Charles Krauthammer, the Washington Post's best columnist since Michael Kelly died (man, do I miss that guy!), chides commentators for imagining they could run the Iraqi occupation better than the Bush administration.
Since I returned from the Middle East, I've run into a lot of people who are similar experts. Our company's chief accountant told me things were "pretty bad over there." Actually, I replied, things are only bad in a small portion of a very big area. He laughed condescendingly and said, "Well, I don't think so." I wanted to yell, "Really? How much time have you spent in Iraq recently?" but I refrained.
I've had similar conversations with other people who are shocked to hear that the vast majority of Iraq is relatively safe, and public services are operating mostly at pre-war standards (which, granted, were not that high). Let me say again that I'm not an expert on Iraq either, but I do keep up with events over there, and I pay attention to sources I trust. Or rather, I learned that most news organizations are untrustworthy, so they can be safely ignored.
Krauthammer alludes to the most persistent criticism of the Bush administration: they are not clairvoyant. The most likely problems never materialized, and other problems occured. Now, the most likely problems (population displacement, mass starvation, mass murders) were worse than what's happening right now, but don't expect the Democrat presidential candidates to point that out.
And if by some calamity one of them gets elected next year, they'll find that they'll have to rebuild Iraq just as much as a second Bush administration would.
Welcome back to the states and thank for your service and the sacrifice by your family. I told my husband about your story you blogged before you left. It sounded quite familiar to him. You apparently sent a similar message to your business contacts making them aware of your upcoming unavailability. [My husband is employed at Verio, Inc., in No. Va.] Glad you are back safely!
These are strange times indeed. Some people see Iraqui life as worthless. As Christians we realize that an Iraqui life is no less important than an American life. I read an article on the 'Common Dreams' website awhile ago, which chronicalled a soldiers despair. He was upset that US soldiers would not treat an Iraqui girl who had suffered wounds caused by an unexploded US made bomb, because it wasn't caused directly by them.
Mankind constantly revisits his mistakes. Unfortunately some have used the guise of Christianity to enslave the 'uncivilized' countries of the world. The underlying motive of raw greed devalues and takes human life.
Sadaam for all his treachery, was our ally once. We supplied and supported his wars against Iran and his Shiite rivals. When we decided that he was no longer a desirable ally, we used his despicable nature as one reason to invade Iraq.
Some people feel that we should colonize Iraq. Well, that has been tried before. Go to the internet and study the timeline of the League of Nations. You will see that the same battles have been played out between the Western powers and Arab powers for over 100 years. At one point in the 1930's the Arab league turned down a proposal that would have given them control of most of Palestine. How they wish they could have that deal back! But these are old conflicts - nothing new.
As a Christian I am appalled by Bush, and am horrified to imagine another four years of his war-mongering ways. I will vigorously support Kucinich, Dean, Kerry or pretty much anyone except Bush.
Oh, and God bless Al Frankin, someone with the guts to stand up to those big mouthed lying liars!