The answer is simple - the solution is complex.

[kentuck]

The answer is peace and equality - not war. But how do we get peace and equality in Iraq? Surely creating more "war" is not the solution. Surely barricading a few leaders behind a "Green Zone" in Baghdad is not the solution. The people of Iraq do not feel as they are part of their American-sponsored government.

So how do you get peace and equality in Iraq? First of all, all the people must be represented, and that would include the radical Shiite group of Sadr and other sectarian splinter groups in Iraq. They need to sit down and talk. They need to reach out a hand, not a gun. Obviously, some people will refuse the hand, but at least, the majority of the people in Iraq will know a hand was given.

So long as one group believes it is superior to another, there can be no peace. There must be equality. A small group of American puppets cannot bring peace to Iraq. America needs to get out of their country as soon as physically possible. If we had stayed in Vietnam, that war would still be going on....

[Rebellious Republican]

1. You ask a very sensible question Kentuk, we need to get out....

I think the majority of Americans feel this way. The question is how, where do we start, who do we need to lead the way.
First and foremost, we need to eliminate the major road blocks that stand in the way. Dick Cheney and George Bush have to be dealt with, as long as they remain in power, they will stymie the process.
Second we need some serious experts to be brought in to devise an exit strategy, we need a diverse group for this. I suggest people like Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, Wes Clark, Zebignew Brezinsky and yes, we do need to have some by-partisian leaders with good sense. I suggest people like Chuck Hagel and Henry Kissinger. Because they have valuable experience in runaway wars.

We need help from global sources such as the UN, Nato, the Arab league, Red Cross, etc. Yes some of you here will flame me for some of my suggestions, however if we are going to do this, we all have to quit bickering and put every available asset to GOOD use.

These are just a few suggestions to get the ball rolling and we can not hesitate for a single minute. We need to come up with a plan and fast.

:shrug:

[kentuck]

2. We need to use all those resources....

in an attempt to get the Iraqis talking with each other. Until they sit down and talk and agree that peace is better than killing, nothing will be accomplished except more killing. But we don't talk to "terrorists", they say? Well, they are all "terrorists". I think those are the people we do need to talk with if we are going to see peace. They must be included in any discussions if a government is going to succeed. Peace over war.

[OETKB]

3. Internationalizing the solution

Right on.

Our government must first 'fess up to the horrible tragic mistake the invasion of Iraq was. Second it must actively seek the help from the UN to set up a mandate and stand aside as it does its work.

When Mr. Sistani called for elections over Bush's objections, it was the UN that saved his behind. However the UN was only partially in charge so the job of forming meaningful political parties rather than representative warring tribes evolved into the situation we have today. A true constitional convention must be called with the aim of producing unity rather than settling old scores.

Every power unit in Iraq must be represented at these meetings and a ratification must be by a super majority. Time in forming such a government is not the issue, accomplishment is. I always remember the story of B. Franklin standing up after much toil on the US Constitution and declaring "we have made this as perfect as we can, let's ratify it, and leave future generations to correct our errors." I am paraphrasing the latter but believe the essential thought is there.

Somewhere in all of this must be the recognition that war is a destructive force and only solves very limited problems. The only valid ones I feel are self defense from an attacking political entity or to separate beligerants under international agreement or as a police action to arrest a regime that is oppressing its people under strict laws of evidence and again by international agreement. It must always be kept in mind that no peace or progress in a civilization occurs until the hostilities stop. However we must continue to evolve to downplay military solutions. There is no necessity to have a defense apparatus that dwarfs the rest of the world several fold.

I recently visited Spain and followed the route of the "reconquest" from Madrid to the Costa Del Sol. The conventional view is that the Christians threw out the Jews and the Moslems. A examination from ground level shows otherwise. The Northern Kingdom felt that every one should be the same and there was a devine right of Kings. They chose to rule by supertition and power. The Southern Kingdoms encouraged tolerance and reasonalble justice. The former's civilization suffered from their choices and the latter florished. When the latter was snuffed out by military force they paid the price of losing the productivity of a major portion of their populace and plunged Spain into a lesser status until the death of Franco. The interesting thing is that through the guides we were shown this sad chapter in Spain's history. They clearly exprssed the overwhelming recognition of the tragic mistake the Kingdom of Catalonia made. The most frequently displayed sites of history emphasized by the Spanish are the Alhambra in Grenada and the Cathederal in Cordova, both monuments of the high points of the past greatness of the Andalusian Civilization. The so called Moorish enclave was made up of all religions living mostly in harmony and protected by laws that did not favor any particular religion. Of course I am not saying this was representative government but certainly benefited from enlightened leadership, a needed ingredient to make any government work. This is a strong lesson for us.

It must also be agreed that war is not ennobling but a major destructive force of life and culture. I recommend Christopher Hedges book on war("War is a Force That Gives Us Meaning")for a review of this subject. I do not believe soldiers are any more valuble workers in our society but want to honor all who do their job to improve the survival and well being of our nation. I also believe our tendency to put the military on a pedestal enhances their chances to have some of the mental breakdowns that occur when they return home.

In conclusion, we must reject war and understand we are evolving from our prehistoric tribal roots and it is our reasoning power and sense of mutual survival that ensures our niche on this Earth. Do the experiment in your mind. If we suddenly all were reduced to the intellect of a four year old, how long do you think our species would last? I don't think we would make it through the day. Finally a thought from Tom Paine---"No one joined a civilization to make themselves worse off."

[kentuck]

4. Well said!

Thank you.