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Sun 11 Apr, 2004 05:00 pm
Tonight I learned that China can add their name to the growing list of nations (the USA, Japan, Italy, and Korea) with citizens being held against their will and threatened with death in Iraq.
It's become quite evident that the situation in Iraq -- a year after Saddam's monument was symbolically pulled off its pedestal, is completely out of control and civil war now looms.
That said, I wonder if during this election year, if the hostage crisis in Iraq will become for Bush what the hostage crisis in Iran became for former President Carter -- an politically poisoned albatross?
Reasons for Hostage-Taking
The reasons for hostage-taking in Iraq now and in Iran in 1979 (?) are not the same. The U.S. is presently occupying Iraq after "overthrowing" their government. In Iran it was a bit different:
[quote]* November 4: Iranian militants attack the US embassy and take over 90 American and Western hostages. 52 remain in captivity for 444 days. The hostages are held in an attempt to force the US to turn over the escaped Shah and his assets to Iran, and to apologize for "crimes against the Iranian people." President Carter refuses to comply, and tries various economic and diplomatic methods to achieve their release. Carter's popularity drops every day that "America is held hostage;" the American media keeps relentless count of every day the hostages are in captivity. (Decades History Timeline)
http://www.geocities.com/purplesage23/1971.html[/quote]
The "damage" to Bush's political career can depend on other developments: bin Laden's capture? An "excellent" truce? A "good" Iraq government in place after June 30? Or . . . ??? [/b]
"Or . . . ???"
Or, more violence in Iraq and US troop death, civil war, and/or hostage taking and the perception that Bush is clueless about how to wean the US out of his guerilla war.
Yes . . .
Yes, . . .
[quote]"Or . . . ???"
Or, more violence in Iraq and US troop death, civil war, and/or hostage taking and the perception that Bush is clueless about how to wean the US out of his guerilla war.[/quote]
. . . Bush's "politically poisoned albatross."
Americans are not keen on hostage taking, and Bush, I hope and pray, will ultimately be held responsible by the voters for the guerilla war in Iraq.
Imagine, for the first time in his life, George "aWol" Bush will be held accountable for his actions.
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