The Common Ills: The idiot Nouri and his harmful ways

Whether he's killing civilians, refusing to appear before Parliament or attempting to unconstitutionally declare a budget, Nouri al-Maliki, prime minister and chief thug of Iraq, destroys the country he supposedly leads a little more with each passing day.

Today was supposed to be the day when Parliament addressed Nouri's ongoing attack on Anbar Province. But despite being called before Parliament, Nouri violated the Constitution (again) and refused to show up. National Iraqi News Agency notes MP Salman Jumaili of the Motthaidoon bloc decried the "absence of Prime Minister General Commander of the Armed Forces Nouri al-Maliki, security leaders or concerned ministers or even the governor of the province, except Chairman of the Board of Anbar province who attended to the parliament." Why did some not attend? All Iraq News notes a press briefing today by Speaker of Parliament Osama al-Nujaifi in which explained, "The Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki urged the MPs to avoid attending the sessions of the Parliament. [. . .] Maliki intervened in the duties of the parliament which is an independent authority and the source for legitimacy." Alsumaria adds that al-Nujaifi called Nouri's lobbying people not to attend a session of Parliament "a dangerous precedent." Alsumaria notes the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq leader Ammar al-Hakim and the KRG President Massoud Barzani also see Nouri's action as an attack on the Parliament and its powers as well as an assault on democracy.

As this and other problems Nouri's created continue to brew, National Iraqi News Agency reports President Barazni is announcing that measures may be taken (what measures are not clear) and he declares, "The Kurds have been subjected to genocide and buried in mass graves, as they sought for freedom and rejection of injustice. The Kurds will not return back and will not give up their freedom." Al Mada notes Barzani was warning Tuesday that the Baghdad government was at the crossroads of collapse.

Among the serious issues for the Kurds is the national budget. There is no 2014 budget. There still is no 2014 budget. Yes, this reality escapes a lot of 'reporters' for Western 'news' outlets. All that is right now is Nouri's budget proposal. Over two-thirds of the government believe it's unfair. Which is why it can't pass the Parliament.

It won't pass Parliament as is. When that happens, a leader has to find votes by what's called "horse trading" or a leader has to be willing to compromise. Much has been made of the fact that Nouri's actions have left many working in the Kurdistan government without salaries. But, as Al Mada reports today, Nouri's actions also mean that hundreds of his federal police have not been paid and they're getting increasingly vocal about his failure to pay them.

Nouri can't continue his assault on Anbar without his federal police.

Which is probably why thug Nouri is stating he alone can declare a budget and he can bypass Parliament to do so.

Nouri can't stop abusing the Constitution.

Under the guise of fighting 'terrorism,' Nouri continues to kill Iraqis. National Iraqi News Agency reports Nouri's military shelled al-Jughaifi, al-Shuhada and al-Asakari neighborhoods in Falluja leaving 4 civilians dead and twelve more injured (three of the injured were children). Another round of shelling left 1 civilian dead and twelve more injured.

Has his attack on Anbar reduced violence?

Not at all. In fact, through yesterday, Iraq Body Count counts 170 violent deaths for the month so far -- that's 170 deaths in five days.

And today?

National Iraqi News Agency reports 1 Mosul bombings left 1 person dead and another injured, a Kirkuk sticky bombing left one person injured, 2 Hilla car bombs (near al-Faiha hospital) left 2 people dead and six more injured, a Hilla car bomb near a casino left 1 woman dead and five more injured (there's a fourth Hilla bombing but it's unknown if anyone was wounded or killed), 2 Iraqi soldiers were shot dead in al-Qarma, 1 police member was shot dead in Mosul, a car bombing at a car show in al-Nahda left three people injured, a Shirqat sticky bombing left 1 police officer dead, 1 police officer was shot dead in Khalidiyah, 1 person was shot dead in Yusifiyah, a Sadr City roadside bombing left 4 people dead and twelve injured, a Baghdad car bombing (Karada Mariam) left 2 people dead and eleven more injured, a Baghdad car bombing (al-Amel district) left 4 people dead and sixteen injured, and the corpses of 2 women were discovered dumped east of Baghdad. All Iraq News notes Salih Diri ("former mayor Abla") was shot dead in Basra today. Amjad Salah (Alsumaria) reports an assassination attemp on Supreme Council leader Mohammad Taqi al-Mawla via roadside bombing targeting the motorcade south of Mosul and while al-Mawla was not harmed one of his bodyguards was injured.

On top of all that, he can't explain why a flight didn't land in Baghdad. What an idiot.

The following community sites -- plus NPR, Ms. magazine's blog, Jake Tapper, Dissident Voice, Susan's On the Edge, Dissident Voice, On The Wilder Side and Pacifica Evening News -- have updated: