It's not an occupation, right?

From Atrios:

BAGHDAD -Iraqi lawmakers say the United States is demanding 58 bases as part of a proposed "status of forces" agreement that will allow U.S. troops to remain in the country indefinitely.

Leading members of the two ruling Shiite parties said in a series of interviews the Iraqi government rejected this proposal along with another U.S. demand that would have effectively handed over to the United States the power to determine if a hostile act from another country is aggression against Iraq. Lawmakers said they fear this power would drag Iraq into a war between the United States and Iran.

"The points that were put forth by the Americans were more abominable than the occupation," said Jalal al Din al Saghir, a leading lawmaker from the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq. "We were occupied by order of the Security Council," he said, referring to the 2004 Resolution mandating a U.S. military occupation in Iraq at the head of an international coalition. "But now we are being asked to sign for our own occupation. That is why we have absolutely refused all that we have seen so far."

Other conditions sought by the United States include control over Iraqi air space up to 30,000 feet and immunity from prosecution for U.S. troops and private military contractors. The agreement would run indefinitely but be subject to cancellation with two years notice from either side, lawmakers said.

For those who haven't heard, this little agreement Bush is trying to ram through before he slinks out of D.C. would commit the country to a full-blown occupation of Iraq indefinitely.

An effort to essentially sign a contract ensuring that we're responsible for occupying Iraq for McCain's goal of 100 years or more might be considered sort of important to this country, right?

Nah, not that important that Bush thinks it's worth consulting with Congress, let alone allowing them and the American people to have some input on the issue.

Bush is trying to ram through this agreement without any involvement from Congress whatsoever, which isn't going over too well.

Bush got us into Iraq, now he wants to take away his successors ability to get out.

What a guy.

(P.S. Polling results were released yesterday showing that among REPUBLICANS, more disapprove of Bush than oppose gay marriage. Congratulations George. At least Laura is sure that history will vindicate you. Or at least that's what she says.)