Rumsfeld doublespeak

The Iraqis are free to form their own government, Donald Rumsfeld tells the Associated Press. And he doesn't want Iran influencing the process. "If you're suggesting, how would we feel about an Iranian-type government with a few clerics running everything in the country, the answer is: That isn't going to happen."

In other words, the Iraqis can choose their own government--as long as they make the choice we want them to make. Meanwhile, Iran is not to interfere with our meddling.

Not that doublespeak shouldn't be expected. This, after all, is the man Ronald Reagan sent to prop up Saddam a scant two months after American intelligence had informed the Alzheimer's President that the Iraqi dictator was using chemical weapons on his own people. Chemical weapons that the US had supplied him in the first place, and encouraged him to use. Chemical weapons that the current administration cited as justification for taking him out.

Rumsfeld also said of the devastation and looting in Iraq, "We didn't allow it. It happened." That's like saying "I don't allow my children to stay up late. They just don't go to bed." If you're in charge and you do not prevent it, then by definition, you are allowing it.

But back to Rumsfeld's words on the subject of Iraqi self-government: "There will be the beginning of an interim authority soon. I don't know quite what `soon' means. It's a little early to be impatient about it, so I can't be impatient, although the natural thing is to be impatient about it. You want the Iraqis to govern themselves."

Right. As long as they do it your way.