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Politics : THE WHITE HOUSE -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: pompsander who wrote (18793)	3/28/2008 12:16:13 PM
From: DuckTapeSunroof	Respond to of 25737

We are probably thinking that we can put our thumbs on the scales 'just a little bit' in this intra-Shiite fighting which is preparatory to the coming regional elections that will decide control of Basra --- source of about 80% of the oil revenue that the central government uses.... But --- intervening 'just a little bit' to tip the scales and decide which Shiite militia will come out on top is likely to be just as fruitless as trying to be 'just a little bit pregnant'.... And is likely to bring significant blow-back in our direction when we become perceived as unwilling to allow Iraqis to choose for themselves who they want their leaders to be, and trying to stage-manage the election results. (Interesting, isn't it, that ALL THREE of these militias... the Mahdi Army; the Badr Organization of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq, [Iraq's largest Shiite party and Maliki's allies]; and forces loyal to the Fadhila Party, which holds the Basra governor's seat... are believed to have received support from Iran? But, of course that shouldn't surprise anyone: they are ALL Shiite groups. :-) Maliki is firing "the first salvo in upcoming elections"....

To: pompsander who wrote (18793)	3/28/2008 3:57:01 PM
From: DuckTapeSunroof	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 25737

"Naturally the common people don't want war; neither in Russia, nor in England, nor in America, nor in Germany. That is understood. But after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. ...Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country." --- Hermann Göring (who, in a famous early example of successful propaganda, set fire to the Reichstag).