2010

[Sodas]

PETERSON: We're now ready for questions. Please wait for the microphone, identify yourself, keep your questions to the point, if you would, and try to remember we have only one speaker here, speaker McCain. Our distinguished new head of the Washington office asked me to kick off one or two, senator, and let me try.

Let me give you a hypothetical, senator. What would or should we do if, in the post-June 30th period, a so-called sovereign Iraqi government asks us to leave, even if we are unhappy about the security situation there? I understand it's a hypothetical, but it's at least possible.

McCAIN: Well, if that scenario evolves, then I think it's obvious that we would have to leave because— if it was an elected government of Iraq— and we've been asked to leave other places in the world. If it were an extremist government, then I think we would have other challenges, but I don't see how we could stay when our whole emphasis and policy has been based on turning the Iraqi government over to the Iraqi people.
Let's bring them home already.

http://www.cfr.org/publication/6973/

[tworiverswoman]

a so-called sovereign Iraqi government uhm... what in the blue blazes did THIS mean...?

[Mort]

uhm... what in the blue blazes did THIS mean...?

Probably means that if it is an Iraqi government that has a handle on things, able to handle themselves.

[Sodas]

That was back in '04. That was back when it was only thought of as possible. Now that it's the reality, I think McCain needs to hold to his promise.

[Terez]

Well, let's hope he doesn't have the chance...

[GonzoTheGreat]

uhm... what in the blue blazes did THIS mean...?
Well, suppose that the war had gone the other way, and Saddam had won. Then consider the following:
Iraq would have been in control of US air space, American planes couldn't fly without Iraqi permission.
Iraqi soldiers had the right to question, detain or even kill any American they encountered, only subject to Iraqi military law (assuming their superiors wanted to bother questioning their actions).
Iraqi hired mercenaries had the same rights, only they weren't bound by Iraqi law either when it came to killing (or anything else, for that matter).
The US government that 'ruled' the country was only safe, sort of, in a special compound protected by the Iraqi army.
Iraqi troops could kick in your door whenever they wanted, and if you then were not properly submissive (in their judgement) they could shoot you as an 'insurgent'.

Under those conditions, would you say that the USA had its sovereignity, or do you think that "a so-called sovereign American government" would be a better description?
Please note that I almost certainly have not mentioned all the limitations on what the government of the losers can and cannot do and what it has to accept from the winners.

[irerancincpkc]

Well, let's hope he doesn't have the chance...
Don't worry, he won't. :D

[yks 6nnetu hing]

from Merriam-webster: "one that exercises supreme authority within a limited sphere"

makes the term "sovereign democracy" (with or without the so-called in front) be a complete oxymoron. "sovereign government" though, is better because the word "government" just means the governing body, whether elected, inherited or otherwise come-upon power :) and THAT can easily be of "supreme authority", or, in other words, authoritarian, which brings us to dictatorship and we're right back where we were. :eek:

[Frenzy]

if Bush were to commit to what the Iraqi government wants, that would remove the Iraq war completely from the November election and undercut the democrats. Which they see, since Obama is focused on Afghanistan. Too bad Bush doesn't see it.

[Sodas]

I don't think they have or could ever envision a plan to leave Iraq. To pretend to leave, sure. To always be on the verge of coming home is exactly the world of 1984. And that is exactly what they are selling.

[Yuri33]

Yes, I believe the new 600 million dollar embassy\green zone Bush wants to build in Iraq will be where he puts his summer home :)

[Sodas]

http://s.wsj.net/media/hw_bush_ssh_20080721155138.jpg