tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18968255.post5418515538079999868..comments2023-11-03T05:54:31.975-04:00Comments on Hopeful Pessimism: I'm sure those of you not...JAMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04829778432859161995noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18968255.post-759656443489974612007-01-12T09:30:00.000-05:002007-01-12T09:30:00.000-05:00Two of my brothers spent time in The Big Sandbox (...Two of my brothers spent time in The Big Sandbox (as they call it), and both of them say the same thing - the Iraqis aren't used to doing things for themselves in a positive way. So when we try to explain that they need to start running their own security/utilities/government, it's like if someone were to tell an average American that he needed to start forging his own steel. How DOES one contract for a delivery of iron ore, anyway?<br /><br />So, if we can stop the violence long enough for the Iraqis to learn what they need to do and how to do it, there's a chance it can work. <br /><br />Of course, this should have been the idea in 2003, and the Staggering Genius in the White House hasn't shown a big streak of competence as of yet, so I personally give the scheme about a 30% chance of success, totally predicated on the extreme competence of the military overwhelming the extreme INcompetence of the Executive branch. <br /><br />If it contimues until after 2008, I give it an extra 10%, cause the Staggering Genius is the biggest impediment to success we have.<br /><br />Well, him and Iran.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com