The lives we saved - please answer?

Question

I just posted a question about the media focusing on the negative aspects of the war in Iraq. There have been some excellent responses from all sides but I wonder if anyone thinks about the lives that those of us in the US Military might have saved? I worked so hard for six years to try and prevent bad things from happening. I don't want kudos, since I'm really happy with the time I spent in the military and couldn't ask for anything more, but does anyone think about how much US troops are doing to help people and save lives? There are military people out there who are trying their hardest to help others and save lives! Iraqi, American, whatever you are... My co-workers and I worked hard to try and help. Can we all stop for a minute to think about the positive?

To the first poster: Yeah, it's hard to count the lives saved. But we try our DAMNDEST to help people, and I mean that. I don't like this war but I tried my hardest every day I served to make sure that we got the people who were going to blow up bombs and kill innocent people. If you can't appreciate that, then go **** yourself. And I mean that. Report me for all I care, but **** yourself first. I'm very liberal but I love my country and I love our troops and it kills me to see people like you mocking everything that so many good-hearted military people have done to make LIVES BETTER.

Again, thank you all for your answers.

Answer 1

there's a full blown civil war between the sunnis, shiites, and the kurds.

Even by George's admission, 30,000 dead already.
"I would say 30000, more or less, have died as a result of the initial incursion and the ongoing violence against Iraqis," Bush said on Dec 12, 2005.
It's hard to count the "lives" saved, isn't it?

here's an interesting article
http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=worldNews&storyid=2006-07-10T165035Z_01_KAR040738_RTRUKOT_0_TEXT0.xml&src=071006_1524_ARTICLE_PROMO_also_on_reuters

Iraq is petitioning the UN to remove immunity protections from US troops because of their war crime activities by some troops.

Answer 2

there is no doubt that the majority of the troops in iraq are there to help the situation for iraqi's - this may even apply to the majority of the leaders who made the decision to invade. However, it is unfortunate they did not listen to the experts who predicted what would happen, which is: Civil War - the Iraqi people are tribal and have deep hatred towards each other for reasons only they can fully comprehend. Moreover, it was not their decision to come under the one government in the first place (the west created this). i believe we the invasion of iraq has also played into the hands of the terrorists assholes we should be chasing - so i don't believe that the media are concentrating on the negative - it is negative.

Answer 3

Obviously you have first hand knowledge of the situation, which many of us don't.

But we made a choice to invade another nation and bottomline that decision is on us.

I believe it was wrong and all the lives American, Iraqi, etc, that have been lost is tragic and possibly avoidable.

That does not mean that I don't respect and honor what you and other Americans are doing over there. I do.

I don't respect the men who sent you and your brothers and sisters into harm's way. The blood of a lot of people is on their hands...not anyone elses.

There is supposed to exist a sacred trust between American Soldiers and their leaders. That trust says that they won't send you where you don't belong.

From my perspective that trust has been shattered. It took us 12 years to realize that in Vietnam. How long this time I wonder...

Answer 4

I defedintly think about the lives that the soldiers have saved, Saddam Hussien killed 2million people and he and his sons would have killed more if we hadn't gone to war. We have saved so many people less fortunate than us, and that alone is worth our national debt. I personally believe that Iraq is a wounded country that requires our assistance in order to heal. I believe we act as a crutch to a country in need and without us they could not stand, and it would take them a long time to get up again. With our help we have built schools, helped organize industry, and rid them of a narsasistic leader that has opressed them for years. I certainly support the war and believe that it will be worth while not only for them but for us because we are in the process of aquiring a new and extremely valuable ally that may come to our assistance again in the future.

Answer 5

It'll take time to see if this war truly was worth the cost. As of right now it doesn't look that way. I worry more about the U.S. bringing the terrorist's into Iraq in the first place. Sure it was good to get rid of Sadaam but replacing him with thousands of terrorists that have no regard for Iraqi civilians is just as bad. So time will tell but we have to leave Iraq in much better shape to defend themselves before we leave. And we won't really know for probably years after we leave.

Answer 6

very interesting point being an ex serviceman myself I know how it feels to be unappreciated for doing your job. but I feel that the US and the other nations troops may find it very difficult to ever leave Iraq. Saddam Hussein may have been a tyrant but he was a tyrant to all the other fighting tribes and sects in order to keep them from escalating their differences into all out civil war which is where Iraq stands today these different factions will never see eye to eye they have been at war with each other since a centurion was a rank not a tank, or since the days of Christ and will continue to try to wipe each other out until doomsday unless held under strict control. and since Saddam has gone then that job must fall on the government that overthrew him and that is the US. so yes you are appreciated but it will be a long road home

Answer 7

Exactly.
I am against war, but I appreciate all you people do for us.
I wish there was no need for the fighting though.
God bless you, and the other troops, and i pray that no more lives will be taken from either side.
Most of the people who are so against you are the same people who believe abortions are okay, and a bunch of other bull, while they complain about the people who are giving them the right to be so free.
Know that you are appreciated, at least by people who have any sense.

Answer 8

I can only answer one way. Thank you very much for the hundreds of thousands saved in Iraq from Saddam's terror, in Afghanistan from Bin Laden, in both World Wars.
Thank you & may God bless you.

Answer 9

I feel bad that some people are putting down our troops when they are risking their lives everyday. I hope the troops feel that they are appreciated because I appreciate them, but the media seems to focus on the bad things.

Answer 10

i am with you, its a tough job to be in the military , i am glad that some people care enough to join, and i think more people should join and our country should do more to make military jobs more attractive to get people to stay in the military