VETERANS what do you think?

Question

I havent seen any polls or surverys of veterans opinions on our situation. Everybody has something to say, but it seems like nobody is asking those who have actually been there.

Do you think this war was justified? Where do you think we should go from here?

Im am really only interested in opinions from people who have ACTUALLY BEEN TO Iraq or are from the countries involved in this war.

Also if anyone has any links to scientifically conducted polls/surveys of veterans, that would be helpful too.

thx respectfully

I dont think anyone who sincerely asks of your opinion is "defacating" on you. I wasnt questioning your intentions. I understand people dont sign up for war because they enjoy killing people or putting themselves at risk. I am asking your thoughts/opinions on our leadership/plan.

Answer 1

We are the only hope the Iraqi peoplee have for a better future and we have been making steady progress.

The sad fact of the matter is that the news media has been putting a negative spin on the news so the American peopl have a distorted view of what is going on over there.

Answer 2

In retrospect most wars could have been avoided. But we don't live in the past, we live in the here and now.

You can set the Howard Dean-moveon.com-George Soros-Sheehanapoloosa nonsense aside. All the world's intelligence agencies thought Saddam had WMD's. Nobody "cooked the books" and it wasn't "about oil." The cretins who mouth that crap aren't worth a pile of horse dung.

If we knew back in 2002 what we know now we never would have taken Saddam down. That's the truth.

I think Iraq was winnable back in 2003 and 2004. I don't think we had the stomach to do the job that needed to be done. I think we tried to do it on the cheap. We spent far too much time trying to win the hearts and minds of people we should have just killed.

We probably can still win but it will require a drastic shift in tactics. Our military is up to the task. Sadly, our political leadership isn't.

No freely elected, republican government can win a war of attrition and that's what George Bush got himself into. I expect we'll declare victory and get out before the 2008 elections. I expect all we'll have accomplish by withdrawing from Iraq is to buy ourselves a brief respite from the Islam-o-fascists who want to murder us all.

Answer 3

While I am not involved in this war Iwas involved the 1st time around and I was stationed in Bahrain for two years and knew several of the dead and wounded. There is no justifaction of this war know or when we started this mess. We never had anywhere near enough troops in the entire army to take and hold this country properly. So it should never have been attempted but here we are bleeding blood and wealth for what hanging a two bit dictator could of offed him with an assassin. Democracy well thats just noble except one minor draw back it don't work in a tribal society as no tribe wants or will tolerate be subservant to another tribe which is exactly what has happened in Iraq The shiites rule over the Sunni's and they ain't having it. The Kurds don't care as they run their own show in northern Iraq. So on the whole this war was a great waste of time money and most imporantly lives both ours and Iraqi. Bush and Cheney should be impeached and hung for this stupidity.

Answer 4

Yes, I am a veteran, however I was discharged in 1989 so I missed any wartime service.
The war was not justified. It resulted from the spreading of propaganda and fear. Nobody had the stones to stop Bush's push to accelerate the conflict. Especially the democrates. It seems that their own political futures were/are more important than doing the right thing. It will be interesting to see what happens in the next couple of months as Bush is lobbying for support to increase troops. Now, it seems that those in his own Republican Party are distancing themselves and withholding support for further escalation.
It was evident then, at the time of a push for war, that the intelligence concluded that Iraq was not a threat to our National secueity. Intelligence was manipulated to justify the push the for war.
We never should have been there but the reality is that we are.The solution is not one that can be won solely militarily. My opinion is that we have to maintain a presence there but it should be scaled down in the year/years ahead. We should also back off and gradually and turn control over to the Iraqis sooner than later.
The intelligence prior going to war of the possibility of post war insurgency, that is currently going on, was carelessly disregarded by the current administration.
You have to remember that Saddam was our hand picked ally by the Reagan Administration. How many billions of dollars were sent by the US to Iraq to back them in their war with Iran.
To M C
For one, Iraq did not attack us. That is ignorance. Even GW's administration has admitted that there is no connection between Iraq and the 9-11 attacks.

T.E. Lawrence, aka Lawence of Arabia wrote the Seven Pillars of Wisdom. In this book Lawence puts forth his obsevations about the cultural differences that those in the Middle East have.
Those ignorant of history are condemned to repeat it!

Answer 5

The war is not only justified but it was long over due. We let Saddam get away with so much that his people have suffered greatly under his rule in the last 10 years. His infrastructure was destroyed, he made the people completely dependant on him, and he kept stirring the Sunni/Shia pot so that they would continue to hate each other.

I'm glad we're here and I hope we stay until it is won for the Iraqi people. They WANT US here to help. I am told this multiple times EVERY DAY! From both Sunni and Shia.

We (the US military) have done more to rebuild their infrastructue in three years than Saddam did in the last 10!!

I'm glad we did it.

Answer 6

I spent a year in that hole. Yeah, it was justified, but i think we should leave. We have no business being in the middle of a religious civil war. Let them fight over their religion, once a clear victor is declared, we can go back and take over and help. As for now, i say we get out, lost too many people down there for a worthless religious fight.

Answer 7

Military family here. The war is justified, they attack us. I think we need to stay the course. 8 members of my family are in Iraq right now. I have been back a year. I am ready to go back at any time of the day or night that they notify me.

Answer 8

I am Here and I think we are winning and doing good. You would have to see the Smiles on the women and children, Men are always a little thicker. Girls Going to School What a concept!!! Worth it!

Answer 9

I went there because i was trying to save all our sorry cans? and this is the thanks i get from liberals and rights to boot! what's the matter with you people cant you see that this is a real enemy?
Did i waste my time and get wounded for nothing or is it how you show me you care by telling me i was wrong for going and fighting just like you did my dad in Nam...
PEOPLE ARE "WAK" MAYBE I REALLY DID WAST MY TIME...
The enemy attacked us on 9-11 so i went to fight them i did not ask how or why or where i just went in my country's name and now you defecate on me " something is really wrong with that... god bless each and every one of you! if i saved an old Regan democrat it was all worth it...o a thumbs down! god bless you...