The war in Iraq is entering it's fourth year. What do you think about America's progress?
48 Comments
ron schmidt said:
I think we need to "GET OUT". We are making no visible progress. The money being spent on this war could be put to much better use right here in the US to help with the problems and issues.
Saera said:
too much time and too many lives spent for a war on terrorism and desire for more oil. save our troops, protect our borders and our people from here. the iraqi's want us out, so let our soldiers come home.
Dennis said:
It seems to me that the "war" in Iraq is creating an even more dangerous division within America.
es said:
i dont think we will ever be able to help those people until they get tired of killing each other.
there isnt anything that has panned out the way bush thought it would. remember when they got saddam? they thought that was the beginning of the end instead it hit the fan and hasnt gotten any better. bush is an idiot!! he said this started on his watch and it will end on ours, well for once he was right about something.... he is going to stick us with his mess.
Dave said:
Here's the deal. We went into Iraq on a trumped-up rationale that they had WMDs and were a clear and present danger to the US. The fact is all Dubya was doing was leaving the war on al-Qaida unfinished while he opened a second front to finish the war Iraq started in 1990 by taking Baghdad and overthrowing Saddam.
The problem now is the US isn't the same militarily as it was in 1990, when we could field 500,000 troops in the Persian Gulf without batting an eye. We've downsized in the last decade to the point where we can't even support the DoD's long-standing policy of being able to fight two regional wars simultaneously and independently of our NATO Allies.
Thus, we are stuck in two prolonged ground campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan and they are bleeding our ground forces in the Active, Reserve and Guard components white.
People talk about pulling out of Iraq like it would be a simple thing, like 'Lets just leave' but it wouldn't be so simple to do.
You're talking about pulling up stakes on 130,000+ personnel and all their assorted equipment, four years of infrastructure and marching them south to Kuwait in a fighting withdrawal - since the insurgents are still out there in force in case you didn't notice - while the center of gravity (Baghdad) collapses into anarchy, creating a power vacuum that will be filled by either extremists like Muqtada al Sadr and his Mahdi Army or even better the Iranians and Syrians.
The United States has created this mess that, if we pull out, will spill over Iraq's borders into neighboring countries and it will become a regional nightmare that could threaten numerous countries on the sidelines like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan and Israel.
As for the original question about America's progress ... this is a generational war. Saddam was in power for more than two decades, and the Iraqis aren't strong enough to stand and fight on their own. It won't take days or weeks to get them there ... it will take months and maybe even years to get them to be able to beat back the insurgents and exterior threats to their security before the US can pull out. Progress is slow, but nevertheless there is progress.
The only threat to that progress, of course, is American impatience and the will of the current generation of cry-baby whiners who enjoy the freedoms provided by the government but aren't willing to pick up a rifle and defend those freedoms.
I don't support the rationale for the war, I knew it was all about tossing Saddam out of power from the get-go, and don't like the way Dubya schemed his way across the Iraqi border. If he had said, 'Lets finish Desert Storm', I would have said 'Yep, get 'er done'. But he didn't, and I think that was a major part of his undoing.
However, now that we're there, I support our military, I feel they are stuck at the short and dirty end of the stick and that if people are going to criticize American foreign policy don't blame the troops.
Hank said:
No way will they ever stop the volunteer suicide bombers or those who make and plant IEDs unless they kill every Iraqi capable of performing these atrocities, as more come of age everyday who are willing to die.
Just over the last 2 days we lost 2 more GI's from here in the Northwest and many Iraqis as reported in various newspapers. The "Surge" has done nothing to stop these bombings, nor have any elected officials, military officials or "experts". Just a lot of flowery language as the dying continues!
Saera said:
Thats the problem, we cant stop the suicide bombers unless we kill everyone in the arab lands and then some, as there will always be those that hate us, what we did and stood for before, and what we've done recently to their country. We cant leave quickly leaving noone capable in power, but can we leave slowly? Is there really a way give their country enough stability so we can ever leave? Is there a way to get out effectively and not have to inhabit Iraq for decades with our troops? If not, maybe we should just back out. It seems like a no win situation as it has to some of us from the start. Just more turmoil and death at every turn, no progress, no better world, no end to terrorism, and after a point, we seem more and more like the terrorists to the Iraqi residents.
Roxanne Kennedy said:
This war has entered the realm of the unbelievable! And so has our dictator, President Bush along with his cronies. Completely unbelievable! How can he refuse to listen to the Americans voters? The majority want out and an end to this nonsense NOW!! Impeach this jerk before it's too late!!
Anonymous said:
What would John Wayne say? Shame on you cowards.
Do you remember 9/11? Do you remember?
Have we had a 9/11 since? No. And it is very obvious why not.
Take a chance with your life but don't with mine.
The devil only repects force.
Sounds like those against the war to protect
our interests are devil worshippers.
What would John Wayne say?
Drew said:
I have been opposed to Bush's war even before he granted himself the authority to wage war without congressional approval. I wrote several letters to the editor of our local newspaper predicting that the facts were lies which they were. The only mission accomplished by the Republican invasion of Iraq is that more than 3200 Honorable American Soldiers have lost there lives by being terrorist targets in the extremists own back yards. Even the poorest most incapable Muslim activist can kill an American right outside his very own front door. No covert, expensive, and possibly detectable attempt within Americas borders are necessary and for this reason the cowardly Republicans are Grateful, And for this reason the Republican Cowards like Bush and Cheney want the war in Iraq to continue forever. Forever because Now Bush , Cheney and all the republicans who support them have created an never ending need for Islamic murderers to kill us. God bless America and God curse George W. Bush.
Anonymous said:
Our great country saved 1 million men in uniform
during WWII by dropping the bomb. Probably
as many Japanese were saved also by dropping
the bomb.
How many lives are saved by our stance in Iraq?
How many Iranians, Syrians, Lebanese, and
those in Israel and those in India and Pakistan
and other areas are saved by our military stance
in the world?
The Devil only respects force.
The commandment of "thou shalt not kill..."
means thou shalt not murder. We are allowed to
kill for what purpose? "To save life"....
Remember the Alamo and 9/11....
Jim Johnson said:
I was watching your new show and you made a error -- you said the Iraq war is now entering its 4th year -- The truth is the war is now just completing its 4th year and now entering its 5th year.
Jud Morris said:
I never supported the war, but have and always will support our troops. However, We are now there. Speaking from a vetrans point of view, we have a mission to finish. There are millions of innocent Iraqi lives on the line, (women and children.) We started this and now it is our moral responsibility to protect these people until they have a well established government and military in place that is capable of protecting them from the insurgents.
God bless America
Jud Morris
Tacoma, Washington
stephen carson said:
Hay nwcn and all you know-it-all's. How about a big cup of SHUT THE FUCK UP
joe said:
the war is entering it's fifth (5th) year. We started in 2003, 2004 was 1 year, 2005 was 2 years, 2006 was 3 years and 2007 makes 4 years, we entered the 4th year a year ago.
David Sturtz said:
All those people that say they are concerned about the lives lost in Iraq don’t seem to be concerned about the tens of thousands of lives that will be lost if we leave too soon. They don’t seem to be all concerned about the tens of thousands of lives that were lost every year at the hand of the despot that was running Iraq. They don’t seem to be concerned about all the hundreds of thousands of lives that we saved by removing him.
If fact they hate and fear the president of the United States more than the terrorists that attacked us on 9/11. Just read the invective and hate contained in these blogs. The President has been doing everything he can to defend this country
What if the terrorist successfully launch another major attack on this country? These same Bush haters will blame the President, of course. It’s just a shame that they don’t understand who our real enemy is
The terrorists say they want to kill us because they hate us and our way of life. The very people that now oppose the President would be some of their first victims. The terrorist have billions of dollars and millions of followers to aide them. We are in serious danger. I hope that we will not wait until it become an all out fight for our survival before we get serious about fighting them. We waited along time before getting into World War II and we paid this for dearly. If we had gotten into the fight earlier, we may very well have saved millions of lives.
es said:
david, those people have been killing each other for thousands of years, this country doesnt have enough money to stay there long enough to fix it but we seem to have alot of young people so how many of them can we spare?
mc cain says if we pull out the terrorists will follow us home. that remark makes it sound like all the terrorists are in bagdad. what happend in spain proves that just isnt so.
i think its highly likley we will be attacked again and it isnt going to matter weather we have troops in bagdad or not. how do you reason with people who say if you dont believe in thier religion you must die? any rooney said once "there ainte no nut like a religious nut"
we need to bring our troops home and let them people have it out. if they want freedom from thier homes businesses families and neighbors being blown up they need to stand up and fight for it.
if there is a lesson to be learned here it is what not to do. we were misled into this war, tens of thousands have died the whole area has been de stablized we have spent hundreds of billions and thousands of our young have died and what do we have to show for it?
Anonymous said:
The time of 1938 to 1942 offered some unforgettable images in film on why a free countries must act before, or as, evil erupts.
The Russian film, "Alexander Nevsky", completed
in 1938. The film covered the events leading up
to the Battle of the Ice in 1242 where the Russians defeated the Teutonic knights of old
Germany. Such statements are true today as they were in the 1938 prewar Russia and 1242 "Rus":
"..the rich only care about the profit but we poor folk know better. To them Mother, or Step-mother is all the same..." And the rich say "where
you put your money, there is where your loyality lay..."
So give away your country for convenience,etc.
The Russian Prince Nevsky says "never would Rus
had forgiven us if we lost the war..."
(In the first draft of the film depicting events
in 1242, Nazi swastikas were on the helmuts of the
Teutonic knights.) This film was taken out of
circulation on the signing of the 1939 German-Soviet accord.
"Casablanca" of 1942 evoked many images of why
evil must be confronted.
Our great military leaders in this country show
why our country is great. In a war, involving this country, their excellent decisions go alongside their flawed ones. Generals Sheridan,
Grant and Lee, Patton, Eisenhower and MacArthur,
Admirals Halsey and Nimitz, and so on and so on,
point to a method for Victory.
We could abandon our interaction in the world
by closing our bases and withdrawing to our borders. The Spanish, French, Germans and British did so and regretted it ever since.
As the saying of the Salvation Army "blood and fire" was so correctly countered with "money and
gunpowder" in the 1941 film, "Major Barbara",
the greatest evil in the world was announced to be poverty. George Bernard Shaw's play set to film in an England at war, had memorable lines
concerning morality of war. "Ought, ought, ought....." exposed the maker of cannons. Young people say things ought to be better but have no means for solution. What better than the final solution-war? Poverty can only be erased swiftly with swift change. Not redistribution of wealth, but the chance for work.
The public work improvements in Iraq today are only due to our involvement there. Token improvements under the Dictator were a just that,
a token.
Living in the past only makes people angry.
Attempting a future in Iraq and in the U.S.
Britain, Israel and Pakistan and other countries,
country by country, not a one world country, is
the only final solution.
C said:
The war has created more terrorists then supposely it was to clean up.
Roger said:
We are doing a WONDERFUL job helping the Iraqis gain their freedom! The TV only shows the 10% bad news and doesn't show the 90% good news - of all the aid, schools, hospitals and infrastructure we have provided. See the latest Poll results below - The Iraquis overwhelmingly support our mission there:
Poll: Only 27 Percent of Iraqis Say Country Is in Civil War
Sunday, March 18, 2007
... an opinion poll conducted on the eve of the fourth anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq has found a striking resilience and optimism among the inhabitants.
The poll, the biggest since coalition troops entered Iraq on March 20, 2003, shows that by a majority of two to one, Iraqis prefer the current leadership to Saddam Hussein 's regime, regardless of the security crisis and a lack of public services.
The survey, published today, also reveals that contrary to the views of many western analysts, most Iraqis do not believe they are embroiled in a civil war .
Drew said:
Roger has been listening to his brain on drugs Rush Looserbaugh too much! Roger needs to listen to stephen carson above. Sure Roger Bush is doing such a wonderful job he needs to send more troops a surge he calls it. The general in charge says already not enough need more! Mean while More local insurgents (Iraqi)locals and others from all over the mid east flow across the borders in a surge of there own, unstoppable. When will the hate from Muslim extremist ever lull, Never as long as we occupy there country. Just as if a force of 30,000 extremists came to America on there many aircraft carriers and battle ships an occupied our country, Americans would never quit fighting to regain control of our land either. But you are stupid and incapable of understanding or reasoning for your self so go away and listen to your god Rush.
johanna huft said:
.............What needs to happen is insted of asking us.....TAKE A FREAKING POLL IN IRAQ.....ask them what they want.....poll the colleges......go stand on a freaking street corner for a week.....ask the old... in the hospitals and the wounded too........THEN DO WHAT THE MAJORITY WANTS......teach them about democracy....and go from there....WHY KEEP ASKING PEOPLE WHO CAN'T DO S***ABOUT IT???????????????
Anonymous said:
Chaos is inevitable once we leave Iraq and Afghanistan. We can stay in the area to just attack things when needed, with total no holds barred ferocity. This would show our troops we value them.
paul said:
I am disgusted at what an anti-american un-american, traitorous and treasonous trashy,dumpy town Portland Oregon is. Anybody who thinks that freedom of speech includes huge banners that say "fuck the troops should be shot on site. I am sick of these "protesters" think they have the right to do this. The crap that happens in Portland is not free speech, it is just a group of lazy punks that is welcomed by the city. the abc affiliate people were shoved and the van was vandalized because they don't like corporate media. everytime there is a march or protest portland looks like the worst of American cities. I have never lived in a more repulsive city than this trashy hole called Portland Oregon. With a few exceptions it is just one big poor drug invested, anti-business, anti-america trash hole. What an embarrasment. The city is an embarrassment to the Northwest and to America. The federal government should step in and take it over or just burn it.
es said:
yeah the news tends to favor the negitave. like the martyrs and the martyr wanna bees. they showed a sidewalk scene where a guy blew himself up, his shoes were still side by side on the sidewalk but he was nowhere to be seen except for blood splatters on the ground and the wall and higher up on the wall was this gooey tenderloin looking thing stuck and it was kinda oozing its way down.
something i have been wondering about is who were these people saddam had in these mass graves? are we fighting the same people? with so many different factions who can keep track.
who are the insurgents? where are they from? most of the time when the news is talking about some of these factions im not sure if they are the good guys or the bad guys. can anyone name all the groups involved where they are from and why they want to kill each other.
es said:
pauls comment on portland.
i think there are alot of good people in portland but exactly what you are saying is why i finally gave up and stopped getting involved with issues like environment workers rights and this war.
i got tired of seeing so many people spending time working on important issues only to see the whole thing get a black eye over crap like this. its allways something like break a window burn a flag or something lame. it makes everyone look bad.
i got the sense some of those who did things like this were more into it to show off or just cause trouble rather than make change.
one of the arguements was if you dont do something overboard the media wont report on it. maybe that happens sometimes but you still see the mom and pop interviews.
i have seen this sort of thing in seattle too, i dont know what the answer is other than im not spending any more time money and effort on some cause just to see it all get ruined over something stupid.
Yes said:
People actually think that this war is still the right thing to do? Wow. You all need help.
Quinn said:
Whoah Paul, calm down there buddy. When was the last time you were in Bagdad? Wait, when was the last time you've been anywhere besides Portland? If you ask me, I think Portland is pretty nice. Good roads, okay mass transit, it's very green, clean, not too expensive, safe, it's still slightly small... etc... Go to Bagdad, put on some cammies for 9 months, come back and I bet you'll kiss the ground. Go to Philly, DC, LA, Dallas, Chicago... tell me how much litter you see... count the trees...compare it to Portland. You'll see that it's a one of a kind city. Not EVERYONE in Portland is saying those negative things. Sure the war is wrong, but there is a non-violent way to express your opinions, I agree. Make peace not war.
Drew said:
Hey disgusting Paul, a similar thing happened here in Spokane when sharp shooter (Cheney) was visiting. Only thing was after the confrontation, turns out the man with the f--k the soldiers sign was a republican war supporter trying to cause a rift and once again twist the truth. He got his butt kicked by anti war activists, go figure.
BECKY SHAFFER said:
OUR MEN AND WOMEN ARE SIGNING UP FOR THIS AND NOT BEING FORCED TO FIGHT AS THE CAES OF NAM. I CHERRISH ALL LIFE. I HAVE BURRIED 3 OF MY OWEN CHILDREN. OUR TROOPS BELIVE IN WHAT THEY ARE DOING AND I RESPECT AND SUPPORT THEM 100% PLUS. THOSE WHO DO NOT SHOULD DECIDE IF THIS WAR SHOULD BE WHERE IT IS OR RIGHT HERE ON OUR HOME LAND. BECAUSE IT IS GOING TO BE ONE PLACE OR THE OTHER. THOSE WHO HAVE FOUGHT FOR OUR COUNTRY ARE THE VERY ONES THAT HAVE FOUGHT FOR OUR FREEDOM OF SPEACH. HOW DO YOU THINK IT MAKES THEM FEEL WHEN THEY SEE PROTESTERS IN OUR AND THIER VERY OWEN COUNTRY PROTESTING AGAINST THEM. TO PROTEST AGAINST THE WAR IS TO PROTEST AGAINST OUR TROOPS. SHAME ON YOU WHO PROTEST OUR TROOPS AND OUR COUNTRY.
johanna huft said:
I agree with drizzels comment, war protests seem to draw the Lazy,non working,uneducated,slackjawed,whiners...that if you ask, most don't really have a point.....or a purpose.....what really amazes me is that people crying about wage increases and having to work two jobs just to get by.......were able to attend this fabulous gathering..they weren't to busy trying to make living.....and most of them were griping about the cost of THE WAR??....now how does that translate in reality??.......the fact of it is...is that every one of those people are the reason we as a nation do what we do.....you people want to protest...STOP BUYING GAS, OIL, PLASTIC....stop buying stuff made in MEXICO,TAWAIN,CHINA.....BOYCOTT. but that would require people to put there comfort where there mouth is......
Jud Morris said:
Becky, I am a combat vetran from the first gulf war and saw combat in several other places in the world. I am a patriot and love this country with all my heart and soul. While I do not agree with the message the protesters across the country are sending I did however, fight for their right to protest, for their right to freedom of speech, or even to burn a flag if they see fit! Dont let them get to you. They dont get to me!!!!!
John said:
Protesting the war in Iraq is a waste of money and efforts. President Bush has time in time vows to veto any effort by congress to stop sending troops to Iraq. He does not listened to the voices of the people and continues to this date to send more troops to fight a hopeless war. Just look at the poll, the people of Iraq do not want our help and they hate our presence in their country.
es said:
the news was interesting today.
bush was saying this isnt going to take days or weeks its going to take months. does this mean the months left in this year? its more like the months in the years to come is what he is talking about.
now after 4 years and over 850 billion and thousands of lives the light at the end of the tunnel we are hearing is when we get this down to a dull roar it will take generations of between 35 and 40,000 of our troops perminatly in iraq.
how are the parents of our soldiers going to feel when thier grand childeren someday are over there risking thier lives.
Yes said:
This doesn't make any sense. The people who are protesting the war DO NOT BLAME THE SOLDIERS (DUH!). They support and love them just like everyone. They blame "President" Bush. But really, no Iraqi insurgent is going to hop on a little boat and throw rocks at New York City... come on people... how is supporting this war realistic? How does anything "President" Bush has to say reality? He has one thing on his mind and that is MONEY. The people who are protesting actually ARE NOT LAZY AT ALL. Why don't the war supporters STOP BEING LAZY AND JOIN THE FUCKING MILITARY. This is Vietnam part II and no one notices. Twenty years from now I hope you are all ashamed for supporting MURDER. Once again... you all need HELP.
johanna huft said:
HEY BUNGHOLES...where the FU** were you when this SH** started??? why weren't you out protesting then??? and the fact of it is that all republicans and all democrats are to blame......because allllllllllllllllllll of them agreed to go after the WRONG COUNTRY.....WHAT you and all those other people just figure that out????? you can blame bush if that makes you feel better........BUT WE ARE TO BLAME.....and the only thing i am ashamed of is that people like protesters try to weasel out of any kind of responsibility for their own actions........and it will only be like Vietnam when people like the droolers that were protesting stand by and spit on our soldiers when they come home......and if you don't think it will happen................just wait because true cowards are very predictable....Ipray Im wrong....and the only one i see needing help is you yes....maybe some anger management????
C said:
This is not our war, nor our childrens war but most likely our childrens childrens war. I'm really not convinced that we will be able to bring stability to a country that has is being torn apart by 2 completely different groups or religions. The only way out might be to split the country up into 2 separate countries .. one for the Sunnis and the other for the Shiites. Saddam was the same 'bonding agent' for Iraq as Tito was for Yugoslavia.
Dennis said:
After reading these, I'm beginning to think American citizens are becoming their own worst enemy. People need to stop using Bush as a scapegoat for our own inability to cooperate. Of course it's always much easier to blame someone else than look at our own faults. Tho I have been wrong before:)
Roger said:
Dennis! Finally a voice of reason on here. Our struggle to bring freedom and a better life to the poor, abused Iraqi people is one of the most noble causes in modern times. Thank God for our courageous military and for President Bush!
Anonymous said:
Roger, how old are you? Do you have any cardiac ailments? I hope so! I certainly will pray for you to get hit by a car, or get electrocuted, maybe stabbed, shot, or die in your sleep. You're not really worthy of the air you breathe.
arnette said:
we need to bring our troops home! i am prooud of our military they are the best! god bless all who suffer!but our soldiers need to come home! i am a mother of a soldier who has fought two wars since she has been in the military in her nine years!!i am proud!!of all our military!it is time to come home!!!!!!!!
arnette said:
that word is proud not prood ha ha ha
Steve said:
I am surprised at the supreme lack of intelligence on both sides of this issue!! There are truly two sides to every story people. One side is against the war, one is for the war. I dont believe there is a anti troop side to this whole thing is there? If there is I personally would like to give that individual a piece of my mind!! These are the facts: Our troops are doing very important work for the good of the country they live in under a corrupt civilian leadership, and I and everyone that I know hope they can do their job succesfully without injury or death. Our citizens also have an obligation!! You and I must make sure that the government is sending them for morally sound reasons this is our obligation!! If you and I do not fulfil our obligation by questioning authority either by a protest or letters or any other means we can, we are failing our duty to the troops!! That is un-American!! If you are against the war and you do not protest you are Un-American!! If you are for the war and you try to stifle the people who are protesting the war, by creating a rift and calling them troop haters, you are un-American!! Though everyone has diffrent views on these matters, we all have the obligation to follow through with how we feel, and make sure the civilian leadership knows how we feel, and I for one will continue taking part in my civic duty!! See ya next march all!!
Eldon said:
1944 until Today Germany, 1945(fighting did not end on May 8, 1945 try until early 1950's) 1945 to today Japan,(the same for Japan they still had troops in Korea and China until the early 1950's) 1945 until today Korea,(we still have only a cease fire and continue to look at the enemy across the Border) never ending Occupations and Bases. Prepositioned troops and equipment throughout the World. Troops stationed in how many countries? I don't need protesters to look at on TV or the like giving aid and comfort to our enemies. I have paid with blood and years for the quote "I will defend to the Death your Right to Disagree". We are a Nation of Citizen Soldiers from our earliest times. We came from every courner of the World to live Free. Our unified effort must be or we will fail. 2076, 300 years of a Nation may we continue to be strong. We are the Strongest Nation in the World and we crumble like a Nation with SAND as our foundation. Shall we go the way of others?
Anonymous said:
The troops aren't really in Germany to keep the country from going bonkers, but they were mostly retained as part of the 'expected' invasion from the Communists during the Cold War. Nowadays these bases are mainly strategic. Eldon .. I would like you to define 'strong' in more detail. China has more troops then the US has citizens for instance.
joahnna huft said:
LETS talk to them.....lets be diplomatic......lets get out of there country......lets let them be......don't take there oil.......don't tell them they cant have nuclear energy...........THE problem with all that is these people only know violence and murder.......and if they become a super power (say preferred deity here) GOD forbid it.......they would rule the planet like they rule there countries.........
es said:
6 charged with plot on Army base in N.J.
Six men were arrested on charges they plotted to attack the Fort Dix Army base in New Jersey and "kill as many soldiers as possible," say federal prosecutors.
so much for the republicans saying if we pull out now the terrorists will follow us home. they are allready here just like they are all over the world
I think we need to "GET OUT". We are making no visible progress. The money being spent on this war could be put to much better use right here in the US to help with the problems and issues.
too much time and too many lives spent for a war on terrorism and desire for more oil. save our troops, protect our borders and our people from here. the iraqi's want us out, so let our soldiers come home.
It seems to me that the "war" in Iraq is creating an even more dangerous division within America.
i dont think we will ever be able to help those people until they get tired of killing each other.
there isnt anything that has panned out the way bush thought it would. remember when they got saddam? they thought that was the beginning of the end instead it hit the fan and hasnt gotten any better. bush is an idiot!! he said this started on his watch and it will end on ours, well for once he was right about something.... he is going to stick us with his mess.
Here's the deal. We went into Iraq on a trumped-up rationale that they had WMDs and were a clear and present danger to the US. The fact is all Dubya was doing was leaving the war on al-Qaida unfinished while he opened a second front to finish the war Iraq started in 1990 by taking Baghdad and overthrowing Saddam.
The problem now is the US isn't the same militarily as it was in 1990, when we could field 500,000 troops in the Persian Gulf without batting an eye. We've downsized in the last decade to the point where we can't even support the DoD's long-standing policy of being able to fight two regional wars simultaneously and independently of our NATO Allies.
Thus, we are stuck in two prolonged ground campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan and they are bleeding our ground forces in the Active, Reserve and Guard components white.
People talk about pulling out of Iraq like it would be a simple thing, like 'Lets just leave' but it wouldn't be so simple to do.
You're talking about pulling up stakes on 130,000+ personnel and all their assorted equipment, four years of infrastructure and marching them south to Kuwait in a fighting withdrawal - since the insurgents are still out there in force in case you didn't notice - while the center of gravity (Baghdad) collapses into anarchy, creating a power vacuum that will be filled by either extremists like Muqtada al Sadr and his Mahdi Army or even better the Iranians and Syrians.
The United States has created this mess that, if we pull out, will spill over Iraq's borders into neighboring countries and it will become a regional nightmare that could threaten numerous countries on the sidelines like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan and Israel.
As for the original question about America's progress ... this is a generational war. Saddam was in power for more than two decades, and the Iraqis aren't strong enough to stand and fight on their own. It won't take days or weeks to get them there ... it will take months and maybe even years to get them to be able to beat back the insurgents and exterior threats to their security before the US can pull out. Progress is slow, but nevertheless there is progress.
The only threat to that progress, of course, is American impatience and the will of the current generation of cry-baby whiners who enjoy the freedoms provided by the government but aren't willing to pick up a rifle and defend those freedoms.
I don't support the rationale for the war, I knew it was all about tossing Saddam out of power from the get-go, and don't like the way Dubya schemed his way across the Iraqi border. If he had said, 'Lets finish Desert Storm', I would have said 'Yep, get 'er done'. But he didn't, and I think that was a major part of his undoing.
However, now that we're there, I support our military, I feel they are stuck at the short and dirty end of the stick and that if people are going to criticize American foreign policy don't blame the troops.
No way will they ever stop the volunteer suicide bombers or those who make and plant IEDs unless they kill every Iraqi capable of performing these atrocities, as more come of age everyday who are willing to die.
Just over the last 2 days we lost 2 more GI's from here in the Northwest and many Iraqis as reported in various newspapers. The "Surge" has done nothing to stop these bombings, nor have any elected officials, military officials or "experts". Just a lot of flowery language as the dying continues!
Thats the problem, we cant stop the suicide bombers unless we kill everyone in the arab lands and then some, as there will always be those that hate us, what we did and stood for before, and what we've done recently to their country. We cant leave quickly leaving noone capable in power, but can we leave slowly? Is there really a way give their country enough stability so we can ever leave? Is there a way to get out effectively and not have to inhabit Iraq for decades with our troops? If not, maybe we should just back out. It seems like a no win situation as it has to some of us from the start. Just more turmoil and death at every turn, no progress, no better world, no end to terrorism, and after a point, we seem more and more like the terrorists to the Iraqi residents.
This war has entered the realm of the unbelievable! And so has our dictator, President Bush along with his cronies. Completely unbelievable! How can he refuse to listen to the Americans voters? The majority want out and an end to this nonsense NOW!! Impeach this jerk before it's too late!!
What would John Wayne say? Shame on you cowards.
Do you remember 9/11? Do you remember?
Have we had a 9/11 since? No. And it is very obvious why not.
Take a chance with your life but don't with mine.
The devil only repects force.
Sounds like those against the war to protect
our interests are devil worshippers.
What would John Wayne say?
I have been opposed to Bush's war even before he granted himself the authority to wage war without congressional approval. I wrote several letters to the editor of our local newspaper predicting that the facts were lies which they were. The only mission accomplished by the Republican invasion of Iraq is that more than 3200 Honorable American Soldiers have lost there lives by being terrorist targets in the extremists own back yards. Even the poorest most incapable Muslim activist can kill an American right outside his very own front door. No covert, expensive, and possibly detectable attempt within Americas borders are necessary and for this reason the cowardly Republicans are Grateful, And for this reason the Republican Cowards like Bush and Cheney want the war in Iraq to continue forever. Forever because Now Bush , Cheney and all the republicans who support them have created an never ending need for Islamic murderers to kill us. God bless America and God curse George W. Bush.
Our great country saved 1 million men in uniform
during WWII by dropping the bomb. Probably
as many Japanese were saved also by dropping
the bomb.
How many lives are saved by our stance in Iraq?
How many Iranians, Syrians, Lebanese, and
those in Israel and those in India and Pakistan
and other areas are saved by our military stance
in the world?
The Devil only respects force.
The commandment of "thou shalt not kill..."
means thou shalt not murder. We are allowed to
kill for what purpose? "To save life"....
Remember the Alamo and 9/11....
I was watching your new show and you made a error -- you said the Iraq war is now entering its 4th year -- The truth is the war is now just completing its 4th year and now entering its 5th year.
I never supported the war, but have and always will support our troops. However, We are now there. Speaking from a vetrans point of view, we have a mission to finish. There are millions of innocent Iraqi lives on the line, (women and children.) We started this and now it is our moral responsibility to protect these people until they have a well established government and military in place that is capable of protecting them from the insurgents.
God bless America
Jud Morris
Tacoma, Washington
Hay nwcn and all you know-it-all's. How about a big cup of SHUT THE FUCK UP
the war is entering it's fifth (5th) year. We started in 2003, 2004 was 1 year, 2005 was 2 years, 2006 was 3 years and 2007 makes 4 years, we entered the 4th year a year ago.
All those people that say they are concerned about the lives lost in Iraq don’t seem to be concerned about the tens of thousands of lives that will be lost if we leave too soon. They don’t seem to be all concerned about the tens of thousands of lives that were lost every year at the hand of the despot that was running Iraq. They don’t seem to be concerned about all the hundreds of thousands of lives that we saved by removing him.
If fact they hate and fear the president of the United States more than the terrorists that attacked us on 9/11. Just read the invective and hate contained in these blogs. The President has been doing everything he can to defend this country
What if the terrorist successfully launch another major attack on this country? These same Bush haters will blame the President, of course. It’s just a shame that they don’t understand who our real enemy is
The terrorists say they want to kill us because they hate us and our way of life. The very people that now oppose the President would be some of their first victims. The terrorist have billions of dollars and millions of followers to aide them. We are in serious danger. I hope that we will not wait until it become an all out fight for our survival before we get serious about fighting them. We waited along time before getting into World War II and we paid this for dearly. If we had gotten into the fight earlier, we may very well have saved millions of lives.
david, those people have been killing each other for thousands of years, this country doesnt have enough money to stay there long enough to fix it but we seem to have alot of young people so how many of them can we spare?
mc cain says if we pull out the terrorists will follow us home. that remark makes it sound like all the terrorists are in bagdad. what happend in spain proves that just isnt so.
i think its highly likley we will be attacked again and it isnt going to matter weather we have troops in bagdad or not. how do you reason with people who say if you dont believe in thier religion you must die? any rooney said once "there ainte no nut like a religious nut"
we need to bring our troops home and let them people have it out. if they want freedom from thier homes businesses families and neighbors being blown up they need to stand up and fight for it.
if there is a lesson to be learned here it is what not to do. we were misled into this war, tens of thousands have died the whole area has been de stablized we have spent hundreds of billions and thousands of our young have died and what do we have to show for it?
The time of 1938 to 1942 offered some unforgettable images in film on why a free countries must act before, or as, evil erupts.
The Russian film, "Alexander Nevsky", completed
in 1938. The film covered the events leading up
to the Battle of the Ice in 1242 where the Russians defeated the Teutonic knights of old
Germany. Such statements are true today as they were in the 1938 prewar Russia and 1242 "Rus":
"..the rich only care about the profit but we poor folk know better. To them Mother, or Step-mother is all the same..." And the rich say "where
you put your money, there is where your loyality lay..."
So give away your country for convenience,etc.
The Russian Prince Nevsky says "never would Rus
had forgiven us if we lost the war..."
(In the first draft of the film depicting events
in 1242, Nazi swastikas were on the helmuts of the
Teutonic knights.) This film was taken out of
circulation on the signing of the 1939 German-Soviet accord.
"Casablanca" of 1942 evoked many images of why
evil must be confronted.
Our great military leaders in this country show
why our country is great. In a war, involving this country, their excellent decisions go alongside their flawed ones. Generals Sheridan,
Grant and Lee, Patton, Eisenhower and MacArthur,
Admirals Halsey and Nimitz, and so on and so on,
point to a method for Victory.
We could abandon our interaction in the world
by closing our bases and withdrawing to our borders. The Spanish, French, Germans and British did so and regretted it ever since.
As the saying of the Salvation Army "blood and fire" was so correctly countered with "money and
gunpowder" in the 1941 film, "Major Barbara",
the greatest evil in the world was announced to be poverty. George Bernard Shaw's play set to film in an England at war, had memorable lines
concerning morality of war. "Ought, ought, ought....." exposed the maker of cannons. Young people say things ought to be better but have no means for solution. What better than the final solution-war? Poverty can only be erased swiftly with swift change. Not redistribution of wealth, but the chance for work.
The public work improvements in Iraq today are only due to our involvement there. Token improvements under the Dictator were a just that,
a token.
Living in the past only makes people angry.
Attempting a future in Iraq and in the U.S.
Britain, Israel and Pakistan and other countries,
country by country, not a one world country, is
the only final solution.
The war has created more terrorists then supposely it was to clean up.
We are doing a WONDERFUL job helping the Iraqis gain their freedom! The TV only shows the 10% bad news and doesn't show the 90% good news - of all the aid, schools, hospitals and infrastructure we have provided. See the latest Poll results below - The Iraquis overwhelmingly support our mission there:
Poll: Only 27 Percent of Iraqis Say Country Is in Civil War
Sunday, March 18, 2007
... an opinion poll conducted on the eve of the fourth anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq has found a striking resilience and optimism among the inhabitants.
The poll, the biggest since coalition troops entered Iraq on March 20, 2003, shows that by a majority of two to one, Iraqis prefer the current leadership to Saddam Hussein 's regime, regardless of the security crisis and a lack of public services.
The survey, published today, also reveals that contrary to the views of many western analysts, most Iraqis do not believe they are embroiled in a civil war .
Roger has been listening to his brain on drugs Rush Looserbaugh too much! Roger needs to listen to stephen carson above. Sure Roger Bush is doing such a wonderful job he needs to send more troops a surge he calls it. The general in charge says already not enough need more! Mean while More local insurgents (Iraqi)locals and others from all over the mid east flow across the borders in a surge of there own, unstoppable. When will the hate from Muslim extremist ever lull, Never as long as we occupy there country. Just as if a force of 30,000 extremists came to America on there many aircraft carriers and battle ships an occupied our country, Americans would never quit fighting to regain control of our land either. But you are stupid and incapable of understanding or reasoning for your self so go away and listen to your god Rush.
.............What needs to happen is insted of asking us.....TAKE A FREAKING POLL IN IRAQ.....ask them what they want.....poll the colleges......go stand on a freaking street corner for a week.....ask the old... in the hospitals and the wounded too........THEN DO WHAT THE MAJORITY WANTS......teach them about democracy....and go from there....WHY KEEP ASKING PEOPLE WHO CAN'T DO S***ABOUT IT???????????????
Chaos is inevitable once we leave Iraq and Afghanistan. We can stay in the area to just attack things when needed, with total no holds barred ferocity. This would show our troops we value them.
I am disgusted at what an anti-american un-american, traitorous and treasonous trashy,dumpy town Portland Oregon is. Anybody who thinks that freedom of speech includes huge banners that say "fuck the troops should be shot on site. I am sick of these "protesters" think they have the right to do this. The crap that happens in Portland is not free speech, it is just a group of lazy punks that is welcomed by the city. the abc affiliate people were shoved and the van was vandalized because they don't like corporate media. everytime there is a march or protest portland looks like the worst of American cities. I have never lived in a more repulsive city than this trashy hole called Portland Oregon. With a few exceptions it is just one big poor drug invested, anti-business, anti-america trash hole. What an embarrasment. The city is an embarrassment to the Northwest and to America. The federal government should step in and take it over or just burn it.
yeah the news tends to favor the negitave. like the martyrs and the martyr wanna bees. they showed a sidewalk scene where a guy blew himself up, his shoes were still side by side on the sidewalk but he was nowhere to be seen except for blood splatters on the ground and the wall and higher up on the wall was this gooey tenderloin looking thing stuck and it was kinda oozing its way down.
something i have been wondering about is who were these people saddam had in these mass graves? are we fighting the same people? with so many different factions who can keep track.
who are the insurgents? where are they from? most of the time when the news is talking about some of these factions im not sure if they are the good guys or the bad guys. can anyone name all the groups involved where they are from and why they want to kill each other.
pauls comment on portland.
i think there are alot of good people in portland but exactly what you are saying is why i finally gave up and stopped getting involved with issues like environment workers rights and this war.
i got tired of seeing so many people spending time working on important issues only to see the whole thing get a black eye over crap like this. its allways something like break a window burn a flag or something lame. it makes everyone look bad.
i got the sense some of those who did things like this were more into it to show off or just cause trouble rather than make change.
one of the arguements was if you dont do something overboard the media wont report on it. maybe that happens sometimes but you still see the mom and pop interviews.
i have seen this sort of thing in seattle too, i dont know what the answer is other than im not spending any more time money and effort on some cause just to see it all get ruined over something stupid.
People actually think that this war is still the right thing to do? Wow. You all need help.
Whoah Paul, calm down there buddy. When was the last time you were in Bagdad? Wait, when was the last time you've been anywhere besides Portland? If you ask me, I think Portland is pretty nice. Good roads, okay mass transit, it's very green, clean, not too expensive, safe, it's still slightly small... etc... Go to Bagdad, put on some cammies for 9 months, come back and I bet you'll kiss the ground. Go to Philly, DC, LA, Dallas, Chicago... tell me how much litter you see... count the trees...compare it to Portland. You'll see that it's a one of a kind city. Not EVERYONE in Portland is saying those negative things. Sure the war is wrong, but there is a non-violent way to express your opinions, I agree. Make peace not war.
Hey disgusting Paul, a similar thing happened here in Spokane when sharp shooter (Cheney) was visiting. Only thing was after the confrontation, turns out the man with the f--k the soldiers sign was a republican war supporter trying to cause a rift and once again twist the truth. He got his butt kicked by anti war activists, go figure.
OUR MEN AND WOMEN ARE SIGNING UP FOR THIS AND NOT BEING FORCED TO FIGHT AS THE CAES OF NAM. I CHERRISH ALL LIFE. I HAVE BURRIED 3 OF MY OWEN CHILDREN. OUR TROOPS BELIVE IN WHAT THEY ARE DOING AND I RESPECT AND SUPPORT THEM 100% PLUS. THOSE WHO DO NOT SHOULD DECIDE IF THIS WAR SHOULD BE WHERE IT IS OR RIGHT HERE ON OUR HOME LAND. BECAUSE IT IS GOING TO BE ONE PLACE OR THE OTHER. THOSE WHO HAVE FOUGHT FOR OUR COUNTRY ARE THE VERY ONES THAT HAVE FOUGHT FOR OUR FREEDOM OF SPEACH. HOW DO YOU THINK IT MAKES THEM FEEL WHEN THEY SEE PROTESTERS IN OUR AND THIER VERY OWEN COUNTRY PROTESTING AGAINST THEM. TO PROTEST AGAINST THE WAR IS TO PROTEST AGAINST OUR TROOPS. SHAME ON YOU WHO PROTEST OUR TROOPS AND OUR COUNTRY.
I agree with drizzels comment, war protests seem to draw the Lazy,non working,uneducated,slackjawed,whiners...that if you ask, most don't really have a point.....or a purpose.....what really amazes me is that people crying about wage increases and having to work two jobs just to get by.......were able to attend this fabulous gathering..they weren't to busy trying to make living.....and most of them were griping about the cost of THE WAR??....now how does that translate in reality??.......the fact of it is...is that every one of those people are the reason we as a nation do what we do.....you people want to protest...STOP BUYING GAS, OIL, PLASTIC....stop buying stuff made in MEXICO,TAWAIN,CHINA.....BOYCOTT. but that would require people to put there comfort where there mouth is......
Becky, I am a combat vetran from the first gulf war and saw combat in several other places in the world. I am a patriot and love this country with all my heart and soul. While I do not agree with the message the protesters across the country are sending I did however, fight for their right to protest, for their right to freedom of speech, or even to burn a flag if they see fit! Dont let them get to you. They dont get to me!!!!!
Protesting the war in Iraq is a waste of money and efforts. President Bush has time in time vows to veto any effort by congress to stop sending troops to Iraq. He does not listened to the voices of the people and continues to this date to send more troops to fight a hopeless war. Just look at the poll, the people of Iraq do not want our help and they hate our presence in their country.
the news was interesting today.
bush was saying this isnt going to take days or weeks its going to take months. does this mean the months left in this year? its more like the months in the years to come is what he is talking about.
now after 4 years and over 850 billion and thousands of lives the light at the end of the tunnel we are hearing is when we get this down to a dull roar it will take generations of between 35 and 40,000 of our troops perminatly in iraq.
how are the parents of our soldiers going to feel when thier grand childeren someday are over there risking thier lives.
This doesn't make any sense. The people who are protesting the war DO NOT BLAME THE SOLDIERS (DUH!). They support and love them just like everyone. They blame "President" Bush. But really, no Iraqi insurgent is going to hop on a little boat and throw rocks at New York City... come on people... how is supporting this war realistic? How does anything "President" Bush has to say reality? He has one thing on his mind and that is MONEY. The people who are protesting actually ARE NOT LAZY AT ALL. Why don't the war supporters STOP BEING LAZY AND JOIN THE FUCKING MILITARY. This is Vietnam part II and no one notices. Twenty years from now I hope you are all ashamed for supporting MURDER. Once again... you all need HELP.
HEY BUNGHOLES...where the FU** were you when this SH** started??? why weren't you out protesting then??? and the fact of it is that all republicans and all democrats are to blame......because allllllllllllllllllll of them agreed to go after the WRONG COUNTRY.....WHAT you and all those other people just figure that out????? you can blame bush if that makes you feel better........BUT WE ARE TO BLAME.....and the only thing i am ashamed of is that people like protesters try to weasel out of any kind of responsibility for their own actions........and it will only be like Vietnam when people like the droolers that were protesting stand by and spit on our soldiers when they come home......and if you don't think it will happen................just wait because true cowards are very predictable....Ipray Im wrong....and the only one i see needing help is you yes....maybe some anger management????
This is not our war, nor our childrens war but most likely our childrens childrens war. I'm really not convinced that we will be able to bring stability to a country that has is being torn apart by 2 completely different groups or religions. The only way out might be to split the country up into 2 separate countries .. one for the Sunnis and the other for the Shiites. Saddam was the same 'bonding agent' for Iraq as Tito was for Yugoslavia.
After reading these, I'm beginning to think American citizens are becoming their own worst enemy. People need to stop using Bush as a scapegoat for our own inability to cooperate. Of course it's always much easier to blame someone else than look at our own faults. Tho I have been wrong before:)
Dennis! Finally a voice of reason on here. Our struggle to bring freedom and a better life to the poor, abused Iraqi people is one of the most noble causes in modern times. Thank God for our courageous military and for President Bush!
Roger, how old are you? Do you have any cardiac ailments? I hope so! I certainly will pray for you to get hit by a car, or get electrocuted, maybe stabbed, shot, or die in your sleep. You're not really worthy of the air you breathe.
we need to bring our troops home! i am prooud of our military they are the best! god bless all who suffer!but our soldiers need to come home! i am a mother of a soldier who has fought two wars since she has been in the military in her nine years!!i am proud!!of all our military!it is time to come home!!!!!!!!
that word is proud not prood ha ha ha
I am surprised at the supreme lack of intelligence on both sides of this issue!! There are truly two sides to every story people. One side is against the war, one is for the war. I dont believe there is a anti troop side to this whole thing is there? If there is I personally would like to give that individual a piece of my mind!! These are the facts: Our troops are doing very important work for the good of the country they live in under a corrupt civilian leadership, and I and everyone that I know hope they can do their job succesfully without injury or death. Our citizens also have an obligation!! You and I must make sure that the government is sending them for morally sound reasons this is our obligation!! If you and I do not fulfil our obligation by questioning authority either by a protest or letters or any other means we can, we are failing our duty to the troops!! That is un-American!! If you are against the war and you do not protest you are Un-American!! If you are for the war and you try to stifle the people who are protesting the war, by creating a rift and calling them troop haters, you are un-American!! Though everyone has diffrent views on these matters, we all have the obligation to follow through with how we feel, and make sure the civilian leadership knows how we feel, and I for one will continue taking part in my civic duty!! See ya next march all!!
1944 until Today Germany, 1945(fighting did not end on May 8, 1945 try until early 1950's) 1945 to today Japan,(the same for Japan they still had troops in Korea and China until the early 1950's) 1945 until today Korea,(we still have only a cease fire and continue to look at the enemy across the Border) never ending Occupations and Bases. Prepositioned troops and equipment throughout the World. Troops stationed in how many countries? I don't need protesters to look at on TV or the like giving aid and comfort to our enemies. I have paid with blood and years for the quote "I will defend to the Death your Right to Disagree". We are a Nation of Citizen Soldiers from our earliest times. We came from every courner of the World to live Free. Our unified effort must be or we will fail. 2076, 300 years of a Nation may we continue to be strong. We are the Strongest Nation in the World and we crumble like a Nation with SAND as our foundation. Shall we go the way of others?
The troops aren't really in Germany to keep the country from going bonkers, but they were mostly retained as part of the 'expected' invasion from the Communists during the Cold War. Nowadays these bases are mainly strategic. Eldon .. I would like you to define 'strong' in more detail. China has more troops then the US has citizens for instance.
LETS talk to them.....lets be diplomatic......lets get out of there country......lets let them be......don't take there oil.......don't tell them they cant have nuclear energy...........THE problem with all that is these people only know violence and murder.......and if they become a super power (say preferred deity here) GOD forbid it.......they would rule the planet like they rule there countries.........
6 charged with plot on Army base in N.J.
Six men were arrested on charges they plotted to attack the Fort Dix Army base in New Jersey and "kill as many soldiers as possible," say federal prosecutors.
so much for the republicans saying if we pull out now the terrorists will follow us home. they are allready here just like they are all over the world
benz city lake mercedes salt