Posted on 01/11/2007 11:27:28 PM PST by RWR8189
The American mission in Iraq must succeed. Our goal--promoting a stable, accountable democracy in the heart of the Middle East--cannot be achieved by purely military means.
Iraqis need to establish a civil society. Without the support of mediating civic and social associations--the informal ties that bind us together--no government can long remain stable, and no cohesive nation can be maintained. To establish a civil society, Iraqis must rebuild their basic infrastructure. Iraqis must take control of their destiny by rebuilding houses, stores, schools, roads, highways, mosques and churches.
But the constant threat of violence, combined with a high unemployment rate estimated between 30% and 50%, fundamentally undermines that effort. This not only sustains the fertile breeding ground for terrorist recruiters but has the same corrosive effect as it would in any city--raising the likelihood of further violence, civic decay and a crippling sense of powerlessness.
A massive effort must be made to engage in a well organized plan to rebuild Iraq. The goal: an infrastructure to support and encourage a strong, stable civil society.
The week before Christmas, the Pentagon asked Congress to approve a supplemental $100 billion for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, on top of the estimated $500 billion spent to date. The administration should direct a small percent of that amount to create an Iraqi Citizen Job Corps, along the lines of FDR's Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression. The Job Corps can operate under the supervision of our military and with its protection. The Army Corps of Engineers might be particularly helpful in directing this effort. It will place our military in a constructive relationship with the Iraqis--both literally and figuratively.
(Excerpt) Read more at opinionjournal.com ...
OK.... who was it last week that mentioned a G&G Ticket....... RUDY and NEWT in '08! ~ Republic Rocker ~
On second thought, forget it. Baghdad's an easier fix.
LOL!
There would not be over 1,000 IEDs going off a month if the Iraqi citizenry was cooperating in preventing them. I don't believe the Iraqis are stepping up to the plate - that Sunnis are reporting Sunni terrorists or Shiites informing on their own - not enough to make a difference, and if they don't start doing so, then there is no point reconstructing anything but jails.
If he would get on board with conservatives on border control/illegal immigration, and the 2nd Amendment, I might support him, just because he really could win and keep Edwards (or whomever) out of the White House. We know he is strong on fighting terror. But he's got a loooong way to go with most capital C Conservatives.
(Rudy, pleasse promise not to show up for your inauguration in drag!)
There shouldn't be any unemployed Iraqis, seeing as the Iraqi government saw fit to include a guaranteed right to work in the country's new constitution.
/sarcasm off/
The core problem is brainwashed young murderous muslim males who have been brainwashed by their satanic mullahs.
((((((PING))))))
ROTFLMAO
Guiliani's background provides the very best set of skills and experiences for the following issues.
Rebuilding Iraq
Securing our Borders
Continued Success in the Global WOT
There is no other candidate that will bring more to the table regarding the things that will most effect our nation over the next 20-50 years.
Comparing the problem with unemployed people in New York City 10-15 years ago with the sectarian violence in Iraq today is the mark of an utterly delusional fool.
A welfare-to-work program in New York City would be completely pointless if the city's police force had to cope with large numbers of unemployed "yutes" with AK-47s who spent much of their free time planting IEDs along the Cross Bronx Expressway.
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