Bush & McCain
James G. Abourezk former U.S. senator (D-SD), has written an article entitled Resurrecting a Modern Myth: “The Surge Is Working” (September 26, 2008).
Abourezk writes, “Bush and his political clone, John McCain, are chanting the mantra, ‘the surge is working,’” and McCain has come out for victory and against surrender in Iraq.
The evidence given for the success of the “surge” is that is the marked decline in U.S. troop fatalities and casualties – a good thing. However, the “surge” is not even a minor factor in the decrease of violence and U.S. casualties in Iraq.
There has been a drop in casualty rates because the Shias have nearly completed their ethnic cleansing of the Sunnis in Baghdad. Most of the Sunnis have been killed, or have fled their homes. There are very few Sunnis left to be killed, at this point.
Attacks on Americans by Sunni tribesmen in western Iraq has decreased, but not because of the “surge.” The reason for the decrease in casualties is that the Sunni tribesman have been bought off and armed by the General Patraeus. This strategy may backfire – the Sunni tribesman may eventually turn these same weapons back on the Americans, or use them in a civil war against the Shia.
Bush and McCain have falsely and knowingly attempted to fool the American people into believing the reduction in violence in Iraq is attributable to the “surge.” McCain has turned this lie in supporting the Iraq war to his advantage in the presidential election.
Bush is working on his legacy, while McCain is pushing his (failing) bid to be our next President. If lies help – so be it, no matter how many must die.
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