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Okay. I am about to speak heresy, so I am pulling on my Nomex.

Why does anyone think it is a good idea to train these moon-god worshipping lunatics? Look, the reason that we - and the Israelis - have had a relatively easy time dealing with Arabs on a military level is because they just aren't very good at it. They suck. Just listen to our own troops talk about what crappy shots most of the Iraqis are. The fact that these guys are not very skilled has saved a lot of American lives over there, because if they had some skill to combine with their disregard for their own safety they could be very dangerous in a combat situation. While there may be some "good" Iraqis who appreciate their newfound freedom, let's face it - the country is dominated by folks who want all life activities to be governed by the words of the Koran. Do we really want a couple hundred thousand jihadis with the latest in American military training running around in Iraq? Or anywhere else in the ME, for that matter?

They'll pose about as much threat to the world as the ARVN did.

For your info, the U.S has been training allied military personnel for decades, whether they be arab egyptians, or previously Iranians etc. hell even the Germans.
There are many positives in doing so, teach modern warfare as well as modern war ethics and law. Tactics and international cooperation. Plus these folks can't help but be affected by their experience here as opposed to say craphole guatemala.

It is the underlying philosophy of a nation that determines how it uses its military power. It remains to be seen what will happen when the people of an Arab nation are given the opportunity to control their own destiny. I can't even imagine what it must be like to be raised from birth in an environment of hate and blaming others for my misfortunes. We are not getting anywhere near the whole story of what's going on in Iraq, the dozens or even hundreds of areas where local elections are taking place, there is little if any insurgent to cause problems and school and hospitals are available for the first time in the lives of the citizens. We were told at the end of WWII that the Japanese and Germans could never handle freedom, that their heritage was such that they could not survive without a 'leader'. Then we were told that the USSR was an unfortunate but necessary evil, that those people could never make it on their own. England thought we would fail without their oversight. This is going to be a fascinating time in the history of that part of the world. It's no wonder so many countries in the region are cheering for the other team or outright supporting those who oppose freedom for Iraq. I will be very sad if America turns it back on Iraq now, just as they are about to have elections. That's the whole purpose of the evil deeds we are seeing committed on a daily basis and the best way to bring those deeds to an abrupt end is to send the message that we are not going away anytime soon by electing George Bush to a second term!

the difference is that we are trainign a democratic and free country now

you gotta believe that is going to make all the diference if you believe in democracy and freedom at all

(damm thats almost profound! and on only one cup of coffee so far this AM)