Why else would these multiple demonstrations be dismissed by some journalists and pundits as "non-political"? Is what's going on in Wisconsin right now not "political"?
Of course it is. Government's role is not -- this will shock the Beltway -- to pursue wars. Government's primary role is to take care of their citizens. In Iraq, despite Nouri al-Maliki being prime minister since April 2006, that's never happened.
They still lack reliable electricity, potable water (that would be safe drinking water, for those not familiar with the term) and sanitation services. Now Iraq didn't just form in 2003 and spend the years since wondering, "What would we like?" It was a country before the US started the illegal war and it was a country that -- even during the awful years of sanctions -- could provide basic services to its people.
Now it can't even provide jobs. Unemployment in Iraq hits a record high only to be replaced a few months later with another record high.
The bulk of the people struggle to pay for needed food.
And this isn't political?
They're decrying Nouri al-Maliki throughout Iraq and Massoud Barzani in the KRG (Barzanis is the KRG president) and this isn't political?
Nouri's response has been political. Secret arrests, sending uniformed goons in to attack the protesters, attempting to halt it by demonizing Friday's protests and tarring and feathering participants with "terrorists," refusal to allow satellite cameras into some areas where demonstrations take place, assaulting and arresting journalists and much, much more.
It's political. And those in the US better wake up to the scare tactics and the bullying and intimidation that US-puppet Nouri al-Maliki has been resorting to. Otherwise, don't come whining us in ten years when you suddenly grasp that the same US-government that installed Saddam Hussein installed another despot.
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Screen snap is from Aljazeera TV, specifically this report by Jane Arraf -- which we're also embedding.