All Hank, all the time.

[sgtclub]

Originally posted by taxwonk
I wasn't aware that we had invaded Israel, Lebanon, Syria, etc. had been invaded. Are you suggesting that Iraq is a good foothold? It could be, if we were actually willing and able to implement a full-scale operation.

I don't think it can be done, realistically. I don't see us being willing to pay for it, in taxes and in lives. I don't see Israel standing for it, although it is an interesting theoretical problem, us occupying Israel for their own good. I certainly don't see the rest of the world standing by and letting the US march in to take over the Middle East, either.

So, it appears that we can't kill them all (although some seem at least willing to consider it) and we can't make them behave. What next?

I'm suggesting that we can't nation build without being there. I think this is obvious. If we are not willing to do this, and we are not willing to nuke the entire place, then we might as well just give up.

Incidentally, the history channel has been running a series called "Revolution" which details the Revolutionary War and it's aftermath. It's funny how many similarities there are between the creation of the US and Iraq. Were you aware that there was a great deal of civil strife in this country after we defeated the British? That Americans took up arms against one another?