Ian, Kevin, et al;
To clarify a couple of my comments: first, I am well aware that our government has had and continues to have, many "shadow" or behind the scenes deals with other countries and what that influence is. The irony of supplanting a current regime, only to go to war with our "puppet" ruler at a later date is not lost on me. The U.S. and other countries throughout history have done the same thing. To generalize it as only the U.S. is inaccurate. I'm not saying what the U.S. has done is right, but let's not blind ourselves to the fact this has been going on throughout history. My point with what I stated was to say that there are direct correlations between Afghanistan and Iraq regarding terrorism. That's not to say that there isn't in Pakistan, Iran, or other countries. Unfortunatly, with "politics", it's often thought that the "lesser of two evils (a paraphrase, I don't mean to insinuate that another country is "evil") " or "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" are good alternatives in politics. It is what it is, it's not always right, and it's not perfect. So, please: don't just assume I'm a blind American Patriot or unaware. In a forum such as this, and especially in writing, it's often difficult to be as succinct as one would like, or get an accurate account. I'm aware that all of our friends here from other countries have a decidedly different perspective than we may.
Regarding the education: I'm well aware of the fallacy of thinking that we need to educate others to our way of thinking. Throughout history, whether with the colonization of America, the Conquest of South America, colonization of India, etc; it has been the hubris of the west (i.e: colonizing Europeans) to think that we have to bring "savages" around to our way of thinking. Before I continue, I'd like to point out that archeological and anthropological evidence is now showing that, essentially, there are NO indigenous peoples. Everyone migrated from somewhere. Having said that, all I meant was that in any country, in any system of government, ALL people have a right to learn to read. To learn arithmetic. To learn their countries history. To have a solid infrastructure. Clean water. Food. A safe place to call home. We could certainly have helped, and the coalition, the U.S., Europe, ANY country associated with the efforts in Iraq and the Middle East, have certainly failed the people of Iraq by not doing a proper job and having a plan for helping them to rebuild their country. Is it so wrong to help them build schools or hospitals? That was more of my point. Additionally, by not having access to the outside world in an open manner, not having good information or education, it will be very difficult to change their view of the west and the U.S. in particular. The doctrines they follow are old and constantly reinforced (yes, much like the west's propaganda and media misinformation).
Lastly, I have many friends and family from abroad. From diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds: Poland, Germany, Portugal, India, The Filipines, The U.K. Very diverse points of view. Things are changing quite quickly in India for example as they quickly are becoming technological epicenters of the world. Much of their cultural and world view is evolving quickly for example.
It's all part of growth and change. We as a culture, should certainly do more to assist in the infrastructure rebuild of Iraq.
In closing: I'm sorry for placing so many diverse ideas in one post. Stream of thought first thing in the morning with office chaos around me. However, I'm very pleased with the intelligent and insightful discourse of this thread. This is what gets ideas moving.