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Flame » in reply to National shame

re: National shame
azstrummer — (archived)

Oh I fully agree that losing had a lot to do with the national shame and losing big was also a component but I really think it's an exercise in futility to compare Iraq, this nation of diametrically opposed cultures, with the populations of countries like Germany and Japan.

In Germany it's not like the losing party was a religious and ethnic entity as the Sunnis were in Iraq. It was simply a philosophical, economic, and military choice confined to a single generation. It's not like you went back to your grandparent's house after the war and found Nazi memorabilia from centuries past and pictures of past Nazi heroes on the wall. People gave up the forced allegiances to the party quickly and without regret.

The Sunnis knew that they'd be major targets of oppression the day Saddam fell, were heavily armed and took, what I imagine to them, was a defensive stance by forming into resistance elements. That they went to a preemptive strategy is hardly something the US is in a position to complain about. Hindsight shows us that the Sunnis were right to fear the Shiites and Kurds. Obviously, their methods of defense and retribution are dispicable but it shows the intensity of their loyalty to philosophy and religious sectarianism. I don't think there are enough American troops in all our armed forces to have been able to avoid the carnage we've seen.

I think the Japan model is so far removed from Iraq it doesn't even rate much of a discussion. United culture. Spiritual leader says "Give up and be assimilated". End of comparison.

Art

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