Fox's Gibson: U.S. invasion "unmasked" Iraqis as "knuckle-dragging savages from the 10th century"
On the April 23 broadcast of his Fox News Radio show, John Gibson argued that the Iraqi people -- whom he described as "knuckle-dragging savages from the 10th century" -- are at "fault" for the situation in Iraq. While discussing Iraq, Gibson said: "The one thing that drives me up the wall is [people] saying, 'Look at all the deaths you Americans have caused in Iraq.' No! 'Scuse me? We invaded the place, we knocked over Saddam, and then Iraqis began killing each other." Later in the show, Gibson agreed with a caller that the Coalition Provisional Authority's 2003 decision to purge the civil service of all former members of Saddam Hussein's Baath Party and disband the Iraqi army "was a mistake." Gibson then stated: "[B]ut who is doing this killing? Give me a break. These are Iraqis killing each other. So what did we do? If you're saying it's our fault that we unmasked them as knuckle-dragging savages from the 10th century -- fine! I'll take credit."
Gibson made his comments while criticizing Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's (D-NV) April 19 statement that "[t]his war is lost." (Reid went on to say that "the war, at this stage, can only be won diplomatically, politically, and economically.") Gibson was asking listeners to call in and help "expand my vocabulary of nasty things I can characterize Harry Reid as."
From the April 23 broadcast of Fox News Radio's The John Gibson Show:
GIBSON: Harry Reid, help me with my vocabulary. [Caller] in Cleveland. [Caller], you're on the air.
CALLER 1: Hey, how are ya?
GIBSON: Dandy. I'm looking to expand my vocabulary of nasty things I can characterize Harry Reid as. Are you here to help me?
CALLER 1: Yeah, he's a punk.
GIBSON: Ehh -- four letter words, [caller], are a little on the funky side.
CALLER 1: Well, you know, I -- the one thing I can say is that I supported this war from the beginning and I --
GIBSON: Me, too.
CALLER 1: -- I really thought -- I really, about six months ago or so, I started saying, "It's unwinnable," and I, you know, I just figure, well, maybe we ought to start pulling out, but you have to, right now, say, they're doing this surge, I don't know if it's going to work or not, I'm not a military tech, you know, person --
GIBSON: [Caller], let me just tell you. This is the real deal: If this war is lost, it's Iraqis who lost it. The one thing that drives me up the wall is saying, "Look at all the deaths you Americans have caused in Iraq."
No! 'Scuse me?
We invaded the place, we knocked over Saddam, and then Iraqis began killing each other. They didn't go to the U.S. commander and say, "Pretty please, may I go kill some Sunnis?" "Your commandership, sir, may I go kill some Shia?"
No. They just went on a killing spree of their own and it's not our fault. And the war is lost --
REID [audio clip]: This war is lost.
GIBSON: -- are contemptible words. Contemptible. You got a new word? [phone number]. I need more words. Gibson on Fox.
[...]
GIBSON: [Caller] in Kentucky.
CALLER 2: Look, Harry Reid's a buffoon, but I think you're being a bit disingenuous --
GIBSON: All right.
CALLER 2: -- when you say that we're not responsible for the chaos in Iraq. I mean, who was it that disbanded their security forces and left that country in an unstable state?
GIBSON: Look, good point. The Bremer period is going to take the fall on the Iraq story -- dismantling the Baathist organization, not letting anybody who was a Baathist run the electric system or the sewage system or the garbage pickup or any of that stuff. They're going to take the hit on it. And the Bremer period where they disbanded the army, that's going to take the hit on it -- I guarantee you.
But, and that's a mistake, I agree that was a mistake, but who is doing this killing? Give me a break. These are Iraqis killing each other. So what did we do? If you're saying it's our fault that we unmasked them as knuckle-dragging savages from the 10th century -- fine! I'll take credit. But thanks -- but thanks for the observation, [Caller].
I guess Gibson wouldn't press charges against the arsonist who simply exposed the fact that Gibson's house was constructed largely of flammable materials.
and would pay the bill from the arsonist for the service of determining that...
Hunt,
Interesting analogy......
I wonder, who, outside of Fox Noise and those that watch it and the those killers of American ideals and those pesky 10th century Iraqi's, who really even believe's that these clowns have any credibility, if they ever did?
In the simple mind of those so-called 'compassionate conservatives' it certainly is easier to claim that the killing of tens of thousands of 10th century savages is easier to accept than say......
Killing people that live in the 21st century even if their collective way of life isn't up to par with most of civilization......
The end result is still the same!
"Give me a break. These are Iraqis killing each other."
Hmmmm.... I wonder if Chuckles has ever heard of the American Civil War. Nahhh...silly question.
Gee, you'd almost think it was a HUGE EFFING MISTAKE to invade Iraq! Who'da thunkit? I bet Gibson gets a big, fat Thank You from the righties when it turns out he was correct all along!
Ok, so is he saying that the goal was not to root out Saddam's WMDs or to liberate the innocent Iraqi civilians or even to appropriate their vast oil reserves ... but rather to show that the Iraqis are "savages" ?
Many are ignorant. It takes a special quality to be PROUD of that ignorance, to revel in it. Gibson has those qualities, and that then calls into issue the standards FOX has for their "commentators".
As for Gibson, his description of Iraqis is a perfect example of "PROJECTION", a favorite tactic of the rightwing 10th Century knuckle dragging savages.
Well, it takes a knuckle dragger to know a knuckle dragger.
I don't recall all these "primitive" Iraqi's begging to be invaded and have their country turned inside out back in 2003. I also don't remember any mass movement of Iraqi's requesting foreign troops in their country back then either.
I do recall A general who recomended a much larger invasion force being marginalized before the invasion. I also remember the guy in charge of the invasion saying "stuff happens" and doing little more when general lawlessness began.
It feels good to know that it is all their fault, doesn't it Mr. Gibson.
Gibson has the perfect right to publicly say stupid things under the protection of the first ammendment. I am guessing he glued his toupee on too tight.
WOLF: A correction:
"Gibson has the perfect right to publicly say stupid things under the protection of the first ammendment" ... ON A STREETCORNER.
On the PUBLIC AIRWAVES, the PUBLIC has the perfect right to demand that certain standards of accuracy, truthfulness, or barring that, BALANCE and FAIRNESS be followed.
Understand this: Being ON THE RADIO is NOT a "First Amendment RIGHT" ... or else EVERY AMERICAN CITIZEN could demand to be on the radio, as much as Limbaugh or Hannity are on the radio. Being on the Radio is a decision made my ownership of the Radio stations, and those owners should be made to adhere to a balance of ideas or else LOSE their license to broadcast. Theirs is a PRIVILEGE granted them BY THE PEOPLE, and it can be removed if abused.
RADIO BROADCAST is NOT a First Amendment issue, it is a PROPERTY OWNERSHIP issue. Like a Public Park. Gibson is of course free to go to a public park. But if Gibson and Hannity and Limbaugh stake out a public park, and REFUSE to allow any "liberals" to enter the park, THAT IS NOT ALLOWABLE. It's not THEIR park, it belongs to ALL the people.
So, Rightwingers, get your arguments correct.
Gibson must be so proud of the journalists who unmasked the knuckle-dragging savages laughing and pointing in those Abu Ghraib photos.
After the fall of the Ottoman Empire it was the colonial powers that created the boundary around three autonomous tribe. The tribes had nothing to do with the creation of Iraq.
The Baath Party is a legitimate party created in 1946. Bush created the de-Baathification policy. Bush angered 3 million members of the Baath Party by taking away democracy.
When the Shah was in power the United States and Iran carried out a project to turn the Kurds against the Baaths. When the United States and Iran were done using the Kurds they left the Kurds to suffer under the mercy of the Baaths.
This blame the Iraq game is typical of the war cheerleaders. Pontious Pilate understands.
"knuckle-dragging savages from the 10th century"
I think that describes the average dittohead or Faux News viewer.....
And here they are!
http://www.stephaniemiller.com/imagefull.php?ImageId=681&TabId=8&entrant=1
OK, posted it on two threads. Sue me if it's too much for you! ;)
Lol.
I also liked "No, you can't have all three branches of government"
"...we unmasked them as knuckle-dragging savages from the 10th century..."
If true, then what's the point of continuing to expend American lives in defense of "knuckle-dragging savagaes from the 10th century"? And, once again, it renders confusing the question of who is the enemy we are fighting. AlQaeda? Sunni insurgents? Sunni insurgents allied with AlQaeda? Shia militia? Shia militia aligned with AlQaeda? Perhaps we need a 10th century scorecard to sort it out... either that or start letting the Iraqis find thier own political solutions. What's the risk? Irqis killing each other en masse/ They're already doing that...
There's nothing that says we can't pull back, yet still maintain a nearby presence if needed to protect our own security interests at home. Pulling back may also encourage other nations, both in Europe and in the Middle East, to protect their own and world-wide interests by participating in keeping peace and brokering political solutions.
All options are bad; all options will be bloody. But why should that blood continue to be American if all we're doing is futiley attempting to establish freedom for 10th century savages who don't appreciate the concept?
But why then denounce Harry Reid...? Makes no sense... just like the reasons for going to war in the first place.
Short answer, Irony- They may be 10th Century knuckle-draggers, but they're 10th Century knuckle-draggers who haven't been saved !
Since the right wingers are so protective of our beloved American troops, and so vitriolic about the alleged 10 to 20 million illegal aliens in America, I'm surprised they haven't suggested sending our illegals (at minimum wage, of course) to do the dirty work of saving the 10th century savage Iraqis. ;>)
"These are Iraqis killing each other."
Wait...I'm confused. Haven't the NeoClowns been insisting all along that the violence was due to "foreign fighters"?
Good point!
But, now you have me confused as well!
WOW, good question.
Let's see, if you have a power structure...then you create a major vacuum in that structure...in a country with different sects that have been in conflict for ages...hmm. You know, it might not be too surprising that those sects might fight over the power vacuum.
Up next, Gibson expresses great surprise that someone was mugged for some greenish pieces of paper in his wallet. What's up with that?
I just love this snivelling from neandrethals like Gibson that its the IRAQI's fault that OUR invasion of THEIR country didnt go the way WE planned.
The rightwingers are just completely schizophrenic. Yesterday they were saying that we're there for purposes of national seurity, not to stabilize the region. Today they that if we end the occupation chaos and bloodshed will engulf Iraq. Tomorrow they're going to tell us the left lost the 'war.'
Who cares, right? Iraqi's are just 10th century knuckle draggers.
Gibson is a punk.
Is this to become a recurrent theme in the spiels of the Righty liars? I saw a similar expression recently from someone else among the braindead . . . was it SavageLies . . . or LimbaughLiar . . . or . . .
I'm just sitting here shaking my head. I can't believe the United States of America has spent 5 years and hundreds of billions of dollars trying to win a conflict against Knuckle Draggers. Mouth Breathers or Lowbrows I could understand. But knuckle draggers?
I can certainly understand why Gibson is ashamed to be an American right now.
I bet Gibson once watched Walter Cronkite and said, "One day, I want to be exactly NOT like him."
Wish granted.
good one Holly.
Gibson: the Anti-Kronkite!
History has shown that civil wars are not picnics. Hundreds of thousands of people died when 'knuckle-dragging, 10th-century savages', as Gibson calls them, from the Union and the Confederacy locked horns in the 1860's.
"They didn't go to the U.S. commander and say, 'Pretty please, may I go kill some Sunnis?" "Your commandership, sir, may I go kill some Shia?'"
Gibson's right on this point. What they did ask U.S. military officers were questions like, "Hey, I can get you 10,000 Iraqi military police in a couple days, you interested?" But thanks to Bremmer and the wonderul decision making of the CPA, these Iraqi soldiers had their offers refused, and they found themselves out of a job and unable to support themselves or their families. So what happens when a foreign force invades and takes away your livelyhood?
"No. They just went on a killing spree of their own and it's not our fault."
Gibson is dead freakin' wrong on this point. We have poor planning and poor execution of the invasion and occupation to thank for this. Weapons were not secured, Iraqi soldiers lost their jobs, and we didn't have nearly enough soldiers to provide security and impose our will on a country this size with sects who were kept at relative peace only by the iron fist of Hussein.
"...knuckle-dragging savages from the 10th century"
Pot.
Kettle.
Black.
If the Iraqis are "knuckle-dragging savages," they are still defeating the most powerful military on Earth. So what does that say about the US?
This is an awesome observation !!!! You really must send that directly to Gibson.
I must take exception. They're not defeating us soldiers. Tactically, we beat them at almost every turn. They spend a considerable amount of time defeating us strategically, by blowing up their neighbors.
Seriously, it's what loses the concentration of moderates, when we start saying things that demean the troops.
Gibson is still a putz, lest we not forget the topic at hand, but please don't counter at the expense of us troopies.
Gibson's ignorance is even worse than his physical appearance. 10th century Islamic culture is where we get Algebra and Astronomy from, its where the Classics of the Ancient world were preserved, and its where Jews persecuted by Christians were able to find refuge.
The real knuckle draggers of the 10th century were European Christians (from which Gibson descends, I assume). When the Reconquista occured in Moorish Spain, the Castillian monarchs closed 700 bath houses in Cordoba alone! Gibson's ancestors didn't even practice rudimentary hygiene! The reason there is so much pork in Spanish cuisine was a test of faith for forcibly converted Jews and Muslims. At a time when Baghdad boasted some of the greatest Universities and Scholars in the world, European Christians couldn't read or write or do higher arithmetic, and had no idea what Thucydides, Aristotle or Socrates wrote.
When Mahatma Ghandi was once asked what he though of Western Civilization he responded, "I think it would be a pretty good idea."
As liberals, progressive, or whatever we want to call ourselves, we all really truly need to take a long hard look in the mirror and say to ourselves, and I'm just as guilty, why is this man still on the air, where is the outrage against the sponsors, and Imus is no longer. Is it acceptable to us that he say this about the Iraquis but not acceptable that Imus said what he did? Neither is acceptable, so why isn't there an organized effort directed precisely at Mr. Gibson's comment? We really, truly, should be ashamed of ourselves that no one is out marching and protesting against this vile vile speech. It's not fair. Are Iraqui's not human? Where my friends is the organized outrage?
You throw the first rock, man...
Right you are, but it take's someone to throw the first rock.
I just emailed the Iraqi American National Network, sending them the link to the MMFA article. I suggested that Gibson's comment is far worse than Imus' ... at least Imus was denegrating just a small group of women, Gibson is denegrating all of the citizens of an entire country. I'm searching for other related organizations.
Atheist, don't you wish that Gibson were a Christian? If he were, he'd withhold judgment, as the Bible demands. He'd love all Iraqis as he loves himself, as Jesus decreed. Atheist, you're an atheist and you seem a fine chap. So, Gibson isn't a Christian and he isn't an atheist. Otherwise, he'd be a fine chap like you. Maybe he worships Zeus. Probably Mars, given his propensity for verbal violence.
Isn't MMFA pointing out this so people know why this particular "knuckle dragger" shouldn't be on the air. His comment not only demeans the Iraqi peopl, but the troops over there risking there lives to protect them. I don't draw the line at Gibson though, I am outraged at Faux on daily basis. I thank God MMFA is here so I am aware of the crap that goes on from People like Gibson.
The reason no one is protesting and marching in the streets is because when they did on numerous occasions, esp the Republican national convention and several against the war, the Corporate media either ignored it entirely, blacking out the coverage, or they would seize on one image or footage of someone burning an effigy and identify everyone there as disaffected youth rioting and having a party or worse. That is the reason for this site and others. Until the Corporate media is changed, there is no point in protest marches. The reason Imus was fired was due to a concerted effort first began by the national association of black broadcasters and then taken up by Sharpton and Jackson. This generated coverage. However, Imus leaned against the administration and so the Corporate media allowed the coverage to snowball. It would not allow coverage of protests against a right wing broadcast. It is the Propoganda Machine of Manufactured Consent. Protesting accomplishes nothing without fair media coverage. In any event, there is so much to protest in this administration, they have perfected the perfect scandal storm whereby there are so many scandals and impeachable events occuring simultaneously the public loses interest through fatigue.
You may be onto something here.
As a German dictator once said (parphrase): It's easier to get people to believe one huge lie than a small ones"
I guess the same goes for numbers. I often get that feeling when debating cons: There's just so much stuff out there, it would take years. In the meantime, they argue every single tidbit, essentially scuttling the argument. And the next time, it's like they start on a blank sheet, previous accusations (or how close they came to being proven) forgotten.
I don't agree-6 or 7 people sitting at a lunch counter in Mississippi changed the world. However, I do agree that the population of the U.S. is being subtlely but significantly repressed day after day and that no one can protest without fear of arrest anymore. But you know, first they came for the gypsies, but I wasn't a gypsy, then they came.....
Now I know why this guy was fired from I believe NBC a long time ago. They noticed his early stage dementia.
A person could make a fortune analyzing the narcisstic psychoitcs on Faux
Well, if the shoe fits wear it. The fact of the matter is that in the majority of the middle eastern countries there is no freedom of religion, just ask the Afghani christian who had to flee to Italy so he would not be executed. Homosexuals are stoned, not on marijuana but actual rocks. Women have next to zero rights. Jewish travelers are not even allowed to enter many countries over there. Yep, I'd say knuckle-dragging savages fits.
Ok, so your saying the way to win the hearts and minds of the people of iraq and address all those issues you cited above is by calling them knuckle-dragging savages? Rightwing logic (or should I say ILLOGIC) at its finest. Ever wonder why we're losing the PR and political war in Iraq? Its commentators like Gibson and his ilk that further flame and infuriate the very same people we are trying to supposedly save.
All I'm saying is that he was correct in the summation that the majority of inhabitants of the middle east are in fact caught somewhere in the past. If it looks and sounds like a duck, it must be one right? I agree that he probably won't win any friends in that part of the world but he's not a diplomat. He just called it as he sees it and in this case he's dead on.
Thats your opinion of the Iraqi people? OK. WOW... I can almost guarantee that you or Gibson or any of your ilk actually know anything about middle eastern history or politics. Hey your entitled to your ignorant opinion. Gibson doesn't think that his little statement won't be seen by some Iraqis getting US propaganda cable signals shoved down their throats. Nahhhhh. Won't inflame anyone. Gibson may well be directly responsible for the deaths of more american soldiers with this one little gem. Thats just my humble opinion.
Thats your opinion of the Iraqi people? OK. WOW... I can almost guarantee that you or Gibson or any of your ilk actually know anything about middle eastern history or politics. - dtrain
Well I guess it's true then...ignorance IS bliss. How, may I ask can you honestly insist that roughly that entire region is not still in the middle ages when it comes to the civil rights of it's citizens? Keep spouting rhetoric while the facts keep piling up around you that these people are living in an oppressive theocratic state. You failed to address the facts that the horrible state of women, homosexuals, jews, non-arabs, christians, etc. marks these people as complete and total savages. But by all means, try wearing a cross in Terhan...I'm sure you'd last about 30 seconds. It's really amazing that you just don't want to believe that evil exists even when it's staring you in the face.
Is that the entire middle east and every last person living there?
I'm glad you enjoy and approve of infamitory garbage that passes for news.
Its absolute ignorance. You are pretending that Iraq was Afghanistan. Iraq DID have religious freedom. Tariq Aziz one of the most powerful members of the Baath party was a Chaldean Christian. Iraq had women doctors, women college professors. The entire Iraqi contingent to an Arab human rights conference were made up of women. The first Iraqi woman judge was sworn in, in 1959. Iraq had plenty of horrific things they can legitimatly be criticised for THIS is not one of them.
No, he's not dead on.
But he should be consistent. he should continue this line of thinking by saying that since it's his opinion that the people Americans are over there dying for are "knuckle-dragging savages from the 10th century", that it's also his opinion that we should get the hell out of Iraq TODAY. See if he has the courage to stand up to his employer who has been selling this war to our own "knuckle-dragging savages".
...knuckle-dragging savages from the 10th century?
In America we call these Republicans Right Wingers and Fox News People.
I just can not believe what I hear coming from the Fox Noise Channel. I really think that some time in the middle of 2002, Bush and Company, Bush and his supporters, took some magic pill and left reality for some dream state that they control. It just makes me sick.
Gibson, you are a fool, a poor knuckle dragging fool...
Just some thoughts...
"KNUCKLE-DRAGGING SAVAGES FROM THE 10TH CENTURY"
I'd greenlight it.
And people wonder why the Arab world doesn't like America much.
". . .government is instituted for the protection, safety, and happiness of the people, and not for profit, honour, or private interest of any man, family, or class of men. . .the origin of all power is in the people, and they have an incontestable right to check the creatures of their own creation, vested with certain powers to guard the life, liberty and property of the community. . ." Mercy Otis warren 1728-1814, poet, historian, patriot, and advocate of the Bill of Rights
E
vangelical Christians, Israeli operatives and republican political consultants share a belief in the Judean Christian Christianity. Yet God did not build walls. God created men and women of the earth to be free and to populate the earth. Nothing was mentioned in the Bible that placed one race above another. God did not order men to go out and to build weapons, security devices, blockades, to imprison their brothers and sisters. That is US/Israeli demokhracy. That is not us. God did not intend for men to profit from war or to torture and abuse detainees into submitting forced "confessions". That is US/Israeli demokhracy. That is not us.
W
alls are weapons meant to create division and create hostility and fear among the Shia and Sunnis who have lived together for centuries. The question is who wants that kind of division and for what purpose? Gunning down innocent young children and turning their parents into maniacal grief stricken killers of their neighbors, is "bloodletting cleansing" for a people crazed by a pathological sickness known as "US/Israeli demokhracy" and foisted upon Iraqis against their will.
H
ow can Evangelical Christians, Israeli operatives and Republican political consultants profess to the adherence of the Judean Christianity principles that spill blood across the globe? Is it ethical and moral to fight a war of oppression in the nation of Iraq based upon fear mongering and agitation? Would Jesus have approved of this? What about killing and maiming the enemy, and then rushing in to save his soul? Is that moral? Do you think that Muslims are going to rush into your arms and say "Bless Me Jesus For We Are Sinners?" I'm thinking that Muslims will tell you to take your US/Israeli Demokhracy and go to hell! I think that Jesus would agree with them.
<!-- END MAIN APPLICATION CONTENT -->When I hear these demagogues, I always recall that they call themselves Christians. They're the self-proclaimed values pundits. They're also pro-torture, pro-war, pro-proligate consumption of oil, pro-revenge, and so on. But hey, at the end of the year, if they get to say, "Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas," at Wal-Mart, and if they get to post, "Thou Shalt Not Kill," that marks them, by their standards, as followers of the Prince of Peace.
hypocrisy, religious fanaticism, arrogance, hubris, demagoguery AND ignorance combined into one party philsophy. Still never ceases to amaze me how far these people will go.
for the ones who coldy, methodically decapitate an innocent person in the name of faith, I think the description fits...
You should review some of the statements made by some American snipers who have really enjoyed shooting dead ANY Iraqi caught in the "kill zone" sights. War is all Hell, and what George Bush and his Neo-Con handlers have accomplished is to open those doors of Hell. So the barbarism of the Iraqis (after endless warfare 12 years of economic starvation and a brutal invasion) is matched only by that of the American presidency of George Walker Bush, a true mass murderer.
Does anyone else think Gibson looks like a knuckle-dragging bloated whore from the 21st. Century?
Another pearl of Wisdom from a knuckle-dragging bloated sellout of the 21st. Century.
The term "whore" was unfair and too vulgar. Apologies.
You expect the whores you were comparing to Gibson to just accept your apology? No, there's been far too much damage done to the honor of prostitutes to let this slide.
What Gibson is missing is how we dropped the inititive for security in the very begining because we followed Rumsfeld's policy of fewer boots on the ground. If we would have followed the policies of the Generals they fired for not agreeing we could have been out of there in a year or two if we secured the weapons cache that the locals ran away with and only completed a partial debaathification to assist with the security.
"knuckle-dragging savages from the 10th century"
Did the image/ghost of Imus enter Gibson's body thru radio assmosis???....real manly thing to do--pick on a group of people you know the country won't amp up a firing over.....
....shock radio is alive & well at FAUX & on the airwaves.
I find Gibson's comments ironic especially considering Iraq was the most secular and modern Arab country in the region under Sadaam Hussein.
It was the U.S. invasion that turned back time and caused Iraq to cave in. We didn't unmask them. We drove them to it. There's a big difference.
Every time John Gibson opens his mouth, an embarrassingly crass remark shoots forth. He's either delusional, or off his meds. But hey, dems gain more votes with each episode!
Gibson condemns Iraqis as knuckle-dragging savages for the sectarian violence there, but he once publicly wished that Paris would be bombed by terrorists to teach the French a lesson, so I'd assert that puts him in their camp as a terrorist enabler. Of course what more can one expect from someone so divorced from reality that he believes that there is a massive War on Christmas underway?
On a more serious note, it's easy to concentrate on the violence carried out by the insurgents because US violence in Iraq is under-reported in the American press. Buildings, indeed entire neighborhoods or cities, that house insurgents are targeted for airstrikes, massive retaliation or are flattened outright. After Blackwater "contrators" were killed in Fallujah the subsequent US military action destroyed between 1/4 to 3/4 of the houses (depending on whose estimates you consult) in the city. Tack this on top of the fact that we are there in the first place because we launched an aggressive war against a country that didn't threaten us and Gibson's tirade about how it is the Iraqis who are the savages rings more than a little hollow. Lastly, Gibson's blaming what went wrong on Bremer misses the point. Bremer was a Bush appointee, so it is Gibson's beloved president who must share the culpability for disbanding the Iraqi army and social infrastructure.
Well, this is not true. George Sr. , who apparently did not pass on much in the way of intelligence to at least one of his sons, had the good sense to hire really really smart capable people, listen too and follow their advice. As you can see in this article, every one knew that recent events and past history warned what a huge mistake it would be to occupy Iraq.
http://www.thememoryhole.org/mil/bushsr-iraq.htm
It seems obvious to me that only a fool on a fools errand would ignore the sage advice of his father.
But to point out the relevance to this thread: Whatever you want to call the deep seated sectarian divisions in the Muslim world, they were well known long before the current invasion and occupation. Thus proving that this Gibson fella is a weak minded charlatan.
How many Cruise Missiles in addition to the 6,000 we launched into the city of Baghdad (pop 12 mil) did the Iraqis launch? How many tons of Depleted Uranium did the Iraqis use to poison themselves in addition to the 2,200 tons our military has used? A nation of 52% children and 50%+ of woman with less than 20% of water, sewage and electric facilities available at any given time are a threat to whom? Hoodlums and thugs are allowed to run in the streets freely so that we can have an enemy and a just cause. If we had spent the third of trillion dollars thus spent militarily on Medical help, the Iraqi infrastructure, and education, the Iraqi people, the people of the Middle East and the World would be far better off today. It’s interesting how we can always find unfathomable amounts money for the Corporations of War but can offer only a pittance for the health and welfare of those in need. As far as Mr. Gibson is concerned, it proves the point that a formal education for the brain dead is such a waste, likewise the heads of those who employ him never see the light of day.