Big Gyp
George W. Bush works to secure his legacy:
With its international mandate in Iraq set to expire in 11 months, the Bush administration will insist that the government in Baghdad give the United States broad authority to conduct combat operations and guarantee civilian contractors specific legal protections from Iraqi law, according to administration and military officials.
This emerging American negotiating position faces a potential buzz saw of opposition from Iraq, with its fragmented Parliament, weak central government and deep sensitivities about being seen as a dependent state, according to these officials.
At the same time, the administration faces opposition from Democrats at home, who warn that the agreements that the White House seeks would bind the next president by locking in Mr. Bush’s policies and a long-term military presence.
Skeptical Iraqis are asking, “So this is democracy? Shut up and do what I tell you?”
The Administration can just point to the U.S. Senate, which seems ready to roll over and grant unconsitutional powers to Bush:
The Republican leadership in the Senate made their move early Thursday evening, successfully blocking any votes on amendments to the intelligence bill and forcing the Senate to vote only on the Administration-approved bill worked out by the Senate Intelligence committee. …
The Intel committee bill expands the government’s wiretapping authority and gives immunity to the telecoms that helped the government secretly spy on Americans without getting the warrants required by law.
The Iraqis thought they were getting Democracy. What they got was MAD — Modern American Democracy. What a gyp!