The Next Dictator of Iraq

[subgenius]

Plan: US general to run Iraq
In Ankara and Washington, the US outlined its plans for a post-Hussein Iraq. Some Iraqi opposition leaders object.
By Cameron W. Barr | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor

SULAYMANIYAH, IRAQ - The head of the US military's Central Command, Gen. Tommy Franks, will rule Iraq in the initial aftermath of a US invasion to overthrow President Saddam Hussein.

Administration officials briefed senators Tuesday on postwar planning, stressing that the US goal is "to liberate Iraq, not to occupy it," and last week a US envoy told leaders of Iraqi groups opposed to Hussein about American intentions.

http://www.csmonitor.com/2003/0213/p01s03-woiq.html
Didn't I read about him being investigated for improprieties recently? I'll check and update.

[corplinx]

It may be a smart idea to put a general in charge for at least a month. The Iraqis have been ruled by Saddam for so long that switching over to a republic overnight might be too drastic. We should install a strongman and have him be the one to make unpopular decisions like giving women full rights. That way after he leaves and the iraqis we like take charge, they won't have to take a the guff for it.

[subgenius]

Originally posted by corplinx
It may be a smart idea to put a general in charge for at least a month. The Iraqis have been ruled by Saddam for so long that switching over to a republic overnight might be too drastic. We should install a strongman and have him be the one to make unpopular decisions like giving women full rights. That way after he leaves and the iraqis we like take charge, they won't have to take a the guff for it.
Then again it might not (be a good idea).
And why this particular guy?
Why not me, for example? ;)

[subgenius]

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- U.S. Army General Tommy Franks is being investigated by the Pentagon amid claims of possible abuses of office involving his wife.

Sources have told CNN that Franks, the man who would lead U.S. forces in the event of a military strike on Iraq, faces several allegations -- including one that he allowed his wife, Cathy, to be present during discussions of highly classified material.
http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/02/05/franks.wife/
:eek:

[Blue Monk]

Damn, I applied for that and the jerks never even called me back.

I guess the found out that I padded my resume a bit. Someone probably knew the real Prime Minister of Canada.

[corplinx]

The iraqis will likely submit to a conqueror. In this case, the conqueror is Franks. He is no MacArthur when it comes to having that conqueror image though. He is too much of a gi joe. Think of Patton in Germany or MacArthur in Japan. Sure, they were both nuts but they made good interim commanders. People did what they said. We probably forced Musharraf to hold elections too soon in Afghanistan for that matter. Now we have reactionaries elected all over that country.

I think the only problem with Franks is that he is too common acting and looking. His presence is not very commanding. Schwartzkoph is the last top man I can remember who had that certain blend of charisma and imposing visage to instill as a leader in a country as unstable as Iraq.

Franks may not be the best choice, but he is about the only choice. If you really want to be the guy though, I'll write my congressman and ask them to mention you. :)

[aerocontrols]

From your link:

"To be kind, it is unworkable. Either reason will prevail, or time will demonstrate to the authors [of the US plan] the error of their ways," says Iraqi National Congress leader Ahmed Chalabi. "I really shudder to think."

I really don't know what Chalabi's complaining about. (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml;$sessionid$JRF3A5VW5OUA5QFIQMFCFFOAVCBQ YIV0?xml=/news/2003/02/12/wirq12.xml&sSheet=/portal/2003/02/12/ixportal.html&secureRefresh=true&_requestid=25821)

MattJ

[Blue Monk]

Say what you will about MacArthur but his handling of the Japanese surrender was, in my opinion, pure genius.

First he had the formal signing on board an American carrier to spare them the humiliation of surrendering on their own soil.

Second he had all of his men present in full dress uniforms and the Japanese were shocked at the dignity and respect he afforded them. He insisted that his officers salute them.

Third, in the surrender he avoided terms such as ‘surrender’ and ‘defeat’ and phrased things diplomatically using phrases such as ‘agree to end hostilities toward on another.’

He laid the groundwork from the very beginning to speed the healing of wounds that could have taken generations.

Compare his handling of the Japanese surrender and his generous terms and the positive results after World War II to the Western powers handling of the German surrender and their unreasonable demands and disastrous results after World War I.

MacArthur’s gracious handling of a vanquished foe for the greater good of generations to come should be considered the textbook example of how to handle such matters.

[aerocontrols]

Originally posted by Blue Monk
MacArthur’s gracious handling of a vanquished foe for the greater good of generations to come should be considered the textbook example of how to handle such matters.

Sure was.

but the signing was onboard the battleship Missouri

[subgenius]

Not like the illusory surrender we got after Persian Gulf I.

[Blue Monk]

Originally posted by aerocontrols


Sure was.

but the signing was onboard the battleship Missouri

Thanks, I figured I'd get some of the details wrong but that nothing gets past this forum, hehe.

[Samus]

Am I the only one that thinks those four stars look soooo sweet on the desert BDUs?

I doubt they'd put the CENTCOM commander (or any other U.S. military leader) in charge of Iraq. Like I said in another thread, I think they'd try to find a U.S.-friendly resistance leader to take the helm. Even if he is just Dubya's sock puppet. Perception is reality, and we want the citizens of Iraq to think they're being led by a local.

[subgenius]

Originally posted by dwb
Am I the only one that thinks those four stars look soooo sweet on the desert BDUs?

I doubt they'd put the CENTCOM commander (or any other U.S. military leader) in charge of Iraq. Like I said in another thread, I think they'd try to find a U.S.-friendly resistance leader to take the helm. Even if he is just Dubya's sock puppet. Perception is reality, and we want the citizens of Iraq to think they're being led by a local.
According to the story above the decision's been made.

[Samus]

Originally posted by subgenius
According to the story above the decision's been made. Are there any other sources for this story? Not that I'm skeptical of the Christian Science Monitor, I'm just curious as I cannot find any reference to this in other media outlets.

From the article:

Some Iraqi opposition leaders are already attacking the plan, saying it amounts to a US military rule of Iraq that will favor the existing power structure in the country. Instead of turning Iraq into a beacon of democracy in the Middle East, an ambition articulated by some US policymakers, the opposition leaders say the US plan seems designed to ease the fears of Arabs and Turks unhappy with the prospect of a democratic, federal Iraq. I stand by my original statement, that the U.S. will not be controlling post-war Iraq. At least, the figurehead of the new government will not be American.

[aerocontrols]

Originally posted by subgenius

According to the story above the decision's been made.

According to the story I linked to a different decision has been made.

[Alaric]

Frankly, im impressed it was his wife. Good for him. As for allowing her to be in on secret meetings....its amazing how much we males talk in our sleep anyways so who cares?

[subgenius]

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- All but one of the allegations of misconduct against the U.S. Central Commander, Gen. Tommy Franks, have been dropped by the Department of Defense's inspector general, Pentagon officials said Tuesday.

The one remaining issue still under investigation is the accusation that Franks' wife was present when the general was given highly classified information while on a military flight, according to a Pentagon official.
http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/03/05/pentagon.franks/index.html
Hey Tommy Gun didn't you ever hear "Loose lips...."?

[Kodiak]

This issue is a non-starter...

General Patton was governor of Bavaria after WW II....

Who better than a commanding general to serve as interim head-of-state during a time of matrial law?

[Kodiak]

*shove*

[kittynh]

Who better? As Richard Feynman once said, "MMMMMEEEEEEE!"

I can control a classroom full of unruly three year olds, and drink a cup of hot tea at the same time. They fear me, yet they love me.

I will be fair, but I will be firm.

I have an old girl scout uniform I can wear.

[subgenius]

Originally posted by Kodiak
This issue is a non-starter...

General Patton was governor of Bavaria after WW II....

Who better than a commanding general to serve as interim head-of-state during a time of matrial law?
Wish there was someone close to his stature and abilities: (in honor of a great man fulfilling his promise to piss in the Rhine)

[Frank Newgent]

Why not a real emperor (http://www.discordia.org/~keeper/norton.html)?

"Everybody understands Mickey Mouse. Few understand Hermann Hesse. Hardly anybody understands Einstein. And nobody understands Emperor Norton."

[Skeptic]

I'm surprised you forget the most famous example: MacArthur's tenure as the military ruler of Japan, which was--generally speaking--a great success.

[DialecticMaterialist]

Well that's totally worse then what Iraq has....


I'm sure he's preparing the acid baths as we speak.:rolleyes:

[rockyroad]

Originally posted by kittynh
Who better? As Richard Feynman once said, "MMMMMEEEEEEE!"

I can control a classroom full of unruly three year olds, and drink a cup of hot tea at the same time. They fear me, yet they love me.

I will be fair, but I will be firm.

I have an old girl scout uniform I can wear.

Ok - am I the only one here that would pay to see kittynh in her old girl scout uniform - much less obey her every command!!?
I love the "dictator - oppressed rabble" game - much better than the old "doctor-nurse" one!!;)

[kittynh]

Ok, picked a uniform and a new look for the throne room.

Am renting, "Mommy Dearest" and "Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS" for inspiration.

This could work....