Bring it on

MSNBC posted a story (from AP) regarding a possible offer of amnesty for Iraq's "homegrown" insurgents (in contrast to foreign jihadis). Also included within the story was a "live vote" - in favor? Opposed? No opinion? Surprisingly, 42% were opposed. Me? Full support, baby. As many in the military here understand, this war isn't going to be won through military action (on either the part of the insurgents or the Coalition). It's going to be 'won' by people who make a deal to bring an end to Iraqi vs. Iraqi fighting. The winners will be Iraqis allowed to give peace and reconciliation a chance...AND the U.S. if we are able to withdraw, leaving the country in the hands of a stable government anchored by support from Sunni, Shiite, and Kurd alike. I'm sure there will be ugly compromises necessary to cement such a deal - but peacemaking is all about ugly compromises. No one gets exactly what they wanted...if they did, there probably wouldn't have been such serious disagreements that one side or the other chose to take up arms, right? On another note, I'm tired of listening to the stories from the press regarding a 'slip into chaos' in Iraq. The country is far more stable than it was a year ago - and generally improving. The insurgents have been forced from direct confrontation in most provinces back to hit and run terror attacks. People have increasingly begun to turn to both Iraqi security forces and Coalition forces as a source of protection and support - the insurgents offer no coherent political solution. The worst damage being done is caused by extremists from out of the country - but even they are forced to fall back on a terror campaign designed more to gather news coverage than actually convince Iraq's populace that they have a chance of 'winning' anything other than martyrdom. So...yes. I vote yes. Let's figure out a way to bring the Sunnis into the big tent, go after the suicidal jihadis seeking to prevent any degree of law and order so they can ease their sexual frustrations in 'paradise,' and start getting Americans home with the pride of looking back on a mission accomplished rather than a mission abandoned.

Tags:

Iraq
Insurgency
Amnesty