Lott On Iraq: ‘Why Do Sunnis Kill Shiites? … They All Look The Same To Me’

[ariesgem]

Sen. Trent Lott (R-MS), who famously suggested the U.S. wouldn’t have “all these problems” had Strom Thurmond been elected President, said today that the religious differences among Iraqis makes the conflict very difficult for him to understand:

“It’s hard for Americans, all of us, including me, to understand what’s wrong with these people,” he said. “Why do they kill people of other religions because of religion? Why do they hate the Israeli’s and despise their right to exist? Why do they hate each other? Why do Sunnis kill Shiites? How do they tell the difference? They all look the same to me.“

Speaking shortly after a meeting with President Bush and Vice President Cheney, Lott added that Iraq wasn’t among the White House’s priorities.

“No, none of that,” Lott told reporters after the session when asked if the Iraq war was discussed. “You’re the only ones who obsess on that. We don’t and the real people out in the real world don’t for the most part.

http://thinkprogress.org/2006/09/28/lott-iraq/

[ccpup]

1. wouldn't it just be easier

if he'd wear a sign saying "Hi, I'm an idiot. Please ignore me"?

[madrchsod]

2. iraq is not a priority

getting the democrats and republicans to tear the foundation of our legal system is.

[Hubert Flottz]

3. Trent T?AT is a waste of good oxygen!

His neanderfuk arguments remind me of talking politics with my grade school aged grandchildren. How in the Hell did he get through college?

[louis-t]

4. And Repugs wonder how they got us into this mess...

sheesh, are they dumb. Totally incompetant, disinterested morons. They shouldn't be allowed to run a car wash much less the country.

[sandnsea]

5. OMG, for real???

He really said those exact words? I thought you were paraphrasing some horrific intent - but slightly less inflammatory words. Gads. He really said that. ;(

[The Deacon]

6. Weird Part Is

I agree with some of what he says - WHY DO people kill each other for differences which aren't even noticeable to outsiders? I know, its not really that simple - the Sunnis & Shiites have centuries of differences between them, the Shi'ia have been oppressed by the Sunni, both Palestinians & Israelis have their own, different historical claims to the same land...
But, dammit, it really IS that simple - if a ambulance driver from Magen Adom David (Israeli "Red Cross") can treat a Palestinian casualty, if a Palestinian Red Crescent driver can cry over the death of Israeli children (I've seen it) THEN THEIR FUCKING LEADERS CAN SIT DOWN AND WORK OUT A LASTING PEACE TO STOP THE KILLING. WHEN TWO PEOPLES START THEIR DAYS PRAYING "IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE MERCIFULL, THE BENEVOLENT" THEY ALREADY HAVE COMMON GROUND.
Okay, rant over, you may go about your business...