Why do these people think they can comment on our effectiveness in Iraq?

Question

I am talking about people who have not been there, have not spent any significant time around islamic people, don't know about all of the islamic violence around the world, but keep griping that we need to have our troops leave the middle east.

Answer 1

Because they believe everything the media tells them.

Answer 2

This Islamic war has been going on for decades and with the US being pretty much the leader against it, well were never going to stop it. If we don't have the world behind us and helping us in this fight, well it's a losing battle. Your not going to kill all these people and until YOU DO it's NOT going TO STOP. Just think how secure we can make OUR OWN COUNTRY if we took even half of the money that was spent in IRAQ. While I praise our soldiers, they are doing a job and following orders, and I m sure that many of them don't agree with what we are doing, but they don't have a say or a choice in the matter. It's a scary situation, but if we intend to make a big impact, then we better send another 100,000 troops and plan on being in the middle east for another 10yrs, b/c I can assure you we are not going to solve the problem by sending a measly 20,000 troops over to IRAQ for another yr or so. Everyone has their own opinion on this sensitive topic, so I m sure you will recieve quite a few differing view points.

Answer 3

I'll agree with the overall statement you made except for the troops leaving the middle east part.
It seems that we have fueled an already hot area. Prior to the illegal invasion of Iraq, we knew that these people hated us but only one group was really out to get us. Al-Queda. Now we have all sorts of powers rising due to our involvement in Iraq. We can't even fend off small insurgence groups in Iraq, how do you figure we'll take on Iran, Syria, Hamas, North Korea, etc. At some point you have to use diplomacy over war to solve these problems. It's not about cons vs libs anymore. It's about saving face in this world as a great nation and insuring a safe future for our kids. I believe the problem of what you call islamic violence is not nor should be only our battle. Including other countries (allies) not pushing them away (the way bush did in 03') is key to combating this world wide problem.
Troops should at least consider pulling from Iraq because we've tried almost all avenues through military action and have not worked. That doesn't mean that they haven't done their best. They are all heroes.
I have two cousins there and wish them the best everyday.
You may disagree with me judging by your statement but we should be open to all ideas on solving our middle east dilemma. After all we may think differently but we have the same goal in mind. Victory.

Answer 4

I have been to the Middle East and Islam. So don't assume that everyone who disagrees with you hasn't been there or knows nothing about Islam.

Fact: Islam does not officially encourage violence.
Fact: Islam does not like "infidels" invading their land.
Fact: Islam is one of the three great religions steming from Abraham
Fact: Not all Muslims live in the Middle East
Fact: Muslims want to live their lives as they see fit. Rear their children and survive.
Fact: Some Muslims would like to live in the 14th Century and should be left alone to do that.
Fact: Muslims who are not in oil rich countries are not being molested by America
Fact: People who have only been in the war zone against Muslims have a view only of what they experience nothing else.

Interestingly we have very modern news media that we didn't have in previous wars. We can get it live as it happens. So to assume just because one has not been there they don't know what is going on is a wrong assumption. Veterans of any conflict know what it is like. There are vets of Vietnam who, to this day, hate Vietnamese people because of the experience they had. Yet, I work with many Vietnamese and they are very nice and happy as they can be that they are not over there. They were caught in a quagmire started by some leaders just like the people of the Middle East are in the mess over there, not by their choice but, by the choice of world leaders.

Answer 5

It is very hard to know if we are getting the facts here in North America. I agree with you we, most of us, have never been there.
In Canada our reporters are imbedded reporters, so we get only one part of the story in the Middle East. Your press in the US is in a postion, as is ours, that they have to self-sensor or they will loose their postings over there. Right now, niether Canada nor the US have true freedom of the press!

I don't care for religion any more. I do care about people though. I care about all of us. Suffering is suffering and if some of that suffering is stopped because our troups are there, I am greatful. Our troups are people too and in the case of Canadians, they have all chosen the military by their own free will.

Where the tragedy is worsened, is that many of us don't believe that the Americans got in there for altruistic reasons. We believe they are there for power and influence. Greed basically. 'Not' the American troups, but their government, and whatever elements influence that government! Innocent lives are always harmed by the greed agenda of people who really don't care about anyone but themselves. They are the "some sacrefices have to be made" types, as long as it isn't them!

Christians have the blood of millions on their hands historically, you cannot escape that reality. Study history and then study it again and again until you start to see, the trail of tears that religion's' and all dogmatic ideologies, and greed, have brought to humanity and the planet as a whole.

You may find this hard to believe, but there are a lot of people who feel a sense of resposibility that is based on respect and compassion, for the big picture. I may be a Canadian, but I am also a global citizen. Freedom means freedom to discuss, we are doing that right now on this awsome service. We are blessed to be able to voice our thoughts and concerns.

Be warned though. Even in Canada we have had journalists murdered and threatened for what they write. So how safe are any of us? It is a sad world and I wish we could all value our universal commonality and respect, truly respect ourselves and one another more.

We are a work in progress. I hope we survive the current dangers. I wish healing for all humanity and this beautiful planet.
Peace!

Answer 6

You don't know much about Islamic people or the history of the British in Iraq , because what you are doing is simply a re-run of that whole occupation, and if you knew these facts you would understand why the troops should be removed.

But, hey, have fun...

Remember pal, the reason the mothers are slapping the lolipos you give thier kids out of thier hands now is the same reason as with the British - They have again come to view the mandate (or you call it liberation) as a flimsy disguise for colonialism.

Answer 7

Well, I have been in Vietnam and fought some real soldiers! I know a hell of a lot more about combat than ANYONE in the Bush administration, since none have ever been in the service!

A lot of people who have been there don't know anything either!

I know a farce when I see one and I KNOW 2 things! There were no terrorist in Iraq and Iraq had NOTHING to do with 9/11!

WE DO NOT NEED OUR TROOPS IN THE MIDDLE EAST! They don't work for US Oil!

And what you are actually saying is that a person has no right to free speech!

Answer 8

I can comment on it because it's MY COUNTRY ALSO and as a citizen I'm expected to participate. I haven't been to Iraq that is true, but I know it's a mess. By the same token I haven't been run over by a train but I know that would make a mess too....

Answer 9

I assume your talking about liberals. I think it is because it is not in their best interest for America to win. It would not fit in with their Bush bashing agenda. They need us to fail so they can garner votes .

Answer 10

When you go off to invade a country after a number of accusatory speeches under a great self-righteous banner, you absolutely set yourself up for fact-checking when you get bogged down in the falsehood of your prewar assertions.

If we had waited for the Iraqis to attack us, we'd still be waiting.

Answer 11

Because they have the Internet at their disposal. There, they can sound off as if they are the ones in charge of the world. While I support our right to express ourselves freely, I think too many people use it as an opportunity to put their ignorance on exhibit.