PittsburghThoughts

Here are a two powerful videos that explore the complexities of what we have done to Iraq and what we have yet to face there.

The first, is a de facto argument for the U.S. to just get out but also to somehow try to make reparations for the complete, overwhelming chaos that we've created there. The very least we could try to do, if we really cared about the "Iraq people" is to bring back clean water, sanitation and electricity. As Ali Fadhil says in the Video, "We have a whole nation called Iraq and now it's wiped out."



The Second is an interview with Juan Cole and looks at the dynamics between the factions there.



And, finally, here is an example of the depth of understanding of the man who may soon shape our countries future policies in Iraq. I don't hate John McCain but I hate his simplistic, one size fits all, neocon spin and always with an anti-Iranian subtext.



We have committed a grave error and cannot bluff or bluster our way our. There is no choice now, but to rely on people that understand more about Iraq than we do. Our lack of understanding has bred our indifference, callousness and finally a systematic cruelty towards the Iraqis.

We've never thought it necessary to understand their culture, religions or their customs. Our military never saw a need to grasp basic language skills. Our whole premise, from the start, has been, that we are superior in every way to the Iraqis and they owe us eternal gratitude for "freeing" them. We opened their cages and pushed them out onto the freeway saying, "Have a nice day."

I'm not implying that Hillary or Obama have superior understanding towards Iraq, frankly, I don't know what their plans are and I don't think they do either, but we now need someone that is willing to listen to new voices and will stop lying to us and sugar coating the truth. Gene