Reply #29: well, the motives of everyone involved in this operation

[bbgrunt]

are not the same. I think we have mercenaries to do the really dirty criminal work while the official troops can be engaged in activities that sound or are legitimate for the most part. Just because we are doing a "piss poor job of it" doesn't mean that it is not the end game envisioned by those in power. There are too many people with good will and ideals that have to be enticed to support the effort by the appearance of good motives.

Do you think this admin. really wanted to help during Katrina? They had to APPEAR to help while multiple level fuckups took their toll. Then, no one could be held accountable because every one was pointing their finger at everyone else. These are disasters that are engineered through neglect and basic high level decisions such as changing rules at the top--like calling the Geneva convention outdated or forcing rules on the Iraqi government that prevents them from pursuing any retribution for acts committed by troops or mercenaries.

I don't believe that most of those in the military or most of those who fervently support the war (except those who wish to just nuke everything) believe that the objective was to create a hell hole, but some people at very high levels are sure taking it to the bank and have every incentive to prolong the misery.