Misperceptions of the 'War' in Iraq

[frogcycle]

Good discussion. Makes crystal clear what we have all been seeing and saying - the invasion was a mistake, disbanding the gov't/army was a mistake, and the occupation is pointless. And any claims of 'progress" are boldfaced lies, since there is no defined end state against which to measure that progress. As someone said on KO last night, teh "benchmark" demands are like asking hte US Congress to agree on stem cell research, or abortion in three weeks.

http://www.nieman.harvard.edu/reports/07-2NRsummer/p14-0702-engel.html

An NBC News correspondent—with longtime experience in Iraq—describes many other visions of the war now being fought.

By Richard Engel

The war in Iraq is not what it seems. In fact, there is no "war" in Iraq—there are many wars, some centuries old, playing out on this ancient land. But this is not what Americans are often led to believe. The perception portrayed by the White House and Iraqi government in Baghdad—and commonly reflected in the news media—is that the violence in Iraq is a fundamental struggle between two opposing teams: Freedom Lovers and Freedom Haters.

more...

http://www.nieman.harvard.edu/reports/07-2NRsummer/p14-0702-engel.html

[tularetom]

1. Can you imagine trying to explain this to dum dum Amurkins?

After a couple minutes they''d all be squirming around in thier chairs, staring back at you blankly, and asking can we go watch American Idol now.

No we need it to be dumbed down for us, reduced to comic style good vs. evil superhero bullshit.

[leftchick]

2. it doesn't really matter what the truth is as long as...

"New U.S. Embassy rises in Iraq"

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-embassy24jul24,0,7085179.story?coll=la-home-world


I believe the House votes on our permanent bases today as well. The US is there for OIL and a permanent position in the Mideast. It really doesn't matter what it is called by the media. The truth is they will never call it what it is.

[wtmusic]

3. Amen.

I've heard the truth told so many different ways. It's irresistible to think that maybe we're just not explaining it right.

Fact is that most aren't even listening.