Procrastinet

Perspective

filed under: Stuff to be pissed off about

So the President says that when the CIA sees growing instability in Iraq, they are "just guessing." And that "the Iraqi people are defying the pessimistic predictions." And those of us looking to be comforted, take comfort. And remind ourselves that lots of people say we're exagerrating the troubles "over there." And ignoring the good stuff. Like the painted schools.

And then you go and read this from Juan Cole. And then you've got a little perspective. And you think maybe, just maybe, it's time to get the guy who is trying desperately to get us to ignore this shit out of office.

Key paragraphs were hard to pick - they're all a knock-out, and it's short and easy to read. Even if you never click through to links - please please please click through and read this one. Here's a sample:

What would America look like if it were in Iraq's current situation? The population of the US is over 11 times that of Iraq, so a lot of statistics would have to be multiplied by that number.

Thus, violence killed 300 Iraqis last week, the equivalent proportionately of 3,300 Americans. What if 3,300 Americans had died in car bombings, grenade and rocket attacks, machine gun spray, and aerial bombardment in the last week? That is a number greater than the deaths on September 11, and if America were Iraq, it would be an ongoing, weekly or monthly toll.

[snip]

What if the grounds of the White House and the government buildings near the Mall were constantly taking mortar fire? What if almost nobody in the State Department at Foggy Bottom, the White House, or the Pentagon dared venture out of their buildings, and considered it dangerous to go over to Crystal City or Alexandria?

What if all the reporters for all the major television and print media were trapped in five-star hotels in Washington, DC and New York, unable to move more than a few blocks safely, and dependent on stringers to know what was happening in Oklahoma City and St. Louis? What if the only time they ventured into the Midwest was if they could be embedded in Army or National Guard units?

Read the whole thing. Then email it to your friends - especially those who may not have made up their minds about November. If you know any.

Posted by rjt at September 23, 2004 10:00 AM