It would be appropriate at this point to state my solution to the situation. I have none.
I would start with an apology to the Iraqi people and to the world for the excesses of the former administration, and make it clear that this was not the universal wish of the American people, that it was caused by a few who should have known better.
I would appoint a commission to investigate what laws, treaties and regulations had been broken by the former administration, with a grand jury to evaluate whether there were sufficient cause to prosecute anyone for treason or for war crimes.
I would make this information available to the UN war crimes investigators to see that anyone that did authorize war crimes could be prosecuted.
I would also appoint a commission to see where all the money went that was spent on Iraq, and that any subcontractor that could not provide documentation for every dollar they were given should give that money back AND with a grand jury to evaluate whether there were sufficient cause to prosecute anyone for corruption, including anyone who approved payments to such companies.
I would close GITMO and transfer all prisoners into a full geneva convention transparent system with each prisoner fast-tracked for release or prosecution. Same with all other prisoners kept in any other jails\prisons, whether they are in other countries or not.
I would repeal the "Patriot" Act and any other infringement on American rights imposed by the previous administration, and set the legal standard back on the Constitution requirements where it belongs.
I would make all White House documents available to Congressional oversight committees and set up as transparent a government as possible. I would set up a board to review all top-secret designations of the previous administration to see what ones could be declassified.
This would be called the "setting your house in order" phase.
I would start phased withdrawal of US troops immediately, and let the world know that this is what we are doing and why: what is left in Iraq is a peace-keeping mission, and as one of the aggressors the US cannot fulfill this mission. Those that don't want to see Iraq fall victim of their civil\sectarian war are free to work within the UN peace-keeping mission and the US will fund it (as retribution for having instigated the war).
I would allow all those Iraqi that helped the US during the war and that want to immigrate to the US.
I would re-center on Afghanistan and the pursuit of the Terrorists and their supporters that are the problem. This pursuit would involve political and international police networks to track the wrong-doers down and bring them to justice: facing a court of international law.
I would bring the National Guard home, and sponsor a bill that they could not be used outside this country unless they individually volunteered to upgrade their service to full military.
I would redefine the National Guard purpose to defend the Nation from their bases in the US, and include not just attacks from hostile forces but response to any other National emergency. Different bases could specialize in different disaster rapid responses, flood, plague, forest fire, earthquake, hurricanes, providing rapid shelter and home to devastated areas, providing police and security forces for devastated areas, providing manpower to rebuild needed infrastructure, etcetera. These special units could also be used on a volunteer basis abroad when other nations have a national disaster.
I would fully fund the Veterans Administration to provide service and assistance to returning veterans and those already home and ensure that they get the best treatment.
I would fully fund a similar program for victims of the war in Iraq ... even if it has to be done from outside the country.
Just for starters.
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