Iraq

"It was a fact that I started to get multiple indicators that maybe our iron-fisted approach to the conduct of ops was beginning to alienate Iraqis," General Sanchez said, referring to military operations. "I started to get those sensings from multiple sources, all the way from the Governing Council down to average people."



Oh come now, the top US military people in Iraq are not that naive, to suddenly note this with such surprise: they are not Bob or Sally from the corner pub.

This behaviour of the Americans troops had purpose. This kind of agressive behaviour was probably thought out by some behavioural psychologist in a Pentagon back-room.

What: they thought it would feel so good if they stopped, that the Iraqi's would love them for it?? A sort of battered wife syndrome?? A kind of Stockholm syndrome?? Perhaps they thought that the Iraqi's were used to a heavy hand and would only have respect for that; better use force just like Saddam did?? Perhaps they hoped another strongman would arise from the Iraqi ashes and take over where Saddam left off... a kind of benevolent dictator, friendly to the US and their business interests?? Who knows. In any case, this kind of uniform heavy-handedness only happens with the express agreement and blessing of top military brass.



I do think it is sensible to start treating the Iraqi people with common dignity and good manners though, before each and every person in that country is turned into an American-hating 'terrorist'. Which would make this war a far more effective public relations exercise for Al Queda than Osama (remember him?? the mastermind of 9-11 who is currently tap-dancing all over Afghanistan with his old cronies) could ever manage to pull off.



I am still so, SO very angry at this pre-emptive war.

It has made the world so much more unsafe.

I will not ever forget this, or forgive.

I hope it costs the US much... so much, they will think twice before starting another pre-emptive war.

Just not in more human lives.