It won’t. The “best case” scenario for america in iraq is a semi-peaceful, fragmented collection of nation states, the most powerful and influential of which are oil-rich islamic theocracies allied with Iran. If giving Iran and Shia islam in general a new powerful ally in the middle east is the best we can hope for..well..the thing speaks for itself. The idea that there is any possible sequence or confluence of events that would bring about a stable, pro-western, secular jeffersonian democracy in iraq in our lifetimes is exceedingly naive. THere has been close to ZERO support for non-religious parties in iraq, and ZERO movement on “political reconiliation”. Asking “what if things turn out well for the republicans” in iraq is like asking “what if im able to bake a great cake with a tree shredder”?

Sadr calls six-month ceasefire to prevent civil war

By Patrick Cockburn
Published: 30 August 2007

In the hours before Mr Sadr’s statement there were widespread attacks on SIIC offices in Baghdad and Shia cities in southern Iraq by Mehdi Army militiamen. They accused the SIIC of being behind attacks on pilgrims who were shouting Sadrist slogans. Another spokesman for Mr Sadr, Ahmed al-Shaibani, denied the Mehdi Army was involved in the Kerbala battles…

It was all over the British newspapers. It eventually hit the New York Times. Nobody seems to remember it, though, when they’re looking at the downturn in violence. Very much the opposite of 20/20 hindsight – this would be total hindsight blindness. So much for analysis.

I agree with this one.

Comment by TCDon — November 6, 2007 @ 2:49 pm
Just curious TC, do you paste this on every thread, or just the few I happen to read?

Why don’t you peddle your daily talking point to them, Joe.
I’m certain they’re ready and willing to listen. As long as you can assure them the payoff/protection money being paid to milita gangs not to kill American troops, will continue to be paid to not ethnically cleanse returning Iraqis after our troops leave-well then, problem solved.

Time to impeach bring impeachment charges and class action suits by the People against these Congressmen, one by one.

Comment by Veritas — November 6, 2007 @ 4:32 pm

You said it!

With a few exceptions, I don’t think we could have found a more assorted cavalcade of clown-like morons and spineless buffoons on the planet than what we have in Congress today. What a total joke this congress has become.

Time to impeach bring impeachment charges and class action suits by the People against these Congressmen, one by one.

Lieberman is a disgrace and a total disappointment – which is putting it rather mildly.

the fact is, we went to war in iraq on false pretenses and nothing good has come of it. cheney/bush and many of those in congress are responsible for the death of almost 4000 troops and thousands of innocent civilians. this at a cost to tax payers of hundreds of BILLIONS of dollars, perhaps a TRILLION or 2 when all is said and done! FOR WHAT? Does a “successful surge” or a “turning of the tide” justify the price paid in lives and dollars? The bottom-line is that cheney/bush and the bastards who supported them must be held accountable!

Joe, you are an accomplice to murder!