A Thought on Iraq

As reported in the New York Times today (September 3), George Bush took a trip to Iraq to visit with the troops and now sees the potential for a phased pullout. Although I cannot deny that this is a step in the right direction, it has been a long time coming. It is infuriating that it took so long for George to realize the lack of purpose that our troops are serving over there. They are spending time protecting American no-bid corporations and protecting our oil fields because there is little that they can do to protect the Iraqis. Although the logic of stay the course holds if we can assure ourselves a better standing with the world, we have to realize that imperialism breeds anger, and occupation will only strengthen anti-American sentiments across the Iraqi public. We have to turn over command of both the Iraqis and our troops to the foreign government, and begin to look at phasing the troops out. This will allow for self-determination for the Iraqis and the Middle East will begin, in the eyes of the world, to be a region where we (the US) will help but not dictate their course. Reconstruction over imperialism.