Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Dayuhan who wrote (93816)	4/16/2003 6:29:44 AM
From: unclewest	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 281500

It will not help at all to have Christian missionaries running around preaching at these people. Freedom of religion is one of the greatest gifts. Freedom to select a religious preference only happens after one has a choice. It is situation normal for missionaries to enter into troubled areas. I have seen them work. The humanitarian aid they provide can be quite extensive. Their volunteers are hard-working and willing to assist in any community effort including, food, water, clothing, medical, dental, schools, etc. They do practice their own religion and they may offer it to others...but that is part of being free. I have never seen freedom of religion become a problem on anything but a very short-term local level (and then for a political not a religious reason) and I predict you are very wrong about this. The real key to overall success has yet to be discussed. Iraqis are free but do not know what it means yet. Those arguing that their lives are worse not better are right in at least some circumstances. The effort is presently concentrated on food, clothing and shelter including power, water and other infrastructure. That is not going to be enough. The Iraqis are refugees in their own country right now. They need and will welcome all the support they can get from any source. I believe the Iraqis will begin to sense and experience freedom only after they have a regular job and they become independent of government and NGO provided support. The policemen and utility workers who answered the call to return to work may be the first to really begin to experience freedom. A contracting and procurement effort is well underway to initiate the rebuilding of Iraq. Fortunately, unlike Afghanistan and recent others, Iraq does have an industrial production base...(oil). edit...Iraq also has a relatively well educated population and a very well educated ex-patriot population. Iraq will be able to rebuild itself quickly. They will be able to expand their job base beyond those construction jobs soon. We are well on the way to finishing this right. I believe the right to practice freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom to vote for any candidate will be welcome, appreciated and part of the solution. Those freedoms will not be part of the problem as you suggest. unclewest