The Senate debate on Iraq is a FARCE. WHY? THE EMBASSY

[BeHereNow]

Why are they wasting our tax dollars with this farce of a debate?
They know damned well that the tax payers are now being
billed for the construction of a minature US in Iraq.
So what, they are going to build a McMansion mini mall
in Iraq and then just LEAVE?
I repeat, this debate is a FARCE when contemplating
their complicity in the building of this albatoss.
I am SO angry right now-
Throw them out, every last one.
LIARS and thieves, all of them!

http://www.corpwatch.org/article.php?id=13258

"The New Embassy
Indeed, the massive $592-million project may be the most lasting monument to the U.S. occupation in the war-torn nation. Located on a on a 104-acre site on the Tigris river where U.S. and coalition authorities are headquartered, the high-tech palatial compound is envisioned as a totally self-sustaining cluster of 21 buildings reinforced to 2.5 times usual standards. Some walls as said to be 15 feet thick or more. Scheduled for completion by June 2007, the installation is touted as not only the largest, but the most secure diplomatic embassy in the world.
The 1,000 or more U.S. government officials calling the new compound home will have access to a gym, swimming pool, barber and beauty shops, a food court and a commissary. In addition to the main embassy buildings, there will be a large-scale US Marine barracks, a school, locker rooms, a warehouse, a vehicle maintenance garage, and six apartment buildings with a total of 619 one-bedroom units. Water, electricity and sewage treatment plants will all be independent from Baghdad's city utilities. The total site will be two-thirds the area of the National Mall in Washington, DC.
Unlike most of Iraq's reconstruction, the embassy is "on time and on budget," according to a December report to U.S. Senate Foreign Affairs Committee which calls the progress an "impressive" feat given that construction is taking place in a country besieged by war."
http://www.corpwatch.org/article.php?id=13258

[Avalux]

1. It's "on time and on budget", lol.

Iraqis don't even have power most of the time and no running water, yet this monstrosity will be done on time, built with our tax dollars. It's obscene and appalling. I've been saying it for a long time now, we are NEVER leaving Iraq.

[BeHereNow]

2. That's why this "debate" is the ultimate insult to our intelligence!

God damn the Democrats!
How DARE they assume that we don't realize
that this debate is a JOKE and that we
don't know about the McEmbassy?
Damn. I am so angry I can't see straight!
My poor keyboard is getting a pounding today
and my blood pressure might just
rival Mike Malloy's.
BHN

[Techno Dog]

8. What I don't understand is

why you haven't slashed your wrists yet? You seem hopelessly lost in your own despair. I haven't seen you offer a single suggestion to extricate us from the nightmare you think the country has slipped into.

Do you see any positive things within the Democratic Party that might alleviate your pain, and if so, if you were to focus on helping the positive signs flourish do you think it would make you feel better?

[BeHereNow]

9. They are LYING, as we type. BOTH parties PRETENDING to debate

a matter that has already been decided.
The "debate" is a formality, for our benefit
to perpetuate the delusion that we live in a
two party system.
WHAT exactly is positive about that reality?
BHN

[Techno Dog]

13. What do you expect them to say?

"You are building an embassy in Iraq, proof positive you have no intention of leaving Iraq before all the oil is gone!!!11"

To which the ignoble senator from PA will stand up and say...

"The Michael Moore wing of the Democrat party thinks our show of support for the new iraqi government, elected by the newly free Iraqi people yearning to realize their dreams of Democracy, is nothing more than a cynical ploy. I would ask the honorable senator from NV if he has spoken to the iraqi people that overwhelmingly want us to stay and help them defeat the Al-Qaeda terrorist that plague their emerging democracy. I submit this rhetoric does nothing but advance the cause of terror in the region and the Democrats should be ashamed they would put our heroic troops in harms way to try and score political point at home."

ugh. I fell sick having typed that, but can you really say it's not exactly what would happen?

Ending a war based on lies and greed isn't as easy as debunking the lies unfortunately.

[BeHereNow]

15. Well yes, that would be a good place to start.

If only one of them would call "BULLSHIT on this 'debate'!"
"We all know about the Embassy, so why are we here today?"

I can dream, can't I?
I'm getting really tired of the nightmare.

BHN

[Techno Dog]

20. My point is

Building an embassy proves nothing. The size, type, costs of the embassy are hugely relevant to the discussion but none of those things proves any of the things you say it means.

Actually I can't see any reason an embassy of some sort shouldn't be built. It can be seen as a sign of good faith as easily as you see it as a sure sin of nefarious intentions.

I understand your despair, but your despair isn't going to change the circumstances causing it. Positive action will.

If the Democratic party needs to be rebuilt then help Howard. If you think the Howard is a wolf in sheep's clothing then start your own underground resistance movement. Do anything other than wallowing in your own depression and spreading despair. After five years of outrage, people are tired of hearing the complainers and the majority of people are looking to be the change they seek.

[BeHereNow]

21. Where is your logic!?!

Do you actually believe that they have built this embassy
and permanent bases in Iraq because they will not
need military (troop) protection???
That's my point- to debate whether of not
we are withdrawing the troops is a farce!
There is no way in hell that is going to happen and
they KNOW IT!
It's like debating whether or not the tides will roll in
to the beach.
And, I will assure you that the Iraqi people do not see the
largest US Embassy in their country as a sign of "good will."
Rather I would think it would be correct to guess that
they see it as a sign of permanent occupation.
Guess they'll just sit back and accept it, eh?
Not likely, which is why the troops will be there forever-
thus my point.
The debate is a joke.
BHN

[Techno Dog]

23. Do you know what an embassy is?

Is an embassy a sign of permanent occupation? Has the Bush administration made any bones about keeping a troop presence in Iraq for years to come?

You need to understand the difference between rhetoric and actions.

You spin a depressing yarn but it is hollow rhetoric unless you can actually prove nefarious intent.

You expecting the Democrats to voice each and every conspiracy you can come up with is the height of political naivety. The Democrats failed us. They continue to fail us, but your depressing and nihilistic posts don't do anything to change the situation. They sow fear and disenfranchisement.

You can continue if you want of course, but just don't expect everyone to applaud your efforts. For every one of your defeatist posts there are thousands of people working to fix the problems you see, they are the ones we need to emulate if we are EVER going to take back our country.

[BeHereNow]

25. Hello? did you read the article? This is not your average "embassy."

It's a damned mini-city inside the city!
Mean while...they are still finding bodies in New Orleans.
Hello?
What's wrong with this picture?
BHN

[WinkyDink]

16. I believe the ones actually in power are beholden to do the

extricating. They would be the Republicans.

But the ones beholden to tell the truth? They would be the Democrats.

[BeHereNow]

19. Indeed, the democrats, so WHY haven't they spoken the truth today?

They ALL know about the McEmbassy and therefore
they all know that this debate is utter bull shit.
Not a one has called it.
Not a single one.
BHN

[meganmonkey]

17. Actually, from my experience

recognizing the futility of expected real results from the Dems who are currently serving in the legislature is quite a freeing experience. I feel much more effective in my political actions and problem-solving now that I expect nothing from them. Hoping and hoping for them to actually represent their constituents and being disappointed over and over again...now, that's depressing as hell, IMO.

Yeah, the truth hurts, but someone's gotta speak it. The pain only lasts a little while and you feel much better (and more productive) in the long run.

I'm with BHN on this one.

Peace and solidarity :patriot:

(edit for spelling)

[BeHereNow]

18. Hi MM!!! Thanks for stopping in and giving me hope.

Yes, I guess once I move through the stages of
grief, it's possible that I will feel free.
What's the saying?
"Blessed are those who expect nothing for they
can not be disappointed."

I am just ASTOUNDED by the elaborate staging involved
here; the effort to PRETEND the outcome has not been decided.
It's surreal to watch.
Cue the Twilight Zone music, eh?

BHN

[meganmonkey]

28. There is so much cynicism in the maneuvering

Cynicism about the intelligence of the American people, cynicism about the integrity of our nation as a whole.

I say fuck that. There is a better way, and the prescribed systems for improving our nation are all broken. We have to find a new way to get to something better. I haven't figured it out yet, but I know it's there and that's where I get my hope.

We can't let this cynicism eat us up.

:hug:

[mike_c]

3. yep-- LIARS and thieves as you say....

Even most of the ones calling for "withdrawal" know that the U.S. plans a permanent presence in Iraq, with the Baghdad compound being spook central for the entire middle east. Do they think we're such idiots that we can't see their duplicity? :grr:

[TornadoTN]

5. We - No, but the common American - Hell Yes!

Wait, American Idol is on....

[BeHereNow]

7. THANK YOU!!! That's EXACTLY why I am having a stroke!

Not literally having a stroke, but DAMNED close.
It's all a piece of REALLY bad theater, produced
and acted by people who are supposed to represent us.
Instead they are ALL standing there LYING, ALL of them!
AND they think we are buying it.
Good lord, what have we become?

God, I want to be in that room
and ask every one of them-
"And the McEmbassy?
Doesn't the McEmbassy make this debate
a JOKE?"

BHN

[leftchick]

22. yes mike c they do think we are that stupid

the DLCers think we have no clue. :grr:

[democrank]

4. The embassy?

Well....see....our oil is under their sand. Iraq is ours. We do what we want, when we want.

[SavetheUSA]

6. Redeploy to Club Med Iraq

Since when is it okay to illegally invade a country, steal their resources, and then steal the land for yourself meanwhile getting set up for another invasion?

What is wrong with this country!!!???

[BeHereNow]

10. What's wrong? What's wrong?

The fact that the democrats are pretending they
don't know about the McEmbassy and what that means
as far as our troops being there.
The debate is nothing more than smoke and mirrors.
Hegel turned up to 11, as the line from Spinal Tap goes.
It's horrifying to watch.

BHN

[BeHereNow]

11. I am not attacking you by the way...my head is exploding you see.

There is no one coming to rescue us and this
debaucle of a "debate" has just confirmed this fact.
Not ONE democrat has addressed the Embassy.
Not ONE.
They really think we are stupid.
Really, they do.
BHN

[merh]

12. What about levies in New Orleans?

What about the Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas Gulf Coasts devastated by hurricanes?

What about the closed military bases and veterans hospitals in the USofA?

Protect the homeland, take care of our own, is that too much to ask? :cry:

[BeHereNow]

14. Obviously it is too much to ask...

And the saddest news of all is that
the democrats remain silent other than to
read their scripts, written to convince the
masses that an opposing voice exists.
Depressing, isn't it?
This debate has gone on for hours, and not
a peep about the embassy.
Not a peep about the fact that the money
could have been spent in New Orleans.
Or on education.
Or the millions of homeless vets.
Not a fucking peep.
Just ear candy-
"We want to withdraw the troops!"
All the while knowing about the embassy.
There is a special place in hell for such people.
BHN

[merh]

26. But there are times I wonder if this is hell.

Or pergatory and what it was I did in a past life that I'm paying for in this one, in the limbo, in this hell on earth.

Not.in.my.name., but what does that matter, they don't care about us or the nation. :cry:

[bigtree]

24. I guess that includes the good folks who working against the republicans

in the minority.

Doesn't seem right to put them down any further than the republican majority is with their obstruction.

look at Warner on the floor now trying to limit debate

[corkhead]

27. "can I even dye my eyes to match my gown? Jolly good town."

[Nothing Without Hope]

29. Indeed. It's the size of Vatican City. Here's a Firedoglake piece on

that monstrous "embassy" in Baghdad from April 15:
http://www.firedoglake.com/2006/04/15/our-big-digs-in-the-desert

Of course Iraqis know that bushie promises to leave are all lies. Even if they saw and heard nothing else, this mammoth occupation fortress makes the true plans clear. Not much reported by the US media, of course....

[BeHereNow]

30. Unbelievable. Truly and thanks for the link.

I think my point is proven and my madness justified
at this point.
Like I said, the debates were nothing more than
theater to continue the delusion of a two party "debate."
Excerpt which makes me think I was not the only one
writhing through the debates today...
"We haven’t heard much about this from anyone, no single Democrat talking about it. We know the Republicans will stay mum. But just like the long-term bases, it sends the signal that’s not altogether comforting.  Except for this guy, as the propaganda campaign continues. 

Look, no one is naive enough to believe that we’ll vamoose from Iraq, leaving no trail behind. However, between the gigantic long-term bases and Embassy Baghdad, a place that replicates the empire image of Vatican City, this is falling into the I told you so category for permanent residency.  It sure would be nice if the pin headed politicians in Washington let us know what we’re spending our tax dollars on. You know, just to inform us that we’re going to be on the ground in Iraq permanently. After all, our plans in Saudi Arabia worked out so well, now didn’t they?"

[Nothing Without Hope]

31. We need to "be the media" on this and get out the word to the US public

about the permanent bases and the gigantic permanent "embassy" in Baghdad. Put it toghether with the "decades in Iraq" that the neocons have mentioned from time to time. The corporate media and the bought politicians won't do it.