O'Reilly longs for Saddam

Posted by Jennifer Fox at 2:00 PM on June 21, 2006.

O'Reilly's transformation from garden-variety right-winger to unwitting satirist is nearly complete. Were Iraq not in shambles, our Constitution in crisis, and soldiers still in harm's way, his latest screed would actually be hilarious.

A recent Talking Points Memo included condemnations of the ACLU, the BBC, Air America and two American ministers for 'helping' the enemy. O'Reilly was particularly peeved at the ministers for speaking out against torture. (How dare they?) These allegations, coupled with his policy suggestions, are sure to make us A Light Unto Nations:

"At this point the new Iraqi Government should declare martial law in areas controlled by insurgents. That means, anyone can be arrested, and shoot on sight curfews."

"Saddam was able to control Iraq, as you know, and defeat insurgencies against him. The new Iraqi government can do the same, but it needs to get much tougher."

You heard it from O'Reilly first, folks. All we need to do is get the new Iraq government to mimic some of Saddam Hussein's tips for running the country, and everything will get better. Pure genius. Also, encouraging the Iraq government to impose 'shoot on sight' curfews will do wonders for how the rest of the world perceives the U.S. They love us already, right?

Jennnifer Fox is an AlterNet intern.