After the firestorm of indignation from the Right over the inconsistent claims of a freed Italian journalist hostage suggesting she may have been targeted by Americans for assassination, Italy’s abrupt decision to withdraw it’s troops from Iraq starting in September 2005, should bring relative silence to the CEC.

Not even waiting for the promised whitewash full and thorough Pentagon investigation of the incident is a telling sign of just how much opposition to the Iraq War existed among our third largest ally.

However, those on the Right who undoubtedly will unleash their anti-Italian bile at long last, will also seek to scapegoat a supposed gloating ‘anti-war Left’. Here’s a recent comment post TCF has been cerebrally composing for just such an occasion:

 Such a reaction by those of you on the Right only reinforces the image of an insolent, spoiled brat, lashing out and blaming others for misfortunes you've perpetuated.

And, I'm not a gloating, anti-war Lefty, I'm a pissed off one!

You want everyone to believe that Italy's decision is based on the hysterics of Sgrena, and that the Italians were staunch allies before this decision.

Wrong, on both counts!

I'm outraged that an ally could not unequivocally dismiss any notion that American troops were purposely targeting one of their journalists. I'm outraged that an ally government doesn't even trust a Pentagon inquiry enough, before making this decision.

The Italians were overwhelmingly anti-war, long before this incident. Why? Because, the evidence of torture, 'extraordinary rendition' and suspicious deaths of Al Jeezera journalists were not censored in their country!

After 9/11, Americans have excused or turned a blind eye to such behavior unbecoming a compassionate superpower, proven or not. Our allies apparently find this unacceptable.

Which is deserving of praise, not scorn. 

Karen Hughes: Extreme World Makeover   David Corn via will unleash their anti-Italian bile at long last, will also seek to scapegoat a supposed gloating ‘anti-war Left’. Here’s a recent comment post TCF has been cerebrally composing for just such an occasion:

Such a reaction by those of you on the Right only reinforces the image of an insolent, spoiled brat, lashing out and blaming others for misfortunes you've perpetuated.

And, I'm not a gloating, anti-war Lefty, I'm a pissed off one!

You want everyone to believe that Italy's decision is based on the hysterics of Sgrena, and that the Italians were staunch allies before this decision.
Wrong, on both counts!

I'm outraged that an ally could not unequivocally dismiss any notion that American troops were purposely targeting one of their journalists. I'm outraged that an ally government doesn't even trust a Pentagon inquiry enough, before making this decision.

The Italians were overwhelmingly anti-war, long before this incident. Why? Because, the evidence of torture, 'extraordinary rendition' and suspicious deaths of Al Jeezera journalists were not censored in their country!

After 9/11, Americans have excused or turned a blind eye to such behavior unbecoming a compassionate superpower, proven or not. Our allies apparently find this unacceptable.

Which is deserving of praise, not scorn.