11/24/09: TWD's Agenda For The Day- Something That You Won't See In America

Photo from Al Jazeera

When someone still brags about the United States being the beacon of democracy and transparent government, it would behoove you to point them to the latest example of that belief being a very questionable one (and that's being nice about it).

Today over in London, a public inquiry is being conducted by the British population into why on Earth their country was a protagonist in the misery that is the Iraq War.

With how the "we must look forward" phrase continues to go in circulations in Washington D.C., our version of what is going on in the UK capital probably won't be taking place at all.

One-time senior officials from the foreign and defence ministries will outline Britain's policy towards Baghdad in early 2000, as the five-member committee investigates what lessons can be learned from the US-led war.

John Chilcot, the inquiry chairman and a former civil servant, said he was confident of producing a "full and insightful" account of the decision-making that led Britain to join the 2003 invasion against strong opposition at home and abroad.

Hell, even if someone in the Justice Department (or even State Department) had the temerity to start momentum towards our own public inquiry into the illegal war, I picture Cheney, Bush, and the others of that Administration would somehow be allowed to ignore it. Not the case with their buddy bud across the pond

An appearance by (Tony) Blair, who took Britain into the conflict, is likely to be the highlight of the inquiry, although he and other Labour government figures are not due to give evidence until next year.

Some in Britain are dubbing the inquiry "unprecedented", as things swept under the rug will possibly be revealed

Shane Greer, executive editor of Total Politics, a British political magazine and website, told Al Jazeera that he believes the inquiry will uncover new information about the Iraq war.

"First of all the scope of this inquiry is absolutely unprecedented."

"And also the inquiry has been given the power to apportion blame which really is quite incredible."

Now the public injury is not a trial, and Blair and his cronies have a few months to try and get their stories together to limit the damage they will face.

But at the very least, some stuff that the powers that be (or "the powers that were" to be technically correct) will be further revealed of how Britain was led in America's lying of going to war in Baghdad.

And you can bet that serious inquisition into the Cheney Administration will boil up again with the stuff talked about in this inquiry.