Professor Smartass
http://professorsmartass.blogspot.com/2007...t-to-go-on.html
Via Buzzflash


Saturday, May 12, 2007
Iraqi parliament EXACTLY RIGHT to go on vacation



There seems to be a bipartisan bitching point about the Iraqi parliament going on a two month vacation, but the Iraqis are doing exactly the right thing.

Remember when the Texas legislature was doing that mid-census redistricting, and Democrats fled to deprive them of a quorum?

Iraqis may have figured out that is the best way to deprive Bush of the Hydrocarbon Law that will rob Iraq of its oil wealth.

If the Iraqis bring it to a vote now and defeat it, Bush will figure out some way to dissolve parliament and install a govenment that wil do his bidding. Maliki has already said if the Hydrocarbon Law doesn't pass, he will be out of job because Bush will withdraw his support. For Maliki and the parliament, it's not hard to imagine that displeasure coming in the form of a terrorist attack or a death squads making some midnight visits with a list of those who voted against the bill.

If the Iraqi parliament votes FOR the Hydrocarbon Law, that midnight visit will be from the insurgents.

So rather than make a decision that could cost them their lives either way, they go on vacation, and put it on the back burner.

And every day, Bush and his war get less popular here, and therefore Bush is less powerful. In two month, the polite suggestions for a withdrawal timetable in the Democratic bill could have solidified with public support into a mandatory timetable, and Congress may have gotten around to investigating the role of oil companies in lobbying for the overthrow of Saddam, and drafting the plan for privatizing everything in Iraq that probably constitutes a war crime under the Geneva and Hague Conventions.

Maybe some Democrats besides Dennis Kucinich, Jim McDermott and a handful of others will decide to show us the courtesy of talking honestly on camera about the role big oil played in this war.

Like the memo Condi got telling her to cooperate with the energy task force in “the review of operational policies towards rogue states such as Iraq and actions regarding the capture of new and existing oil and gas fields.”

I think the Iraqi parliament has even passed a non-binding resolution of their own on the withdrawal of our troops, just like the slow boil tactic used by Democrats in Congress.
http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/51624

Maybe Bush will end up keeping his promise about democratizin' Iraq--but he won't be happy if he does.

It may also prove the best way to turn more US Citizens against the war. I've heard lots of rumbings from supportors of the war about how "ungrateful" they are and "why should our soldiers be fighting and dying while they take a vacation?'

Let them take their vacation. Maybe enough Repubs will get pissed that we can take our ball and come home inspite of our Illegitimate President.

I love how the "big dick" cheney showed up and gave the iraqis an ultimatum about their spring recess, after he and his cronies have pimped the idea of a "free and democratic" Iraq... Seems to me that "free and democratic" doesn't include bowing to the whims and economic power plays of other countries... Then he goes over to the border of Iran, shakes his fist vigorously in their direction, and chastizes them to 3500 u.s. citizens (u.s. soldiers) who signed over their right to life and became federal gvt. property - Iran is a free and democratic country, they just don't do what he wants them to. What fucking hypocrits these people. "Hypocrits and Liars and Fascists, Oh My!"

PS... did you guys know that you can get thrown in the brig for getting a tattoo below your elbow while serving in the military?
The charge?

DEFACING GOVERNMENT PROPERTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I quick reminder that this is a bit of a tangent for the thread.


http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2007/03/mctattoo070316/



Google search, "Military Tattoo Regulations" and get a bunch of first hand information.

How dare those ungrateful ragheads stand in the way of progress? Don't they realize it's their responsibility to fix the situation that we created?

and in the mean time, GIVE US OUR OIL!

A quck note on the tangent, my info came from a serviceman in the navy who had served time for getting a navy tattoo, without prior approval of his c.o.

And there could be more to the story than he told you.
Plus, Official Regs and C.O.'s don't always jive.
In other words. If the CO said don't, you better not no matter what the regs say.