Iraq Rally Lacks Numbers
by Sean Hackbarth
That Moqtada al-Sadr-ordered protest in Iraq demanding foreign forces leave isn’t as big a initial reports thought. However, the numbers weren’t small and the composition was significant:
Iraqi soldiers in uniform joined the crowd, which was led by at least a dozen turbaned clerics — including one Sunni, according to the A.P. Many marchers danced as they moved through the streets.
The rally breathes air into Tommy Thompson’s idea of letting the Iraqi government vote on whether U.S. troops stay there or not.
“Again… Al-Sadr’s Protest Numbers Disappoint”
Tommy Thompson’s plan makes a lot of sense - ask the Iraqi government what they want. They more than likely will ask the United States to stay. That will give us standing to be there, as he says.
Plus, he wants to help build the infrastructure of the nation - both politically and economically by helping elect territorial governments, which will strengthen the country as a whole and ease civil strife, and by splitting oil revenues among national and territorial governments and individual Iraqis.
Like it or not, at least he’s out there talking about it and looking forward.