[Rhodes22-list] Rebuilding Iraq was State of the Union

[bberner@optonline.net]

   Of course though, being an atheist, opposed to pretty much all forms
   of organised religion (though not spirituality), I do have to take
   exception to your use of the phrase "year of our lord".

   BB
   Bill Berner
   v: 914.478.2896
   f: 914.478.3856
   e: BBerner@optonline.net

   ----- Original Message -----

   From: brad haslett <flybrad@yahoo.com>

   Date: Thursday, January 30, 2003 11:25 am

   Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Rebuilding Iraq was State of the Union

   > Mark your calendars! On this day, January 30, year of
   > our Lord, 2003, I find myself in agreement with Bill
   > Berner on something. This is surely a sign from the
   > heavens; the end is near!
   >
   > Bill is right, we'll have to stay in Iraq for a long
   > time to achieve any lasting, positive effect on the
   > region. For and indepth article on the subject read
   > James Fallows, "The Firty-First State", Atlantic
   > Monthly, NOV 2002.
   > http://www.theatlantic.com/issues/2002/11/fallows.htm
   >
   > For the record I regretfully accept that taking out
   > Saddam is a necessity. Every trip to China I am
   > saddened that FDR and Truman didn't listen to General
   > Stillwell and force a two party system there after
   > WW2. The USA has a historical record of "fighting the
   > good fight" and then not following up with the long
   > term commitment necessary for lasting peace. We did
   > it in Japan and Germany, we'll have to do it again in
   > the Middle East. Truman was able to fund the Marshall
   > Plan during a sagging post war economy. Our challenge
   > will be no less.
   >
   > Brad Haslett
   > --- bberner@optonline.net wrote:
   > >
   > >
   > >
   > > Alex -
   > >
   > >
   > > I cnouldn't disagree with you more on getting out
   > > of Iraq as soon as
   > > the war is over.
   > >
   > > For the record - I am against a war on Iraq at
   > > this time. However,
   > > based on the SOTU speech, it seems like a pretty
   > > sure thing.
   > >
   > > At any rate, if the US or some coalition wer eto
   > > go in, remove Saddam
   > > and some generals, and then pack up and leave,
   > > there would be chaos.
   > > Tribal fighting and genocide would surely result.
   > > Now that's a
   > > scenario that is ripe for increasing religous
   > > fundamentalism, hatrred
   > > of the US, and increased terorism
   > >
   > > On the other hand, a major long term benefit of
   > > getting rid of Hussein
   > > is the chance to try to enable a democracy to
   > > grow and take hold in
   > > Iraq, that might spread to Saudi Arabia and
   > > Kuwait. The way this
   > > could occur, admittedsly over many years, is that
   > > democracy in Iraq
   > > would lead to greater education, equal rights,
   > > and the resulting
   > > increase in economic opportunity for a large part
   > > of the population.
   > > Citizens of other Arab countries, witnessing
   > > this, would press for
   > > democratization in their own countries.
   > >
   > > The final benefit would be a depowering of
   > > religous fundamentalist
   > > extremists, and lessening the likelihood of
   > > terrorism in western
   > > countries.
   > >
   > > Short sighted foreign policy has been a major
   > > contributor to the mess
   > > we find ourselves in today with both our enemies
   > > (at least this
   > > decade) and allies. Your prescrikption to kick
   > > soime Iraqi ass and
   > > get the hell out, would only add perpetuate the
   > > problem and add fuel
   > > to the terrorist fire.
   > >
   > > BB
   > > Bill Berner
   > > v: 914.478.2896
   > > f: 914.478.3856
   > > e: BBerner@optonline.net
   > > _________________________________________________
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   >
   >
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