<<The damage from the Iraq War to date may never be overcome.>>
?? Like anything else, it will fade as time passes. Its main adverse effect will be financial, as was Vietnam's. A huge waste of money and a further weakening of an already fading power, faced with dynamic rivals who were able to put all their treasure and energies into positive and constructive work for their own benefit. It won't be enough in itself to bring down Amerikkka, but it'll speed the day.
<< The sleeping giant Iran has awakened and intends to be the power in the region absent the balance of Iraqi vigilance. >>
IMHO, that was inevitable. Even the Shah had regional ambitions. Iran's a big population with a proud and ancient culture. They can't be kept down forever by the Anglo-Americans.
<<This could induce a more radical character to the whole region>>
IMHO, in the current Islamic regime, you've seen about the farthest that that kind of radicalism can go in the region, before it rubs up against a popular resentment at being bossed around by a bunch of ignorant fanatics. Kids want to wear jeans and listen to the same music that Los Angeles listens to. Women don't want to cover up. Men don't wanna grow bushy black beards.
<< in a sense institutionalizing our own worst nemesis.>>
You should be so lucky.
<<The idea now -- similar to what the Iraq Study Commission proposed -- is to manage a very bad situation in the very best way possible from herein on out.
The Democrats' ideas just may be superior in this regard . . . >>
I really wasn't aware that they had any. Impeaching Bush and/or Cheney is a non-starter, defunding the war is a non-starter, setting a timetable for withdrawal is a non-starter. What the hell ARE "the Democrats' ideas" anyway? Does sitting on the fence constitute an idea? Is "support the troops" an idea?
<< . . . and the Administration's may just be a perpetuation of the Ugly American syndrome, which exaggerated causes most of our foreign policy woes. >>
Ever get that sinking feeling that the so-called Ugly Americans are a really bipartisan group and always have been? That voting Democratic won't change the policies all that much?
<<A temporary success by [our military] does not change that dynamic, nor does guaratee an outcome whose structure is presently beyond our control.>>
Ain't THAT the truth!!
