[Azred]

Originally posted by Chewbacca: Well, Azred, I agree to a large extent. Though you are aware that what you are advocating is pretty close to the Al Sharpton line, right? Did you get a new hairdo recently? [img]tongue.gif[/img] What is a realistic as well as optimistic approach to this situation?

Yes, I do have a new hairdo...althought it is much more akin to Ewan McGregror in Down With Love. [img]graemlins/beigesmilewinkgrin.gif[/img]

Originally posted by Timber Loftis: Whether going there was a mistake or not, we owe it to Iraq to remain until they have the systems in place to function as a free democracy. If we leave too soon, we simply risk that some leader will come to power and that a dictatorship will rise again.

[img]graemlins/idontagreeatall.gif[/img] We don't owe anyone anything. If they want some help in putting together a democracy, then they can ask for it--in writing--and they can pay us for our valuable time.

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[img]graemlins/erm.gif[/img] A theocracy would be a very bad idea. Whichever faction of Islam gains power will, as history shows, viciously repress the other factions.

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True, pulling out quickly and completely would leave a vacuum that someone (some version of a warlord) will fill. No, the US isn't perfect, but I do sometimes get a little tired of people, both at home and abroad, bitching about everything we do or everything we don't do. I admit it--I'm human. [img]tongue.gif[/img]
What would probably help would be for us to put together a finalized timetable for scaling back forces over the next year--then stick to it--and establishing a provisional constitution/government until the Iraqi people choose their own government. As a nation, Iraq is suffering from post traumatic stress disorder, so it will take time to normalize relations with the rest of the world.