Obama speaks AT Iraqis in Baghdad like a Colonial Viceroy

[Orwellian_Ghost]

Obama Should Listen to Iraqis, Not Lecture Them
If Obama just asked Iraqis on his flying visit, he would find they think the US is part of the problem and should leave them to it

by Jonathan Steele

<snip>

Less sensibly, they decided not to allow Obama to travel the roughly eight-mile journey by road. Their decision illustrated just how insecure the Iraqi capital remains in spite of considerable improvements in the last two years. It also meant that Iraq's prime minister and president had to take the risk of going to see the foreign visitor rather than the other way round.

<snip>

More worryingly, Obama is increasingly adopting a narrative of the US presence that sounds like the Bush version. US troops, Bush always used to say, are in Iraq to defend democracy and provide security until the Iraqis are ready to step up to the plate. Obama now says the same, and expresses concern that as US troops start to leave Iraq violence may resume. It's comforting and paternalistic stuff, designed to paint a picture of neutral peacekeepers nobly holding the ring until the natives grow up or come to their senses.

<snip>

Why doesn't Obama consult Iraqi opinion? The latest poll, by the BBC and ABC in February, shows that nothing has changed in the longstanding majority view that the occupation forces (British as much as the Americans) have not been a bastion of security. They have been the problem more than the solution. Sixty-nine per cent said they had "done a bad job". Forty-six per cent think they should leave Iraq before the end of 2011, while 35% said the timetable is right. Less than 20% want them to stay longer. One reason is that Iraqis by a 53% majority view the US as still running the country. Another is that 59% already think Iraqi forces are capable of providing sufficient security.

<snip>

But the Iraqi public, and the main parties in parliament, express confidence that violence can be contained. On Tuesday Obama told US troops rather haughtily that it was "time for Iraqis to take responsibility for their country". He should listen rather than lecture. Iraqis have been trying to give the US that very message for quite some time.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/apr/08/iraq-middleeast

[msongs]

1. now that obama is a member of the presidents club things are different nt

[Renew Deal]

2. Yes, they are.

We're on our way out of Iraq and the US is on her way to recovery.

[Winterblues]

21. Well we are almost three months into the sixteen months promised

and exactly how many have actually left Iraq? I heard rumors that 12 thousand would leave but still no time frame for even that tiny withdrawal..If Obama was true to his word at least two brigades would have left by now...:shrug:

[WI_DEM]

20. It sure is--people can feel the difference compared to Bush

a president who actually can speak, is not lecturing the world and is willing to say that the US has been arrogant. Has changed policies on torture and talking to our so-called 'enemies'. And is leading the way towards a economic recovery at home. No wonder his approval ratings at home are so strong and he got such a tremendous welcome on his recent overseas trip.

[cali]

3. lol.

Is this guy an Iraqi? Why no, of course not. His hubris is incredible. And so is his distortion and lying.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

16. Jonathan Steele

http://www.guardian.co.uk/profile/jonathansteele
Jonathan Steele is a Guardian columnist, roving foreign correspondent and author. Since 9/11 he has reported from Afghanistan and Iraq as well as on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict

I daresay that Steele has probably spent a helluva lot more time in Iraq than Obama.

[NJmaverick]

23. That still does not excuse his attempts to become their self appointed spokes person

[kentuck]

4. Totally out of context...

President Obama was making that statement for the troops. He was telling them that it is time to come home. He was not telling the Iraqis that we will stay here until you stand up. Total misinterpretation.

[WI_DEM]

22. Yeah but that doesn't bother intellectually dishonest posters.

[Orwellian_Ghost]

25. You are making excuses

This is just more of the "Iraqis must step up to the plate" garbage.

The problem here is not only do the Iraqis enter into Obama's calculus they are in fact completely invisible when one internalizes the supremacy of Empire. This is only one example.

Do you remember where Obama in his CCGA oration Obama said following in support of his claim that U.S. citizens support “victory” in Iraq: “The American people have been extraordinarily resolved. They have seen their sons and daughters killed or wounded in the streets of Fallujah.”

This was a spine-chilling selection of locales. Fallujah was the site for a colossal U.S. war atrocity. Crimes included the indiscriminate slaughter of civilians, the targeting of ambulances and hospitals, and the practical leveling of an entire city—in April and November 2004. The town was designated for destruction as an example of the awesome state terror promised to those who dared to resist U.S. power. Not surprisingly, Fallujah is a leading symbol of U.S. imperialism in the Arab and Muslim worlds. It is a deeply provocative and insulting place for Obama to choose to highlight American sacrifice and “resolve” in the occupation of Iraq.

So is the above also out of context? Well perhaps it all is when the Iraqi people have been thoroughly de-contextualized and de-humanized. The fact tghat some people don't get this is very disturbing.

[The_Casual_Observer]

5. There are quite a few things that bush said that Obama will never

say too. The stuff Obama is saying about Iraq was the final bush wish list after all was said & done, the only choices left.

[leftchick]

6. some great comments there.....

<snip>


Obama has been disapointing in so many ways, but his policies on Iraq, Afghanistan, and Israel are among the worst disappointments. In Iraq and Afghanistan, the US military is calling the shots and Obama is dancing to their tune. On Israel, Obama is surrounded by pro-Israel and zionist advisors.

Even if Obama had the guts to cut aid to Israel until it meets its international obligations and begins to obey international law, the Congress would not go along. Instead, every Israeli violation of human rights is met by a cheerleading squad called the US Congress. As the double standard between how the US treats Israel and how it treats the rest of the world becomes more obvious and blatant, the Congress may open its eyes--but that's a long shot.

Just this morning there was a report about how Israeli settlers rampaged through a Palestinian village. Imagine if it were Palestinians doing the same--there would be huge headlines and condemnation by every US government official. Even the Gaza massacre did not move the US Congress, who passed a resolution supporting Israel's right to massacre.

Since the US government insists on turning a blind eye to Israel's massive violations of human rights and international law, bringing Israel into the orbit of international law and justice is going to have to be a grassroots endeavor.

[luvspeas]

9. I can appreciate that you might be dissappointed...

But I do not think it is fair to say Obama has been disappointing in a general sense. He has been pretty true to what he said he would do and how he would do it. For you to be very dissatisfied is fine, you are entitled. I wish Obama was more of a confrontational activist too, but he never has been and never will be, no matter how much we would like that. So it's hard for me to be disappointed in him when he's doing pretty much what he said he would.

[leftchick]

19. that is why

every fucking election in my lifetime has been a 'choice between two evils'. As long as Wall Street/Corporations/The MIC control them we are impotent and not important.

[HamdenRice]

10. Uh, didn't you read yesterday's top GP article re Obama preparing Congress for showdown w/ Israel?

Or do you only do negative spin?

If the military is calling the shots, how did Obama get a commitment to troop withdrawals from Iraq?

[leftchick]

17. this was a quote from the op article

and I will believe a showdown when I fucking see it. His choice for 'fixing' the economy is less than inspiring. No, completely disappointing is more like it. Troop withdrawals from Iraq, when he has renamed 'combat troops' and plans on leaving 50,000 or so for fucking ever? Wtf are you smoking?

[Puzzler]

11. While many of us may not agree with Obama's Afghanistan policy...

... (including me), it was hardly unexpected. He made his Afghanistan policy quite clear during the election.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

13. Yes Yes, We Know, We Know. You Hate Israel And Obama. We Get It.

One trick pony.

[KharmaTrain]

7. Welcome To The Pottery Barn...Check Out Line Which Way?.

On the eve of this illegal and destructive invasion, someone said "it's always easy to start a war, it's nother to predict how it will finish". I constatly think about that, as well as Powell's "Pottery Barn" anaylsis and this is the shit sandwich President Obama inherited and has to deal with.

This war has created Three Iraqs...eac with a different vision of what "taking responsibility" means. The war criminals of the previous regime need to be held accountable for creating the situation for this partition to occur and then to encourage it with "the surge"...creating a "nation" in name only. Our troops sit in the middle of well armed factions that are just biding time to settle scores. But the shit sandwich is right now our troops maintain an uneasy truce that will unravel...all predicated on how quickly President Obama moves. If anything, we're seeing recent Sunni attacks, that time is starting to run out...a bloodletting is in the offing and it's a tricky game underway to see how we can get our troops out of this mess safely. While I believe President Obama does intend to get ALL our troops out by the end of his first term..."events on the ground" and re-establishing diplomatic connections that can give political cover have led to having to move slowly.

Lately, I've been reading a lot of what Thomas Ricks is reporting...one of the few journalists that appears to be keeping his eye on events inside Iraq. It's difficult to get a lot of reliable information from inside this country as it's been so partitioned deeply...Baghdad has become another Beirut. Fixing this mess, along with dealing with all the other boooosh regime messes, is complicated...and deadly.

[HamdenRice]

8. Where Is The Poutrage?!?! Where Is The POUTRAGE At This Arrogant Man's Speaking Style ?!?!

Waaaaa! Waaaaa! I don't like how that man talks!!!

[goclark]

18. LOL ~ Man speaks pretty good in my view

I am just thrilled that he represents us!

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

12. The Iraqi people are only pawns in the game. Why listen to them? K&R

[closeupready]

15. Yes, and to outside observers, it underscores why 'preparing for war' as the Romans did

is the only way to protect their sovereignty.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

14. What A Crock Of Shit.

Ignorance abounds.

[NJmaverick]

24. +1