Iraq..A Hard Back Book Without An Ending?

 

In the early years, our neighbor England tried colonizing countries all over the world.  After centuries, we see they may have changed the speech, but could not change the peoples choice of life.  The world is still affected by the attempt to change nations to a new way of government and life style.  Are we ready to commit to a similar situation in Iraq.  You cannot change what does not want to be changed by allowing choice, only by force.  Change is an action, choice is an option.   We should admit and commit to moving in another direction.  If we are in situations that are not improving, we need to get off center and try to find direction.

We are engaged in a lose, lose situation in a country that will always be in a civil war strife as long as there are different factions of religion, politics and ethnic backgrounds.  If we stay there 40 years, we will still be losing soldiers, fighting fires and pouring millions/billions of dollars into an economy that will never stabilize as we want it.   We sometimes forget that most people want sympathy, help and understanding more than advice.  Have you ever moved in a new area or state and tried telling your neighbor how to cut his yard a different way, how to raise his children, change his politics, visit your church, what color to paint his house, where to call to get service on his car and home and what would be best for him living in this neighborhood.  Were you willing to subsidize all this with your money.  Did it work?  You can only change what a person believes one way.  You must make him/her doubt what their beliefs are.  Once doubt is established, it is possible to change beliefs.  Read the Bible, is this not how our faiths were started. 

I do not think you can change the way of life of other ethnic groups unless those involved can see it is a better way.   Tradition, honor, pride, and love of country cannot be changed overnight.  America has been the melting pot for all peoples.  They came, they saw, they changed, but they still kept their traditions, honor, pride and love for the old country.  What is different?  They came to America seeking a new life.  What is occurring now is we are changing " their" country to a new life.  There is a great difference.  Only those wanting a new life will seek it.  If any minority, majority or ethnic group does not want the new life, peace can never exist.

Who best could be asked to find the answer to our situation in Iraq?  Look no further than the borders of Iraq.  Iran, Syria, Turkey, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan.  Could we not ask these nations to assist in formulating a government for Iraq.  Cut the deal to include availability of continued oil supply we need.  We are outsiders and will never be accepted as anything other than infidels.  Our money is the only language understood. 

Would this not be a way to back out with some respect, by asking these nations to help?   It may not be a "democracy" when complete, but it will have the blessings of all neighbors and those who are now supplying munitions to those who are killing in Iraq.  We need to get off center.  Would the bombings cease?  No!  The factions there are in a civil war to gain dominance before we pull out. They will continue to bomb each other as long as conditions allow it.  Saddam knew what would occur if strong control was not enforced.  His way was not right, but someone needs to design a way to make all 3 factions understand they must live together. 

I pray that in the near future that an answer can be found.  We have paid and are still paying a high price keeping the peace in Iraq.  Is it too much to ask that we look at all possibilities to end this war?  What will we have to do, to say, let us end this?   We cannot undo what has already occurred.  We can find reason to keep it from continuing.  Are we really looking?

Are we interested in a democracy for Iraq or the oil in Iraq?  It cannot be to end terrorism, there was none there with Sadam.   What price are we going to have to pay for the answer?  I read the paper and watch the news and listen to those who are there and those who have come home and it is sometimes conflicting as to what is going on.  "Why" cannot be answered, unless "justification" is present.

I end this with a quote from Shakespeare:

Beware the leader who bangs the drums of war in order to whip the citizenry into a patriotic fervor,

For patriotism is indeed a double-edged sword.

It both emboldens the blood, just as it narrows the mind
..And when the drums of war have reached a fever pitch
and the blood boils with hate and the mind has closed,
the leader will have no need in seizing the rights of the citizenry.

Rather, the citizenry, infused with fear and blinded with patriotism,
will offer up all of their rights unto the leader, and gladly so.
How do I know? For this is what I have done.
And I am Caesar.

--- William Shakespeare--