Reply #18: Oil for Regrowth...BUT

[stunted evolution]

Howard Dean has a good idea in modifying the UN's Oil for Food program into a Oil for Rebuilding fund, but the most important thing and I mean THE most important thing is that they should hire any and all interested Iraqi's to do the rebuilding. US/UN "appointed" contractors should play a minimal role in rebuilding the country, if at all. The Iraqi's aren't likely to appreciate a country rebuilt with non-Iraqi hands, and in any case, if they are rebuilding it themselves and earning decent wages in the process, it will lessen the feelings of resentment most feel towards Americans right now. Additionally, they will be more likely to strongly speak out against acts of sabotage since such acts would be destroying what they have built with their own hands.

It's a mess to be sure. One can only hope Bush will not have made the situation hopeless by the time we replace him in 04.