|
also, i can't imagine that they are able to distinguish between civilians and insurgents. aren't they often one in the same? what would be the difference? i guess you could argue that a foreigner entering the country to cause trouble would be an insurgent and not a civilian... but i'm also doubting the records being kept and the research done into these death's details are of high quality.
how to win the hearts and minds of the iraqi people? well, quite honestly, i don't know if there is much we can do that we aren't doing militarily. the only thing i can think of is for the President or one of our large national charitable organizations to really get the ball rolling for private contributions to the iraqi people. if the regular joe-hummus-dish iraqi got basic school supplies for their kids from regular joe-six-pack american... that may help to build a bridge and rapport with them.
but i think we should keep in mind that just because people are being killed and the situation appears to be tenuous doesn't mean that we aren't doing things right. perhaps the situation is arranged that the best of all possible outcomes to this point involves a thousand deaths. we're trying to do something very expensive, dramatic, and dangerous over there. sometimes there are high prices to be paid. you may argue whether or not something is worthy of purchase, but if you're committed to buying it you cannot waiver in paying the debt.
__________________
If you will not fight when your victory will be sure and not too costly, you may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all the odds against you and only a precarious chance for survival. There may even be a worse case. You may have to fight when there is no hope of victory, because it is better to perish than to live as slaves.
~ Winston Churchill
|