<Beyond Regime Change, by Wesley Clark

“But the circumstances of Japan and its transformation bear so little resemblance to those of present-day Iraq that both the analogy and the pursuit of a new MacArthur are off the mark. Almost nothing from the lessons of postwar Japan can be applied directly to Iraq, and consequently, neither the approach nor the character of a MacArthur are appropriate for the mission in Iraq. Just consider the facts.”

It seems that no Iraqis want the US around. Not those that like Saddam, nor those who hate him. None. Period. So, after the “war”, whatcha wanna bet the US will grab and keep the oil fields and leave the rest of the country alone, to starve.

There will be a few bones tossed to some locals, but the Bush Administration demands love, and if they aren’t loved they get mean. Very mean, if they aren’t positively loved. (Talk about insecurity!)

A guess is that they will surround the bigger cities, cut off water and food, and “liberate” the people into “Freedom Villages”, tent cities which have a minimum of food and water as their only way to survive. Would avoid urban fighting that way.

There, while standing in food and water lines, they could be educated into the ways of democracy, taught how to handle freedom, and have large pictures of Bush and Blair instead of Saddam to remind ‘em they are free, basking in democracy, with civil liberties, and no longer have to be afraid of Iraqi troops. Just American and British troops, who have already demonstrated a willingness to bomb ‘em to oblivion.

Or they could do it without the tent cities. Just starve ‘em while showing the world pictures of a few generous soup lines, with a multitude of grateful Iraqis expressing gratitude for not having to starve.

In the meantime, pump oil. Lots of oil. Lots of Iraqi oil, which is described as a spoil of war, being used to pay for the soup lines. And Halliburton bonuses.

But not taxed. That wouldn't be good for the economy.

Arf