For all that disapprove of war...what should we have done? do we want the rep that we are chicken chit?

Answer 1

It's all up to politicians

Answer 2

Maybe we should have waited to attack the right country or people. If your house had bad plumbing why on earth would you focus your resources on your neighbor's house. I don't think that we would have been portrayed as chickens if we waited and got together with other world leaders to create a plan that would have gotten results. Now other countries are afraid to commit troops and resources into Iraq because it was a war started on false pretences. True that we cannot just leave now, that would be immoral and impractical. We need to have a plan that involves more resources from other countries. We need a plan that would put America on top, but not at the expence of decades of diplomatic work created by previous administrations. We need a plan would allow Sunnis & Sheites equal say. It might be notable if someone would create a plan that makes the two fighting factions into their own distinct regions with voting power (like we have here) That cannot be accomplished with America in charge alone. It would require more than we have to offer (an over extended military, a deficit cieling of over 10 trillion dollars, and lagging support from home).

Answer 3

Which war-- or are you referring to war in general.

If we're talking about afghanistan, I doubt many will question going into there to get rid of taliban and find UBL. That was basically state sponsored terrorism situation and we knew Al Qaeda was operating camps there.

On Iraq, we should have continued the policy of containment + gotten the current insurgents on our side to go against Sadaam. Problem though, we could've ended up with just a bad a situation. We tend to forget that in Gulf War I, Bush I didn't go after Sadaam since it wasn't the intended goal + those around at the time (Powell included) thought that we would end up with something worse than Sadaam-- which is what we have now.

Problem now is not that we're chicken, but that we're perceived as Imperialist, war-mongering and out to get the Muslims

There's a big difference between being chicken-sh*t and jumping into war for the wrong reasons.

Answer 4

It's truly sad that making intelligent strategic decisions based on current tactical situations is referred to as being "chicken" or dismissed as "cut and run". It's tragic that rational decision-making and being adaptable to the current reality is so de-valued.

What we should have done is pull out after "Mission Accomplished" and allow Iraq to set up whatever government it wanted. If we didn't like the results, we go in, topple it, and tell them to try again. We could have done that 10 times and still spent only 1% of the money and lost 1% of the lives that we have so far under the current plan.

So, regardless of the goals, the means we're using to accomplish them are highly wasteful of both resources and American lives. And from any perspective, stupid means are not a good way to achieve any goals.

Answer 5

For not invading a country that had not attacked us, I dont think we would have been called chicken ****.
Really though I personally would have supported both wars, had the reasons for them been honest from the beginning. If they had just said, yeah we need the oil, we need pro US governments in both countries cause those little bitches wont do what we want anymore so we are going to invade, I would have at least respected their honesty.

Answer 6

Everyone seems to forget, Clinton had advised of the necessity to unseat Saddam.. Most of congress gave their approval for the invasion. Including Kerry (I voted for it before I voted against it.. fame). They could stop it just by stopping the funding but, they don't. Because they actually know what is necessary but refuse to back off the attacks on Bush..
All in the hopes of regaining power in Washington. It is turning out that is all they have left for a platform.. all of their anticipated talking points have been taken away from them.

Answer 7

Should have stayed in Afghanistan and finished that one first,Iraq was not a immediate threat.

Answer 8

It's not a popularity contest. We should have, and STILL should, find Osama. Iraq is a distraction