Robert's Way

I find it amusing that the very same people who (justifiably) argue that they were mislead (lied to) by the Bush administration in the run-up to Iraq, are perfectly willing (in fact, enthusiastic) to be mislead (lied to) by the Iraq Study Group and its recommendations.

The ISG report is flawed in so many ways that it is unusable. But topping the list is its recommendation to initiate diplomatic discussions with Syria and Iran in hopes of obtaining their assistance in extricating the USA from Iraq.

Richard Fernandez (Wretchard of The Belmont Club) discusses a British diamond mining company, African Consolidated Resources, who entered into a contract with Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe (thug, dictator, genocidal murderer) in an effort to invest in this bankrupt country. After millions were invested and diamonds were found, Mugabe cancelled the contract and ordered the Brits out. Fernandez comments:

Some people are doubtless asking themselves why African Consolidated Resources would ever trust Robert Mugabe. After all, what sort of mentally challenged persons would begin negotiations with known liars and plunderers; actually trust those with a long record of duplicity and breaking their word? Enlist their help in getting them out of a situation that these liars themselves created? Who could be so stupid? Oh wait ...

The answer, I hope, is obvious … the same people who applaud the ISG’s recommendations for diplomatic discussions with Syria, Iran, and the Palestinians … that’s who.

In a later comment, Wretchard continues:

Everyone wants the fruits of victory, but for political reasons we all we want it on the cheap. And when someone notices us balking at the price, out comes the Promise. "We are gonna solve everything for next to nothing. All you've got to do is leave Iraq, hand over the Golan heights, give the Palestinians a state, let Nasrallah take over Lebanon and we'll get you out of Iraq. Guaranteed. And then you'll be elected in 2008, 2010 and 2012. Just throw a few gomers to the dogs is all." Sounds good. But the catch is it sounds too good.


A lot of people say they got swindled by Bush. Or say Bush got swindled by all these exile groups he believed. They'll say it and walk right into the next scam. If we want something important, it'll cost. Any time you're not prepared to pay is the time to keep your peepers open.

If you’re angry about being “swindled” by Bush, for God’s sake, don’t be swindled all over again by the ISG and the gutless politicians who support it. When something sounds too good to be true, it almost always is.