Posted 4/01/2003 12:01:00 PM by Ocean Guy
An UnSaddamized Iraq...

The benefits of a free and democratic Iraq in the post-Saddam world, make the risks we are taking well worthwhile. But, make no mistake, we are taking a huge risk. The Arabian scapegoat of anti-Semitism and its extension to anti-Americanism is not going to be eliminated the way Saddam is.

In the UnSaddamized Iraq there will still be countless Arabs who hate us, are jealous of us, and will blame us for their problems. The surrounding states, which share the anti-Semitism and anti-Americanism, will find like-minded individuals in Iraq and will conduct a war of terror much like they do in Israel. We can still win, but it will take a great deal of time and will take great resolve.... it will not be an easy time.

By minimizing the appearance of occupation and maximizing NGO participation we'll begin earning the trust of some Iraqis, still there will be enemies. Our motives are suspect; our relationship to Israel is suspect. We are not winning many friends by invading an Arab country. That said, it doesn't mean that what we are doing is not right. But to ensure success, we had better be ready for a long, difficult and expensive ordeal.... Iraq is not the only Arab state that is being Saddamized.