Congress And The Keystone Cops

Its as if a slap-stick comedy writer were scripting the actions of the government in such a way as to build up to ever more ridiculous bungles and prat-falls. It would almost be comical if the consequences weren't so tragic.

By Citizen Correspondent Josh Sidman

Date Posted: 10/11/07

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I swear, every time I think things in this country have gotten as f*cked up as they could possibly be, the government figures out new and innovative ways to make things even worse. Today's entry in the "why the f*ck would you do that?" category is a bill approved by a House panel which will describe Turkish atrocities committed against Armenians in World War I as genocide. In response to this action, the Turkish government has ordered its Ambassador to return to Turkey for "consultations". Without wishing to in any way take away from the seriousness of what may have happened 90 years ago, it seems absolutely pointless to needlessly antagonize a key ally in the most volatile region on the planet over a symbolic gesture with no practical purpose whatsoever.

All of this comes at a time when the situation in Iraq continues to deteriorate and a civil war and/or partition of Iraq into separate countries seems increasingly likely. Turkey is one of the key players in this equation, and tensions have been mounting between them and the US. Turkish aircraft have been conducting raids on Kurdish groups in Northern Iraq, despite the disapproval of the U.S. And, just at this crucial juncture, in response to well-organized lobbying by some Armenian pressure-groups, Congress is planning to administer a completely pointless slap in the face to the Turkish government. Its as if a slap-stick comedy writer were scripting the actions of the government in such a way as to build up to ever more ridiculous bungles and prat-falls. It would almost be comical if the consequences weren't so tragic.

I never thought it would happen, but for once I agree with the Bush Administration on something. Defense Secretary Robert Gates observed that 70% of air cargo bound for Iraq passes through Turkey. He went on to predict that, "access to airfields and to the roads and so on in Turkey would very much be put at risk if this resolution passes, and Turkey reacts as strongly as we believe they will." Now, I am an energetic opponent of the war in Iraq, but even I recognize that if you are at war, it is completely counterproductive to needlessly antagonize key allies.

This is yet another installment in the "politics of the absurd" that characterizes everything that happens in Washington these days. Everything is so goddamned ridiculous that the ordinary citizen can do nothing but look on and stare in disbelief.