Juan Cole - 10/07/05

Arguing with Bush and the GWOT

Bush articulated his War on Terror yet again on Thursday. But I think the American public has heard all this over and over again and it is increasingly just not convinced.

It is time for another installment of the ever-popular "Arguing with Bush" series.

Bush, predictably, began with September 11:

"Recently our country observed the fourth anniversary of a great evil, and looked back on a great turning point in our history. We still remember a proud city covered in smoke and ashes, a fire across the Potomac, and passengers who spent their final moments on Earth fighting the enemy. We still remember the men who rejoiced in every death, and Americans in uniform rising to duty. And we remember the calling that came to us on that day, and continues to this hour: We will confront this mortal danger to all humanity. We will not tire, or rest, until the war on terror is won."

21 Killed around Baghdad
Jaafari denies Allegations against Iran

Guerrilla violence killed 21 persons, including a US soldier, around Baghdad on Thursday.

Reuters reports the following violence outside Baghdad:
' KIRKUK - Gunmen shot dead five Oil Ministry security guards and wounded another three as they were driving to the northern city of Kirkuk, 250 km (155 miles) north of Baghdad. Lieutenant Jawaad Abdullah said they were shot in the town of Uthaim, south of Kirkuk.

MOSUL - Gunmen killed Salem Ayoub Sillo, a local prison chief, and his driver in the northern Noor district of Mosul, a police source said.

Guest Editorial: Arato on Iraqi Constitution

If I Were an Iraqi…….

Andrew Arato, New School University

' Had I been A French citizen during the referendum on the European Constitutional Treaty in May I would have voted Yes. I admit, the making of that Constitution through the European Convention and the subsequent Inter Governmental Conference had serious democratic procedural deficits.