Do you believe that we should right the wrongs in Iraq?

If so, how?

What are the solutions than can be done? What are the options?

I've read many opinions and at this point I don't know what to think.

It's pointless (and tiresome) to rattle about what got us into this war. We are there now and things are out of control. What can be done? Can anything be done?

And we sure as hell need to end it and re-build American dignity and trust. What would be a greater honor than that? I don't know that Bush* is capable of doing the right thing, but I sure as hell don't know what he knows. I don't even know that what I know is accurate. My opinions were based on information that may or may not be accurate.

This country is split and I feel as split as it. I don't know what to think. I do want to help put things right, but I don't even know what I CAN do to help.

Maybe I'm going to disappear from any war-related or even the bulk of political topics for a while. I don't know what to think and therefore anything I say on the topic cannot be considered valid. I care for this country and want the best for it, as do us all. But without feeling secure in what I believe in, while conjuring up tinfoil hat ideas about the corporate realm or the rest of the world ganging up on us, based on specific media outlets (many foreign, some fringe)... it is too much to bear for even my cynical personality. At least in GD. And maybe I'm tired of being cynical. I don't know anymore. I just want to help people and build constructive relationships and to progress society in a positive way.

Then send the people responsible to jail. Pay restitution. Offer sincere apologies whether or not they accept them.

Kind of like rape.

You don't permit the rapist to keep assaulting the victim until she gives her consent.

Our society is dependent on oil. They will, almost understandably, have a field day wiping out the pipelines which in turn devastates our economy which in turn devestates the world economy since it's based on ours. Maybe we deserve that fate, I have no idea, but there's got to be a better way than this kill-or-be-killed approach. Are we truly THAT unevolved?

I like the idea of restitution and apology, except we've already done that with Fallujah (and now Mosul, I gather?) Trouble is, do we really act like we're sorry?

You should understand that the attacks on oil infrastructure are designed to prevent what is perceived as the theft of Iraqi oil. Under Bremer, oil was pumped furiously and revenue went directly to the US for whatever use we saw fit, including funding the military occupation. In Iraq, this was common knowledge. The current government in Iraq has only a little more credibility. Oil is the wealth of the country, and residents of the country should be most concerned that as little of this wealth be stolen as possible, as they have few future prospects once it is gone.

because too many stupid mistakes have been made from day #1. What we as a compassionate people should do is just LEAVE. Those poor people have suffered enough, first under a US-blessed, brutal dictator and then under a hamfisted foreign occupation. The civil war which might break out will be brief and a lot less bloody than a continued occupation and war of attrition is likely to be.

Once a new government has arisen, no matter what it is or how hostile it may be to the US we need to arrange for humanitarian supplies and infrastructure rebuilding supplies to be delivered to the border.

That is what a compassionate, Christian nation would do.

Bush will undoubtedly choose a different path.

impartially?

Yes, they deserve to hate us either way, given the news that has transpired about the bogus evidence right down to the worse-than-appalling Abu Gharib incidents. I know enough that that is ultimately to be the case, they will hate the US. But, I believe, the UN has a chance in all this to regain some respectability by taking control, help the Iraqis regain order without slanting things toward US eminent domain, and setting up unfettered and true democracy. No strings attached. (and the US can definitely put some money into rebuilding the country and keep troops where those Iraqis who like them are), but I think only the UN can induce order.

Of course, if Allah and Jesus appeared out of nowhere and said we should all be friends, THEN we all might have a chance too. But do you see that happening any time soon? I doubt it. We humans need to put more effort into controlling our emotions and our destiny.

the Iraqi people from having a voice in their own destiny.

We lost all hope for that when Bush was declared winner of the 2004 election.

That we are spending billions on a loosing battle.
They will not go for this, guys. Get a clue.
We cannot convert them.
As I heard one of our soldiers describe it, "all of them are willing to die" and that is what we are up against.
Don't you DARE try to send my daughter into this fray!

in Iraq now. The chimp has put us in an untenable position, starting an unrighteous war. The deaths on both sides are unacceptable, as are the injured/maimed, both physically and psychologically. We can't just leave, can we? But I think this is an unwinnable war.

Too many war crimes to list. The destruction of a country, its cities, people's homes and businesses. Over 100,000 dead. Hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions, injured. Depleted uranium everywhere.

Would the US ever turn all the people responsible for these war crimes over to a war crimes tribunal? Never! And so the Iraqi people would never take your apology seriously. And the US doesn't have enough money or credit to rebuild Iraq.

However, things at a lower level that could help?

First, give ALL government contracts to Iraqis. Employ Iraqis. Now. Who needs Hallibuton and KBR? Useless companies. Who knows the Iraqi infrastructure system better than the Iraqis who built and maintained it. They build roads, bridges, hospitals, homes and schools for a fraction of the cost US companies do. Throw out the foreign companies. Throw out Bremer's privitisation laws. Flush his intellectual property rights laws down the toilet. Send the carpetbaggers packing.