Winning the Hearts and Minds
Another civilian was killed today in a checkpoint shooting. This comes after yesterday's shooting of women and children in a vehicle that didn't stop at a checkpoint.
Certainly the soldiers involved are not cold-blooded murderers; rather they are young people who know that sometimes, such cars, trucks, and vans may carry explosives with their names on them. Yet, it will likely be quite difficult to win the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people as they see their brothers and sisters die in such instances. The Iraqis may wonder just how much the 'coalition' forces can be trusted. The soldiers may wonder just which Iraqi citizens are the 'good guys.' And the fissure of distrust deepens to cavernous proportion.
What's the answer? I wish I knew. The soldiers need to protect themselves. The Iraqi citizenry need to protect themselves. A clear plan involving warning shots needs to be instilled, explained, and understood - by all sides.
How have we grown to a world where anyone can be seen as threat to another? Where have we gone wrong? Certainly beliefs in religious idealogy - either the peace and humility of the 'real' Islam or the love-thy-brother message of Christianity - are being obscured, perhaps forgotten, perhaps dismissed... along with the compassion that makes us all human.
permalink posted by: jgh 6:04:31 AM
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