We're Being Conned

[Rose Siding]

There. Is. No. Iraqi. Government.

(Governor Mamoon Sami Rashid's) predecessor, Raja Nawaf, was kidnapped and killed. His deputy, Talib al-Dulaimi, was shot to death. Khidr Abdeljabar Abbas, the chairman of the provincial council, was killed in April. Last month, the governor’s secretary was beheaded.

Mr. Rashid, 49, survives largely with — and only with — the protection of American marines. They hold down the Government Center and escort him to and from work. They fly him around Anbar in a helicopter. Indeed, Mr. Rashid is more than just the symbol of the Anbar government; he seems the only functioning part. Most of the senior members of the government refuse to come to work or to show their faces in public.
...
A recent meeting of the provincial government illuminated the depth and breadth of the challenges. Only 6 of 39 senior officials showed up — and those largely because Mr. Rashid threatened to fire anyone who did not. When the meeting finally began at the Government Center marines far outnumbered Iraqis.

“I’m very glad to see your directors general here today,” said Colonel Corte, the adviser, referring to the six Iraqi officials. “They are very brave men.”

NYT

On the meeting's agenda: Why aren't those schools being built? And a heist the day before that netted seven million US bucks from a bank next door to an American command post.

...That amount of dinars would have filled several large trunks, but no one admitted to seeing a thing.

“There were more than 150 people in the bank that day,” Colonel Corte said. “That doesn’t sound right to me, Governor.”

The dear, concerned American Colonel wanted to know if the deposits had been insured. BY WHAT? BY WHOM? And I don't mean to pry, but isn't anyone in the military command post watching for trucks outside?

After the meeting, a marine warned:

...“Sniper area — run!” he shouted, and those leaving the meeting ran, indeed.

Progress? Maybe I need some special glasses or something because I'm not seeing it.

http://www.tolland.k12.ct.us.nyud.net:8090/techservices/RoseColoredGlasses.gif

[havocmom]

1. No American government either

just a bunch of corporate middle managers

[Demeter]

3. Pirates--Not Managers!

Managers are prone to uphold the status quo--pirates destroy everything they cannot steal.

[havocmom]

4. LOL you were watching History Channel the other day?

Havocdad was remarking that the pirates are with us still

[rodeodance]

2. and this is the new gov. that was susposed to ensure security!