Democrats, would you feel more at ease if you actually had a time table for Iraq?

Question

I'm a democrat.. and though I want the troops home as quickly as is possible.. I would feel much better just having a detailed plan of action with decent timetables.. of course somethings would have to be modified in the field.. War is a fluid thing.. but right now I feel like the Bush administration is just pissing in the wind and hoping for it to change directions. Some would argue that's "giving the enemy a date that we will withdrawl" .. well if we actually do what is in the plan of action there wouldn't be an enemy by that time now would there? so anyway.. any thoughts are welcome.

Obviously the term National Security is not a word in the Bush administration.. for he hasn't done anything that has actually made us safer. And as far as telling the enemy.. maybe you misunderstand what I mean by detailed.. I don't mean troops deployments and times of landing.. A set goal with a decent strategy.. i'm guessing you haven't ever written out plans of action have you? I have.. it's part of my line of work.. so take a step out of your limited scope and realize that not everything is one sided.

I do agree that the troops are in a tough spot and that maybe some extra understanding should be given for mistakes they have made.. but I think if you give them slack upfront you are removing what few strings of morality are associated with war.. then what is left? meaningless killing and nothing more. Plus, you can always re-asses and adapt the plan as needed.. if near the end of your plan things aren't as they should be, you right a new plan.. even if they are as they should be you still right new plans.. it's part of it.. and it gives people a since of progress.. something that is lacking at this time.

Answer 1

2 things first, one, thanks for welcoming all thoughts. Too many questions from both sides are just angry rants, but yours actually expresses the way you feel in a nice way. Secondly, I am not a Democrat but will very briefly offer my opinion on the subject. Firstly, I do feel that offering a time line would give the enemy hope, as they feel if they can hold out just a little longer we'll be gone, and then they could do as they please. Secondly, you mention that if the plan were to be carried out right, there would be no more enemy left. Well, that would be the preferred thing, but too many in this country today have our soldier's hands tied behind their backs with these trials and rules of engagement and the like. I would like to see much more bombing of the Sunni triangle and other terrorist infiltrated areas, but I know that most wont allow this to happen, unfortunately. So its a very difficult situation, but I don't believe a time line should be offered to the public (hell, I'd rather be unsure of when it would end than knowing and subsequently jeopardizing our troops [some things are best left up to those in charge]). Also, I feel that the enemy should be eradicated, and I feel the best way to do that would be to lessen these rules we have on our boys and just let them do their jobs without the fear of punishment stemming from split second decisions that could mean life or death.

Answer 2

Does the term National Security mean anything to you? Who are you to think you need to know what our battle plans are. Don't you think that if you knew, the enemy would also know? You are obviously not an expert military strategist and I can understand questioning the government, but you are going to have to trust them on this one. That is the bad thing about what the media has done. You see absolutely none of the successes so you don't know that there is actual progress being made.

Answer 3

You don't think giving too many details could be detrimental to our Nation? Do you think there may be a plan of sorts (time frame) that the defense has, but aren't going to expose just to appease the people? I don't know either, just a thought. It's obvious he isn't concerned about popularity. IF you are going to thoughtfully welcome opinions, you might not want to insult and belittle people in those of which you have no history on...just a tip