hearts, minds, etc...

The phrase "hearts and minds" has been entered into recent American vernacular by our current administration, yet it lacks the american element that makes us strong-money. It is a lot easier for a populace that has even half of the current Iraqi unemployment rate of 78 per cent to assimilate into a secular capitalistic society. It shall be free and rich, and liberty, security, and stability shall follow. Iraqi children playing with their new baseball gloves (Wilson, of course) will go home to hot meals and hopefully the fabric of a society can begin to be sewn. This is the endgame, right? the best CAN be made of the situation. the methods of arriving at this point have no real bearing on my statements. The current "rebuilding" budget amounts to a mere 18 billion dollars and so much more is needed. Of course, the Iraqis may be a conglomeration of peoples not logically meant to meld as one, but a dysfunctional family has the advantage of sitting on enough Texas tea to sip on for miles. We shall pay, and we must. The Iraqis need a J O B. Millions of people were left jobless in what i believe was a critical mistake-the firing of the defence force as well as the government administration. These people knew their jobs and were (mostly and hopefully) willing to continue them under the new potentate. But now is a critical time, for nations must be built and delivered within a short time in the world populace's lust for instant gratification. Major public works employment must take place as soon as possible. If we must publicly employ half the work force, then do it-all the while encouraging foreign investment and individual entrepreneurship among ALL Iraqis. Capitalism can take root easily and gradually, but the spread would be contagious. show the Iraqis jobs and cash, and let them innovate. They can do it and wish to as well. How could they not? Freedom of the press, due process for all, and the rest of a bill of rights must be included in the Iraqi constitution and should be in place even now in the provisional government. Encourage ideas, and the free flow of information. Extremism may still exist after these things take place but it will become the fringe, and society itself will not allow it to become majority rule. These processes should have been taking place already, but we have been slow on mobilization of the economy. if this can somehow take root in a form as small as a mustard seed in iraq and help those people, i say help them. or figure out something better. just do not occupy their country with extreme prejudice and call it humanitarian. help them please, W. may 2k4