English teachers and editors: Is this paragraph punctuated correctly?

[brainshrub]

"This article documents the numerous times the Bush Administration made comments to make the American people believe that the war in Iraq would be quick and easy. There is no American exit strategy for Iraq because the goal of the occupation is not to bring Democracy or fight terrorism; It's to set up a strategic military presence to protect the value of the petro-dollar."

[aden_nak]

1. The "it's" after the semicolon should not be capitalized.

Though as a rule, I try to avoid semicolons wherever I can because most people don't understand what they do, what their purposes is, how to read them, or (in some cases) what a semicolon is.

[brainshrub]

6. I thought you are supposed to capitalise after a semicolon.

I've been doing that for years!

[SmokingJacket]

2. small i after a semicolon

or else use a period, or use a colon (then you can use small or capital i).

[supernova]

3. Awkward, but yes technically correct.

It's a bit long-winded to get his point across.

And is "It's to set up..." really capitalized? If so, that's wrong. You don't capitalize after a semi-colon.

[Shell Beau]

9. I agree with you about the awkwardness of it (and the semi-colon, too).

[brainshrub]

10. The reason for the awkwardness:

To see the context that this paragraph is being used, take a look at my site: www.brainshrub.com

The paragraph is merely commentary to an article, not part of a larger essay.

[emanymton]

4. "; it's"

In last sentence, you wrote,
"... sm; It's to se..."

should read "; it's"

[readmylips]

19. A comma or semi-colon should never be left dangling...

off in space the way you have it. It is always...dahdah, or dahdah; it's (it is) or dah dah. (period, next sentence) Never: dahdah"; colon must be part of the sentence.

The semi-colong is always treated as a period, but the connecting sentence should not start with a Cap.

Thank you, thank you.

[yankeeinlouisiana]

5. Not sure about the punctuation,

but the content is sure correct!

PS: I don't think the "I" in it's after the semi-colon should be capitalized.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

7. You wouldn't capitalize the *I* in it's after the semi colon

and you wouldn't capitalize the D in democracy.

The first sentence is cumbersome:
This article documents the numerous times the Bush Administration made comments to make the American people believe that the war in Iraq would be quick and easy.


I would say to LEAD the American people into believeing

[Richardo]

8. I'm unable to resist wordsmithing a little.

"This article documents the numerous times the Bush Administration made comments to make intended to convince the American people believe that the war in Iraq would be quick and easy. There is no American exit strategy for Iraq because the goal of the occupation is not to bring Democracy or fight terrorism; the goal is it's to set up a strategic military presence to protect the value of the petro-dollar."

:shrug:

[brainshrub]

12. Oh wow. Much better!

May I use that?

[Richardo]

14. Certainement!

It's my only perceptible talent. Happy to share. :hi:

[montanacowboy]

11. Don't capitalize the "i" after the semicolon

[Midlodemocrat]

13. Technically correct, except for the capital I after the semi-colon

It is a tad awkward, however.

[readmylips]

15. Which article?

This ? article coments the numerous times the Bush Admin repeated comments of 'democracy or fight terrorism' to brainwash the American people into believing that the Iraq War would be quick and easy. There is no bush exit strategy. The goal of bush's occupation is to protect and expand the value of the US oil companies, his election gold mind, by using US military presence.

[brainshrub]

16. Visit my site, it puts the paragraph in context.

My site is a News Scan that makes quick commentary and offers a counterpoint.

[RedCloud]

17. Puctuated?

Some hockey reference?

[brainshrub]

18. Doh!

I just fixed it. Thaanks.