PolitiPorn™

Five whole years, hard to believe it’s been that long since “Shock & Awe.”  You do remember “Shock & Awe” don’t you?  What about embedded reporters and that crappy video footage?  Whether you do or don’t, Bush’s Folly has really provided some entertainment along the way.  We here at the PolitiPorn Editorial Board thought that our readers would enjoy, or at least tolerate, a little trip down Memory Lane.  I promise, all the IEDs have been removed from Memory Ln. so fear not but step lively just in case.

Most folks find nothing remotely redeeming about this war.  They point to the costs of the war and ask “was it worth it?”  We’ve spent an estimated $400,000,000,000 and some of that was spent when the American dollar was actually worth a dollar. Here. 

Besides the monetary, a true measure of the costs of this war or any war for that matter is measured in the lives lost.  These numbers are staggering as well.  We have lost 3,987 soldiers, airman, marines, and seaman.  Here. Now that number doesn’t compare to other wars such as Vietnam (58,209), Korea (33,741) or WWII(291,557).  Numbers are funny unfeeling and clinical things.  Lumped together 3,987 doesn’t seem significant.  However, consider this, that number means that 1 person died Three Thousand Nine Hundred Eighty-Seven times.  Perspective is everything.  Consider also that estimates of Iraqi lives lost range to 100,000 (here).  The loss of life is really quite sad and calls into question the reasoning behind this war.  But on with the celebration.

All of the money and all of the death and what do we have to show for it?  Do you feel safer?  Do the Iraqi’s feel more free?  Do they enjoy democracy?  For my part, I don’t feel any more safe than I did before we invaded Iraq.  I wouldn’t want to guess as to how free Iraqis feel or whether they enjoy democracy.  I  can really only think of one good, if not entertaining thing to come out of this godforsaken war and that is the new spin on public relations.  Does anybody remember Baghdad Bob?

Baghdad Bob

Remember this lovable guy.  Yeah, his view of reality was unmatched.  Apparently, Bob’s utter ignorance of the here and now has caught on as a public relations ploy.  In fact, in recent weeks this tactic has been adopted wholesale by Hillary Clinton’s campaign.  Hillary has offered Obama the VP slot on her ticket, now does that sound like someone grounded in reality or someone living by the Baghdad Bob Code?  It is the new craze.

Baghdad Bob’s “Reality is What You Say it is” method has been employed by many since the invasion.  Politicians like Larry “Wide Stance” Craig, President Bush, Dick Cheney, etc. have employed his methods with mixed results.  Folks in the media have used it as well, remember Rush’s “fake soldiers” comment or Bill O’Reilly’s restaurant review of Sylvia’s in Harlem?  Yeah, I’m sure that Baghdad Bob is looking for a consulting fee from those folks.  In fact, he deserves it.  He’s the guy that invented fained ignorance.  Not to worry though, Bob’s doing OK (by Iraqi standards, which is comparable to an American living next-door to a crack house in Detroit).

No doubt you’re wondering what ever became of Baghdad Bob, well, Bob landed on his feet and is now a greeter at the first Wal-Mart in Iraq. 

Bob, you’re the man and you are what this war was all about.  Mission Accomplished!  Just think, if John McCain has his way this war will out last all of us.  No end in sight but let’s all thank our lucky stars that there is not one politician with the balls to re-institute the draft.