Is Pres Bush doing the right things in Iraq ?

Question

I'm no liberal left winger 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.

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.
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.
(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

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.

Maybe I wrote a lot here but thanks for your answers if 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...

Answer 1

LOL;; here comes controvery;;

My answer: Leave Bush alone, he does whats best for the country. I think pigs will fly before the whole of america believe george bush does anything right!

Answer 2

I think he's doing the right thing, more or less

To me, the whole problem of terrorism is a black festering hole that has to be dealt with. I'd rather it was dealt with at the source, rather than here in the streets of the US. The catch-22 here is that being there in Iraq makes more iraqis hate us, and breeds more terrorists. Leaving Iraq means the existing terrorists have a freer hand at doing more harm.

What's the solution? I don't know. Maybe get the Iraqis to be responsible for their own people. That will take a major cultural shift, I think. I'm scared to death that one of the groups there will get their hands on a nuke, smuggle it into the US, and detonate it. That would make the September 11 attack look like child's play. And I believe that they are actively trying to do just that.

Part of the problem is that Bush looks disorganized now. I don't think anyone COULD look organized with the task he has at hand. War has a nasty habit of not following the plans that leaders lay out for it. But I think that we are still better off with Bush in the oval office than we would have been with Kerry.

Just imagine that thought for one moment. Had Kerry been elected, all the people who are foaming at the mouth about the war in the middle east would have to be supporting it now, because their guy is in the White House. The conservatives would be supporting it too, I think, they'd just be sniping at the methods and procedures being used.

Answer 3

I like your analysis, especially the part about Afghanistan/USSR. One of the biggest reasons for the fall of the Soviet Union was that they couldn't afford to keep fighting the Afghans indefinitely, and they just ended up financially devastated.

The war in Iraq is a complicated issue, now that there is so much sectarian violence. I don't envision an overall positive result from our involvement. After all, we are dealing with a culture very different from ours, and we are trying to impose our values on them. I wish the Iraqi's all the best. I hope that they can unite in self-government, and end all this bloodshed.

Answer 4

Ok, I am a military wife and I feel so ashamed that people think this way...calling our president names and all that.....what a shame....anyway, the only thing I can say is George Bush kNOWS what's best for our country and our soldiers need all the support they can get from YOU American people. We were NOT suppossed to leave 3 years ago, I don't know where you heard that, we all knew this deployments were going to be for a while. If you people keep posting questions like this questioning our Commander's in Chief job......well why the hell don't you do it??? You all should support the war and you all should also know that ALL our soldiers feel very proud of the job done over there because guess who are the ones pulling the job? yeah our American Soldiers!! They suffer more than what you think, starting for being away from home for a whole year to KEEP YOU ALL SAFE!!!!!! Your welcome!

Answer 5

George did the best he could with a badly beaten up military Per Bill Clinton,

and the failed infrustructure of Bill Clinton,

and the delay of being funded by Bill Clinton is likely why 9/11 happened.

Face it Bill didn't care about you at least Bush is trying and has been successful thus far, the economoy has recovered from Clintons allowed SEC fraud and we are doing well. Gas prices are high due to new refinry requiresments passed by Bill and also Bill restricted all forms of energy production because it caused pollution.

Answer 6

i'm not so sure there is a right thing to do in iraq but something needs to be done when you have thugs and fanatics with weapons of mass destruction it's just not right for a free world to have to live under that threat

Answer 7

Mr M., I think you answered your question better than anyone else could, and I agree: President Bush is not doing the right things in Iraq.

Answer 8

Bush is a moron. Of course he isn't doing what he's supposed to do in Iraq Why are WE over there again? Oil? No. Iraqi Freedom? No. Because the guy's an @$$hole....YES!!!!!

Answer 9

no pre.Bush never do the right thing
occupied Iraq is big mistake and see what radical muslim do with the help of USA they are rule Iraq now

Answer 10

Hell no I don't think he does anything right.
Unless it is so he and his big business buddies can get richer.