It is not the first time that genocide has been the unofficial policy of the U.S. government, nor is it the first time that we haven't given a thought to the toll on the soldiers who eventually return to try to lead "normal" lives here at home. Nevertheless, we are about to declare victory in Fallujah.
Of course, George W. Bush will argue that he is merely "fighting the terrorists there instead of here." And while he may really believe that, he's missing two critical points.
First, the "terrorists" (or "insurgents," or "revolutionaries," or "guerrillas" -- we've used different labels depending upon the circumstances) this time are much more mobile and, frankly, have got much better information than ever before, which makes it foolish to believe that distance alone will keep them from us. In the past it was simply not possible for a Vietcong cell to arrange travel to the U.S., and there wasn't much chance that freedom fighters in the Congo would envision bringing their battle to Omaha.
And, second, realistically we will never be able to kill or imprison all of our enemies, which means we've got to find another way.
But why seek another way when victory is ours!?!
And so, instead of looking for lasting solutions we're treated to what has been unfolding in Fallujah these last few days: "Hey! There's nobody here! Wonder where they went? Oh, but look, here are "torture rooms" and other paraphernalia (never mind the suspicious looking piles of the exact same weapons that we gave to the "loyal" Iraqis just a few weeks ago). So see, it was good that we liberated this city," ... while the reality is that "they" have blended back into "their" society to live and fight another day.
Nevertheless, we'll celebrate another glorious victory in George W. Bush's War on Terror.
And those Americans who aren't killed first will return home eventually. And the ones who don't have their legs amputated on the way will walk among us for the rest of their lives trying to shake off the nightmares of the things they did in Iraq ... like first taking over the hospitals and then exterminating every living thing in a city ... things they did because we told them to.
Sydney Morning Herald (AU) - Victories Rooted in Barren Ground: The forthcoming election in Iraq will be as hollow as the latest US triumph there
Seattle Post-Intelligencer - Attack on Fallujah Can't Be Justified
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