are is told in a New York Times story (6/3/11) http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/03/world/middleeast/03iraq.html?_r=1&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha22
It is ironic for two weeks ago, President Obama spoke of Iraq as a model for middle eastern democracy, and there was little challenge to his words from the U.S. news media. Yet that government is incapable of providing electricity for more than 3 - 4 hours a day, which means little electricity for air conditioning in a country with 120 degree summer temperatures, and little television, radio, computers, lighting and other modern conveniences.
That government can't provide decent police protection for its citizens, reliable schools, clean water, sewage treatment, regular garbage pickups, an ample supply of medicines and it is rife with corruption. This is what America has bestowed upon the Iraqi people.
Dick
No comments:
Post a Comment