Rory,

You’ll probably never get it, but the Arab world gives a deference to Arab rulers - even Saddam - that they don’t give to Westerners, especially the United States. It doesn’t matter to them that the U.S. isn’t deliberately killing innocent civilians as collateral damage. It matters that the U.S. kills Arabs and Muslims that haven’t conducted terrorist activities against the U.S. Heck, they might even hold it against us for killing Arabs and Muslims who have committed terrorist acts against the U.S. The picture is getting kinda’ murky out there.

Just like in Viet Nam, NVA and Viet Cong especially, routinely killed innocent civilians. They didn’t like it, but they were all Vietnamese, and for the most part would stand together in opposing or at least not cooperating with the U.S. and the corrupt puppet South Vietnamese government we propped up. As was often reported, if an open election had been held in S. Viet Nam, Ho Chi Minh would have won by a landslide. Ethnic nationals don’t like governments that are U.S. props and puppets. They will stick together.

Although it would seem crazy, I wouldn’t be surprised if in an open Iraqi election, Al Qaeda candidates would draw more votes than U.S. supported and approved candidates.

Maybe Rory, if you ever develop your own critical thinking skills, you’ll catch on that Arabs and Muslims are generally distrustful of the U.S. And the more of them we kill, regardless of how accidental the reason, the more of them, and the more they are likely to think that way.

I resubmit, we will not win Arab or Muslim hearts and minds. Not in Iraq. Not anywhere.

Sincerely,

Salmo g.