End is near in Babylon

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data/opinion/2006/December/opinion_December11.xml§ion=opinion&col=

FRENCH President Jacques Chirac’s warnings in 2003 that a US invasion of Iraq would set the Mideast on fire, encouraging terrorism and producing a disaster have been tragically borne out by events. Iraq is falling ever deeper into chaos and sectarian conflict. Lebanon teeters on the brink of civil war. The agonies of Palestine — now the world’s largest outdoor prison — continue without relent. Iran’s power and influence are surging.

For the latter, thank Washington, which overthrew two of Iran’s bitterest enemies, Taliban and Saddam Hussein, then stuck US ground forces in the $250 million per day Iraq quagmire.

As Iraq turns into a nightmare of carnage and hate, President Bush and mentor Dick Cheney rushed to the Mideast last week to urge their local allies to pull America’s bacon out of the fire.

But Iraq’s prime minister, Nuri Al Maliki, governs only over Baghdad’s US-protected Green Zone. The US controls what passes for Iraq’s police and armed forces. Maliki has no army of his own; his Shia supporters are divided and feuding. How can Bush expect a powerless prime minister to do what the mighty US cannot?

[opihimoimoi]

1. Fact is...he cannot.....Bush is trying to save face....he sgoulda listened to the French

and others...

Instead, we got "Freedom Toast"....Arrogant Bush is now reaping what he has sowed...

[ellenfl]

2. unfortunately, it's not the end of 'babble on'. eom

[HappyWeasel]

3. I think we owe Chirac an apology.

I know I do.

[Botany]

4. The French were right.

And in a story that has gotten very little press the French have been
some of the best fighters and in one case saved about 20 Americans
in Afghanistan.

"Zee moust admit zat la war en Iraq haz not gone to well. I spit in your general direction
as I drink my coffee, smoke my french cigarette, and eat my pain français et stinky fromage.
By the way you stupid Americans they are not French Fries they are Pommes frites.
vous aiment mon béret ? Au revoir (Do you like my beret? Good bye.)