How Long Can We Wait?

From the Washington Post

BAGHDAD, April 16 -- Iraq's top legislator postponed the meeting of parliament scheduled for Monday, putting off "for a few days" an attempt to resolve a months-long deadlock over the formation of the country's new government.

The move was not entirely unexpected, but it still represented a setback for U.S. officials and an Iraqi public losing patience with four months of political paralysis since Dec. 15, when the country held elections to form a long-term government.

The delay coincided with a surge in sectarian killings between Iraq's Sunni Arabs and Shiite Muslims. At least 37 Iraqis died in shootings, bombings and other attacks Sunday, according to police officials and news reports. U.S. military officials also reported killing five insurgents in a raid in which a woman also was killed, and said four Marines were killed in combat west of Baghdad.

The Marines, from Regimental Combat Team 5, were killed in two engagements in Anbar province.

(bolding mine)

While the news cycle is being consumed with Rummy bashing and bombing Iran the news from Iraq just keeps getting worse. Not only are we spending vast amounts of money sorely and desperately needed here at home, we are even more tragically spending the lives of our children.

Once again, the Iraqis have postponed the meeting of parliament. This time it is supposed to be only for "a few days." Wake up everyone that’s what…the probable death of what, 20, 30 more of America’s best and a couple of billion dollars and how many more Iraqis?

How long are we supposed to wait for the Iraqis to form a government of some kind? How long are we suppose to stand aside whiled they continue to piss away U.S. blood and treasure? Why can’t someone from our government explain the urgency of the situation to the Iraqis? Do you think that George and Condi don’t have permission from Cheney to exert some pressure on the Iraqis?

The most probable answer is that Bush and company have talked so long and so hard and so often about not leaving Iraq until the Iraqis stand up that they now believe that we won’t bail out now matter how long it takes for them to get straight. There is absolutely no pressure on the Iraqis to hurry and form a government because we’ll be there as long as they need. John Kerry had it right the other day when he insisted on a very timely deadline or we’re history. Bush is not putting any pressure on and therefore the Iraqis feel comfortable in taking all the time in the world. By not putting intense pressure on the Iraqis, Bush is guaranteeing that there is going to be more blood in the streets, both American and Iraqi, and that all out civil war will explode and not only destabilize Iraq but whole Middle East.

You’d think that the daily bloodbath or the reality of Shia and Sunnis fleeing the cities in desperate fear would kindle some urgency of action on the part of the Iraqi legislators or at least prompt Bush to crank up the heat. Unfortunately, both parties seem to waiting to see how bad it will get and how many American and Iraqi lives are finally deemed too high a cost to pay.