More Thoughts on Iraq II

Nothing could be worse for the security of the United States than having these ignorant, xenophobic, pigheaded Republicans in office.

I think the way you really influence people's "hearts and minds" is: (1) by getting to know them and gaining an appreciation of their history and culture*, and (2) once they see you're enlightened about them and know where they're coming from, they'll be willing to listen to what you have to say and engage in a give-and-take.

The present administration has made a black mark on our own culture by engaging in militarism and torture. It'll take a long time before a lot of people listen to anything we have to say. Meanwhile, by the actions we've taken, we've created an even stronger resistance to our own culture and thwarted the goal of conciliation.

Not to mention, we've invited terrorists onto Iraqi soil who weren't there before and whom Saddam Hussein would never have tolerated (like Al-Qaeda). We've actually created a worse situation than existed when Saddam Hussein was in power (which situation was avoided by George Bush's own father and his advisors at the time of Desert Storm). Now look what his benighted son has wrought.
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*The area that now encompasses Iraq is a cradle of Western civilization and its history goes back thousands of years. One of the results of the American occupation was the looting of the Iraqi National Museum in Baghdad. I think, a huge mistake. It goes back to respecting people's culture.