U.S. talking to Chalabi, originator of WMD lies, while pushing to replace Iraqi leader Maliki

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23. I haven't mistaken that at all

. . . you should find a reason to at least cringe when our government is consulting on the future leadership of Iraq with the man who was the original, unrepentant liar that Bush and others used to involve us in that invasion and overthrow in the first place with an admitted pack of lies.

It's not a question of whether we 'choose' their new leadership. We should have absolutely no influence in that decision, but it would be incredibly naive to believe we'd provide millions of dollars to the new regime and millions more in manpower and military equipment without manipulating the outcome.

It would concern me even if this report just mentioned that our State Dept. was just talking to some uncontroversial blokes who were pure as the driven snow. What the hell are they doing openly courting potential candidates while the U.S. president hints and urges a change in the Iraqi government while holding our military forces over their heads?

One of the most amazing abuses of power came when the Maliki regime came into being, with the invading and occupying forces posturing as if they were protecting the integrity of Iraqi democracy while pointing their weapons at the government's opposition; Maliki actively working on their disenfranchisement.

I get your point, we don't have any business in choosing their leader, but, neither do we have any business helping direct military attacks against the population while complaining about the need for political reconciliation. It's a self-defeating enterprise; just as it's always been since the days when Bush was encouraging regime change in Iraq behind the threat and exercise of our military.