Come on now...puppet governments are supposed to behave, aren't they? Please co-operate or we won't be able to keep up this charade much longer!

bob crawford, madison, wi

Political Progress First?

The problem is that the US has been trying to force onto the Iraqis something they don't want: a western-style democracy free of sectarian influences, whether religious, tribal, or ethnic. Instead of working with traditional Iraqi religious and political leaders, the US Neocons tried to bypass them. In the elections the Iraqis rejected the Neocon picture for their country and voted as their religious and tribal leaders told them to vote. The secularists gained no more than 10-15% of the vote. (The same mistake is being made in Afghanistan, and the results have been similar.) The US might have had a better chance had it taken traditional leaders into a bicameral legislature as a sort of Senate or House of Lords (but with genuine political power).

A political solution requires starting over, and helping Iraq build the sort of government its people want.

Arik Silverman, Milwaukee, WI

Well, well, well. I am really working at trying to be positive, I really am. By law, it is president Bush. But, he is not representing the majority. Many of those who voted for him, wish they had not. I fail to see why he is so dedicated to hanging on to Iraq. I too, wonder why America is not just pulling out and letting the needed money stay home. We have hospitals closing right here in America for lack of funds while the money is going to Iraq's problem. I hear this president is a Christian. Even Christianity teaches that one who doesn't take care of his own has denied the faith, and is worst than an infidel. (1 Timothy 5:8). I wish I could see some good in the way this president has managed the office he occupies.

Emerald Isle, Valdosta, Georgia

Oh dear. Disband the police again? It worked so well last time when the Iraqi miltary, police and associated infrastructure were 'disbanded.'

Peter Higgs, Sheffield,

USA #1!

Billy, Tapma, CO

Mr. Thomas, your observation is interesting. I wish I could say something positive about the manner in which this war has been managed. I am not sure my last post went through, but anyway, I too wonder why this defiant president is so determined to hang on to Iraq. There are those here in America who cannot even afford healthcare. Hostipals are closing for lack of funds while money is leaving America to fight someone else's battle. The saddest part is that this injustice to the American people is done in the guise of Christianity while the Scriptures plainly states that one who does not take care of his own has denied the faith and is worst than an infidel (1Timothy 5:8). Check it out, it is in there.

Emerald Isle, Valdosta, Georgia

Maybe I'm a bit dumb over this but wasn't it Saddams own guard that maintained law and order in Iraq before the Bush and Blair screwed it up. The more things change the more they stay the same !!!

Mike, Alicante, Spain

This can have only a few descriptions changed and we would have our congress. Let us disband all of them.

Jimmy Rodgers, Longview, Texas

Iraqi should be disarmed. No one should have any fire arms. they should be give 48 hrs to turn in all fire arms and then position would be cause for arrest as a terrorist.

David Cunha, pueblo west,

26,000-member police force should be scrapped and rebuilt anew,

= This is surely physically not possible

If the situation is so bad,,,,,the companies or individuals should be named and shamed. Thye should be fined into noe existance if it is a company error.

If USA and UK tax payers money is involved it should be accounted for

I do not know the reason for Haliburton moving to UAE head quarters, but if it is there fault they should be banned from business in the USA and UK

Nicholas Iles, Oswestry, Shropshire

Thomas of WestPalm, if you are so worried about Bush being called President Bush, you should try using a capital P and try use spell check.

Gareth, Sydney,

Conceited Americans. It is clear to the rest of the world that compassion is not part of the motivation behind US foreign policy. If you knuckleheads hadn't noticed, Iraq has the 2nd largest reserves of oil in the world, after Saudi Arabia, which is already controlled by a US puppet regime. Without middle east oil, the US economy will shrivel up and die. Bush is too inept to chance a political solution to securing this resource. So... in he goes with guns blazing. The American way!

Ricky Lee, Townsville, Australia

President Bush seems to want to hold on to Iraq. Why? Do we really need something from a third world country? Why can't we just pull out and let the country do what they need to? It is up to Iraq and the surrouding countries to take control of what they need for their country. If they cannot do this, that is their problem. Does the US have to save every country? There has got to be a limit to what we do to help countries like this. Let's get out and then see what the President can do for the US. Let go...time to go home!

John Cencora, Long Beach, California

its president bush.. i believe he has deserved it, he is prestident you know... he was elected into office wether or not he was your decistion, you didnt select your parents but you have enough respect to call them mom and dad... well "mr. Bush" should be stated as president bush

Thomas, WestPalm FL,