Save the Whales, Save the War
June 26th, 2006George W. Bush isn’t a fan of the environment, and caring for nature has never been on his agenda. But there’s an old saying, and it goes, “Just because that’s the way things are, doesn’t mean it’s how things have to be.” George W. Bush has waited a long time, but he’s finally decided to seek sweet change. He has decided to join a group of nations in pursuit of the sweet goal that is saving the whales. It’s a start, isn’t it? Truth sure is stranger than fiction. Now if only he’d care about the environment and other endangered species, we’d have ourselves a President!
The Iraqi Prime Minister this weekend revealed a twenty four point plan to bring peace to their country. I’m glad that someone outside of John Kerry has a plan (as he’s so fond of reminding the masses), and I’m even happier to see that their plan isn’t a total sham.
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on Sunday offered an olive branch to insurgents who join in rebuilding Iraq and said lawmakers should set a timeline for the Iraqi military and police to take control of security throughout the country. The prime minister made no mention of any timetable for the withdrawal of U.S.-led forces in a 24-point national reconciliation plan he presented to parliament. The plan would include an amnesty for insurgents and opposition figures who have not been involved in terrorist activities, but he never explained how authorities would distinguish that, reports CBS News correspondent Lee Cowan. Al-Maliki stressed that insurgent killers would not escape justice.
The “amnesty” point is the one most focused on by the press, but I’d point out that it’s a skillful move, and one that has often been used with civil wars and insurgencies. You offer your enemies peace and kindness in exchange for them joining you. Considering that the insurgents believe themselves to be losing the cause, as was shown in Zarqawi’s memoes, it is paramount that they have a place to go if they leave the insurgency.
I am no longer willing to put my faith in this American government’s ability to fix Iraq, but I’m glad to see that the Iraqis themselves are stepping it up and taking serious, measured action. We’ll see how this goes, and I can only send my best wishes and prayers.