Almost two months ago, I wrote a column entitled, "General Washington, Major Andre and Der Fuhrer Adolf Hilter -- Lessons for Iraq." Among the points it made was that seven months passed in Germany after the end of the war, before the United States was able to establish to the certainty of even the German diehards, that Hitler was dead.
Until that point, General Eisenhower was under a standing order "to capture Hitler alive," and a majority of the German people still believed that Hitler was alive and leading the resistance.
Here is a link to that article on FreeRepublic.
The important point is that IT TOOK LESS TIME TO CAPTURE SADDAM THAN TO CONFIRM THE DEATH OF HITLER. Even now, as this capture is being reported, no one in the American press is drawing the valid historical parallel between the occupation of Germany, 1945-46, and the occupation of Iraq, 2003-04.
I haven't heard many comments by Democrat "leaders" on this subject, but I am certain that Li'l Tommy Daschle is "deeply saddened" by the news. The American press, having seldom cracked a history book, is merely surprised.
Congressman Billybob
Click here for discussion thread on latest column, "In Praise of Bigotry."
The most fun was watching them check him for lice. Priceless!
"Among the points it made was that seven months passed in Germany after the end of the war, before the United States was able to establish to the certainty of even the German diehards, that Hitler was dead."
And for over TWO years, after WWII there was resistance (terrorism against US occupying forces) by Germans.
Obviously the US and our allies had the resolve and patience to suffer the occasional episode, and prevailed.
The German, Italian and Japanese people were capable of adopting democracy, and re-entered the world community of peaceful nations.
The big question mark for me is whether any nation of arabs and muslims can overcome those handicaps of culture and religion, yet learn to live in peace with themselves and others.