The Iraq "war" will end the same way it started - with lies.

[Solly Mack]

Lies got America into Iraq - and lies will get America out of Iraq.

I'm not saying I endorse the lies of my government - just saying I fully expect more lies to be used to give cover for America's actions in Iraq. Lies that will form the official history, so to speak.



One possible fictional official history:

America will frame Iraq in such a way that tells a story of a country that was attacked by terrorists and was only trying to make the world safer for everyone by eliminating a threat. That though "mistakes" (you know - WMD, those 16 words, torture, etc - the invasion itself) were made, America's intentions were good and honorable but that external forces acted in such a way as to undermine a "good deal" (but not all - this is important) of what America hoped to accomplish in Iraq.


Those external forces will be - the Iraqis didn't do their part to help America, Americans lost their courage and stopped supporting the effort, military commanders didn't do their job, and anti-war forces (to include those in Congress) sapped the country and the troops of morale. And don't forget the neighboring countries that aided the "insurgents"

America will declare it has done all it can do and that it is up to the Iraqis now and the international community to lend a hand. That will be "victory" defined by America. Declare Baghdad secure - as the seat of government for Iraq - so now "sovereign" Iraq must do the rest.

This doesn't mean we leave Iraq for good and all. This doesn't mean American corporate interests suddenly disappear in Iraq.

Just means America will fashion a tale of how we're the good guys. How we did everything we could to lay the groundwork for a democratic government in Iraq, and how it's up to the Iraqis now.

Not a failure, you see...just a victory that America continues to build on that hasn't yet come to fruition - but most certainly will, of course...with continued "support" from the US.

The beauty of this fiction of history is that it can be applied next summer, next year ,or even 10 years from now.

Withdraw troops over the summer - or just withdraw troops to Kuwait..and the lies still works.
Withdraw them next year - maintaining a larger than normal force in Kuwait...and the lie still works.
Withdraw them in 10 years with regular, non-combat, deployments to Iraq established, along with those regular deployments to Kuwait...and the lie still works.

America is then just in the wings waiting to come to the aid of the "legal" and "sovereign" Iraq government. And if a "sovereign" Iraq wants us there, well, we're always glad to help a new democracy.

And it all began with the spreading democracy lie...

A lie that was safe to cling to and expand on because of America's much hyped role as the keepers of democracy and freedom and liberty - the great liberators, willing to fight to free others.

The one lie that could save face for America(at least on the surface). The one lie that an entire fictional history of America's role in Iraq could be built on...


*! - I'm just speculating on the end-game and how lies will form the basis for the ending just as they did for the beginning (and every point in-between)

[KarenS]

1. K&R Sadly, yes ~

I think you're right on this.

[Solly Mack]

2. The only thing I know for sure is the lies will continue

and the *history* will be based on the lies

Sure, millions of people will *know* the truth but unless those with the power to hold the guilty accountable actually hold them accountable, the truth will forever be debated against the lies that pass for truth.

If that makes sense...

Thanks!

[G_j]

3. yes , k&r

you have observed well
:-(

[Solly Mack]

4. It's the one lie by Bush that you hear most often repeated in terms

of America's "mission" in Iraq

Yeah, there is still the 911/Iraq lie - but that's so blatantly false it's worthless as a sustainable lie, and it mainly serves as fear mongering and as an excuse to erode civil rights

Saddam is dead, so there goes the "imminent threat posed by Saddam" lie

The 16 words were bovine-caca

but that spreading democracy...it was a safe lie. A lie steeped in American myth...one that people could wrap themselves in a whole lot easier.

Kinda like slinging poo until something sticks...Bush pushed lies until one stuck

[Karenina]

5. What I don't get is

that Americans seem so accepting of

[Solly Mack]

6. The lies are easier

Truth, even a temporary one, requires change
and change requires people act