Uzbekistan RPCV John Smart writes: The Iraq Study Group's report -- now what?



Nobody really has the answer to this -- some hopes maybe. But George W. Bush is surely the stubbornist man to ever occupy 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, and, judging from his recent pronouncements, he is not inclined to follow the very specific suggestions in this report. James Baker said that this is not a "fruit salad" that the administration is invited to pick at, selecting which of its provisions they might choose to implement -- rather it's a comprehensive plan that must be considered as a whole.

Uzbekistan RPCV John Smart writes: The Iraq Study Group's report -- now what?

The Iraq Study Group's report -- now what? A commentary by John Smart The Daily Press Thursday, December 21st, 2006 10:10:07 AM

OK, the Iraq Study Group, co-chaired by former Secretary of State James Baker and retired Congressman Lee Hamilton, has issued its report, met with the president and briefed the congress -- now what? Is this just another bump in the road, another milestone -- like the day this war passed World War II in length, or the three thousandth American to die -- or will this be the definitive move, the call to action that will mark the beginning of the end of our involvement in the Iraqi Civil War?

Nobody really has the answer to this -- some hopes maybe. But George W. Bush is surely the stubbornist man to ever occupy 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, and, judging from his recent pronouncements, he is not inclined to follow the very specific suggestions in this report. James Baker said that this is not a "fruit salad" that the administration is invited to pick at, selecting which of its provisions they might choose to implement -- rather it's a comprehensive plan that must be considered as a whole.

But will that happen?

President Bush seems incapable of admitting mistakes, and that's essentially what must happen now. This war was a mistake, a deadly mistake. This fact must be admitted and recompence offered. The Iraqis must be told that it's now up to them. We'll help with money and tactical assistance, but not with lives. We entered their country by force, in error, overthrew their government, fomented a civil war, and now we're backing out and leaving a mess behind us. It's ugly, but it's fact --- The Baker-Hamilton report makes the case for discussions with the neighboring nations in the Mid-East, specifically Iran and Syria. What happens in the region is of great interest to them, certainly, and they must have something to say about it. But George W. Bush says he won't talk to Iran and Syria because they are part of the Axis of Evil. He'll only talk with those whose answers to his questions he knows in advance.

And what of the losses? The press reminds us of the casualties every day, marking those milestones of death in our consciousness. If you dig a bit, you will find out how much of our national wealth is also a casualty of this campaign. This war, which was entered into on the flimsiest of intelligence, whether cooked or just mistaken, has sapped our economic strength as well as our moral standing in the world.

Taxpayer dollars are being wasted that, to begin with, we are borrowing from future generations -- dollars that could be going toward the health care and education of those very generations we expect to pick up the tab for this horrendously misguided venture.

Then too, we are spreading too thin the might of this nation, spending military capital that might, for example, be used to stop the genocide currently growing in Darfur and spilling over into Chad and the Congo. That we are allowing this ugliness to happen on our watch is an international disgrace. As the world's only remaining super-power, shouldn't it be our responsibility to put a halt to this carnage? The United Nations Security Council passed a resolution calling for an end to the Darfur Tragedy, but it's almost like the whole world is standing by, waiting for us -- the big guys -- to do something about it. Haven't we too said, "Never again"? But, of course, we don't have the resources to do anything, as those resources are all occupied in the Iraqi Civil War.

The Iraq Study Group has spoken, and the people too have spoken. The results of the recent election couldn't have sent a clearer message, and we are looking forward to the beginning sessions of the new congress after the first of the year. What is still happening in Iraq and around the world is not worthy of a great nation, which we consider ourselves to be. Things must change. It's time. Let's get on with it.

John Smart lives in Park Falls, is a member of the Wisconsin Governor's Commission on the United Nations, the UN Association of the USA and Citizens for Global Solutions. He was a Peace Corps volunteer in Uzbekistan from 1995 through 1998 and chairs the Democratic Party of Price County.

Links to Related Topics (Tags):

Headlines: December, 2006; Peace Corps Uzbekistan; Directory of Uzbekistan RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Uzbekistan RPCVs; Iraq; Speaking Out

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