"John S. Shinal" wrote in message
...
"Billy Preston" wrote:



Well, as daunting as someplace like the Balkans can be
regarding war and stability, there is a pragmatic aspect and a
humanitarian aspect to US intervention abroad. Taking a stand and
actually DOING something in Rwanda, the Balkans, Sudan, etc can
literally be described as protecting Muslims from genocidal murders.

Problem is damm few of those killed in Rwanda were Muslims
and its Arab militants killing black animists and Christians
in the Sudan. Note the Arab league just voted to support the
line of the Sudanese government.

That *has* to be powerful stuff if applied properly. It's a lot harder
to be hated by Muslims when you are all over the world saving them. A
lot of the problem has been inaction, and not properly using the good
acts to generate goodwill - our P.R. is pretty awful. Ironic
considering the size of the US ad and media industries.


Trouble is that outside of SE Asia most Muslim countries
have government controlled media. Its hard to get the message
across when people have no access to the channels of communication.


When the Marines surrendered in Falluja, I decided then and there, that
the Bush regime had failed us, and I will no longer vote for them. The
war
is lost, and we might as well let France dictate the next era.

The Marines don't appear to be in a surrendering mood these
past few days. I also wondered about the previous cease-fire, but it
appears to have been a "biding time" play by al-Sadr's militia. I
doubt there will be a second cease-fire.


Agreed and the Iraqis themselves seem now to have lost patience
with al-Sadr

Keith