Tell Me Lies

He that feareth not an enemy
knows not what war is
--Charles V, Duke of Lorraine

Parole Board: You're not just telling us what we want to hear?
H.I.: No, sir, no way
Parole Board: 'Cause we just want to hear the truth
H.I.: Well, then I guess I am telling you what you want to hear.
--Raising Arizona (1987)

Tell me lies
Tell me sweet little lies
--Tell me Lies, Fleetwood Mac
________________

Of course Iraq is a sovereign nation [*wink *wink], and Ranger always espouses the rule of law, even in lawless states like Iraq. If a crime occurs within Iraq's jurisdiction, then the accused should be tried in their court of law. But that did not happen in the case of Laith al-Khazali:

The American military has released a senior Shiite insurgent said to be backed by Iran who was accused of playing a leading role in a group that killed five American soldiers in Karbala in a sophisticated attack in 2007, according to senior American and Shiite officials.

The release of the insurgent, Laith al-Khazali, a member of the militant Shiite group Asa’ib al-Haq, is part of a complex negotiation aimed at fostering political reconciliation in Iraq. It also appears to involve the release of British hostages who are being held by the organization (U.S. Frees Suspect in Killing of 5 G.I.’s).

The problem is that this particular accused was held by U.S. authorities, and therefore kept from the Iraqi judicial process. But even if the Iraqis had Laith al-Khazali (LAK) in custody, it is extremely unlikely that he would be brought to trial.

So Ranger, naif that he is, asks: Why do we pretend that Iraq is a success story? LAK did not kill these soldiers in combat, but in cold blood. [Of course, comparing that to Pvt. Green of the 101st Airborne -- who only received life in prison for killing a family, raping a 14-year-old girl and burning the bodies -- Ranger supposes it is foolish to get overwrought about the summary execution of these five soldiers.]

Lt. Col. Brian Maka, a military spokesman, said LAK was being released “[a]s part of a reconciliation effort between the government of Iraq and Asa’ib al-Haq." Well, if it facilitates reconciliation, then by all means release his sorry ass. Why not even give him lodgings, and a Swiss bank account, like the rest of the Iraqi leadership?

“Asa’ib al-Haq has pledged to representatives of the Iraqi prime minister to give up violence and move the group towards peaceful integration into Iraqi society,” Colonel Maka said. Promise to make nice now, and play well in the sandbox together. It is like asking the fox to stay away from the hen house.

Stories like this reinforce the idea that the Phony War on Terror (PWOT ©) is an exercise in futility, in which good people on both sides are sacrificed to the Gods of Ignorance and Profiteering.

Ranger has predicted that the future leaders of Iraq will come from the ranks of the insurgency, and this case is suggestive. LAK will be a future leader, and his success will be based upon his successful execution of emotionless violence.

The War on Terror -- training grounds for future participants. A perpetual motion machine.