corrente

Juan Cole reminds us of something all too readily forgotten:

Sharon has done nothing for the US effort in Iraq. Has Israel offered any monetary aid to the US for the effort? The Israeli per capita income, at $17,000 a year, is higher than that of Spain, but the Spanish managed to contribute. Actually what I remember is that when the Israelis heard there was going to be a war, they came trooping to Washington with their hands out, asking for an extra $4 billion. Yes, folks, the US taxpayer was asked to fork over $4 billion to Ariel Sharon. Why? Because US men and women from Nebraska and Missouri and the other states were being put in harm's way in part to protect Israeli interests in the Middle East? We had to tax ourselves for the privilege of contributing to Israeli security?

(via Juan Cole)

A colleague at work today asked, "When was the last time there was a discussion about the policies that got us attacked?" Indeed. Even less-asked than questions about Administration competence, are those about the state that, at least as much as any other, is responsible for the violence that's engulfing Middle East today. Maybe after we get the Mayberry Machiavellis out of the White House, something can be done about the other gang of criminals that are robbing us of blood and treasure.