Most Iraqis

What We Learn about Iraq

Our troops can suffer extended duty in the combat zone of up to 18 months. This contributes to an abnormally high suicide rate [120 per week as calculated by a 2005 survey]. The President can issue a “stop-loss” order to extend troops when their contract expires.

Winter Soldier Kristofer Shaun Goldsmith testified to this and to his suicide attempt. Anyone can Google the fuller story of these tragedies.

Sectarianism doesn’t lie at the root of the conflict.

Maliki and his Assembly receive backing from only one-third of the population. Maliki’s faction lost support:

1. When they failed to deliver basic services.
2. As they refused to expel the Americans.
3. When they favored privatization of the oil fields.
4. When they refused all attempts at reconciliation towards a democratic future for Iraq.

The opposition nationalists are also mainly Shiite. They favor a central government with enough power to expel the Americans and the big oil companies. Sadr had the strength to force a unilateral cease fire last year. Falsely, the Americans claim it was the surge that lessened the hostilities.

Indeed, the US and Maliki took advantage to murder nationalists. They threatened mutiny if they were not re-armed to defend themselves.

Even with the USAF bombing the nationalists, I doubt if the fighting will end quickly.

Yesterday, I saw a video of the Charley Rose Show. Two Iraqis told the facts calmly to him. They shocked Rose, who had apparently taken the US MSM lies hook, line and sinker.