Before Bush ordered the invasion of Iraq, many of us opposed the war. Some of us, myself included, predicted that if Bush and his supporters invaded, the result would be not democracy but chaos, more killing than would have been the case otherwise, and the collapse of the country. The ingrown ruling class that dominates our nation would have none of it, dazzled by Bush’s rhetoric of democracy and the allure of oil profits.

Today as the corporate media is filled with Petraeus’s dissembling and deception over that country and its poor people, I came across two studies of what the Iraqi people think about what has happened. One is from a year ago, and indicates even then a clear majpority of Iraqis wanted us gone. Immediately. A Sept. 10, 2007 report by ABC indicates among other things that a majority Iraqis believe the “Surge” has failed, they are less safe than before, and that killing Americans is justified. Firedoglake has a report that adds to the enormity of crimes committed in our name against the Iraqi people. For another link see here. Finally, see Robery Greenwald’s excellent piece here.

Given that the invasion was in the name of democracy, there is no reason for us to stay. The Iraqi people have spoken. The only possible exception are the Kurds in the north where we may be ethically obliged to remain – if they desire. That’s it. But Bush and the Republican Party, along with their Democratic enablers, believe in democracy for Iraqis about as much as they believe in democracy for us.

There really is no longer any grounds for decent Americans to support Bush and his policies. We are truly ruled today by the most venial, stupid, and self-righteous of our country men and women.