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Reconstruction Redux

If you are complaining about how long the reconstruction of Iraq is taking, let me tell YOU something. The reason there is no stable growth in Iraq is not because we are inept at developing a country's infrastructure, it's because the goddamn war isn't over. You are being naive if you believe the Bush administration's line that "All major combat operations are over." The inherent flaw in that statement is that if they ARE over then they SHOULDN'T be, because Americans are attacked daily. But Bush has a reason for deceiving you, and it's called the Vietnam Syndrome. Ever since Vietnam, the US has suddenly become quite squeamish about war -- and reasonably so -- but the fact remains that the American public would rather surround themselves in a fantasy of a "won" war and complain about the lack of progress in rebuilding the country rather than admit the true situation in Iraq; that of an occupating army facing what will likely become a long drawn out guerrilla conflict.

Consider this: When we conquered Germany and Japan after WWII, the reason we were so successful in rebuilding their countries is because there was no armed resistance to our presence there. There were no roving bands of guerrillas doing everything in their power to create chaos. This was possible through the unconditional surrender of those countries to our military. Therefore until all military resistance is crushed, the leaders of the former Ba'athist regime are captured or killed, ("Scattered," or "in disarray," won't do) and former party members are barred from any political or military office will there be any chance of peace permeating the country. Any reconstruction efforts attempted before peace is established are premature and doomed to violent failure. For history has shown us that only in the wake of peace can any real reconstruction and economic development occur unhindered.