It wasn't me. It was the one armed man.

So yesterday Iraq Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki told US Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, "I'm a friend to the United States, but not America's [bitch] in Iraq."

First of all, it's kind of funny that he made the statement and even funnier that it was to Zalmay Khalilzad. With a name like that, you'd think we would remember him better here in the US. Apparently, he is the link between 9-11 and Iraq and a true man for America.

But I digress. According to witnesses in a private meeting, Maliki is angry that the US will not reduce violence in Iraq or turn over full authority on such matters to his government. However, what Maliki said publicly, "Iraq and the United States are committed to working together to respond to the needs of the people."

I agree with that, if by "needs of the people" what he meant was everyone but the US troops and the 60% + unemployed and those enjoying mass starvation, poverty and lack of basics. You know, skip over them and focus on the true people; the elite, the contractors, the corrupt individuals who run the nation. Those very important, very needy folks who disappear people and money in staggering amounts in the name of Democracy and US foreign policy.

According to The Financial Express:

Last Friday marked exactly the 150th day of Nuri al-Maliki's tenure as prime minister of Iraq. Usually in democracies, the performance of a prime minister and his government is measured by the first 100 days in office. Even with the extra 50 days, Maliki has failed completely...

So sure, blame the one armed man for the mess the nation is in. And hope the rest of the world is too stupid to realize that the violence by the insurgents is a symptom of a failed and botched foreign policy (called war) and not the cause.

~Lila Schow
Because Responsible Citizens Clean Up After Their Government
http://goodusgov.org/