01/22 Morning Report

So, Hamas and PM Abbas can’t agree on a unity agreement? What a surprise.
(…is anyone surprised?...)

In other foreign government news, Chavez is throwing another anti-US tantrum. This comes amid expectations of increases to his dictatorial power. And, in usual fashion for left wing dictators, he is using the US as his whipping boy to keep attention from problems in his own nation. Of course, he doesn’t help his cause by bringing on the silence of opposing voices. The WashPo even called it reminiscent of right-wing dictatorships of old.
(…and the lefties see nothing wrong with him…makes you wonder about who supports dictatorships…doesn’t it?...)

The recent change in Maliki’s attitude towards al-Sadr comes after the US finally convinced him the Shiite militia was rife with death squads.
(…I, personally, would normally ask why it took so long…but I understand the Islamic outlook towards admitting being wrong…)

And, somehow, the Washington Post has concluded that American policy is now solely focused on containing Iran, rather than solving the problems in Iraq. According to their take on the issue, that’s all the Arab nations and peoples see, too. I think many media writers have lost sight of a couple of things. In oppressive regimes—especially in developing and third world nations (historically speaking)—power changes have always been violent. It’s not that they have to be. But, they are. The oppressed (Shiites) become oppressors (aka al-Sadr)—perhaps trying to make up for what they were denied. The former oppressors (the Sunnis) refuse to give up power. And, the people suffer. The lawless (aka insurgents, or the mobs in the US) take advantage and encourage social disruption. The US is simply a good target. Unfortunately, the US has made enough mistakes it would be hard not to make some of this mud stick.
(…it’s really interesting, though, that no one seems to take note that more and more of Iraq is being taken care of primarily by Iraqis…)