I don’t follow American politics too closely. Abu Yasmin flicks on Faux News every now and again for a laugh at what the Republican Propaganda Delivery System is up to, and given that I can’t vote in the elections, I’m only marginally interested in who the Democratic nominee is going to be. However, I’m enough of a realist to know the aftermath of the Bush administration will echo for many, many years to come.

As Glen Greenwald writing about Republican spin-doctor Larry Di Rita being caught out in a lie, blogged:

This brazenness is the result of allowing our high government officials to break the law and lie continuously with total impunity. There is no limit on their willingness to engage in behavior of this sort, because they remain secure that there will never be any consequences. Until that expectation is altered, the behavior will continue unchanged.

This reminds me of the Qur’anic statement: “Verily, God does not change men’s condition unless they change their inner selves.” (Ar-Ra’d, 13:11) which means we get the politicians we deserve. Unless and until we stop lying to ourselves and hold these politicians accountable for lying to us, we will continue to engage in tragic disasters like the Iraq War. (And I say this as an Australian, whose former Prime Minister followed the US like ants in an ant-trail).