B_D, I suggest you worry about your own mindset before generalising about the mindset of Iraqis.

This is an excellent article that states things as they are and offers clear choices and possibilities of what lies ahead.

The DB's of this world won't be able to recognise or accept the
complexities for they cannot face blatant facts. David's solution to the 'Iraqi Problem' would be to deport and re-settle all the minorities or, at least, those without power or powerful support.
That'd be right wouldn't it David?

Now David which groups do you see as being a problem in Australi? ie the ones to which you would apply 'David-Boaz's final solution'?

Marilyn, thanx for the kind words as usual.
As long as we remain democratic, and able to elect or throw out a government we disagree with, I maintain my position re 'loyalty' and "implied treaty".

I should be more specific there. The Vietnam protests were a good example of legitimate protest. But protest should be limited to 'opposition to bad policy' rather than 'support for our enemies', and thats the difference.

Irf. My mindset is clearly at odds with many here. Democracy is wonderful :)

Keith.
No, my solution to Iraq is to deport all minorities. The problem in Iraq is related to some specific identifiable issues.
1/ Sunni minority seeking to re-take oppressive power.
2/ Shia majority (+Kurd) seeking to prevent this.
3/ External parties seeking to control the place by Proxy
a) Amercians...oil and strategic interests.
b) Iran... similar but add the 'Relgious' aspedt to them.
c) 'Islamists/Jihadists' just the religious aspect.
d) Probably other countries with purely economic interests.

My approach to the Palestinian and Hezbollah issue is not something I'd seek to apply everywhere. It depends on the circumstances.
There is no need to send our Aboriginal people to some remote Island off the coast because they are not car bombing us or running a terror campaign. BUT....if they DID, and it became unmanagable, then exile for the main protagonists is probably the kindest option for all.

Returning to the topic, I again underline the noticable absence of bias in the authors handling of the issue, and appreciate his thoughts.

David, it was the US, UK and us who supported Saddam Hussein for all the years he was being a butcher in Baghdad and did nothing to help the suffering people in Iraq. I have said many times before we have no high moral ground because we starved them, stole from them and then bombed them to bits in Iraq.

How on earth does that translate to helping the enemy on my part? Really if you want to accuse me of such things you better have some bloody evidence.

In Afghanistan life is as bad as or worse than ever, because I support and want to help the Afghan people does that mean I support the enemy?

Who is the enemy this week anyway? Are we under attack from someone? Have we been bombed that I should have an enemy somewhere?

DB, I think all religious fundamentalists are nuts and you are not much different are you?

No Marilyn, I'm not accusing you specifically of 'helping our enemies' I was making the point about the ethics of protest generally.

If you are helping our enemies I think it is due to political naivity and subsequent misplaced compassion if anything. Quite a volatile mix.
You're a worry sometimes.

KEITH... my last post was meant to say "No Keith my policy is NOT to..... then it will make the right sense.

As I get a better handle on the region, I'm looking at new solution possibilities.

Its worth noting in respect of my 'Deport/disperse' proposal, that Lebanon's population is 4% Armenian. Why ? Because they were displaced by the Turkish genocide. They are doing fine in Lebanon.

SOLUTION (adapted)

1/ Hezbollah Defeated and disarmed.
2/ South Lebanon divided into regions. (South Western Syria may also hold promise for re-settlement)
a) Buffer zone to Border. Lebanese Army deployed to prevent Hezbollah re-grouping.
b) New settler regions for displaced Palestinians from all camps in Israel/Westbank. Christian Arabs to Damour, Muslims to other places.
c) Low cost housing set up... international aid for approximately 5 yrs while industrial and infrastructure measures are implemented.

3/ International community including Israel makes efforts to encourage industrial/economic expansion of Tyre, Ez Zahrani, and Sidon regions, to support the new population.

4/ Most importantly, All Palestinians to have special citizenship conditions and limitations, preventing their ability to dominate Lebanese politics. Possibly a vote only for local representatives in implementation of government policy. They cannot have any democratic pathway to Islamic dominance of Lebanon, as this would further marginalize the already struggling Maronite Christians.

Lebanese constitution to be changed to enshrine a secular state approach.