Shouting and pounding, Iraqis fight over U.S. pact

Friday 21st November, 06:20 AM JST

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13 Comments

mcheeky at 10:36 AM JST - 21st November

If al-Sadr’s group and other legislators opposed to the pact lose by a thin margin in the vote planned for Monday, they might attempt to turn their anti-American message into a defining issue in provincial elections on Jan 31 and general elections late in 2009.

Looks like pure politics here. The actions of al-Sadr's group is most likely to keep U.S. troops in Iraq longer, the opposite of what its followers actually want. But those followers will stupidly react favorably to the anti-American message even though it is extremely counter-productive to the goal of removing American troops.

But there is one more plus for the politicians. Having the troops in Iraq longer presents more opportunity for rage whereby their followers will get even more worked up and more supportive of the group. The politicians win by ruining the chance for their supporters to get their truest wish.

Dirty, scumbag, filthy, muck-racking politicians. Got to hate them.
bushlover at 10:56 AM JST - 21st November

mcheeky you took the word right out of my head with the "..troops in Iarq longer," statement. But then again in the ME they can't see the light at the neverending story just like in such places as Gaza and Lebanon either. Blinder! All of em!!
Betzee at 10:57 AM JST - 21st November

Well I have nothing against the spirited exchange of ideas, in principle anyway. This type of parliamentary behavior occurred for years in Taiwan after it democratized. If reflects the view of politics as a moral vocation where one must stand one's ground or risk loss of honor.
bushlover at 11:02 AM JST - 21st November

Yeah Betzee and in this culture they can use car bombs to protect their loss of their honor. Car bombs are one sure fire way of getting more respect.
Betzee at 11:28 AM JST - 21st November

to protect their loss of their honor

You've got a garbled understanding there. You can only avenge your loss of honor. Moreover, a lack of willingness to exact revenge upsets the defined expectation between adversaries. Tit-for-tat here we go.....

If that's the way you feel tho Bushlover, you must think this effort to promote democratization in Iraq is a futile and costly waste of time. Unless, of course, you're one of 'em who believes "it's the Almighty's wish every man, woman, and child live in freedom."
bushlover at 12:34 PM JST - 21st November

I do believe it's everyone's wish that ever man, woman and child live in freedom. Not "The Almighty's" whoever you think that may be... Please forgive my garbled comment. I have my mind on other things at the moment and this is the comic relief site I go to hoping my garbled comments will inspire more garbled comments to give us all a laugh. But my first comment still stands that I agree these people like to shoot themselves in the foot most of the time. They want US troops out? Don't stir up shiite and in the relative calm they'll pack up and go home when no one comes out to play. But as I tried to imply in the garbled effort at sublime humor, They won't get with the program but rather have opposite effect prolonging their pain.
sailwind at 03:40 PM JST - 21st November

Shouting and pounding, Iraqis fight over U.S. pact

Beats the Hell of Carbombs and firefights any day of the week.

Shout and Pound all day fella's........It's called Freedom and it seems that they are getting use to the idea after all.
Betzee at 11:09 PM JST - 21st November

As I wrote, such behavior has gone on for years in Taiwan, here's an incident from March 2007: Legislators in Taiwan threw punches, sprayed water and wrestled violently, in a row over an electoral reform bill.

While providing comic relief to outsiders, brawls and food fights are not the problem in Iraq. Rather this behavior is a symptom of the problem, namely members of the legislature are unable to compromise which is the basis for getting anything done in a democratic system. Yet stability outside can only be achieved when those resorting to car bombs have faith in the government.

The surge went about it the opposite way, the idea being that tamping down on violence would enable legislators to concentrate on the business of the state. it didn't work because legislators remain unable to compromise which would serve the good of the nation as a whole but not necessarily their constituents as a group (depending on the legislation).
sailwind at 11:37 PM JST - 21st November

Quite the stretch Betz

Taiwan has nothing to do with this.
adaydream at 05:38 AM JST - 22nd November

Iraq wants us out as soon as vertually possible. I agree. We need to get our plans together, start making a safe and secure departure.

Good-Bye Iraq.

Sorry we destroyed your country. < :-)
bushlover at 01:01 PM JST - 22nd November

Saddam destroyed their country mate. Saddam was the leader that chose war on several occasions and had to be put in his place. But the whimpy UN couldn't handle the unruly child. It finally took someone to fabricate something in haste to get the job done.
cleo at 07:27 PM JST - 22nd November

It finally took someone to fabricate something in haste

At last, a bush lover who admits the war was based on lies.
bushlover at 11:47 AM JST - 28th November

Cleo sorry for the late reply. But yes I never said it wasn't. Thought it necessary but also thought it was a fabrication that didn't have to happen if only the UN would have done their bloody job correctly.