"stay the course" or "cut and run". . . how about another option. . . ?

[stellanoir]

This would probably never fly but how about just putting these two wise women in charge for a while until cooler heads could prevail. . .

http://riverbendblog.blogspot.com/

http://afamilyinbaghdad.blogspot.com
(scroll down beneath the arabic for the English translations)

One's a shia one is a sunni. One is middle aged (with a Phd), one is young.

Unfortunately, the likelihood of women rising to power in an Islamic culture is of course, a bit remote but I really feel that both these women love their country and have so much common sense that this awful carnage might just only be stopped quickly with a gentler touch. Silly me.

I heard that the elected officials in Iraq can't even govern because due to security concerns, not enough of them show up for work to pass a vote on anything. Some "unity government" eh. . .?

Given that there has been so much killing I wouldn't doubt that there might just be a plurality of women than men in Iraq at this point. Though I know many (like Faiza) have left Iraq.

The things to consider are that prior to the invasion, not only were there more Phd's per capita in Iraq than in the US, but if memory serves, river was earning more than her older male coworkers because she had such talent. How common is that here? Now she's been house bound for years.

I would hazard a guess that the women of Iraq would go for this plan in a HUGE way.

If they had only the to option do so.

When they were forming one of the provisional governments over there, I remember reading that there was intended to be a higher proportion of women in the government than we have here but that wouldn't say much.

I'm not sexist or at all a feminist. I'm a spiritual humanist who believes in the ideal of equality.

I just have a deep sense that guys won't straighten this mess out as quickly as the women of the country could.

The "strong man" approach may have seemed to work for Saddam but it clearly is backfiring on us.

Maybe a different way is warranted in this still new millennium (yeah I know they use a different calender over there. . .but haven't we imposed our timetable on them already at this point?)

Flame away.

[Alleycat]

1. A yard sign

I saw a yard sign in my area that said:

STAY AND DIE
or
CUT AND RUN

YOU CHOOSE!
VOTE!

[stellanoir]

2. Okay

I propose what I feel is a viable solution for the conflict that is plagueing our national soul, to say nothing of the quagmire of Iraq and all I get is a yard sign???

Maybe I should have labeled this thread "Kerry."

Yikes.

[Squeech]

3. Why not?

Except that the existing concentrations of power would never go for it. These women would end up in the same situation as ... uh, what's her name, that woman in Myanmar who won the election and has been under house arrest ever since...

[stellanoir]

5. well that's hopeful.

But the factor that is worthy of consideration is the possible plurality of women there now and just how realistic and well informed both of these ladies are.

I know. . .silly unrealistic me.

[genie_weenie]

4. Nope. Americans can only have 2 choices!

McDonalds or Burger King

Buick or Chrysler

Democrat or Republican oh wait! how did that get in there...

[stellanoir]

6. LOL

I would have said "Coke or Pepsi."

Divisive dualism is such a total box and a complete and utter yawn fest.

Time to get real creative I figure.

[Orsino]

7. Since * ruled out "stop and think" long ago...

...those might be the only options left.

We might more reasonably call it "cut and walk"...before we have to run. Do we want our exit from Iraq to be by helicopter, from a hotel roof, as in Saigon? Isn't a drawdown soon to be preferred over a running retreat later?

[stellanoir]

8. I sincerely don't think it's one or the other.

I feel that those far more familiar with the culture and history and circumstances will make wiser and more level headed decisions to amend this carnage.

I know it may sound nutz but I've read the writings of these women for 2-3 years. Watching their hope in our efficiency dwindle to total distain for our incompetance has been absolutely heart rending.

They deserve far, far better is all.