From: Harvey Newstrom (mail@HarveyNewstrom.com)
Date: Sat Sep 14 2002 - 15:50:21 MDT
Lee Corbin wrote on Saturday, September 14, 2002 4:27 pm,
> In discussing what the U.S. should do, perhaps in conjunction
> with a number of European nations, I suggest that if it's not
> too bloody, then invading Iraq might make everyone happy.
As usual, I don't think the truth is as cut-and-dried as this. There is
actually disagreement as to what should be done.
> 1. The Iraqis (except the top henchmen) will be happy
> because they get to get rid of their ruthless tyrannical
> leader, and get on the path of Western enlightenment
> (i.e., profits and progress).
I know this is the current right-wing claim, but I don't believe most Iraqis
what the U.S. to overthrow their government.
> 2. The Europeans will be happy, e.g. the French can
> return to their potentially profitable investments
> in Iraq, and the Germans don't have to worry any
> more about what to say about the proposed invasion.
Most Europeans are still waiting for some sort of evidence against Iraq
before they support such a move. If there is evidence, they would prefer
the UN act as a international force. European support for a US invasion is
in the minority.
> 3. The Americans will be happy, because once again they
> get to write a new Constitution for somebody else's
> nation, like they did with Japan, a nation that now
> seems quite happy with how everything turned out.
Many right-wingers support this, but many left-wingers oppose this. There
are questions and doubts on both sides of the aisle in Congress.
> 4. The far left will be happy, because they'll have
> something to rail against for at least a decade,
> inveighing caustically against the latest outrageous
> example of American imperialism.
This is disingenuous because it assume the left doesn't really want to win
the causes they are supporting. You assume that they secretly want to fail
so they can whine about it. Although this is a common right-wing
characterization, it is a simplistic view of the world.
> So as I am starting to see it, it looks like a good thing
> all around.
Maybe it is and maybe it isn't. But it is just plain silly to pretend that
it has universal support. This is why the US is currently having such a bad
time with foreign policy and can't understand why many countries hate us.
They are just blind to opposing viewpoints and only see what they want to
see. While a distorted view of reality might feel more comfortable in the
short run, it will greatly disrupt long-range plans which don't turn out as
expected.
-- Harvey Newstrom, CISSP <www.HarveyNewstrom.com> Principal Security Consultant <www.Newstaff.com>
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