Comments on: Friedman On New Iraq Realities http://donklephant.com/2008/07/23/friedman-on-new-iraq-realities/ Big Teeth. Huge Ass. Surprisingly Reasonable. Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:03:13 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: ExiledIndependent http://donklephant.com/2008/07/23/friedman-on-new-iraq-realities/comment-page-1/#comment-412178 ExiledIndependent Wed, 23 Jul 2008 22:10:44 +0000 http://donklephant.com/?p=6387#comment-412178 What course does McCain need to change, Justin? He said we'll get out when the conditions are right; that position *has* to include the political will of the Iraqis, not just the security/military situation. McCain's 2004 comments are very clear about this. Does he need to "adopt a timetable?" Nope. He simply needs to be 1000x more clear than Bush ever was on what will enable us to leave with confidence. Maliki's express desire for the U.S. to go is one piece of that. As others have pointed out, if conditions allow, I'd love to see us draw down before the 16-month point. We also need to be realistic about how Iraq will change once we're gone. Like the former Soviet Union and China, the Iraqi people are not accustomed to democracy, and the change will not be pleasant for some. In fact, I'd put even odds on Iraq reverting to a strongman government before we see 2028.... What course does McCain need to change, Justin? He said we’ll get out when the conditions are right; that position *has* to include the political will of the Iraqis, not just the security/military situation. McCain’s 2004 comments are very clear about this. Does he need to “adopt a timetable?” Nope. He simply needs to be 1000x more clear than Bush ever was on what will enable us to leave with confidence. Maliki’s express desire for the U.S. to go is one piece of that. As others have pointed out, if conditions allow, I’d love to see us draw down before the 16-month point.

We also need to be realistic about how Iraq will change once we’re gone. Like the former Soviet Union and China, the Iraqi people are not accustomed to democracy, and the change will not be pleasant for some. In fact, I’d put even odds on Iraq reverting to a strongman government before we see 2028….

]]> By: kranky kritter http://donklephant.com/2008/07/23/friedman-on-new-iraq-realities/comment-page-1/#comment-412170 kranky kritter Wed, 23 Jul 2008 20:04:35 +0000 http://donklephant.com/?p=6387#comment-412170 What surer sign that democracy has taken hold in Iraq than the proliferation of sanctimonious fist-pounding, promise-making politicians? That they happen to, in this case, be arguing about who is more strongly opposed to prolonging a substantial presence of US troops counts as a mere side effect, chock full of bitter irony though it may be. Remember, installing a democracy in Iraq was our idea. Oopsie! Careful what you wish for. What surer sign that democracy has taken hold in Iraq than the proliferation of sanctimonious fist-pounding, promise-making politicians? That they happen to, in this case, be arguing about who is more strongly opposed to prolonging a substantial presence of US troops counts as a mere side effect, chock full of bitter irony though it may be.

Remember, installing a democracy in Iraq was our idea. Oopsie! Careful what you wish for.

]]> By: Jimmy the Dhimmi http://donklephant.com/2008/07/23/friedman-on-new-iraq-realities/comment-page-1/#comment-412166 Jimmy the Dhimmi Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:57:11 +0000 http://donklephant.com/?p=6387#comment-412166 Wait until the Kuwaitis and the Qataris get the memo, then we can expect riots in the streets of Doha! Wait until the Kuwaitis and the Qataris get the memo, then we can expect riots in the streets of Doha!

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