Iraqi Government taking August off!

I think the whole planet should take August. No work, no war, no church, no nothin, just goofin around with the kids and relaxin. Stay in bed till noon and watch three movies in a row.

Thats what I think.

Even Bin Laden has booked up to go to Mykonos.

Do you actually think the Iraqi goverment matters?

I doubt anyone would notice if they took the rest of the year off.

They learn well from our gov't, only in most cases it's best when our gov't is doing absolutely nothing. But the Iraqi's taking off really pisses me off.

Baghdad Is Too Hot For Iraqi Leaders?
Bob Schieffer: The Iraqi Parliament's August Vacation Is Too Much


WASHINGTON, July 15, 2007
(Getty Images)


(CBS) Weekly commentary by CBS Evening News chief Washington correspondent and Face the Nation host Bob Schieffer.
I am still not sure that I believe it: The Iraqi parliament is going on vacation during the month of August.

The White House offers the lame excuse that, after all, Baghdad is hot in August - sometimes 130 degrees.

May I ask a follow-up?

How much hotter do you suppose it is if you are a wearing a helmet, full body armor, carrying ammunition and walking foot patrols through Baghdad?

The last I heard, that is how American troops are spending their August in Iraq.

For me, this does it.

God help the Iraqi people because there is not much America can do to help a government that leaves Americans dying in the streets while the parliament escapes to cooler climes.

Does this mean we should pull out immediately?

No. A sudden withdrawal could set the entire region aflame. The truth is there are no good options left. But from here on, we need to put aside the dream of building a democracy in Iraq and focus solely on what is in our national interest.

It won't be pretty, but for all our good intentions, about all we can do now is try to contain this mess, pull our troops back from the middle of this civil war, and concentrate instead on the terrorist threat that this country faces around the world.

As for what kind of government Iraq needs, let their parliament figure it out. They can get right on it when the Baghdad weather turns cooler.

Source

Brandx,

I think you don't understand the situation.

1. Iraq is supposed to be a sovreign country. Iraqis will act in what they see as the Iraqi national interest.

The US as an occupying force has a duty to think about the Iraqi national interest. Iraq has no such duty.

This is the way it should be since it is their country.

2. The Iraqi government is not respected by Iraqis and has almost no power. It is widely seen by the Iraqi people as a puppet government installed by an occupying force.

The US calls the shots-- the government is just there to give the US a little political cover. Everyone in Iraq understands this.

3. The majority of the Iraqi people say they want the US out of their country. Even many member of the US installed Iraqi government (in spite of the perks the US is giving them) say the same thing.

4. The US occupation is an obstacle to any real government forming in post-war Iraq. I define real government as one that is trusted and respected by the majority of people. Without a basic trust and respect... the government is impotent.


The Iraqi Parliament understand that they are puppets. They show up because they are compensated with money and some prestige by the Americans... but I don't think the US pays enough to skip vacation.

I think you don't understand that I understand the situation.