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Politics : Formerly About Advanced Micro Devices -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: RetiredNow who wrote (236862)	6/11/2005 4:55:15 PM
From: tejek	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 1572942

You said: I have never been a proponent for nation building. I firmly believe that a nation has its own manifest destiny and must be left alone to achieve it. And frankly, I think that's the general view of most liberals. So I simply pointed out that Clinton, the most famous and gifted of liberals, believed in nation-building. If you are suggesting Clinton + Kosovo again, then we are in disagreement what it means to nation build. Tejek, I think you live in a world of absolutes. Never say never. There are always exceptions to the rule but in general, I am not a proponent for nation building. There are times when nation-building is the right thing to do. Not all groups of people have the strength to manifest their destiny and need a helping hand. Now, you sound like a parent and not necessarily a good one. People need help when there is a natural catastrophe or horrible war. That is not the case in Iraq. Iraq has had a history of poor governance while it had one of the strongest and most educated middle classes in the ME. Rarely, if ever, did they try to get a democratic government in place. Rarely, if ever, did they even try to rebel. In fact, I don't think Iraq has ever experienced a rebellion by its people except the one at the end of the Gulf War when they thought the US would help them. By comparison, the Czech public revolted against one of the most powerful dictatorships in the world. The same is true of Poland and Hungary. Its been my observation that not all nations are at the same place at the same time. For an example, East Germans did not rebel against the Soviets and now West Germany has had a hell of a time bring East Germany into the fold. I contend that East Germany like Iraq was not ready for democracy. There are reasons why nations are not at a good place just like there are reasons why humans are not always in a good place. I firmly believe in variations of tough love where its appropriate. Its time we stop doing for the Iraqi people and see if they are ready to do for themselves. Its time we stop taking on a cost that are not ours to bear. The Middle East is in dire need of a something to break the mold of their despondency. I wish there could be world alliance of the major powers to make it happen, but I don't think the other major powers would ever do something like that, which is why it was left to the U.S. The other powers refused to do it because its wrong. If Iraq makes it's way to decency, then that will be a beacon to the entire Middle East that could lead to nothing but good. There's still a tough slog ahead, but it is in the world's interest to see it succeed. This isn't some outpost of tyranny, as Bush likes to describe it. Iraq is the center of the hornet's nest. Get the light to start shining there and you can illuminate the whole Middle East. It sounds very good on paper........and it certainly is an inspiring vision. And I think you may be disappointed. ted