More evidence that US must end occupation

From MSNBC:

 

U.N.: 3,709 Iraqis slain in Oct.; highest toll yet

Officials blame growing armed militias, rampant torture for 'grim picture'

"Hundreds of bodies continued to appear in different areas of Baghdad handcuffed, blindfolded and bearing signs of torture and execution-style killing," the officials quoted the report as saying. "Many witnesses reported that perpetrators wear militia attire and even police or army uniforms."

According to past U.N. reports, 710 civilians were killed in January, 1,129 in April, 2,669 in May, 3,149 in June, and 3,009 in August.

The US military is not- and cannot- provide security in that nation.  There is no other reason for the US forces to be there.  Consequently, the US military should begin a phased withdrawl.

 

Will the violence end with American withdrawl.  Of course not.  But at least then the full responsibility for the situation in Iraq will lie with Iraqis and the Iraqi government.  Perhaps then there will develop a will in Iraq to end the violence.

 

And then the US will be in worse shape in terms of security than it ever was in the days of Hussein.  A new terrorist state will be in existence. 

 

The failure of the Bush policy towards Iraq is indisputable.  There is no putting the genie back in the bottle.  We can only move forward.  But we must move forward with the knowledge that the US has a new and grave threat to contain in the post-war Iraq.

 

GP

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The Balrog is Dead!  Long Live Gandalf!