Is anyone else as surprised as I am with the revelation that we're losing the Iraq war?

Question

Mr Gates's comments came as a complete shock to me, as though a tonne of bricks had just landed on my head. I mean I had no idea, as I thought it was going swimmingly well. Mr Bush had already said that the operation was 'mission accomplished' and as a result I thought that the last few years was just tidying up. What went wrong? I always thought that I was quite knowledgeable in world affairs, my main source of information being Fox News, obviously I was wrong and the good Christian guys at Fox have obviously been given some incorrect information. I've been shook to my very core by this news, does anyone feel the same?

Richard W, Yes.

Richard W, just clicked your link and I have only one thing to say: I'd advise that cannabis should not be legalized in your country, but here in the UK we should be fine with it, and most of the rest of the world too.

Answer 1

I am with you! This is indeed a shock. Are you sure you heard correctly? Last I heard we had liberated Iraq and were executing the mean man who used to work with us before he didn't have WMD's and wouldn't let us free the people in '91. Was that why Donald left? hmmmm

Answer 2

The Iraq war was a no-no from the start. The state of play during the original Iraq war when the allies liberated Q8 was that going on up the road to Baghdad would have been a bad idea. Did anything happen to change that? I do not think so.

Okay, Saddam was/is a bad guy and killed lots of his people. Problem is more people have been killed by the allies than was the case under Saddam.

Fox news is not a good source of information. It is dominated by people who support the right in US politics. Its not a crime but it leads to unbalanced reporting of events around the world with biased opinion being allowed to command the thinking process of both the editorial staff and journalists involved.

Believe it or not, the best source of unbiased news coverage is probably the BBC. Why is that? Historically, the BBC has always upheld the democratic idea that there are usually two sides to an argument, so lets hear both. In his time, the BBC allowed Yassir Arafat to have his say as well as the PM of Israel or anyone else who may have been available to say something on the issue, as it was then.

A balanced coverage of events is always best. Allow both sides and others to have their say and do not dominate the issue as is often the mistake made by the ultra-right wing commanded Fox News. It is losing audience fast.

The BBC also has a HAVE YOUR SAY approach, which encourages people of all nations to send in their e-mails and texts as the debated news is live on air.

Democratic ideals are far better spread around the world by such as the BBC, where NATIONS SHALL SPEAK UNTO NATIONS, rather than going in there to 'kick ***' with all guns blazing.

During the Battle of Britain when London was bombed and hundreds killed, it did not make Londoners think of surrendering to Adolf Hitler, quite the reverse. Their resolve to win a victory at all costs was greatly enhanced as a result.

The same bombing technique in the Vietnam war did not work there either. People cannot and will not be bombed into submission.

Winston Churchill once said, "Jaw jaw is better than war war. Please keep this in mind. Round table discussions can often resolve problems without the need to go to war.

Answer 3

This reminds me of Germany right after World War 1. The state's propaganda machine had been so successful in convincing the majority of the population that the German side was doing well that, when news of the defeat came, the country literally collapsed under the weight of its own desperation.

The excuse the German people (not the government) had, however, was that their access to information was very, very, limited. That someone today, with the incredible amount of information on the Internet, should insist on paying attention only to what the government says and what "news" vehicles like CNN, Fox News, and the New York Times repeat from the governments mouthpieces, is, in a sardonic way, hilarious.

I cannot seriously believe you're surprised, really, it's astounding. The rest of the world, even the freaking British (at least Britons who read the Economist and the Guardian) knew.

To the person that asked this question and to all those reading this who didn't bother to look beyond the governments ridiculously shallow attempts at propaganda, please, wizen up before it is too late. The US isn't just "some country", it is the world's most lethal military machine, a terrorist state that makes Al-Qaeda look like Sesame Street characters when it comes to sheer nihilistic destruction. If Americans (or at least those who believed up until now that the US armed forces were "winning" in Iraq) insist on remaining ignorant, everyone, EVERYONE, is doomed.

Answer 4

Ummmmm, a little. I just learned of the Sunni v. Shite conflict history only recently.

I think we are mistaken in believing we lost because we went there for the wrong reasons. I think we went there with the wrong strategy, when you have an oppressor whose been holding peoples aggressive tendencies back for so long you have to figure that there is some bad blood between a few of the factions. We sent too few people in pure and simple. Of course Bush spinned it but I think he's kinda arrogant and believed it was like the first gulf war, going to be too easy.

I'm starting to get disillusioned with Fox news myself. In fact I asked a question to a website that mr. Oreilly refuses to give out the URL because it would be supporting the site. Sometimes morality can be a bit restrictive (sarcasim)

Answer 5

You must be American and live in America! You watch your propaganda and believe that George W. However I live near Landsthul in Germany where the hospital is for all the wounded returned from "downrange" as the military call it, arrive. Many of my American friends and neighbours have been to Iraq and we have known that the US is fighting a loosing battle for about two years! You started a bogus war and when you run you will leave a country in ruins and in civil war. The whole region will fall into caos including Turkey. Well done George, just 'cos you couldn't find Osama you had to sh*t on someone. But thats just Americ'a gun culture for you. After 9/11 revenge was needed and it didn't matter who it was.

Answer 6

"“Do you believe that we are currently winning in Iraq?” asked Mr. Levin, who has pushed for announcing a date to begin withdrawals of American troops from Iraq. “No, sir,” Mr. Gates replied, adding that he did not believe the United States was losing, either.""
--
"Senate Panel Approves Defense Nominee"
By DAVID S. CLOUD and MARK MAZZETTI
The New York Times, 12/6/2006
**************************************************************
Unfortunately for your argument, stating that we are not winning does not mean Mr Gates believes America is losing-- read his words in the above quote New York Times article. If this is the "revelation" you are talking about, I think you are wrong.

Actually, if you just read the headlines, I can't blame you for coming to the conclusion you did. It is only when you get to the bottom of the articles that hear the quote in full context.

Answer 7

I wish I could send you an e-mail I received just yesterday which account the numerous successes America's impact in Iraq, etc., had brought about, and you'd be shocked at the comments made by Mr. Gates. Let me assure you, as reported from that e-mail from some Marines, and from a personal report from my son having just completed his second tour of duty in Iraq only last month, and from the son of some friends of mine who recently retired from the U.S. Army as a Major and stationed in Afghanistan, we ARE NOT losing the war in Iraq. I will not pursue how that comment got out, or exactly what Mr. Gates means by it, or how the liberal media took it and ran to the moon with it, which is where they belong, but I can assure you from all very reliable reports, we ARE NOT losing the war in Iraq, and those who rest their fantasy lives on that liberal report are going to be sorely awakened when they discover what fools the liberal press has tried to make of them. God Bless you.

Answer 8

let see,its similar to vietman, just a police action. we are not really at war in iraq we are just policing right now. My feelings are this let us pull out if anyone committs one action aganist our country we should try the nuetron bomb and in 20 years from now we will have resort area in the middle east for all to enjoy. I am sick of seeing the death count on tv and sick listening to the plight of the poor muslims .they choose their own fate

Answer 9

Losing.......Iraq....WHAT!!!
I smoked some bad **** about 2 years ago and I've been a sleep since just woke up this morning, so you mean that thing is still going on.......ah well as long as Britney and Fetherline are still together

Answer 10

He said we weren't winning OR losing, more like treading water at this point.
But your sarcasm is just sooooo refreshing.
What will you do when the Islamic Religous Police are knocking on your door, telling you convert or die?
smart off to them?
http://usawakeup.org

Answer 11

Judging by the numers of them here and more arriving every day - you could be forgiven for thinking we lost and they have decided to Invade us -- I Mean Officially - Not by the back door as they have been doing for Years ......