The Art of Politics

Shit, Meet Fan

Resolve is about to be tested, and history is a harsh grader...

Major outbreaks of anti-coalition violence have flared in the chronically unstable Sunni triangle, with heavy casualties on both sides.

A bridge is approaching, and we need to decide whether to cross it.

Are the Iraqis a people able to live in a peaceful, representative government? Or like a child of abuse, have they come of age as irreversibly violent and uncontrollable adults? News appears to indicate that the 'enemy of my enemy' axiom is producing shared actions from radical Shiites and anti-coalition Sunnis.

To a country beaten and whipped under tyranny, that has known only violence, that was conquered so very easily by the coalition and shamed in the Arab world, to this country it may seem empowering to now lash out at the object of their deliverance from Hussein. With no idea how to be free, they revert to what they know - naked violence, seeking power. If there is to be a progressive Iraq, it will need to start now, with statements from al Sistani, condeming violence against US forces and condeming al-Sadr as a heretic.

The US must decide - is Iraq worth the cost, and are we prepared to do what must be done to achieve it. The Sunni triangle and other Shia elements have indicated they will not accept the US created Iraqi government, nor respect it as a legitimate source of authority.

The question to be asked, all the way to the President is - what are you prepared to do?

- Are you prepared to pacify major Iraqi cities?
- Are you prepared to, in the face of resistance, raze entire city blocks to demonstrate that killing US forces is not acceptable?
- Are you willing to exact the ultimate price to those who will oppose you?

Because if you are not, the US should withdraw our forces and money and go home. Those opposing you are willing to sacrifice their lives to oppose you. If you are not willing to accomodate them, then you should leave now. And this policy must be strongly stated by the White House.

American blood and treasure will not be squandered. If those opposing us are truly not representative of the broader Iraqi public, they need to be removed without mercy. If they are typical of the Iraqi populace, then no amount of American expenditure will ameliorate the situation. If we are unwilling to match those who oppose us action for action - if we decide we will stop short of going all out - then we will not prevail.

Iraq appears like Viet Nam in one sense - we need to decide whether or not we want to do what it takes to win.

Posted by MEC2 at April 6, 2004 07:41 PM