planet earth looks blue

While waiting in line at a police recruitment center nearly 30 people were killed, and 57 injured when a suicide bomber crashed into the group on his motorcycle.  The same building has been under attack before; last December, 15 were killed and 45 injured from two bombs within the building, in 2005, 40 people were killed by two female suicide bombers.  The building is protected, by concrete blocks and checkpoints.  Although it is my understanding that the US military is there to support and train these people, they themselves were wise enough not to hang around this marked building and protect the recruits.

Reports of violence in Iraq are down, but death continues to be a part of everyday life.  Major General David Perkins, a military spokesman commented on the attack, saying that this is normal, an indicator that they feel threatened, “They want very much to maintain relevance.”  So when American troops leave Iraq their extremist ways will become irrelevant?  They would never have existed in the first place if it wasn’t for the false preemptive actions of the United States?  Interesting concept Major General.  Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.

Following this fundamental law of the universe, what will be the reaction to US troop withdrawal?  I suppose the answer lies in what exactly they are doing their right now - a question that could only be answered by the Iraqi people.  Anyone who learns of an interview, I’d love to hear it.

Will Al-Qaeda lose financial backing and support, and eventually dwindle away without a clear force to oppose?  Will there be a civil war, a Sunni genocide as the Shia majority takes its revenge without the stabilizing effect of the US?  Will Iraq use its resources and become a sustainable, peaceful country after years of dictatorship sandwiched between US and British occupation?  And is the US stabilizing the country at all right now, or is their agenda a little more complicated?  While these questions unfold, the people of Iraq are waiting.