Bartlett's Bizarre Bazaar

The pronouncements of the American government would amuse, if it were not for the overwhelming power of those doing the speaking. Previously, my favourite line was the oft-repeated complaint that ‘foreign-fighters’ were responsible for all the chaos and violence in Iraq. How the US Army spokesmen in Iraq could say this without winking at the camera in acknowledgement of self-knowledge is beyond me. Perhaps they are deadpan humorists in the vein of Jack Dee or Stephen Wright.

This line is now old hat, and has been replaced by White House spokesman Scott McClellan’s recent statement that the

“people of Uzbekistan want to see a more representative and democratic government. But that should come through peaceful means, not through violence.”

Condemning the violent pursuit of democracy and the overthrow of a dictator? So what is new? Islam Karimov is just example of; “He may be a son-of-a-bitch, but he is our son-of-a-bitch”. Craig Murray, the former ambassador to Uzbekistan, has written an article outlining just why he is our (well, the US’) son-of-a-bitch.

Immediate update: Lenin’s Tomb has this quote from Jack Straw:

“It's for the people to decide on a change of regime, not outsiders.”