The War in Iraq
My feelings about the war are very conflicted. I opposed the idea of invading Iraq but having done so I find the idea of just pulling out repugnant. I think it has to do with the idea that we should leave the world better than we found it. A sort of we broke it so we must fix it mentality.
Given the recent turn of events in Afghanistan I am not sure we know how to fix it. The problem with self-determination is that you do have to do it yourself; it can not be done for you.
06-04-06 War Crimes
The allegations that enraged Marines have committed war crimes against Iraqi families highlights the need for the Bush administration to stop pretending that Iraq is not becoming as much a quagmire as Viet Nam became. It suggests that the troops are suffering battle fatigue because they are undermanned. The Secretary of Defense should have listened to the professional soldiers in the military as to how many troops would be needed to stabilize the situation before turning the job over to the new government.
06-10-06 The death of al-Zarqawi
I find that I can not be euphoric about the death of anyone. I fear Islamic fundamentalists will try to make al-Zarqawi et al into martyrs to their cause what ever it is. I however have never sensed that the Creator has any special affection for persons who have advocated the murdering of other people simply because they choose not to agree with their world view so I do not feel that al-Zarqawi et al will be viewed as martyrs by the Angels and the Creator. Since al-Zarqawi was not Iraqi and Iraq has traditionally been a more secular society than fundamentalist society I doubt that there will be too much political impact as a result of his death. I think that the majority of Iraqis viewed al-Zarqawi as an outside agitator who brought more death and destruction to their land and their lives. They probably see the US military in a similar light which in view of the alleged war crimes that have been perpetrated by members of the US military is not far from the truth. Hopefully a reduction in the level of violence coupled with vigorous prosecution of offenders will stop members of the US military from future criminal acts. My best hope is that al-Zarqawi's death reduces the level of violence that the Iraqi people have endured.
6-18-06
At least the politicians have rejected the idea of setting a time table for withdrawal. Everyone would be better served if those in charge focused on what needs to be done to restore a semblance of order in Iraq and how to get the job done then we can calculate how long it will take.
6-26-06 The Trouble with Time Tables
Time tables are great for buses, trains, and planes but not so good for wars. A better plan for the situation in Iraq is a goal table. A set series of goals that when met allow for the reduction and then elimination of foreign troops from Iraq. The problem with professional politicians is that they are so accustomed to making political promises to the voters that they rarely keep that the idea of setting a goal and meeting it is an alien concept to them.
12-10-06
The Baker-Hamilton Commission report has been released and no one seems to like it.
I think we have to consider letting Iraq divide. The Kurdish area would probably be a fairly stable autonomous region. Just because the Turks use oppressive actions against Kurds in Turkey is not a reason for the USA to suppress the Kurds desire for self rule in Iraq. The Shite areas will probably ally with Iran and the Sunni with the Sauds which will bring a semblance of stability to the region.
Given the recent turn of events in Afghanistan I am not sure we know how to fix it. The problem with self-determination is that you do have to do it yourself; it can not be done for you.
06-04-06 War Crimes
The allegations that enraged Marines have committed war crimes against Iraqi families highlights the need for the Bush administration to stop pretending that Iraq is not becoming as much a quagmire as Viet Nam became. It suggests that the troops are suffering battle fatigue because they are undermanned. The Secretary of Defense should have listened to the professional soldiers in the military as to how many troops would be needed to stabilize the situation before turning the job over to the new government.
06-10-06 The death of al-Zarqawi
I find that I can not be euphoric about the death of anyone. I fear Islamic fundamentalists will try to make al-Zarqawi et al into martyrs to their cause what ever it is. I however have never sensed that the Creator has any special affection for persons who have advocated the murdering of other people simply because they choose not to agree with their world view so I do not feel that al-Zarqawi et al will be viewed as martyrs by the Angels and the Creator. Since al-Zarqawi was not Iraqi and Iraq has traditionally been a more secular society than fundamentalist society I doubt that there will be too much political impact as a result of his death. I think that the majority of Iraqis viewed al-Zarqawi as an outside agitator who brought more death and destruction to their land and their lives. They probably see the US military in a similar light which in view of the alleged war crimes that have been perpetrated by members of the US military is not far from the truth. Hopefully a reduction in the level of violence coupled with vigorous prosecution of offenders will stop members of the US military from future criminal acts. My best hope is that al-Zarqawi's death reduces the level of violence that the Iraqi people have endured.
6-18-06
At least the politicians have rejected the idea of setting a time table for withdrawal. Everyone would be better served if those in charge focused on what needs to be done to restore a semblance of order in Iraq and how to get the job done then we can calculate how long it will take.
6-26-06 The Trouble with Time Tables
Time tables are great for buses, trains, and planes but not so good for wars. A better plan for the situation in Iraq is a goal table. A set series of goals that when met allow for the reduction and then elimination of foreign troops from Iraq. The problem with professional politicians is that they are so accustomed to making political promises to the voters that they rarely keep that the idea of setting a goal and meeting it is an alien concept to them.
12-10-06
The Baker-Hamilton Commission report has been released and no one seems to like it.
I think we have to consider letting Iraq divide. The Kurdish area would probably be a fairly stable autonomous region. Just because the Turks use oppressive actions against Kurds in Turkey is not a reason for the USA to suppress the Kurds desire for self rule in Iraq. The Shite areas will probably ally with Iran and the Sunni with the Sauds which will bring a semblance of stability to the region.
posted by candy at 5:03 PM
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