I think that first and foremost, we need to redeploy American troops from the region and encourage other countries to do the same. The presence of foreign troops in Iraq, seems to be fuel for militants to continue business as usual. Everyday that we are there, we give certain segments of the population a cause to rally around. The goal for them becomes the murder or ultimate retreat of American troops. This is not the time for Bush to be sending more than 20,000 more troops to Iraq. The real test will be for the Democrats who now have the power to challenge Bush and could ultimately use the power of the purse strings to bring this war to an end. (or at least our involvement in it…I believe that the people of Iraq - as one of the oldest and most accomplished civilizations in human history - have the ability to rectify this situation. American governmental leaders and “experts” should be careful of speaking about the people of Iraq in such paternalistic ways like they are children. Perhaps it’s time for America to reposition itself and instead of leading this thing - something that we’ve failed miserably at - we should follow the lead of dedicated Iraqis)

Not only do we need to pull our troops out, but we need to pull American corporations. There needs to be a military and corporate redeployment. We shouldn’t be building military bases on their land. That gives indication that we plan on being there for a long time. We shouldn’t have american corporations there getting rich off of their despair. (halliburton and others)

Those are just some very impromptu thoughts, but the bottom line is that the invasion of Iraq was justified by knowingly questionable information and the subsequent occupation confirms the fears of those who are concerned about the furtherance of American Imperialism.

Phase American troops out while phasing Iraqi troops (or UN or NATO troops) in and pull foreign corporations out. In tandem with that, focus american relief dollars to day to day needs, infrastructure rebuilding, job creation, and educational system support. The rebuilding effort should be a multi-national effort as well led by the Iraqi government and regional leaders. If the U.S. can’t rebuild all of New Orleans we *dog on* (*other words could be substituted here*) sure don’t have any business taking the lead trying to rebuild another nation.

Finally, those in governmental leadership in this country should be held accountable. Impeachment tribunals should be initiated as soon as possible for George Bush and others who must answer for the more than 3,000 American troops dead and more than 22,000 American troops wounded in what I call the “Vietnam War” of our generation. If Saddam Hussein had to face justice for past actions that negatively impacted his own people, why should George Bush be handed a license of freedom from justice?