Submitted by Jason Pappas, Dec 6, 2006 13:19

The problem isn't technology … it's the people. Iraqis can be easily intimidated into passivity by a few violent thugs. Yes, the thugs can't rule but they can keep Iraqis from supporting any other civilized ruler. Iraqi needs a strong-man, as Daniel Pipes once wrote. And such a dictator will be tough, far tougher than we can be without being another Saddam.

Our press goes hysterical over frat-house antics at Abu Graib, imagine if we were as tough as a typical Arab leader! We can never bring order to Iraq; but we can allow (and even pick) the next ruling order. Yes, the press will go ballistic over the harsh measures required by the next Iraqi government but we'll be gone and no one will want us to go back in.

Let's forget this silly notion that Islam and liberal democracy can mix in any lasting manner.

Note: Comments are screened, and in some cases edited, before posting. We reserve the right to reject anything we find objectionable.