More inconvenient truth

Australian Defence Minister Brendan Nelson is reported as saying it is unhelpful to describe the situation in Iraq as descending into civil war.

True enough! It’s unhelpful politically from the point of view of those who got us into this mess, who may want to duck the responsibility.

It may be more than helpful, however, for those who have to deal with the fallout from this debacle to know what they are in fact dealing with.

Of course, Nelson is right when he says Australia should remain committed to the people of Iraq for the long haul. After all, it’s our bloody disgraceful debacle too.

Oh, and Nelson is also quoted as saying, “We are determined to see that the ideological insanity that’s driving the people who are causing violence in Iraq is brought to justice.”

I see, so they’re going to bring “ideological insanity ... to justice”. That’ll be something to see.