Doom, Doom, and More Doom (Don't Believe It)

National Review ^ | Feb. 7, 2003 | Victor Davis Hanson

[conservativecorner]

The Hildy-beast has a snowball's chance in h#ll of being President.

[metesky]

I also have no doubt that another Saddam, or a Khomeni...

Or Hitler, Stalin, etc.

Here's the news, FP: It's the way of the world. It has always happened and always will.

[FreedomPoster]

Germany and Japan had that cadre, too. Care to look into how long it was before they were running their own affairs?

I'm not saying it can't be done, I'm saying it can, but must be done carefully, and will take time. This is not a "quick fix", which modern Americans always want.

[CWOJackson]

Germany and Japan were almost totally destroyed, had no economy, were split and occupied by multiple nations and surrounded by ticked off nations. The circumstances for a liberated Iraq will be totally different and we will probably have far less to do with it then some seem to think.

I don't believe the public is as concerned with quick fixes are you think. I know the press is, when it's convenient to their purposes. Same with politicians and anyone else with a political agenda. I don't believe the public at large really cares that much.

I don't see a whole of lot public outcry to bring our troops home from anywhere else they are performing so-called peace keeping duties...most people don't even know they're there. The average American is only interested in a quick exit from combat...occupation means little to them.

[Cvengr]

Isn't it amazing how "Democrats" have an instinctive belief that people who have subjects of totalitarian regiemes are unable to adjust to freedom without help from others,.....and most horrid of all is the idea that such totalitarian subjects might actually be allowed to vote on their own.

It seems as though our "Democrats" don't sincerely believe democracy is innately inspired.

[norraad]

..way of the world...

Exactly why we should have never put down the big stick(you can't talk softly without it).

Bang on the bad animals, brothers.

Love, Teddy

[Miss Marple]

The Occupation of Japan lasted from 1945 to 1952. They created a constitution with a democratic form of government that was approved in May of 1947. After that, the government was democratic and the American occupation consisted of economic stabilization. My mother's cousin helped set up the post-war banking system in Japan. Considering the success of the Japanese nation, and its dependability as an ally since that time, and the fact that is has been both self-sufficient and a non-miltary threat to countries in the region, I would say that the seven years were well spent. (The last few years of the American Occupation had a much reduced military force.)

The occupation of Germamny lasted from 1945 to 1949. Germany had had a history of democratic government and western banking and industry, so we were able to leave Germany more quickly than Japan.

It seems to me reasonable to assume that Iraq's occupation would fall somewhere between the two. Iraq HAS had elections and a functioning government before the takeover of Hussein, and they have an educated population.

[TC Rider]

VDH always lays it on the line. Never disappointing.

[FreedomPoster]

If you're calling me a "Democrat" because I think it will take more than an in-and-out, depose Saddam and clear out in a year, effort, to square Iraq away, well I guess I'm a "Democrat" under your weird definition.

Miss Marple lays out the timeline nicely. That process worked. It should be a model for what we do in Iraq.

All I'm trying to do is build some awareness that the process will take some time, and that the Left will oppose doing it right, and we need to be prepared for that.

And as a postscript - take a look at South Africa for how all that "innately inspired" democracy is working.

[Jumper]

Smart bombs accounted for only 9% of the minitions used in the first Gulf War; they accounted for 74% of the damage. Conventional weapons comprised over 90% of those weapons and accouned for about 25% of the total kills/damage. Today, the US Military estimates it will use, in the two days of Gulf War II, 80% more smart bombs/precision guided munitions than in the entire first go-round. The math here is pretty awesome! Pentagon hopes to use a new generation of aircraft without "unveiling". Tactics are much improved in urban combat techniques due to the past 12-months of heavily US-Israeli cooperation on raids in PA held terrority (US Observers with Israeli forces). The State of Arab War will make a worst showing this time around than in '91 or '67!

[Cvengr]

Perhaps smart bombs accounted for 74% of BDA verifiable damage, but far from 74% of the damage of even aerial delivered ordnance.

In one night alone, 2 Soviet styled Motorized Rifle Divisions were decimated by dumb bombs and strafing by only one lone ANGLICO Marine, reinforced by whatever air he could muster on the fly.

[Cvengr]

My, ...aren't we wearing our emotions on our shirtsleeve!

I have no idea what your political affiliations are, nor was I directing any sarcastic remark at yourself.

I have noticed how those who insist upon how much they support freedom, in a second breath insist they must intervene to help others act in order that they may behave responsibly as free people. In doing so, they themselves really don't respect freedom as much as they simply seek control.

I'm not suggesting that the US won't incur responsibility and liabilities as we simply enter a fray to defend ourselves. That's part and parcel of responsible leadership.

I suspect more ulterior notions are in effect in South Africa than simple democracy.