That defies the whole purpose of coming in the first place. Now, if respect has to be tought to them by violence, what is the difference with Saddam ? I think Saddam had understood long time ago how to manage his people, and maybe, just maybe, this part of the world is not ready yet for democracy...What they need is a dictator. The difference between a dictature and a democracy is very little anyways: In a dictature, you can elect only one candidate...in a democracy, you have the choice between two :rolleyes:

Aurel

Option 2 is freaking brilliant. That really has been the problem-lets fight the war on their terms. We've never learned this, despite the fact that it was the reason a ragtag bunch of Colonialists crushed the Brits, although that was a role reversal.

Although I agree with Aurel on this, I also think it's pointless to argue whether or not Iraq needs democracy. Obviously, it doesn't because it never ASKED for it. At this juncture, the country is being force-fed democracy, and that never works. It's like buying a crappy Porsche as a first example of the brand - immediately one sours on buying another.

In Bush's case, it's like jabbing a stick into a hornets' nest that was fine just hanging around in the roof's rafters. :rolleyes:

Aurel, once again you and I agree... I think we are trying to impress our ideals of democracy on a culture that has had it stomped out of them by Saddams' tyranny.

I think we have seen that a civilized society is not YET possible there. Ok, so what do we do now....

Do we have the stomach to ride this out? I don't think so. Look at the debate here! I suspect that the phones are ringing off the hook in Washington DC everytime the military body count comes out every day.

The plan is to turn over political control this June. Then keep troops to support the Iraqi Police force for a year. I don't see either of those things happening. Don't have the slightest idea of what IS going to happen. Whatever happens, it is not going to be easy.

I think we will turn control over in or about June 30th. Bush needs this to happen so there is "cool down" time before the election. This will be interesting.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/07/international/middleeast/07CND-PREX.html?hp

Interesting article at the nytimes (free registration required) on the topic. I think the administration knows we have a problem...

Actually it's about 12 people <u>per hour</u> killed in car crashes ...... but apparently that's acceptable to most because I've never heard anyone say it's outrageous and somehting needs to be done ...... :confused:

good point.

and....

http://cnn.netscape.cnn.com/news/enhancedstory.jsp?floc=FF-RTO-rontz&idq=/ff/story/0002%2F20040407%2F1557479792.htm&sc=rontz&photoid= bush200.jpg&maxstories=5&storyterm=counterterroris m&maxphotos=5&phototerm=counterterrorism