War Update

OK, I have heard two things over and over and they are starting to sound as stupid to me as anything coming from the (inferior)commander-in-chief.

1) "I support the troops but not the war." Ever stopped and asked one the troops how they fell about that? Fortunately, someone did! Jeremy Staat is a former professional football player and college roommate of Pat Tillman. ESPN reports:

"The way I look at it, we're spreading freedom, and you have to support the troops and you have to support the war," Staat, 29, told KITV in Honolulu on Tuesday as he prepared to leave from Hawaii. "You can't just tell some Marine who just lost his buddy that we supported you but not the war, because in that case you're basically saying that Marine, his buddy, just died for nothing. We're one team."

2) "We have to set milestones for the Iraqi government and if that cannot reach them, we have to pull out." If I said: "we have to set minimum reading standards for inner-city youth and if they cannot reach them; we have to kick them out of school," I would be vilified as a racist and Hitler, etc. Why is no one pointing out that this is equally as stupid; illogical, dumb?

One thing I have not heard: an honest assessment of what will happen in the region if we pull out early. . . It can easily include this:

1) Civil war in Iraq. Open fighting, mass atrocities, etc. A Sunni-Shiite war will not stay localized within the Iraqi borders; results will be felt throughout the region including Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, and Israel.

2) Iran involved with ground troops in Iraq and Kuwait.

3) A destabilized government in Turkey. France, Germany, and much of the EU can wring their hands and condemn the US, but it will be far worse for the EU if the US pulls out and their is a huge seperatist movement for a Kurd homeland that threatens to undermine Turkish stability. Then add in a Sunni-Shiite element from #1 and the EU will be drawn in.

4) End of democracy in Egypt. US turning and fleeing, leaving a regional war in its wake will embolden the radical elements. No idea who will win, but the cost will be large loss of lives, freedom, and peace in the region.

5) Increased starvation on the Horn of Africa. Again, islamic militants will stop the foreign aid flow.

6) Pakistan and Saudi Arabia will stop aiding the US in tracking terrorists. If they cannot trust us to stick by them, they will need to distance themselves from the US and ultimately return to "safe-havens for terrorist transit and funding. Expect at least two major assassinations during the transition. There is a 25% chance that the governments of one of the two countries will fall in the aftermath. In case you forget, Saudi Arabia falling will have a dire effect on the world's economy (oil); Pakistan will simply result in a radical regime with nuclear weapons.

The US has a major election coming in 2008. My early take on the field leaves me wishing for a "none of the above" option. I don't think any of them have a clue on how to resolve this, and most are so deep in denial that they are dangerous.

There are a few things I do know:

Democracy works better than any other form of government.

Democracy works best when people have an economic interest in a stable government.

People don't blow up their own homes, places of business, etc. People with steady incomes, families, and a bright future don't become suicide bombers.

Iraq has oil money; the world has enough money to solve the Palestinian problem, and many of the other problems can be made better if we can give the local 18 to 30 year olds a reason to see a future other than violence. Should be possible to do; how do we do it? Discuss among yourselves! :)