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

To: Bilow who wrote (112214)	8/21/2003 6:18:13 AM
From: Sig	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

<<Your comparison fails for the simple reason that the war in Iraq is not a war to destroy infrastructure and kill people but instead is a battle for hearts and minds. In that war, the important war, we are making regress.>>> Carl, remember the game is "Eliminate Terrorism" , which happens to reside mostly in the ME No one could have thought we were going to make friends with that effort . Making friends is secondary, and without invading Iraq there was no chance to change those peoples opiinions of the US , with Saddam in power and controlling the Press. We waged that War as gently and tenderly as possible with spectacular success So now comes a subset of the war, as you say to win friends, and its hard to measure what progress is being made All of Saddams army of perhaps 400,000 and millions more on his payrolls have lost their jobs and stature. They will not be happy about that for a very long time. Its important for an Iraqi or anyone to feel they are part of a 'higher calling' , such as a government they can be part of and proud of. A feeling that they are not alone, that someone cares, that their labors are are of some use and value and will some day be rewarded We best recognize that by elections, voting, social security, minimum wages, poverty prevention programs, and retirement benefits. Property rights, standard laws and enforcement, district representatives, and secure oil revenues to make the system work. We cant do it for them,. can just outline the framework , and they will have to fill it in They dont want to feel they "owe" anybody, their pride will come from what they do for themselves Nation building is not easy (g) Sig