Bdos: Damned if you do, damned if you don't, the U.S. is totally damned

Here's this gem from the Letters to the Editor section of The Barbados Advocate. Be forewarned, bile masquerades as thought.

The US administration is adamant that “sovereignty” must be “handed” to the Iraqis on June 30th. I am cynical enough, and aware of the essentials of symbolism to this administration, to rationalize the significance of this date. Americans celebrate the 4th of July as their Independence date. The juxtaposition of Iraqi “Independence” (Sovereignty) on the 1st of July with American Independence celebrations will be highly symbolic for the acceptance of the administration’s “victory”. This is a carefully planned event designed for maximum publicity.

On sovereignty, the Bush administration has announced that it will maintain a presence in Iraq; obviously forever, because they propose to “establish the biggest US embassy in the world” in Iraq, in Saddam’s Palace. Why in that palace. They have a phrase which talks about “rubbing someone’s nose in the dust” after you have defeated them. This is a perfect example. Another insult!

Why in that palace, which they had often criticized for its opulence when Saddam occupied it? Did they feel that such opulence was too good for a non-WASP? Why do they want to stay in Iraq? How much influence will they wield in a new “sovereign” “democratic” Iraq? How much influence will they wield over the “elected” members of the new government? How many Special Forces, CIA, and FBI personnel will they keep in the new “sovereign” Iraq? There will definitely be a collision between the interim “sovereign” administration and the objectives of the Bush administration, because even if they are asked to leave they will not.

On crime and punishment, at the end of the 2nd World War, the generals in the German army were held responsible for the atrocities committed by their troops and were either hanged or given long prison sentences. They were not court-martialled, or tried by Germans. They were tried by an international court.

With the surrender of the Japanese and the end of hostilities in the Pacific Area, Japanese General Yamaguchi was hanged for atrocities committed by his troops in the Philippines. In Iraq the first American soldier was tried by court martial very, very quickly – I might even say too quickly – reduced in rank and given one year of confinement (not prison). So far no one else has been charged, and no one higher up the chain of command has been accused far less indicted for these atrocities.

Where is justice for the people of Iraq? What an insult to a proud people!