In this story from the dailypress.com, apparently the most informed person on the situation in Iraq, according to Virginia Representative Thelma Drake, is famed actress Angelina Jolie. I guess this would be seemingly good news if Jolie had any experience outside of acting and moonlighting as the United Nations goodwill ambassador. I think this just goes to show how desperate and out of touch or leaders have become on the entire issue. The story goes on to point out that this would not be the first time Hollywood stars have descended on Washington to lend their hand in lobbying matters but if Congressional leaders are really looking for a report from U.N. officials I think we could really find someone who has a little more authority on assessing the situation then the goodwill ambassador. It also is surprising that U.S. officials would be seeking U.N. assistance in Iraq now after years of shrugging off U.N. opinion in any matters concerning Iraq.
This piece also reports that Jolie points out that last years surge appears to be working. It seems odd to me that no one points out that around the end of every winter since Operation Enduring Freedom started we finally seem to be winning in Iraq. Do so many people fail to realize how miserable and cold most of the Middle East especially Iraq is during the winter. Most insurgent operations occur at night and when it’s cold insurgents would much rather relax indoors waiting for warmer weather. I also object to calling the surge a success because it just goes to show that we should have had more troops in the first place, and that by taking so long to do so our leaders caused thousands of casualties of service members and Iraqi civilians that should not have occurred in the first place.
I am not contending that Mrs. Brangelina’s visit to Iraq was not for an important and good cause but I am saddened to see that yet again our leaders would rather use the opinion of Hollywood’s famous as opposed to the experienced and informed in their attempt to shift the blame that so squarely rests on their shoulders.
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