During a visit to Congress by General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker, America was told what Iraq needs, wants and should have. As I listened to them make their statements to Congress, I could relate to the Iraqi people, because the same thing happens to African Americans. All to often some white person goes on television or writes an article that tells America what's good for African Americans, who our leaders are, how we will vote, what we want, what we need and how we will react in certain situations.

As I watched the so-called liberal Democrats, in Congress, who claim to be for equality, I realized they are a part of the sham that's being played on America. Here is Congress expecting to get the truth from the same people that sold them a bill of goods that included, but was not limited to, Iraq having weapons of mass destruction, an Al Qaeda connection and a nuclear weapon program. Even though we know it was all a lie, we still take their word for what's best for Iraq. That's like buying a house from the same guy that sold you a car that didn't run. Why won't Congress invite some Iraqi's to speak about what they need, want and should have.

On April 14th, 2008, I read an article, written by Jay Bookman, where he shared the results of a poll that was taken in Iraq, by Arab speaking pollsters, about what the Iraqi people say they need, want and should have. The information contained in this article should have been the lead story on every news show in America, but it wasn't. President Bush, General Petraeus and Senator McCain are constantly telling us of the wonders that have resulted from the surge. Well in the poll the Iraqis said security has improved, but only 4 percent say it's because of the American forces and 46 percent say security would improve even more if America left the country. According to the poll, 38 percent of Iraqis and 61 percent of Iraqi Sunnis want American troops to leave immediately and 42 percent believe it is acceptable for Iraqis to attack American troops.

The Bush administration, including the General and Ambassador, sold the surge to Congress on the assumption that it would create an opportunity for political reconciliation. Although this sale sounded a lot like the WMD sale, Congress must have thought they were buying something new because they funded the surge. However, according to the Iraqi poll 21 percent said the surge has made political conditions better, while 43 percent say those conditions have gotten worse.

Senator McCain is always telling us how much better the living conditions are in Iraq, but according to the poll, 54 percent of Iraqis would not advise Iraqis in exile to return home and 36 percent will leave as soon as the opportunity presents itself.

Just like African Americans, the Iraqi people are treated like children by the Bush administration. They want to tell the Iraqi people when to eat, to wash behind their ears and what time to go to bed. When will America accept what the Iraqis have to say about what they want, need and should have?

Article Source:
Kenneth Brown
brown6207@bellsouth.net