Are things going as well in Iraq as we would like to??

Question

I'm no liberal left wing but I'm starting to get the feeling that the war in Iraq is not going well for the US. Here's a few good reasons and some counterpoints.

1- This thing was supposed to end 3 years ago when the statute came down. Bush (the C in C) said shortly after "major combat operations in Iraq is over" on an aircraft carrier w "Mission Accomplished" banner overhead.

Since that time we've had at least Three (3) major battles in Iraq (1st and 2nd Battle of Fallujah and the Cemetary battle against the Sadr Army in Baghdad). Also dozens of security operations and at least a few hundred IED incidents killing and maiming US troops and more or less innocent Iraqi civilians.

2- This situation continues. It ebbs and flows but MORE US troops have died and been injured (over 2000 KIA) after Pr. Bush said major combat in Iraq is over than during the initial invasion.
This along with not finding any WMDs the noted causa belli of the neocons has I believe hurt Bush's creds.

It has hurt Bush's credibilty.

3- Also the violence in Iraq ebbs and flows. The good news is that its not as bad as Vietnam War but I Do Not believe the American people want an endless war in Iraq even at this relatively low level of casualty. This war costs about over $8 Billion a month. About 600-800 US serviceman and women are killed and injured each month in Iraq.
Bush seems only annoyed by the admittedly biased and discredited press but some of what they report is true if only its part of the picture.

4- Bush doesn't seem to have a real efffective plan for success in Iraq. True neither do the Demos b/c both parties are corrupt by special interests and corporate shills but some change in Congress might be something.

My personal feeling for the last 2 years or so is that this might not be another Vietnam but it could be more like an American version of Soviet Afghanistan (which didn't work out well for the USSR) or a larger Somalia.

4- What about Osama the Bad guy and

the Al Qaeda and that Mullah Omah guy?
Shouldn't we be going after them?

5- I don't know how this will turn out but it seems clear that this war has been divisive in this country. Hawks and Doves just like the late 60s. I say most americans believe in "Make money not War". It is really unclear if Iraq is helping out Nation Security Interest AT All. Maybe we're just pissing off 1.2 million Arabs and Islamists.
The idea that we can just nuke all of them is unethical and probably unrealistic. I don't know that how this thing will turn out but Bush seems like the man who keeps waiting for an elevator that never comes while hundreds die trying fix that elevator.

Maybe Iraq will get better and Maybe the Israelis will learn to live in peace with their neighbors but the idea that you (US govt) can push democracy at the point of a gun (mil. force) is flawed b/c it hasn't worked and it creates resentment against the natives.
The insurgents may be ruthless SOBs but guess what they have

they have "Homefield Advantage" so to speak. They have no where to go they feel they are fighting for there country/region or faith. They often can hide among an apathetic or sympathetic populace who resent our military prescence to a large degree.
The generals talk about a "Long War" last 20-30 years, I don't think Americans will put up with it for 5 more years with the thousands ofcasualties and hundred of Billions of $$ with no great progress of security.

We need to either go in harder or start packing it in soon. As Al Davis once said "just win babie" If a war is important enought to send Young Americans to fight and die it should be take Seriously by the senior Policy makers especially the Pres. and Defense Sec. and Generals. Yet they have no clear plan for victory it seems after two years of the same ole same old.
I really think this bothers some Americans when they watch the admittedly imperfect news. If we consider ourselves a great country we need to show we show respect

and moral credibilty. Sometimes military action isn't the Answer even if the enemy look weaker. VC Charlie looked weak but they outlasted US us b/c they feel they were fighting for their country.
We shouldn't think of ourselves as the World's Big Brother or Police but rather solve our own problems.

I believe terrrorism is a problem but one that has been overblown for political reasons. Even in 2001 roughly 20 TIMES more Americans died in car accidents then in terrorist acts. Now we have the Homeland Security and other govt. agencies to take care of it.

In finality I think we need a new leader with a fresh vision to lead our country with its problems like the capable Major of Oaktown Jerry Brown. Mr W Bush is likable but Katrina and Iraq shows he has not been always very effective in his leadership or policies. He needs to listen to Al Davis and "just win babie" for the US citizens. The last 2 years have been very disappointing and I haven't even mention
the economy .

Maybe I wrote a lot here but thanks for your answersif I'm missing something and your reading it. Peace out and may God and Allah/Buddha Bless America!

Also remember to VOTE for your country, that's your right!

And check out this web page!
http://answers.yahoo.com/my/profile;_ylt=Aq9HXnKLoTr5YErN0uP5mRPsy6IX?show=2131690d4c758ac2d9d65a9850e85cc4aa&preview=true

To answer Big Bull not I'm not a Vet nor have I ever implied so, I have great respect for Veterans my father is an Army Vet.

I wasn't going to throw this out b/c its kinda personal but I think its relevant. I had an uncle once (I think a lot of American families can relate to this) he was a charming , handsome guy. My mother (big sis) said he looked liked JFK. He was engaged to a beautiful law student beloved by his nieces and nephews who he treated with treats and stuff.
Anyways he wanted to be a pharmacist but was drafted in the early 1970s and became an Army medic in Vietnam. He served with honor in a tough war trying to help save his fellow soldiers and was killed by NVA rocket fire (or artillery) in the battle of AN Loc.
This figurtively ripped my grandparents and mother. He served his country and died in a war which did not turn out well. There'll always be a picture of a handsome smiling 24 year old in a black beret but he's been gone for over 30 years and his paren

parents (my gramps) had to bury him.
He died right before I was born but my mother still talks about him b/c he was her brother and she loved him.
I guess the point is that when war happens young man and woman die and families suffer, in some ways for the rest of their lives. So Politicians should be Serious about whats going on and if its worth it. Like Cindy Sheehan, some pro war people say she's a left wing kook but I think many Americans sympathize with her lost and admire her courage to speak up and exercie her 1st Amdmnt rights.
We should always respect the office of the Pres. for what it symbolizes but no one is above the law or criticism especially when it comes to something as important as War and the lives of those willing to serve and die as my honoragle Uncle did many years ago and thousands other have. Putting some pressure on those in power to come up with an answer is the least we can do.

Answer 1

You're kidding,right?

Answer 2

There are two parts to the answer.

Saddam was removed from power and will not return to power. The sunnis were removed from power and will not return to power. These objectives were achieved.

Iraq is now a democracy. This was achieved. The government is impotent so the achievement is essentially valueless, but it did technically happen.

Continuing to fight in Iraq serves no purpose for us other than to say that we have not stopped. We derive no material or moral benefit from it. It will not change the outcome - which is most likely civil war. It is draining our resources, both economic and military. It is allowing greater threats such as North Korea and Iran to really develop WMD, putting us in a worse position then we were before we started the war.

Given the options of pulling out and continuing to fight there is no question that pulling out provides us with significant benefits and continuing to fight does not. You will see lots of people make blanket statements like "we are in too deep" or "we can't cut and run" but they will not actually list a cost benefit analysis of the two options.

We are still in Iraq because of pride.

Answer 3

V.C., Charlie?? You speak like you did an enlistment, which I HIGHLY doubt. The Viet Con out lasted the U.S because it is IMPOSSIBLE to COMPLETELY eradicate an underground force, just weaken it to where they are no threat. They did not 'win', as you are trying to suggest, because they thought they were fighting for their country, they 'won' because OUR Govt held back like it is now, in trying to please fantasy liberals and America haters. The greatest impediment to EFFECTIVE war fighting by the U.S military is the double-barreled nonsense that war is never necessary and that, when we do find ourselves at war, we must fight with exaggerated restraint. Just like we are in Iraq today.
You say we have had only three major fights since 2000? Do you have ANY idea how GOOD that is??!!! Do you even hold the capacity to analyze the odds on only having three major clashes in so many years in a country like Iraq??!!! It is obvious there is a significant level of support within the population to allow us such a luxury! Go tell the victims of Saddam's' regime that you want us to pull out because of your theory that we shouldn't help them because things are 'rough'. I guess you thought this was a camping trip in the desert. It's a war. And a war with an outstanding success in fatalities in COMPARISON to other similar battles in history!! What war goes as planned?? None do. An Ideal war is one that is over before tempers flare and rounds are fired. What a dumb question, no war goes as well as one would like it to.

Answer 4

Not being a left-winger myself (a moderate Republican, thank you), I tend to agree with a lot of what you state.

Problem is, we can't just pull out now...we're in too deep.

The irony of this situation is further heightened by the fact that President Bush majored in history at Yale.
One wonders whether he actually attended classes or, like his days in the Guard, he was absent.
Clearly, he didn't even trouble himself to read his fathers book on why G.H.W.Bush decided not to push into Iraq during the Gulf War.

Aside from the obvious tragic loss of American lives in Iraq (not to mention innocent Iraqi civilians), there is the loss of resources due to the high cost of this war.
I recall that we were promised that Iraqi oil would pay for the war.
Any of that flowing into our coffers?

Not sure of how many billions of U.S. dollars are being spent but imagine what that kind of money would buy here in America for education, health prevention, medical research (not to mention rebuilding hurricane-damaged cities and border protection).

By the way, the link offers a list of reports about some of the war costs and wasteful spending in Iraq.

Was Bush right to invade Afghanistan?
In my opinion, yes.
Was Bush right to pursue bin Laden?
Yes, again.
Was Bush right in anything concerning Iraq?
No.

Answer 5

Very well put! No, I also feel that the war in Iraq has gone sour. While I support our troops I do not support the war in Iraq. I also wonder what happened to Afghanistan? We still have troops there and most of the attention is in Iraq.

We are wasting many US lives and I don't know why. We are wasting millions in US dollars and it is all for the Saudis.

George Bush's credibility is zero, he cannot look people in the eye and give an honest answer for his reasons for the above. Bush has proven to be our worst president in the history of the US.

Answer 6

things gone to the worset here in Iraq ,what you think USA? is this vedio game or travel? this is an occupation to Iraq and Usa people must pay blood and spirits till the cant toletate the lost and leave Iraq any occupied must end
1-15 from the 19 suicide how attack USA at 11 Sep 2001came from Sudia
2- there is only 3 country in the world how support Taliban regime
Sudia ,UAE, Pakistan and these 3 countryies illay of USA

Answer 7

I believe maximum of what you're saying approximately Bus yet for some reason i believe that Bush honestly did sense that Saddam grew to become right into a great gamble using incorrect information. he have been given from the CIA. i'm going to admit that the conflict( I call it a police action now) has helped reason the financial disaster we are in now yet we, the yank human beings have contributed greater to the disaster than 5 wars might. i believe the yank each and every person is the main stupid interior the worldwide while it involves in my view dealing with money.The credit debt is the biggest project of all. purely a touch element notice, i'm hoping you & each and all of the youngsters who study this might understand that credit card debt is between the worst issues accessible to us. If one desires to destroy his/her life they'll use credit playing cards unwisely. I do think of that issues in Iraq could desire to get greater clever for a whilst yet after a whilst the country will revert back to the comparable because it grew to become into in the previous the conflict. no remember what I even have mentioned, Bush grew to become right into a awful president. i'm hoping the hot one does greater clever, notwithstanding if he's a Democrat..

Answer 8

The war in Iraq is a war that cannot be won by military means...Within the country factions war among themselves for control and wage war on our troops..for we are a common enemy of all fighting factions...This makes stability impossible
and democracy a side issue..Iraq was a country divided before we arrived..and it will be a country divided after we leave...

Answer 9

Of course it's not going as well as hoped. No one would deny that. The President does not deny that. But what would you have him do?
Leave? and watch everything go to hell in a
handbag?
The problem is that we Americans do not understand the Islamic Fundamentalist mindset, and we never will. We don't think that every Muslim is our enemy, but they think so. We don't get to fight them on a level playing field.
They blow us up in any way they can, but if we kill one innocent civilian, the Washington Doves start flapping their wings.

Answer 10

I know this is going bad, my cousin was supposed to be let out of the marines a year ago, instead she was sent to iraq. She was going to get married when she got out of service. Now she probably won't even get out alive. The only hope we has is that after this bush can't serve, so maby in 2 years we will have a peace loving president.

Answer 11

hi! my stepdad worked in iraq in military bases there for around five years.. according to him, there is really a lot of cover up that is being done. the figures that are being released via the media is way lower than the actual soldiers being killed there. in my own opinion, bush has some personal agenda regarding iraq.