ON THE WALLABY- 31st January 2006

” White man speak with forked tongue” – old cliché used by hundreds of Hollywood cinema “Indians”

IRAQ- JUST WHY SHOULD THE IRAQI’S LIKE US?

I have just finished watching yet another incisive documentary on SBS television about the $12 billion, yes billion, dollars that went AWOL following the overthrow of Saddam Hussein and the rorting of the system by “our” team.

Does it make me feel ashamed and bitter?

Too right it does and when you encompass that with the hypocrisy of the politicians over the whole Iraq War matter, it makes me so angry.

Angry with not only the sheer incompetence of the Americans (and by default, us, because we were suckered in too) but also, and mainly, the tragedy that has befallen the Iraqi people who, at last count, have lost over 600,000 citizens with the number rising.

If this documentary is to be believed, and given what I have read across the globe about the war in papers and on the internet, then there is little reason for any Iraqi to say “good on you mate” for we have sold them well and truly short.

Case after case was shown, many or , most of which are being investigated by US authorities although, as they readily admitted, evidence has been hidden or destroyed and which will make prosecutions difficult.

When are we going to get “fair dinkum” about this whole debacle and when are we, as Australians, going to sat “enough is enough”.

I take the point that Bush et al make about pulling out but as one of the Americans involved in the original restoration program said “we had our chance and we blew it”.

It seems to me that the “Coalition of the willing” may well be providing the flash point and not the solution so if they are removed, much of the reason for the brawling may dissipate although it seems to me that the area is now perilously close to an all out Sunni versus Shi’ite war.

If that happens then all of a sudden Saudi Arabia and Jordan come in on the Sunni side, Iran and Syria probably on the Shi’ite and Israel sits there waiting to pick either or both off with scant regard to anyone else’s opinion or view.

The quote I have used that many of my generation heard in B grade western movies suddenly makes a whole lot of sense.

Nice one George!

Carpe diem

Tony

Tony Fountain (tony@rainbowchaser.com.au)

Professional Speaker, auctioneer and author

Sydney NSW Australia

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