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Commentary :: War in Iraq
Bush goes to Baghdad! Well, the airport at least
Author
- Ruth Lopez
Date Created
- 29 Nov 2003
Date Edited
- 29 Nov 2003 10:38:59 AM
License
This work is in the public domain.
Bush goes to Baghdad. But does that matter if this administration continues to undermine the military in every other way?
President Bush went to Baghdad (airport).
Never mind that the Arab world has seen through the smoke and mirrors and recognizes what the American mainstream media treads lightly around: That President Bush was (rightly) terrified of staying any longer at the Baghdad airport than absolutely necessary to get that photo op in. How much better are things in Baghdad? Not much. But, never mind.
Never mind that Iraqis are claiming to be offended that the whirlwind 2 1/2 hrs at the airport was an affront because President Bush didn't step outside of the heavily guarded militarized area to see some of the actual Iraqis in their city. Some of them are apparently complaining that he acted more like an occupier than a visiting Head of State. But they were already disgruntled anyway. Never mind.
Never mind that the quick drop in and run doesn't change the fact that this administration has done more to damage the military than any previous administration since Viet Nam, especially since this president does seem to love to pose in front of the troops and play dress-up in their uniforms. It doesn't change the $25 billion in cuts to VA Benefits. It doesn't change the loss of combat pay to our soldiers in harm's way. It doesn't change a thing for the wounded reservists and National Guardsmen waiting up to 6 months to see a doctor in Ft. Stewart. It doesn't change the loss of housing and schools for military families. It doesn't change the fact that our fallen come home in darkness, unrecognized and unhonored. And on and on... It certainly doesn't change the unnecessary deaths of over 400 Americans for a war based on lies.
Never mind all that. If this trip made even one of our kids feel better over there, then it was worth it. It just doesn't change any of the rest.
It's kind of like a dead-beat dad, who lets down the kids time after time, misses their birthdays, uses them to show off for his new girlfriends, doesn't pay child support but shows up when the kid is in the hospital.
He's still a lousy dad but, with your expectations permanently lowered, you find yourself being oddly grateful that at least he showed up.
Never mind that the Arab world has seen through the smoke and mirrors and recognizes what the American mainstream media treads lightly around: That President Bush was (rightly) terrified of staying any longer at the Baghdad airport than absolutely necessary to get that photo op in. How much better are things in Baghdad? Not much. But, never mind.
Never mind that Iraqis are claiming to be offended that the whirlwind 2 1/2 hrs at the airport was an affront because President Bush didn't step outside of the heavily guarded militarized area to see some of the actual Iraqis in their city. Some of them are apparently complaining that he acted more like an occupier than a visiting Head of State. But they were already disgruntled anyway. Never mind.
Never mind that the quick drop in and run doesn't change the fact that this administration has done more to damage the military than any previous administration since Viet Nam, especially since this president does seem to love to pose in front of the troops and play dress-up in their uniforms. It doesn't change the $25 billion in cuts to VA Benefits. It doesn't change the loss of combat pay to our soldiers in harm's way. It doesn't change a thing for the wounded reservists and National Guardsmen waiting up to 6 months to see a doctor in Ft. Stewart. It doesn't change the loss of housing and schools for military families. It doesn't change the fact that our fallen come home in darkness, unrecognized and unhonored. And on and on... It certainly doesn't change the unnecessary deaths of over 400 Americans for a war based on lies.
Never mind all that. If this trip made even one of our kids feel better over there, then it was worth it. It just doesn't change any of the rest.
It's kind of like a dead-beat dad, who lets down the kids time after time, misses their birthdays, uses them to show off for his new girlfriends, doesn't pay child support but shows up when the kid is in the hospital.
He's still a lousy dad but, with your expectations permanently lowered, you find yourself being oddly grateful that at least he showed up.
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