I used to support the Repub position on the war until it occurred to me that, by the way terrorism reigns in Iraq, many Iraqis support radical Islam and are not motivated to support our efforts there. . Given the lack of motivation to support our efforts from some (minority) Iraqi people, I am embarrased we attacked and think we can win. Why don't Republicans see this? Rather than invest so many resources in attacking terrorist, we should be investing 100X the resources we invest in rebuilding their infrastructure and economy. When poor young Iraqi men have meaningful jobs, terror becomes less attractive. But obviously our leaders have considered this. What am I missing?
2006-12-20 14:02:52 · 7 answers · asked by Lighthearted 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
Most of Iraq is glad we are there. There are a few problems in the Sunni triangle. Iran is sending in forces to cause havoc. We cannot rebuild their economy if there is no peace.
2006-12-20 14:07:06 · answer #1 · answered by Chainsaw 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes, this has turned out to be much more difficult than anyone expected. Perhaps they should have expected it though, so that is a valid criticism. I think that leaving now, would be a disaster for Iraq, the entire middle east, and for america. It would be portrayed in the arab world as a huge victory for Islam against the great satan, America.
Since we can't leave, our only option is victory. Victory is leaving a country that is stable and capable of defending itself. I think what we're doing to make that happen is training Iraqi soldiers, trying to help the Iraqis find political solutions to their differences through negotiation, not violence, and helping to rebuild the country's infrastructure, and schools and hospitals. I think much of that is going well, but going slowly. I have the impression that the media here in the US doesn't report any of the good news at all, so it's hard to know for sure what's happening. I think there are lots of success stories though.
With media like that, and congressional democrats whose Iraq plan consists of hoping for the worst so it damages Bush politically, it is tough to win the war of public opinion and tougher to win the war itself.
2006-12-20 14:23:01 · answer #2 · answered by FrederickS 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I think the republicans do see this.
We underestimated the hatred and ferocity that the different factions in the Middle East have toward one another. Their particular beliefs and separate sects seem far more important to them than their country - terrorists included.
I agree with you 100% that a stable government with a decent economy will make terrorism much less attractive.
And I believe that's our main objective - but it's like the ol' saying, "When you're asshole deep in alligators, it's difficult to remember that your objective is to drain the swamp."
I believe the only real chance that we - and the Iraqi people - have is for the Iraqi people to realize how counter productive and demented it is to keep killing each other over century's old conflicts and look to the future.
2006-12-20 15:17:51 · answer #3 · answered by LeAnne 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Assuming you don't buy the entire humanitarian argument (like you hear for Darfur, and the reasons we got into Somalia and Bosnia, here is your argument ---
You are missing the fact that Saddam sat on 10% of the world's oil supply in Iraq. He invaded Iran (another 10%) as well as Saudi Arabia (about 20% more). That is why we are there.
Should the whole region go up in civil war, you'll see a replay of the ancient Arab - Persian wars, with Iran on one side, and Saudi Arabia on the other. All told, you'll see 40% of the world's oil supply suddenly in a war zone.
This means that your gasoline bill will go to $8 a gallon, and your home heating bill will triple as well. This means massive economic shutdown, which means you stand a real chance of being cold and hungry for a long time.
2006-12-20 14:10:47 · answer #4 · answered by geek49203 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Remember during the national debates with Gore, Bush looked dead-on at the camera and said, in full Texas mush, "There will be NO nation building while I am President." He meant it. Today, he asked for another $99.7 billion dollars for "war effort" to instill a democracy in a land that doesn't want us there. What disgusts me the most about Republicans and Conservatives is they want war, they sunk this nation in horrible debt, they spend spend spend, want even more, and they have absolutely no intention of paying the tab. I say raise their taxes until they whimper.
2006-12-20 14:18:00 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
a way out
2006-12-20 14:05:20 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
blind faith in republican demagoguery
2006-12-20 14:15:19 · answer #7 · answered by cwdc 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋