A Solution for Iraq

Let's pretend:

Let's imagine the Most Wise, the Most Just, Most Compassionate (MWJC) was just installed as our President. What would this new President's strategy be in Iraq?

From one side of the room: "Our freedom at home depends on THEIR freedom there. Only by our military might can we install democracy. If we pulled out now their insurgency would lead to the same kind of tyranny we fought to displace. We must see this to the end, even if it takes decades!"

From another side: "While we were never for this war, we agree that we can't just cut and run, it would leave Iraqis defenseless and make the situation even worse. We must see this through by building up Iraq's own security force."

The new President pondered all this, when a small, still voice called out: "Try truth, try justice." The President asked for more explanation. The voice answered, "The war was wrong and based on lies, but we can't go back we must deal in the now. So it is NEVER TOO LATE to act with truth and justice.

"Many on the side of war dismiss the rest of the world. They have always rejected that world's ONE political representative body, the United Nations. But it is within the UN in which we can start to make progress.

“If we went and admitted our past wrong--which for you, being the new President would be easy--and ask the world representatives to help fashion a safe and just future for Iraq, this would set a tone and base from which we can begin to make a just and lasting peace.”

The President thanked everybody and left. The MWJC consulted in silence with the Highest Authority and chose the course to take.

He addressed Congress, “Ladies and gentlemen. I will address the United Nations myself and here is what I will say:

‘Ladies and gentlemen of the world, I thank you for being here. I come to see what together we can do to improve the lot of our world’s citizens. Admittedly our country has not always fully bought in to this. We have been drunk with the wine of our supreme power and might and have, in a very human manner, tended to depend on that more than on honestly dealing with you.

‘My predecessor went around this body to make war in Iraq. This was an understandable exercise in self-defense when seen through his fear-laden perspective in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. Some of our leaders feel that many of you, perhaps as retaliation for our admitted unilateralism, don’t really care about our safety or success, and that we should therefore not hamstring ourselves by subordinating our strength to your deliberations.

‘However, we failed to understand that to GET RESPECT, we must honestly GIVE RESPECT. And it is with this attitude that I pledge our nation to you and your citizens.

‘So I ask your help in Iraq. I ask that we work together to develop a plan for peace and safety for the Iraqi people and the region. We must deal with the situation as it exists now, but together we can begin to make it better.

‘From there we can begin to work more closely and honestly for the benefit of our citizens on all other issues. When any of us start to go astray, to focus excessively on self-interest, or otherwise act in a way contrary to what benefits us as a whole, then we must be open to hearing about this from each other and get back on track.

‘From the bottom of my heart and from my fellow American citizens, I thank you.’”

The Senate leader asked, “But what do you suppose the UN could offer?”

The MWJC said, “First, they will feel empowered to do good and we NEED their help, we always have. Second, we always have our military and economic might. THEY know this, too. We leverage that power by not abusing it. We best use our power by leaving it dormant and instead showing honest respect and deference.

“We should look at all nations as equal partners in the quest for peace and justice, after all we still have veto power on the Security Council when we need it. Who knows what good ideas will arise from the atmosphere of trust and goodwill that we will help lead.” The MWJC thanked them and left.
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“Pollyanna, idealistic and unrealistic” thinking many of you say. I wholeheartedly disagree. I remain open to more and better FACTUAL information of which I, nor you, have.

But the approach and attitude of the imagined MWJC President is undoubtedly correct. Applied with wisdom and perseverance it will create a better world.

Rfd 6/29/05