XPost: alt.fan.j-garofalo, alt.atheism, alt.radio.talk   
   XPost: seattle.politics   
      
   On Wed, 7 Apr 2004 20:22:41 -0700, usenet@mile23.com.r3m0v3 (Paul   
   Mitchum) wrote:   
      
   > wrote:   
   >   
   >> We've got to minimize the perception that we're they're to advance   
   >> empire, steal oil, repress Islam, etc. And work on demonstrating truth   
   >> behind the rhetoric of bringing freedom and democracy.   
   >   
   >I think the question of whether we should continue in Iraq or bail   
   >post-haste is answered by whether what you say is even possible at this   
   >point.   
      
   I understand that. But a realpolitik  look will say that the US can't   
   cut and run. No administration, no military leadership is going to   
   allow or counsel that.  US credibility will be entirely demolished (as   
   opposed to just greatly tarnished at present).  Our resolve in any   
   future matter will not be relied upon by our allies or others.   
      
   Given that we are going to be in Iraq for at least 15 to 20 years. I   
   think that is a given.   
      
   The question then becomes in what fashion and to what result. I   
   believe a 20 year occupation will look like a Vietnam. The resentment   
   will grow, etc.   
      
   Also if we withdraw, post haste as you say - we will have destroyed   
   the countries institutions, and unleashed civil war, ethnic strife,   
   and in all likelihood left Iraq to fall into the Iranian   
   fundamentalist sphere - which will only heighten the Islamic-West   
   tensions and likely see more terrorism if not outright war.   
      
   SO I believe our policy makers will keep us there. And I think   
   necessarily so (but made necessary by the neo-con hubris, conceit and   
   stupidity).  The question then becomes if we are to stay how to go   
   about doing so in a fashion that creates stability, pro western   
   sentiment, and steers towards secular, and dare I say democratic   
   government.  Against that back drop I think - we need to put the   
   governance and nation building efforts into perceived more neutral   
   hands. And work at salvaging our relations with these people through a   
   Marshall plan like generosity.  20 years from now a populace with US   
   college educated professionals, with US funded schools, and feeding   
   programs, and public works  materials arriving in boxes stamped with   
   US flags will do a lot more than 20 years of occupation enforcing   
   security.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)