Timothy Long

iraqi prime minister nouri al-maliki recently lashed out at american criticism a day after president bush expressed frustration with the iraqi government’s inability to bridge political divisions.

“no one has the right to place timetables on the iraq government. it was elected by its people,” the shiite leader said at a news conference in damascus at the end of a three-day visit to syria.

“those who make such statements are bothered by our visit to syria. we will pay no attention. we care for our people and our constitution and can find friends elsewhere,” al-maliki said.

and yet, people wonder why they have been hesitant to trust the united states completely (president bush included). you have virtually every democratic presidential candidate talking about instituting a  timetable for withdrawal, in which every ally to the american war effort will be left at the mercy of a full-blown civil war. should we then provide sanctuary for those allies in america, or will we leave them subject to more bloodshed?

quotes snagged from associated press.

knotan, the provocative mr. meiré, wayne daly, waging peace.

levi wedel, ramallah underground, wa75, the polaroid kidd.

well, we’re off into the depths of baja norte once again; supplied with an endless amount of firewood, an eclectic assortment of music, wave riding vehicles of every shape and size, our instruments; and oh yes, enough beans and rice to feed a small army.

it seems like we have everything. but i imagine when we get out into the country someone will realize that we forgot the canopener. canopeners always seem to elude this particular group on trips. subsequently, we end up having to saw into our refried beans with a plastic spork for a week straight.

with any luck, we will bring the canopener; and i suppose more importantly, score good waves. see you guys in a week.