[Dean's World] Dave Schuler: Two Opposing (?) Views

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Posted by Dave Schuler:
Two Opposing (?) Views
http://www.deanesmay.com/posts/1184158446.shtml


   As I made my rounds of the political blogosphere yesterday I stumbled
   across one post and one comment that I thought illustrated an
   important point. I'm not linking to either post or comment since I
   don't want to get into a spitting contest. I'm only quoting snippets
   of each in context, editting them only enough to reduce the likelihood
   of their sources being identified.

   The first post is from a blog which I'd characterize as center-left or
   left but, I think, within the political mainstream. Here's the quote:

     What do you want to happen in Iraq?

     [...]

     Me?

     I want our troops out of there. Not in November 2008. Not in June
     2008. I mean NOW. Like yesterday.

     The Iraqis been fighting one another for nearly 1,000 years. Only
     our arrogance made us think that WE could control him.

     Iraq=Arab Yugoslavia
     Saddam=Arab Tito

     What happened to Yugoslavia after Tito?

     Yeah, that's what's happening now in Iraq.

     We need to leave. Not tomorrow. Not 2 months from now.

     TODAY.

     Yes, there will be an unfettered Civil War.

     So be it.

     Yes, it will be on our hands.

     So be it.

     No more American lives for their carnage, and if they bring in the
     Saudis and the Iranians and Syrians, I could care less. If they're
     bogged down in Iraq, then maybe it'll take their minds off of
     trying to kill us. At the very least, occupy their time and slow
     them down a bit.

   The following comment is from a center-right blog and I'd characterize
   the commenter as center-right or rightwing. Again, I'm editting to
   reduce recognition and not removing any context. The comment is a
   response to the questions of another commenter in the thread. I've
   re-formatted it for readability.

     Q: What do you think happens day 1 when the US is gone and a Shiia
     army unit rolls into Ramadi btw? Please describe.

     A: No non-Muslims are injured or killed, and no non-Muslim
     territories or other resources are lost or given to Islam:
     situation satisfactory.

     Q: What happens when the first half dozen Sunni bodies show up in a
     mixed neighborhood without the US there to at least hold machine
     guns and keep people indoors instead of kicking their neighbors
     doors in? Please describe your vision for how this plays out.

     A: No non-Muslims are injured or killed, and no non-Muslim
     territories or other resources are lost or given to Islam:
     situation satisfactory.

     Alternately: red on red action follows: Bonus!

   I'm trying my utmost not to disparage either of these points of view.
   It must be very comforting to see things so clearly, in such stark
   relief. I'm glad I hold neither view but I just don't believe that we
   can escape the consequences of our actions that easily nor do I
   believe that it's that easy to identify the enemy.