River Bend is back

[burrowowl]

http://riverbendblog.blogspot.com/

Why make things worse by insisting on Saddam's execution now? Who gains if they hang Saddam? Iran, naturally, but who else? There is a real fear that this execution will be the final blow that will shatter Iraq. Some Sunni and Shia tribes have threatened to arm their members against the Americans if Saddam is executed. Iraqis in general are watching closely to see what happens next, and quietly preparing for the worst.

This is because now, Saddam no longer represents himself or his regime. Through the constant insistence of American war propaganda, Saddam is now representative of all Sunni Arabs (never mind most of his government were Shia). The Americans, through their speeches and news articles and Iraqi Puppets, have made it very clear that they consider him to personify Sunni Arab resistance to the occupation. Basically, with this execution, what the Americans are saying is "Look- Sunni Arabs- this is your man, we all know this. We're hanging him- he symbolizes you." And make no mistake about it, this trial and verdict and execution are 100% American. Some of the actors were Iraqi enough, but the production, direction and montage was pure Hollywood (though low-budget, if you ask me).

That is, of course, why Talbani doesn't want to sign his death penalty- not because the mob man suddenly grew a conscience, but because he doesn't want to be the one who does the hanging- he won't be able to travel far away enough if he does that.

Maliki's government couldn't contain their glee. They announced the ratification of the execution order before the actual court did. A few nights ago, some American news program interviewed Maliki's bureau chief, Basim Al-Hassani who was speaking in accented American English about the upcoming execution like it was a carnival he'd be attending. He sat, looking sleazy and not a little bit ridiculous, his dialogue interspersed with 'gonna', 'gotta' and 'wanna'... Which happens, I suppose, when the only people you mix with are American soldiers.

My only conclusion is that the Americans want to withdraw from Iraq, but would like to leave behind a full-fledged civil war because it wouldn't look good if they withdraw and things actually begin to improve, would it?

But please read the entire post.

[shrdlu]

1. Thanks for the alert...

[mnhtnbb]

2. Thanks for the heads up.

[alfredo]

3. So glad she is alive.

[bananas]

4. Definitely read the entire post.

"Had I not chronicled those feelings of agitation in this very blog, I wouldn't believe them now."

Thanks, burrowowl.

[burrowowl]

5. Yes! Read it all!

From the general condition of Iraq to Saddam's execution to her feelings on the troops.

[burrowowl]

6. Kick

Because River Bend gives another perspective and maybe will provoke a more serious discussion on why the execution of Saddam and why now.

[phiddle]

9. For serious, and chilling, discussion of why and why now see:

http://www.juancole.com/2006/12/alexandrova-guest-op-ed-saddams.html

[Qanisqineq]

7. kick

depressing read but should be read nevertheless

[truedelphi]

8. How can any mortal be so eloquent when

Experiencing hell on earth day after day.

This woman simply blows me away. Her carefully reasoned rationale, the descriptions, the
interplay between her own situation and that of the larger picture - where does someone get that kind of strength?

[ooglymoogly]

10. my heart goes out to you riverbend

i was in bagdad when the bathists took control and we fled over the mountains into iran through one of the great blizzards...all as it turned out not necessary...a kinder people i have never met...i have a special place in my heart for arabs...how has it come to this...oh wait * happened.