I would agree this would be the best approach in theory, but will it work? It certainly didn't work all that well with Arafat. And aren't we trying to do this in Iraq? We're trying to set up a democracy for the people there. We're trying to set up their infrastructure (obviously we could be doing a better job at it). The people there want that stuff. They have no beef with us. But the terrorist groups resist it, just like they would in every country. And it's not like the people can revolt on their own to overthrow their governments, they don't have the man power nor the weapons to do so.

 

For this approach to work we would need to start a broad campaign to reclaim our image, then take military action to oust any militant regime in charge. But would this ever work with the 24/7 bashing on the US and the rest of the West that these countries spout out to their people?

 

Actually it worked wonderfully for Arafat. He led a government in exile into getting a great degree of power within Palestinian territory right up until his death. It didn't work out so well for the people he led, but then again - nobody ever really accused Arafat of giving a s*** about the people beneath him.

 

I would argue that we are not doing a good job at rebuilding infrastructure in Iraq, that we're doing quite the opposite. You can talk about opening schools and all that - but the truth is, putting a fresh coat of paint on an existing building isn't rebuilding infrastructure - keeping power on 24 hours a day would be.

And now it's the good 'ole US of A's fault the electricity isn't on.

And now it's the good 'ole US of A's fault the electricity isn't on.

Yes. Yes it is. Last I checked, we invaded a country. You invade it, you own it, until someone can take over from you. And that generally takes a whole lot of years.

And now it's the good 'ole US of A's fault the electricity isn't on.

 

When you're the ones who bombed the s*** out of the infrastructure and can't maintain the stability to rebuild it, yeah, it sort of is your fault.

And now it's the good 'ole US of A's fault the electricity isn't on.

Last I checked, we pledged to rebuild the infrastructure we destroyed in 2003. So yes, it is our fault.