US General John Abizaid, commander of US forces in Iraq, told a House of Representatives subcommittee on Tuesday that the US may want to keep a long-term presence in Iraq.
He also told them why.
"Ultimately it comes down to the free flow of goods and resources on which the prosperity of our own nation and everybody else in the world depend."
Obviously, he was referring to hummus. Gotta keep that hummus flowin'!
**Update: ThinkProgress has picked up the story, and is reporting that just as recently as 45 days ago, that it was part of US policy not to have permanent military bases in Iraq.
"It is not only our plan but our policy that we do not intend to have any permanent bases in Iraq."
- Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt, Central Command deputy commander, 1/28/06
So, does Abizaid not know what his own policy is anymore, or is the policy hopelessly tied to the ever-increasing longterm aspirations of the Bush administration?
Or, to summarize the situation for sci-fi nerds:
VADER
(to Fett)
You may take Captain Solo to
Jabba the Hut after I have
Skywalker.
(Han's screams filter through the torture room door.)
BOBA FETT
He's no good to me dead.
VADER
He will not be permanently damaged.
LANDO
Lord Vader, what about Leia and
the Wookiee?
VADER
They must never again leave this
city.
LANDO
That was never a condition of our
agreement, nor was giving Han to
this bounty hunter!
VADER
Perhaps you think you're being
treated unfairly.
LANDO
No.
VADER
Good. It would be unfortunate if
I had to leave a garrison here.
(Vader turns and sweeps into the elevator with Boba Fett. Lando walks
swiftly down another corridor, muttering to himself.)
LANDO
This deal's getting worse all
the time.
Just replace Vader with Bush, Lando with the Iraqi government, Han Solo with the insurgents, and Boba Fett with a Blackwater rent-a-thug. The role of Saddam Hussein will be played by Chewbacca.
In other words, "The spice must flow."
