The Shit's Hitting the Fan

The Shit's Hitting the Fan
Current mood: scared

Folks, I hope you've been paying attention to the events in Iraq over the past couple of days. Yes, I know it's the holiday weekend, and I'm enjoying it as much as the next guy, but it is crunch time RIGHT NOW in Iraq. Thursday's massive bombing and the reaction to it are the latest developments threatening to send the country into chaos. Muqtada Al-Sadr, whose militia has up until this point backed the new Iraqi government, keeping the balance of power in check, is threatening to pull out if the PM meets with Bush next week. This would lead to utter and complete chaos. And yesterday, followers of his took over the state-ran television for 2 FULL HOURS. Here's a news report I just read.

"Followers of the militant Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr took over state-run television Saturday to denounce the Iraqi government, label Sunnis "terrorists" and issue what appeared to many viewers as a call to arms. The two-hour broadcast from a community gathering in the heart of the Shiite militia stronghold of Sadr City included three members of al-Sadr's parliamentary bloc, who took questions from outraged residents demanding revenge for a series of car bombings that killed some 200 people Thursday. With Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki relegated to the sidelines, brazen Sunni-Shiite attacks continue unchecked despite a 24-hour curfew over Baghdad. Al-Sadr's Mahdi Army militia now controls wide swaths of the capital, his politicians are the backbone of the Cabinet, and his followers deeply entrenched in the Iraqi security forces. Sectarian violence has spun so rapidly out of control since the Sadr City blasts, however, that it's not clear whether even al-Sadr has the authority - or the will - to stop the cycle of bloodshed... Sunni politicians vowed to file complaints against the channel for inciting sectarian violence. Ordinary Sunnis were shocked to hear their neighborhoods singled out for attack on the government's station. "I got four phone calls from friends telling me to change the channel to Iraqiya and see what's happening," said Mohamed Othman, 27, a Sunni resident of Ameriya, one of the districts mentioned in the program. "I think this is an official declaration of civil war against Sunnis. They're going to push us to join al-Qaida to protect ourselves." "

Those of you who know the particulars of the Rwanda tragedy remember that all hell broke loose once the government lost control of the airwaves. The historical precedent is terrifying.

Folks, I'm beyond trying to figure out what the solution to this can be. That decision needs to made by smarter people with better access to information than I've got. But I would urge all of you to pay close attention to what's going on right now. And tell people close to you. We are all responsible for what's going on over there, whether we support the commander-in-chief or not.

Currently listening :
It's All Around You
By Tortoise
Release date: 06 April, 2004