U.S. may gain more by relaxing its grip on Iraq

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

William Raspberry / Syndicated columnist
U.S. may gain more by relaxing its grip

WASHINGTON — There is a legend, the Rev. Earl Neil told the congregation of Trinity Episcopal Church here one recent Sunday, that certain African tribesmen have a clever way of trapping monkeys.

They begin by making a paw-sized hole in a coconut, then filling the coconut with rice or some similarly attractive food. A monkey will come along, stick in his paw and grab a fistful of rice — and then find that he can't get his paw out.

"It screams for help, but it is trapped by its own greed," Neil explained. "As you and I can see, all the monkey would have to do is turn loose of the rice. His open hand could easily be withdrawn. The problem is that the monkey places greater value on the rice than on his own freedom."

That was the attention-getting windup. Here was the pitch:

"The Bush administration has stuck its hand into a coconut called Iraq, grabbed a fistful of oil and control, and now is finding it difficult to get out. It is trapped by its power and its greed. Now it screams for help from the United Nations (which it had earlier dismissed as irrelevant and inconsequential). And all the administration would have to do is to turn loose some control, and it might be able to withdraw with dignity.

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http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2001770857_raspberry21.html

[ixion]

1. But the chimp will not withdraw

He will thrash about and make agonizing faces, make a complete fool out of himself, and of the US for not impeaching him.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

2. Yeah but with one hand occupied

he'll be less likely to throw feces.