27 March 2008
Permanent Bases in Iraq?
Posted by Joy Bischoff under: World Affairs .
Matt emailed me and asked me to post this. He tried three times and it wouldn’t work and he is pretty irritated about it so I am blogging it for him. This is a continuation of the discussion going on with the blog The Challenge of Iraq.
Permanent Bases
Since 2003, the US has been building long-term military bases in Iraq and a mammoth embassy complex in Baghdad. Although Washington refuses to acknowledge that the bases are permanent, the billions of dollars spent on these projects suggest that the US sees Iraq as a client state. While most Iraqis have no access to basic necessities, the bases are provided with their own water and electricity, restaurants, swimming pools and movie theaters. The huge US embassy covers an area larger than Vatican City and Iraqis see it as an “arrogant” enterprise that aims to show US “superiority.” But as much as US officials in Iraq seek to cocoon themselves from the violence, the “heavy fortified” Green Zone, which houses the embassy complex, has come under an increasing number of deadly attacks. The US Congress opposes the base project and has rejected the spending of funds for this purpose, even while construction continues.
http://www.globalpolicy.org/security/issues/iraq/permindex.htm
AND ANOTHER:
In a prestigious engineering magazine in late 2003, Lt. Col. David Holt, the Army engineer “tasked with facilities development” in Iraq, was already speaking proudly of several billion dollars being sunk into base construction (“the numbers are staggering”). Since then, the base-building has been massive and ongoing.
http://www.tomdispatch.com/post/59774/a_permanent_basis_for_withdrawal_
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19 Comments so far...
S.J. Says:
27 March 2008 at 5:27 pm.
We need to show trust in our president and believe what he tells us.
CindyL. Says:
27 March 2008 at 5:27 pm.
Why?
Pickles Says:
27 March 2008 at 5:30 pm.
I want to believe the president but I want to believe the truth more so I just wish I knew what was true.
Stumpy Says:
27 March 2008 at 5:31 pm.
I got the same problem with Cat. His big ole innocent eyes tell me he didnt do it but the pillow is shredded and the evidence is on his paws.
So do we believe the words or the acts?
Cameron Says:
27 March 2008 at 5:33 pm.
They always say to follow the money trail if you want to know the truth.
Mac Says:
27 March 2008 at 5:36 pm.
What would be so wrong with a permanent base? They need stability and we need a base to fight the war on terror.
Pickles Says:
27 March 2008 at 5:37 pm.
Stumpy you are so smart. That makes sense.
Stumpy Says:
27 March 2008 at 5:38 pm.
Son – what would be wrong is that then we would have a real cat fight and it would be ugly and unreasonable and permanent. We got to right to take there land and bring all that sorrow there permanently.
Stumpy Says:
27 March 2008 at 5:38 pm.
Thank ya darlin.
Matt Says:
27 March 2008 at 5:40 pm.
If al-Sadr thinks McCain will win all hell will break lose. His remarks about globalism along with the 100 year comment and the bomb Iran attitude will be like a powder keg.
T. Fan Says:
27 March 2008 at 6:00 pm.
I want to have faith in my president. I’d like to give him a little more time and see how he handles the new threat of al-Sadr. At the same time I know we have to remember “Eternal Vigilence”. We are suppose to keep an eye on what is happening. I think permanent bases would be very bad because of their culture. It would create more extremists and we wouldn’t be trusted. I just have to hope that is only an option and probably not what we are really going to do.
Sharon Anderson Says:
27 March 2008 at 7:51 pm.
I think most of us who love our country want to believe that the President will help protect our liberty. After all, the presidential oath of office states,’”I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” The founding fathers, however, knew that we might have presidents that would not do the job they were elected to do and provided that such “…shall be removed from Office on Impeachment …”
President Bush is one who in many ways has failed to keep his promise. A case in point is the establishment of the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) which compromises the sovereignty of the United States. Other infractions include legislating by executive order and failing to protect our borders. I think we do our country a disservice if we blindly support our President. We need to know the Constitution and be aware of what is happening.
Cavetrollhead Says:
27 March 2008 at 8:10 pm.
Well said T. Fan. I agree until I part company with you on the thing that it would be a bad idea. It MAY be a bad idea but I am not convinced. We have bases in Korea still. We don’t in Viet Nam. When we left Viet Nam insecure, millions were murdered. The Iraqi army may need support. We may need to redeploy. A base in Iraq will drastically facilitate that.
Permanent bases in Iraq is inevitable. It was inevitable from the start of the war. You don’t overthrow a government and then not set up a strategic safety net. Opposing bases there is like opposing going to war to oust Saddam. The time for that decision is past for better or worse.
On the other hand, T. Fan, I like how you point out the difference in culture. This is important, but not compelling enough on its own, IMO
Jesse Says:
27 March 2008 at 9:54 pm.
Sharon, good points. There’s no doubt that President Bush, like his father believes that globalism is the way to go. He seems like a nice guy but I just don’t agree and think we should keep the Constitution instead.
Cavetrollhead Says:
27 March 2008 at 10:46 pm.
The problem with globalism in my mind is that if we don’t have independence, we get effected by everyone’s problems. Global economy for sure.
I think the reason the Bush have been for globalism is because they think that is the way to lift the world. I think their hearts may be in the right place, but it is a bad idea I think.
Spread the word of God, and secular education. They will lift themselves. (and let Africans burn lots of fossil fuels)
E.E. Says:
28 March 2008 at 12:29 am.
Cave, I totally agree with you. A lot of people seem very sincere in their belief that this is a better thing for the world. I think that building from the outside in instead of the inside out doesn’t work. Strong families first for strong communities.
Roy Bischoff Says:
28 March 2008 at 12:32 am.
A lot of people don’t understand that from a legal standpoint, international treaties trump our constitution. I took a class from a professor who showed point by point how the UN Charter was taken from the Soviet Union. It sounds good with the right wording but the substance isn’t there.
Sharon Anderson Says:
28 March 2008 at 8:58 am.
Hmmm. White house blocks inquiry. Permanent bases show the utter disregard the administration has for Congress and the will of the people. Obviously, the administration thinks the people of the United States and the people of Iraq are “just people,” and not nearly wise enough to know what is best for the world. Maybe they sincerely believe that they are doing the best thing for us. Or maybe some of those in charge (and their friends) are making a lot of money on this project and others like it.
Matt Says:
28 March 2008 at 10:25 am.
can you say “Haliburton’?
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