Jay began writing politically themed commentary and founded his blog, Swimming Freestyle, in October 2007. Here he'll write about politics from a progressive perspective.

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Iraqis Say "Thanks, But No Thanks"

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June 12, 10:14 PM

by Jay McDonough, Progressive Politics Examiner

The Iraqi Parliament has rejected the Bush Administration's proposed status of force agreement. The proposal reportedly included up to 60 U.S. bases and would allow the U.S. free, unfettered access to Iraqi airspace and unilateral authority to determine threats to Iraqi security. In other words, indefinite free reign in Iraq for U.S. forces.

New U.S. proposals have failed to overcome Iraqi opposition to a proposed security pact, two lawmakers said Thursday, and a senior government official expressed doubt an agreement could be reached before the U.S. presidential election in November.

U.S. negotiators offered new proposals this week after Iraqi lawmakers expressed outrage over the direction of the negotiations, claiming that accepting the U.S. position would cement American military, political and economic domination of this country.

He said Iraqis were disappointed that the Americans were not offering a firm commitment to defend the country from foreign invasion _ a move that would require U.S. Senate ratification. (Link)

As the details of the U.S. proposal have dribbled out over the last couple weeks, it's become increasingly apparent this status of force agreement has very little to do with Iraq and everything to do with Iran. Given the Bush Administration's reluctance to provide Iraq assurances it would protect Iraq from invasion, one can't help but wonder if the U.S. presence is, best case, a safeguard against Iranian influence in Iraq or, worse case, the establishment of a giant launching pad for a potential attack on Iran.

It seems the Iraqi Parliament has the same concerns and has every intention of slow-walking the negotiations until President Bush is out of the picture.

Topics: Bush , Iran , Iraq , Status of Force Agreement

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A PIcture for the Day

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October 7, 5:50 PM

An ultra-Orthodox Jew prayed at the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City, before the start the holiday of Rosh Hashana. Jews will mark the two-day holiday of Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, at sundown on Monday. (Photo: Bernat Armangue/Associated... Read More
Topics: A Picture for the Day

Mail Goggles

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October 7, 4:26 PM

An advancement rivaling sliced bread:As mornings after go, there are few combinations more deadly than a computer, too much alcohol and a seething sense of indignation.But there could soon be a solution for people who cannot resist sending an ill-conceived... Read More

Why the Ayers attack won't work

2 comments

October 7, 3:58 PM

Given the energy the McCain/Palin camp is putting into linking Barack Obama and William Ayers, they clearly view it as their last hope to make up support they've lost as a result of a couple crappy debate performances and an economy that is teetering... Read More
Topics: Obama , McCain , Ayers

Shameful outbursts now common at McCain/Palin rallies

16 comments

October 7, 1:24 PM

Partisan loyalty is normal. Folks don't typically go to campaign rallies unless they support the candidate and some will, obviously, have extreme loyalty to that candidate. But at what point does that partisan loyalty become a blinding... Read More
Topics: Republicans , McCain , Palin

Afghanistan government in peace talks with Taliban

1 comment

October 7, 12:39 PM

The other day I posted an update on the war in Afghanistan, now being characterized as "grim" by an unreleased National Intelligence Estimate. Included in the post were comments by NATO commander, Gen. David McKiernan, suggesting a longer... Read More
Topics: Afghanistan , Taliban

Veterans group gives McCain a "D"

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October 7, 9:44 AM

Despite John McCain's efforts to claim he's is a friend of veterans, there's ample proof otherwise. During the recent presidential debate, Senator McCain once again claimed his support among veterans groups:“I’ll take care of them.... Read More
Topics: McCain , Veterans , IAVA

A Picture for the Day

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October 6, 5:52 PM

Indian men watched a large screen displaying India's benchmark share index on the facade of the Bombay Stock Exchange building in Mumbai, formerly Bombay. India's main index tumbled nearly 6 percent to its lowest close in more than two years as a looming... Read More
Topics: A Picture for the Day

One more thing about the bailout.....

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October 6, 5:45 PM

About all that righteous indignation that the government took taxpayer dollars to bail out Wall Street? It ain't so. In fact, we should probably wish it were so. In fact, the U.S. will borrow that $700B from China mostly. We are... Read More
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It continues to be all about credit

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October 6, 5:25 PM

Anyone else get a knot in their stomach watching the stock market today? The Dow was down 800 points during the day, eventually closing down nearly 370 points. Anyone hoping the market would respond favorably to the TARP (Troubled Asset Relief... Read More
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