Stay the Course???

Recently Ayman al-Zawahri’s, deemed al-Qaida’s second in command, released a tape making reference to the London Bombings and threatening further attacks on the US and Briton. As always the Bush Administration response was to ‘up the ante’ by framing the Iraq situation in terms of withdrawal signaling failure. Using the usual rhetoric “We will stay the course. We will complete the job in Iraq.” In some ways it is a relief that the official response from the White House wasn’t “Bring ‘em on!” as we have seen in the past. Rather than praising this response for its lack of direct provocation, take a moment to analyze what stay the course actually means.

The US military death toll now sits above 1,800. The number of wounded is upwards of 13,000, most of these injuries are life altering. (Iraq Casualties) The Iraqi civilian death toll has been somewhat of a controversial issue. The website Iraq Body Count puts the number somewhere between 23,000-27,000. A now dated but more likely estimate is provided by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Their widely reported estimate puts the count upwards of 100,000. The statistic gathering on the negative impact of the war and the ongoing occupation can go on indefinitely.

Iraqi quality of life under the occupation has been greatly reduced with no signs of short term improvement. Disease, and infant mortality rates have increased, while life expectancy has decreased during the occupation. Cancer and birth defects have increased due to the use of depleted uranium weapons used by the United States in urban areas. Farm lands have been destroyed and Iraqi oil production has slowed to a trickle. These are only a few of the impacts US occupation has had on Iraqi daily life.

In light of these and many other horrifying facts about the continued occupation, US citizens are beginning to tire of Bush’s “stay the course” approach. A recent Associated Press poll shows that a full 50% of Americans believe that Bush has not been truthful with the public. Approval of his handling in Iraq is now at 38%. His overall approval rating has also been in constant decline since the election. For a president who built his reelection campaign on resolute decision making and firm political stances it is far past the time that Bush needs to reconsider this “stay the course” approach.

Withdrawal is not failure. Evidence suggests that most in the insurgency would lay down their arms if the US were to pull out. The US does have responsibilities when it comes to Iraqi reconstruction and those issues need to be addressed. However US troops on the ground are only encouraging insurgency recruitment, and adding to the violence. US war profiteers are not building the Iraqi economy or providing work for the Iraqi people. Staying the course does not lead to a successful Iraq. The president needs to commit to a withdrawal plan for the sake of both the US and Iraq.

Posted at Saturday, August 06, 2005
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