| Among Bush's many blunders was his gross underestimation of Iraqi nationalism --aka Iraqi civil religion. Prior to the invasion, every Iraqi but one (Chalibi) interviewed on TV in effect said, "Yes, we want to get rid of S.H., but we want to do it ourselves. We just need your help." NONE said, "Get rid of him for us." We were not invited to take over the place, and Bush didn't listen. As of now,4-5,000 U.S. "boots" have paid the price for Bush's stupidity. It's another Vietnam. There the U.S. was fighting AGAINST communism, while the Viets were fighting FOR national independence. In Iraq, the U.S. is ostensibly fighting AGAINST terrorism (or is it FOR oil?), while the Iraqis are fighting FOR national independence. Trying to make nice to them with public works projects won't do the trick! |