Krugman: "very bad news"

[nostamj]

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/23/opinion/23KRUG.html

<snip>

Cronyism and corruption are major factors in Iraq's downward spiral. This week the public radio program "Marketplace" is running a series titled "The Spoils of War," which documents a level of corruption in Iraq worse than even harsh critics had suspected. The waste of money, though it may run into the billions, is arguably the least of it — though military expenses are now $4.7 billion a month. The administration, true to form, is trying to hide the need for more money until after the election; Mr. Cordesman predicts that Iraq will need "in excess of $50-70 billion a year for probably two fiscal years."

More important, the "Marketplace" report confirms what is being widely reported: that the common view in Iraq is that members of the U.S.-appointed Governing Council are using their positions to enrich themselves, and that U.S. companies are doing the same. President Bush's idealistic language may be persuasive to Americans, but many Iraqis see U.S. forces as there to back a corrupt regime, not democracy.

Now what? There's a growing sense of foreboding, even panic, about Iraq among national security experts. "This is an extremely uncertain struggle," says Mr. Cordesman, who, to his credit, also says the unsayable: we may not be able to "stay the course." But yesterday Condoleezza Rice gave Republican lawmakers what Senator Rick Santorum called "a very upbeat report."

That's very bad news. The mess in Iraq was created by officials who believed what they wanted to believe, and ignored awkward facts. It seems they have learned nothing.  

[papau]

1. believed what they wanted to believe, and ignored awkward facts

wonder if our media "let" them avoid accountability via the non-critical coverage -

[anarchy1999]

2. Could you not just give us the "toons"? Nostamj, please.....

Way to harsh, way to early in the morning, especially from you.

[nostamj]

3. ???

way too presumptuous. I'll post whatever I feel is worth posting. you don't like Krugman, pass on the thread.

sheesh.

[anarchy1999]

6. Sweetheart, I was teasing. Sorry you took it the other way.

It was all in jest. I love you and all that you do and i share with everyone I know. ?W, Okay.........?

[nostamj]

7. OK.

i'm snippy before the coffee takes effect...

[anarchy1999]

8. The coffee thing is a dilemma, I can't function witho it and I am a speed

freak if I drink it. I appreciate the snippy part more than you know. I am so sorry once again. I look for you every day. Thank you for all you do.

I'm trying to fix the subject, won't let me. Supposed to read I can't function without it and I am a speed freak if I drink it.

[nostamj]

9. now that I've had a cup

I was able to figure it out ;-)

[anarchy1999]

10. You are in my top 10 at DU.

N/t

I have had serious withdrawals when DU was down and you were not available.
Your toons turned A right wing Republican boss I had around to the other side. He has since discontinued all contact.

[Kanary]

14. There are emoticons for that purpose

[Plaid Adder]

5. Now remember...nostamj is

*so* much more than cartoons!

C ya,

The Plaid Adder

[Spazito]

4. Krugman is ALWAYS on point!

Thanks for posting the link.

[Cocoa]

11. I wonder if any of our money is getting to the resistance

I have the idea a lot of it is getting to the people shooting at U.S. troops. How could we stop it?

[anarchy1999]

12. You are just trying to have fun, Right?

"I have the idea a lot of it is getting to the people shooting at U.S. troops."

How have you lasted for 1000 posts?

Cocoa, put yourself in your town. What would you do? Keep in mind, your wife/husband is dead, two or three of your kids are as well, your mom and dad have no home, it was blown up. What would you do?

[Cocoa]

15. not suggesting the resistance is artificial

just that I suspect that we have so little clue what is going on over there that it would be very easy for a lot of that huge flood of money to get diverted. Most is no doubt simple corruption, but I'm guessing that the insurgents' demand for cash would attract a lot of it too.

[nostamj]

13. that's a huge stretch

the money is controlled by bushie puppets on the CPA and the corporations. insurgency is no plus for them.... :shrug:

[Cocoa]

17. they're not all Bushie puppets

they have their own interests, which happen intersect with Bushie interests at certain points, but which no doubt diverge at other points.

[oc2002]

16. Why stop it?

The Military industrial complex needs an enemy to frighten the media with. Just look at the money Haliburton, and military contractors are rakeing it in by the truck loads.

They need someone to fight to keep the gravey train flowing...