Lessons for Iraq from General Washington, Major Andre and Der Fuhrer Adolf Hitler

first published on ChronWatch ^ | 21 September 2003 | John Armor (Congressman Billybob)

[jokar]

This is a wonderful article John. First rate. Now if the journalists will just read it.

[jokar]

When I get sworn in as a real Congressman, you and your whole class (plus a reasonable number of others) are invited to a first-class tour of Washington which I will set up. And it doesn't matter one whit whether you are in my District or a thousand miles away.

I would personally love to take my family. Be careful what you pray for. You're going to make a fine congressman.When will you find time to post to FR ?

[windchime]

Bump!

[JustPiper]

Congressman (Yes, I am optimistic, for the angels should see to it you are elected)...I am looking forward to my first trip to DC to see you first. I've been accumulating a list of invites from some reps, but you will be the first reason I ever make this trip and bring my two polish teens ;)

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!

[Congressman Billybob]

The simple truth is that Congress works a three-day week. They never schedule actual votes on Monday (because that's part of the weekend) nor on Friday (that's weekend time, also). So there will be time for posting on FreeRepublic.

But odds are, I will have to ration my time on the Internet generally. Some of my Net time is spent researching my articles. Other than my weekly columns -- and maybe even those -- I'll have to give up. Odds are, I will dedicate a four-hour stretch (on Monday or Friday, naturally) to go on FR. And other than that, I'll assign a staff member to lurk on FR and to follow other tidbits on the Net that are below the radar of the lamestream media.

I'll keep in touch. But it cannot be as much as it has been for the last six years.

John / Billybob

[Congressman Billybob]

Over-the-transom submissions to major news people are a waste of time. None of them have effective "filters" so the dreck gets weeded out, but the good stuff gets through. I did send this to Sean Hannity's producer, because I have an active correspondence with him. But that's it.

John / Billybob

[Congressman Billybob]

Over-the-transom submissions to major news people are a waste of time. None of them have effective "filters" so the dreck gets weeded out, but the good stuff gets through. I did send this to Sean Hannity's producer, because I have an active correspondence with him. But that's it.

Anyone who has a personal contact with any newspeople is welcome to do with my article what you will. But absent the personal contact, my experience suggests that such efforts are a waste of time, sadly/

John / Billybob

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

Early on, the official policy of America was to "do nothing concerning the reconstruction" of Germany's economy and society. This was to be left only to the Germans themselves, regardless of their lack of money, equipment, homes, factories or shops. It took two years for the United States to recognize that its own self interest demanded a functional Germany back on its feet as a bulwark against the Soviet buildup in Eastern Europe. And the American policy was changed to helping the Germans reconstruct their nation, effectively and quickly.

. . . The reconstruction of Germany back to a fully functional society – both economic and political --. . . was not largely completed in Germany for four years, whereas in Iraq it should take about two years.

Would you say that West Germany was in better shape after two years of not-so-benign neglect than Iraq is now? Politically, perhaps it was--2 years of deNazification following less than 15 years of Nazi rule, compared to Iraq's few months of deBaathification following dozens of years of Baath rule.

Economically, tho, I'll bet it was worse. If so the economic reconstruction of Germany only took two years of U.S. help. I don't see that Iraq should take continued US government investments (I hope the term may be used in the non-Clintonesque sense) for more than a year. I certainly hope that by then Iraq has a rule of law in place which will allow private enterprise to undertake the rest of the reconstruction more efficiently than the government can.

[Congressman Billybob]

Even though Iraq is a basket case, Germany was far worse in May, 1945, when it surrendered. The bombing in Germany was not precision, but carpet. The fighting in Germany was not slight, but horrific and house to house.

Germany took more than four years to patch up and get functional. Iraq will take a full two years, by comparison.

John / Billybob

[blackie]

Great stuff, Congressman Billybob ` thanks for the ping RC!

[buzzsaw6]

Hey John!
When you get a bank account set up for contributions to your congressional campaign, I'll send you a donation. I'd like a bumper sticker. Major Jamie Myers, USAF

[eureka!]

Oh, to have an honest press. Wonderfully done, as per usual...

[Mr. Silverback]

Bump!

[Norse]

ping for later

[kylaka]

Six of those eight were hanged; two were convicted and their sentences carried out even though they claimed to be American citizens (one clearly was an American, born in Chicago.)

It was pointed out in my local newspaper that apprehension, trial and execuition for these individuals took 36 days. And the liberals complain about civil rights abuses to the prisioners in Gitmo. FDR makes Bush and Ashcroft look like pikers.