A look at things to come

I have been reminded once again that this little blog needs more input. My thoughts and challenges have been focused more on the travesty of Iraq these past months...to the point of neglecting this as well as other pursuits. Those of you who know me in person are also aware of what a bulldog in life I am when I get my dander up over issues. I tend to let all other aspects of my life sit in a holding pattern that better esembles a merry go round than a landing. This trait served me well in many aspects of my professional and personal life but has admittedly had a negative influence on other projects.

So rather than separate this conversation with others... I believe I should include a mix. Plus...since my current addiction to the singular issue of the Iraq War began with our 'Just War Theory' being trampled over on behalf of foolish aspirations of our secular leader...some spiritual lessons will be better served at this site as well.

Today on one of the forums I frequent....Unto The Breach....I decided after months of argument and debate to begin publishing my own conclussions of the ground conditions and political machinations going on there and the region. I believe strongly that when a diversion from justice leads a nation or individual away from sound theological reasoning...then no amount of sugar coating can solve the underlying spiritual rot. Until the sin has been removed completely and matters returned to pre-condition form justice has been toppled and salvation redendered moot. Thus I believe we in America must as soon as feasable remove our forces and influence from Iraq where it has unjustly prosecuted 'our' secular cause... despite the right of these people to determine their own fate. We should have offered up counsel to them even if thought by some they were enemies...as an effort to uplift them towards a humane society.. albeit non-Christian in name or doctrine....but reflecting the same qualities and results.

The following are my current thoughts on Iraq and as noted will be updated as I study the situation in the future. Pray my friends constantly that justice can and will be righted in this war torn region by the grace of our Lord in heaven.
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IRAQ

Recently I began researching the surge and checking out for myself what the numbers have to say. One third of all coalition casualties last month were killed by sophistgated roadside bombs. This is an all time high. 73% of the attacks were carried out by Shite militia which have had no problem obtaining sophisticated explosive devices despite the coalition forces claims that they had success discovering catches of these weapons.

The surge has concentrated on Sunni militants and in particular al Qaeda. One of the principle aims we were told was that the military surge would deal with the Shite militia which often is in collusion with government forces. These are the same groups running the death squads that have resulted in an increase of civilian casualties recently.

Since deaths of coalition forces and civilians are up and can be attributed to the increased lethal affects of the sophisticated weapons, and their use by Shites how can anybody claim that the surge is affective in this important arena. Certainly the dead soldiers would not make such a claim or their comrades who witness the destruction rendered by government backed Shite militias. I'm happy that al Qaeda has been somewhat dealt with but the real issue in Iraq is the Shite majority and their militias.

It was reported today that Maliki is in Iran and has been seen holding hands with the Iranian leader. He issued a statement in favor of the support Iran has been giving Iraq as it goes forward. To me this means that Maliki and his Shite allies both within and outside of Iraq are happy that the Sunni's are being dealt with and that their role is being diminished in Iraq's society by lethal means. They are content to have the minority Sunni's segregated off into neighborhoods and or sent running into refugee status by the millions.

Interestly too is the fact that the Pakistan President claims that Iran has been a positive force too in the region. Of course our President questioned the Pakistan President on this point and now says he will do the same when he next talks with Maliki. I wonder who the free Iraqi people should follow on this issue...the opinion of their elected president or ours?

It has been also reported that our Vice President has been busy trying to get us to attack sites with Iran despite Sec. Rice and Gates objections to the contrary. It seems we use a 400 mile stretch of road adjacent to the Iran border for supplying our civilian and military folks in Iraq. One can assume that this stretch would get pretty hazerdous if we shoot a few missles into Iran. It also just might affect any progress going on with nuclear talks. Just when we open up diolog with Iran after 30 years, Dick Cheney decides we should attack them. What is even more puzzling is the claim by him and the President that they are in lockstep with the question of Iran. Why the President hasn't sent Dick off on a few bridge opening cerimonies is beyond me. After getting rid of Rumsfeld's influence he still clings to this war monger for advice. Oh well.

Oh and one final point. It seems that the Iraqi's both officially and individually are in opposition to the American fronted oil law that was recently kicked around. Yes....it appears that we have but our strategic interests [code named big oil companies] ahead of what the Iraqi people want as far as the future of their oil reserves. I suspect this point alone will lead to an American backed change in Iraqi leadership. We shall see how this pans out over the next three months.

By next week there should be some more facts gleams and I will add to this report at that time.