|
The relevant conclusion to draw from this article is that the occupation need not fail *if* the proper policy is implemented.
You see, in 1946 the famed Marshall Plan (widely credited with Germany and Japan's economic recovery) had yet to be implemented. Instead, like today, the leadership was ambivalant about how to proceed. Fortunately, the proper steps were taken then.
The question is: does Bush have the mettle to stick it out in Iraq through some tough times, or will he fold a la "peace with honor" in Vietnam or Reagan's Beirut tragedy?
Right now the signal from the administration is one of "Iraqification" meaning an overly rapid turnover to Iraqi leadership of dubious democratic standing.
I hope that this is merely an election strategy and not Bush's heartfelt policy, because if we removed Sadaam just to allow damn Chalabi or some minority theocracy to gain power than it will truly have been for naught.
Let's not even mention WMDs or the "al Qaida ties," it goes without saying that intelligence was distorted. The question is where do we go from here - its too late to rehash the rationale for war except for scoring political points.
__________________
The tragedy of life is what dies inside a man while he lives.
-- Albert Schweitzer
|