Bases, Boots and Burger Kings: Dubya's Real Legacy in the Middle East

Thu Feb 21, 2008 at 07:31:26 PM PST

Sure, we all talk about getting out of Iraq. Don't get me wrong. I knew the whole thing was going to hell in a handbasket the second I heard Dubya bluster at a world that was at the time scrambling to help America any way they could, "you're either with us or against us." It wasn't long after that me and a few billion of my friends hit the streets in our many lands to protest the war as it approached, wherever, whenever and however we could. Many of us found our literary voices blogging against the war, tyranny and fascism and made friends, shared concerns, fears, hopes and a collective sense of massive impending change (hence, by the way, the name). But where does it all lead me? Simply this: As for getting out, I mean, totally getting out of Iraq, none of you reeeeeeeeally think that's going to happen, do you? You understand that it doesn't matter even slightly who you vote for in this regard? That it's simply not going to happen?
Intro
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Sure, we all talk about getting out of Iraq. Don't get me wrong. I knew the whole thing was going to hell in a handbasket the second I heard Dubya bluster at a world that was at the time scrambling to help America any way they could, "you're either with us or against us." It wasn't long after that me and a few billion of my friends hit the streets in our many lands to protest the war as it approached, wherever, whenever and however we could. Many of us found our literary voices blogging against the war, tyranny and fascism and made friends, shared concerns, fears, hopes and a collective sense of massive impending change (hence, by the way, the name). But where does it all lead me? Simply this: As for getting out, I mean, totally getting out of Iraq, none of you reeeeeeeeally think that's going to happen, do you? You understand that it doesn't matter even slightly who you vote for in this regard? That it's simply not going to happen?

There are people in Washington ... who never intend to withdraw military forces from Iraq and they’re looking for ten, 20, 50 years in the future ... the reason that we went into Iraq was to establish a permanent military base in thegulf region, and I have never heard any of our leaders say that they would commit themselves to the Iraqi people that ten years from now there will be no military bases of the United States in Iraq.
– Former President Jimmy Carter (Feb. 3, 2006)

I hate writing it. It's hideous. But here goes: America has a huge oil problem. Mideast has it but a wide majority of the Mideast hates America to bits. America now has permanent Superbases that they will inevitably fill to the tits with soldiers armed to the teeth and tanks and equipment and infrastructure and landing strips and guess what? You just never, ever leave there, forever, no matter if it's Hills, 'Bama and especially John 'Bomb Bomb Iran' McCain that takes the Oval Office next. It absolutely doesn't matter one little bit and the sooner you understand this the sooner you understand what's really going on in America, like say, with your lameduck Democratic congressional majority, for starters, who've had enormous difficulty standing up to the least popular president in American history.

Ultimately, these enduring bases are the real legacy of George 'Dubya' Bush and the biggest argument you can muster against the idea that he's just a grinning chimp and the biggest argument I can muster that he's actually the Kaiser Sose president. Act like a dummy, just get your troops and guns where you need 'em and leave 'em there. The Dems'd be nuts to remove them, powerless to do anything but accept that for the rest of this century you can bet yer sweet bippy there will be bases, boots and Burger Kings in America-controlled Iraq. Boots on the ground overtop the greatest material prize in the history of the world. That's your Mission Accomplished, for you. The rest is just window dressing.

Pull out of Iraq? Entirely? Like, out of what will end up being at least 14 enduring SuperBases? Just because the Tyranny of the Majority demands it? You think they care? HAH!!! Not bloody likely, man, though the idea is cute or maybe it's just 'quaint' like Dick Cheney and the NeoCons like to say. But the Dems are in it too. They know, each and every one of them, as well as anybody else what the situation is Over There.

What do you think they're going to do? Tear down these bases, brick by brick, hang the cost and the immense strategic advantage smack dab in the middle of the middle of the East? Or do you just leave them for whatever lapdog or madman comes to own Iraq in your absence? McCain's a shmuck, a fool and a proven ratfuck liar but when he talks about a hundred years more in Iraq he's alot closer to the Truth then what 'Bama and Hills have to say about it. Those bases, folks, ain't going anywhere, I promise you.

Hey, shit, love to be wrong on this, absolutely love to. Show me how and I sleep better instantly, guarantee you.

Poll

Ending the War vs Enduring Iraq Superbases: What Will Be Done?

Tear 'em down brick by brick, hang the cost and strategic advantage
42% 11 votes

Leave 'em for whatever lapdog or madman ends up in charge
23% 6 votes

Fill 'em with soldiers, weapons, tech and infrastructure and enjoy your toehold on the MidEast
34% 9 votes

| 26 votes total

Your MacroPerspective on the MidEast War

Okay. Listen. The Drums of War are banging once again. As bloggers hard on the trail of Truth we’re entering a phase where we can’t tiptoe around things for Fear of offending people and still cover the story properly. This is sophisticated political analysis here, folks, so some stuff you’re just gonna have to suck up if you want to go any further into what we here at the SenseChange Center for Positive Change call ‘the MacroPerspective.’ Leaps have to be made here. You want to play it impartial, BiPartisan to the Truth? Okay. Here goes.

Both the United States and Israel have publicly blamed Iran for these ALL IMPORTANT THREE SOLDIERS. Like a simple kidnapping requires some kind of evil mastermind and shitloads of funding. It’s ridiculous. No Nation gives a fig for the life of one, two, a hundred or a thousand of it’s soldiers when the war drum is banging, and if you don’t know that by now or think your very special country just isn’t like that, well, you’re most likely not going to like where I go from here. There’s probably some super ‘American Idol' blogs on this very site you could go and get a whole lot more out of.

Gone yet? Good. Time for the adults to speak on the Big Things. We go by alliances and look at the scene. The sides. Call ‘em Axis or call ‘em Allies or whatever you like but we’re dealing with alliances. All the makings of a Great War, this one.

So stop looking at individual groups like Hezbollah or the Lebanese army or the Israeli soldiers. We’re goin’ macro. Stop looking at Israel, stop looking at Palestine, stop looking at even the good old U.S. of A. We’re going reeeeeeal macro. Somebody else can give you the analysis of all the little groups. We’re gonna talk about the BigDogs. Deal with it or take a hike.

In a scene like this you have to look at alliances. Whole nations intermingled with other whole nations. Here’s the deal: every player in the MidEast has connections to the real big players. Everybody on earth knows Israel and the US are amongst the staunchest allies perhaps EVER, surely nobody would bother questioning that, and as such it’s been made abundantly clear both in the past and RIGHT NOW.

So, for the purpose of MacroAnalysis, we will not speak of Israel or America but rather US-Israel (henceforth dubbed US-I). Now, if you look at the region from this perspective, US-I is on a huge tear. They are in Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Gaza and repeatedly rumbling angrily about Iran and Syria. That’s a big chunk of the oil-rich, Middle East, however you choose to paint it. You want to understand the latest MidEast War you have to make this connection or else you’re behind. You’re reacting to the News which never tells anybody about the important stuff until it’s already blatantly obvious to all.

ASIDE: In times of War, when ‘participants’ mention other nations and especially if they are assigning blame, you are being prepared for the NextLevel. This thing is about to ratchet up, folks, make no mistake about that. US-I will attack both Iran and Syria (or defend against the evil regime of old whats-his-nutz, however you want to paint it up. I’m NonPartisan. Don’t care how it gets expressed so long as it gets expressed), make no mistake about that. (July 23, 2K6)

And what of the Other Side?

Iran’s pretty cocky these days. Pretty cocky. No question. They think they got some shit up their sleeve. They take on Israel they're taking on America, plain and simple. They know it. If you want to contest this you know nothing at all of the Mideast. So, what do they have up their sleeve? Anybody? No?!? Hmmmm.

In the MacroAnalysis, how do we tackle the other side of this thing? Of what use is it trying to keep track of all the little groups in the MidEast that are pissed at the US-I Alliance? Can’t. Could take all day. Is there an alliance or some relationship of sorts between Hezbollah and Iran, or Syria? I don’t know these things but we’re gonna make another leap: if there ain’t a relationship yet, THERE WILL BE SOON. The enemy of my enemy is my friend, right? One of the oldest maxims of large-scale war, that one.

What do we call an alliance between Syria, Iran, all the little anti US-I groups (terrorists, freedom fighters, whatever, don’t care about the label) as well as whatever other Mideast Nations (both in secret and openly) decide to jump into the fray? Shall we just call it Arabia and be done with it? Done.

US-I versus Arabia.

You there yet? Figure you’re all caught up on the Macro yet? Not quite.

‘Up and Comer’ China is as thirsty for Oil as the good old US of A and has made no bones about making deals with Iran. Oil is LifeBlood. China needs it. Iran has it. They have a relationship. ‘Comeback Kid’ Russia also has strong relationships with Iran and has quite recently demonstrated a military alliance with China (remember that huge series of War games these two Nations recently demonstrated for the world? You don’t? Was ‘Survivor’ on? Ah yes. Of course it was).

Yes sir, all the fixin’s for a Great War, this one does.

You can make your own conclusions on all that, but at least nobody can tell you you weren't exposed to the MacroPerspective.

Heads Down, Citizens, Pecker’s Up!

That is all.

-iSC

And hot shit, just when you thought it couldn’t get any stranger:

Georgie’s Big Adventure: What the hell’s he doing with the chancellor of freaking Germany? Still struggling to digest Georgie’s grotesquely inappropriate shoulder massage of a fellow G8 leader. That’s a new one Georgie; ‘creepy guy at the party’. Your range amazes me. You guys catch this? Unbelievable. Is this just a frathouse kegger thing to him? Used to pick up broads by rubbing their shoulders. Hey, you and me both Georgie, BUT KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF THE OTHER G8 MEMBERS. Unbelievable. Keeps getting weirder and weirder. Clinton would’ve had the good sense to have picked up a chubby little waitress or something and nailed her in the biffy when nobody was looking. No harm no foul!

“Keep the apron on, babuh, yeah, like that.”

You know, Hunter S Thompsen was repeatedly quoted as saying it never got weird enough for him. I wonder what he'd say about this, now. Christ, what's next for America's Boy Wonder, Georgie 'Dubya' Bush? I’m waiting for him to cut a big, stinky fart or something. Start crying. Who knows? All bets are off.

RandomMP3age: "Whole Lotta Rosie" ACDC

MidEast Ablaze: Kofi Steps Up, Georgie Ponders Lunch

"While Hezbollah's actions are deplorable and Israel has a right to defend itself, the excessive use of force is to be condemned."
Kofi Anaan, Secretary General of the United Nations (July 20, 2K6)

As many of you may or may not know, I recently endorsed United Nations Chief Kofi in these very pages, said I will back by 100% whatever words come out of his mouth in this all important MidEast conflagration. The brother didn’t let me down, not one iota. Didn't let you down neither, Citizens.

I say people oughta listen to the brother! One thing, I believe he too senses vast impending change. Know what else? I think he’s a ‘Transcender’, not an ‘Ender.’ Think he sees the potential Renaissance better than anybody. And had a few dark nights contemplating the Appocalypse, as well. And, I suspect, he reads. Always a good thing. Kofi’s the Man. You gettin’ this?

Strange things. Strange things. Hey, just thought about it. How many Lebanese displaced by the latest invasion-smiting on their land? Guess what? You work in a building that just got destroyed? You don’t work anymore. Which means you’re gonna be poor. And if your apartment just got hit too? You ain’t got nowhere to live. You ain’t got shit. You’re displaced. So’s everybody else. Nowhere to go and everybody’s pissed off. And still getting’ shelled at.
More displaced and angry people in an area that already has far too many with far too little. Here’s some more! That’ll make things better! See how stupid it all is? See how it’s only getting worse? Same thing but more? You know? What the hell. Hell?

“Hi, Satan? Yeah, Sense here. What’s that? I know! We’re actively making it worse up here! You believe it? Yeah! Just doin’ the same thing over and over! Makin’ it worse!!! Hah! I know! It’s like we never learn! Yeah! Knew you’d be laughing your ass off! Yeah! Okay, talk to you, man.”

And what about Georgie’s Big Adventure? Still going! The MidEast is ablaze, we need to know what America, the world’s former SoleSuperPower is going to say or do about it and Georgie’s all excited about his lunch. A charred and blackened pig on a spit. I forget, was it the Jews or the Muslims that consider it a sin to eat swine? What’s that you say? Both?!? Hmmmmmm. Hilarious, but whattaya make of that? Anybody got anything? Keeps talkin’ about the pig, keeps talking about the pig, keeps talking about the pig…what the hell’s it all mean? Actively offending not one but both sides of the conflict or is Georgie just cosmically doomed to always look like a moronic, braying ass each and every time the camera turns upon him? Am I wrong? Who organizes these things?

Should RealityTV him right now. I’d call it Georgie’s Big Adventure. It’d be awesome. Let’s take a look right now: Georgie stretched out on the floor of AirForce One, coloring.

CUT TO: HANDLER:“Well, he certainly spends a lot of time coloring so we got him maps to color. We’re working on him. He’ll do fine.”

THIS JUST IN: I will be collecting links on my blog to wartime bloggers. Make no mistake about it Citizens, the War On Information doesn’t cease in the face of global conflagration, it intensifies! This much should be obvious. We gotta stick together. For the unvarnished Truth of the whole bloody thing for once and for all! C’MON! ARE WE BLOGGERS OR NOT? I want blogs from all sides of the conflict, I want it all, I want all sides and we check it all out, poke the shit prod the shit and what stands, stands! See what I’m saying? I think it’s important. I think it’s something we can all do. We read. We talk. We listen. We learn. We blog. Yes?

You hear about Beezer? Funny. A blogger in an affected part of Lebanon (what's that you say, all Lebanon is affected. Ah yes. Of course) gets a story from CNN on him. Big league push for a blogger. Except they never gave out his url. Notice that? I understand and so does Beezer. Why help the competition? Here it is folks

Here's another one. This chick’s bloggin’ it live from Iraq. Gimme a genuine Israeli blogger somebody, would you? Gotta be out there. Keep 'er NonPartisan here, eh? What are the Egyptian hipsters saying about all this? Every nation has hipsters. It's cross-cultural. Gimme an Egyptian blogger. Anybody hears about other wartime bloggers of any stripe, let me know. Or blog ‘em up and let me know. I promise a read and a comment. It’s my only currency.

All.

-iSenseChange…and so does Kofi. Do you?

RandomMP3age: "Ode to Joy" Beethoven

p.p. If Kofi were at WritingUp he's be in the United Earth group, of that much I am certain. You catch that Atlas?

Your iSenseChange MidEast Primer

So, here we are. And where, precisely, is that? Tired. Caffeine actively rotting my guts even as I fire down yet another coffee. Eating whole, cooked chickens. Walking to the park to compose my thoughts and get away from CNN for a few minutes before returning obssessively for my next fix of political crank. Drinking. Smoking. Typing, always typing, the whole time trying to come to some kind of understanding of the raw, unfiltered scope of this escalating MidEast scene.

First, maybe an update for all the American Idol fans who have been understandably occupied with the most diverting of things. A little MidEast Primer, courtesy of Yours Truly. Deep breath. Here comes: Israel’s alternately occupying and bombing Gaza, beating the living shit out of Lebanon even as it makes noise at Syria, causing Iran to rumble about a more polarized Islamic “crushing” response which means, make no mistake, this conflict now involves the entire region. America’s doing whatever it’s doing in Iraq and EVERYBODY’S in Afghanistan. The new Up and Comers, China and Russia are most likely to side with Iran, their energy ally and pretty much everybody well knows what side the world’s only SuperPower (for now, Citizens, the only thing Eternal is Change)will take. That’s a lot of different groups in the same little chunk of earth at the same time. Around a conflict. There will be rubbing. Not the good kind. Then you take all that and throw in a bunch of loose nuke talk from all quarters and you’re ALL CAUGHT UP.

See, people of all different colours and creeds have been throwing gas on that area for literally decades now. Has somebody lit the pile ablaze once and for all, and if yes, just what the fuck does that mean, friends and neighbors? Hot diggety damnation! Thing with the MidEast is it always has these conflagrations that flare up for a couple years then gets put back in the box for a little while, but what many people are aware of is that some day the conflagration will inevitably grow too large to be put back in that box and then what happens? Well, I gotta confess, Citizens, I haven’t the slightest fucking clue, and you know what? Neither does anybody else, anywhere on earth. Hint: it simply can’t be good. And it appears to be happening right now.

I think good ol’ WhatsHisNuts from CNN said it best: “All bets are off.” Sure it’s the media’s job to generate fear (a scared populace is a compliant one, right America?), but I think dude was speaking from the heart there, I really do. All bets truly are off.

What I think is that this latest session has all the fixin’s of being the Big One. This ain’t “the War on Terror.” This is “the War.” “The Great Oil War.” Begun untold years ago. Coming to the front burner and the temperature’s getting cranked.

Peace, all you fellow Earthians, love to your families, regardless of Race, Religion or Nationality.

-iSenseChange

p.p. Of one thing and one thing alone I am entirely certain: If you believe this whole confrontation is about the lives of two kidnapped Israeli soldiers then you are naïve at best, at worst a fool. Keep your eyes open, Citizens, and work hard to find Truth amongst the inevitable propaganda of the days, weeks, months, years to come.

Prediction: Israel strikes Syria, Iran strikes Israel, America pulps Iran.(15:46, July 15, 2K6)

RandomMp3age and it couldn't be perfecter: "Sympathy for the Devil" by the Rolling Stones.