repeating mistakes of old?

[wannabehippie]

is the US headed towards repeating mistakes in Iraq?

currently the US government is negotiating or attempting to negotiate with various parts of the Iraqi army to surrender and end the war early (including the special republican army)

IMO by getting these army units to surrender and giving amesty to the generals for war crimes they may have commited the US is in severe danger of doing the following.

1) allowing one of these generals to displace sadaam and become leader, announcing he is our friend. Bush would of course welcome this and end the war. but most likely this general would be just as ruthless as sadaam ever was and down the line we would be opposing this new leader once we realize he isnt our friend. it is something the US has made the mistake of doing time and time again.
2)pissing off the iraqi citizens who think/thought the US would be liberating them and making a whole new group of enemies to the US

peace
david

[Stephanie]

Good points Wannabe...I would hope that the US will be smart enough to select someone that they really feel that they could trust. However, this is also supposed to "liberate" the Iraqi people so that they may choose a leader of their own. Whoever is selected to help the Iraqis to pick up the pieces cannot be allowed to be in power for an extended period of time.

[wannabehippie]

well given the US track record in placing leaders in power thru force i am not to confident.
to name a few of the tyrants we put in power or backed
rhee in korea
diem in vietnam
batista in cuba
noriega in el salvador
the shah in iran
marcos
and of course the man we are fighting now, and whom we put into power about 20 years ago, Sadaam Hussein.


peace
david