While the Senate fiddles
February 7, 2007, 1:39 pm
Posted by Margaret O'Brien Steinfels
While the U.S. Senate fiddles with its proceedural niceties, David Ignatius offeres several points for preparing for the worst case outcome in Iraq. Helpful
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/06/AR2007020601527.html
Ignatius’ suggestions aren’t very impressive. “Protect the oil”? Isn’t that the very petro-imperialism that, in part, got us into this mess in the first place? And how would we manage this “protection” without military intervention? “Talk with the neighbors”? Don’t hold your breath for that with this administration, or with any putative Democratic administration. Talking with Iran or Syria would entail an acknowledgement of defeat and dependence that no politician — nor any average American — is going to make any time soon. “Press for Arab-Israeli peace”? Look at what Jimmy Carter is enduring for contending that this laudable goal requires looking at the problem from more than the pro-Israel lobby’s perspective.
While all that will undoubtedly be dismissed as easy carping, it’s not easy: I don’t know what to suggest that’s any more realistic. If there’s one thing this mess should embolden us to do, it’s to insist all the more on impeachment.
Well, yes–it would be unacceptable to you and many others. The point is Ignatius has been a fairly conservative commentator. Now, he too has bailed out on a military solution and is thinking about the least worse case scenario–which is still pretty bad. Everybody–especially our esteemed Senators–should be doing this. For example, What do we owe the Iraqis. Visas (to Sweden–just kidding)? More reconstruction funds! Another election!