The Omnipotent Poobah Speaks!: Sneaking in the Back Door of Iraq

Sneaking in the Back Door of Iraq

I'm glad Lt. Dubya is taking advantage of his National Guard flight training. Seeing him supervise the Air Force One crew on approach to Baghdad was almost as stirring a sight as seeing him "land" on an aircraft carrier wearing his best Daddy-Go-to-Photo-Op flight suit.

And how about those photos of White House Disinformation Czar Tony Snow? I'm glad Michael Dukakis didn't ruin the helmet wearing fun for all the pols. Tony - word - get that damn brain-bucket sized, will ya'? From the looks of it, there's enough room for an insurgent to stow away under there.

Operation Snowjob

There lots of buzz about the global photo-op, but it really doesn't amount to much. Daddy Warspendabucks snuck in the back door - uninvited and unannounced - to visit his good friends and close allies, the Iraqis. I'm not sure what the US reaction would be if al-Maliki decided to visit the US in similar fashion, but looking good for the cameras would probably be the least of his worries.

As far as I can tell, the trip was a wash. The folks who think Dub is a grandstanding git got their suspicions reinforced. The dwindling number still supporting the aforementioned git thought it was a stirring display of unity, courage, and a reminder of yet another corner turned in Iraq. The troops either got a day off to go listen to George's wind blow, or worked an extra shift on the Green Zone .50 cal to protect his sorry ass. George's photo-ops always have something for everybody.

While the trip had little real or practical value, it did give Dear Leader an opportunity to talk to his titular allies and what he talked about was telling in a Bushian sort of way.

Amidst all the attaboys and picking of nicknames for his new-found friends - I heard he favors "Cousin Couscous" for al Maliki - he managed to remind the Iraqis and anyone else who would listen that the Mess-in-Potamia was an all Iraqi affair. He pledged undying support or pretty words until the mid-term elections - whichever comes first.

So here it is in a nutshell. The Nutty Cowboy sneaks into your country, shows up on your doorstep unannounced like the family's bad Uncle looking for a loan, and starts telling you that even though he mucked up your country it's absolutely your place to put things right. Then, he claps you on the back, says "Attaboy Couscous" and flies back to Washington.

Yeah, that seems about like his normal diplomacy to me. I don't get what all the hubbub is about.