It was one of those moments, like hearing your own name coming out of the radio, or seeing your own face on television.
This morning I heard NPR's Scott Simon refer to Iraqmire as an OCCUPATION.
And he did it almost casually, as if there was no question that 'occupation' is the correct noun for what is happening
in Iraq. (Of course, there isn't much question among those who do not have a vested interest in mischaracterizing the occupation
as a war).
Then came the interview with Zbigniew Brzezinski, Jimmy Carter's National Security Advisor, and it was clear as day why Simon, who has been spun like sugar by the neocon
jargon on many occasions, trotted out the "O" word - it's a prerequisite for ending the nightmare.
Brzezinski's first point was that the continuing occupation (oh, yes, he called it occupation, too) is delegitimizing the
Iraqi government, so "Stay the Collision Course" is DOA as practical policy. Like sentient apes all over the world didn't
know that, but it's nice to hear it on the radio.
Brzezinski then went on to outline a four point plan for ending the occupation of Iraq:
1) Set a timetable for departure with the Iraqi Govt.
See, that's how you WIN an occupation, win-obsessed America. You
leave.
2) Announce that the decision and timetable are a joint decision between US and Iraqis. This helps establish legitimacy
for the Iraq govt.
3) Solicit help for Iraq from neighboring Arab and Muslim countries. All local nations have a stake in a stable Iraq, but
will not help if it is perceived to aid the American cause. Once the Americans leave, so does the barrier to assistance.
4) Convene a donor's conference to finance the continuing (or restarting from scratch) rebuilding of Iraq.
His main point is that nothing can happen until the US gets the FO of Iraq. He suggested one year (hah! -Take that Levin/Reed!)
He
then went on to call Littlegeorge the Looter a demagog.
Priceless.
The whole interview is up on the NPR website and is well worth the listen.
I'm still reeling. Is NPR reading progressive political blogs? Is Brzezinski? We know his former boss reads and writes
at DailyKos.
This is the first time I've heard the "O" word from anybody in the mainstream corporate media, and I could
hardly focus at work. Tennis balls were peppering me all day.
