Do those on the left understand what Iraq means, the commitment necessary?

Question

I hear people saying we have been there too long. Are they aware we're still in Germany, Korea, Japan, etc. This is not about 5 years, 6 years, etc. Its about being there in the region for a very long time. Possibly forever. Yes, as long as there is oil and the world needs it. Making the middle east stable, makes the world more stable. Period.

Answer 1

If you think what we're doing in Iraq will stabilize the middle
east, there's alot you don't know about Afghanistan, Pakistan,
Iran & a few other countries that make up the 'middle east'.

Answer 2

I completely understand what Iraq means. Although you mention that we are still in Germany, Korea, Japan, etc., we are not stuck in the middle of a civil war in any of them like we are in Iraq. Why should we sacrifice our sons and daughters for a "war" that is not winnable? According to W the war was really over when he stood on the deck of that aircraft carrier under the banner "Mission Accomplished". As it stands now, we are occupiers and need to get out.

You mention oil we need. I believe it is about time we start looking at alternative sources of energy and conservation and quit relying on oil as much as we do. The U.S. already uses almost 30 million barrels a day! That is ridiculous!

Addressing the stability of the middle east: that will never happen. Their fights and wars are based on religious ideologies and those you cannot win.

It is about time for Iraq to step forward and handle their own matters. We don't need to be there!

Answer 3

You keep using the phrase "those on the left" as if that actually defined any particular group of people..... What could that possible have to do with your question, unless you're just trying to make a political statement or insult a particular group?

That being said, your analogy to Germany and Korea is invalid. We have a military presence there, like we do in Saudi Arabia and Turkey and many other places, because those countries are allies who have leased us land for a military base. We're not actively engaged in making sure the country doesn't fall apart.

Also, have you read the Authorization for the Use of Military Force in Iraq (link below), which is the law allowing Bush to sent troops over there?

The authorization allows for military troops to be used solely to: "(1) defend the national security of the United States against the continuing threat posed by Iraq; and (2) enforce all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq."

How do either of those justify staying in Iraq indefinitely until there is no more internal civil conflict? It doesn't mention "(3) staying until Iraq is stable".

Answer 4

We are an army of occupation in a War brought on by Lies, Deceit, Arrogance, and pure Greed, which seem to be the hallmarks of a corrupt and incompetent administration led by our President and his cohort Dick Cheny. The Shites and the Sunni sects have been at one another for well over 1,000 years, our President created a void in the country of Iraq when he destroyed the government and the infrastructure. He FAILED to study the history of the region as well as the religion of Islam, he listened to no one that had sound solid advice, he went the way of incompetence. LEAVE we will, and we will have accomplished nothing but the destruction of a country and an untold amount of death and suffering all because of President Bush.

Answer 5

You are out of touch with reality or you would know that the Right is also starting to realize that Iraq has been a huge debacle. Need I remind you of Senators Hagel and Warner among others? Commitment to what? The senseless slaughter of our troops in a war based on lies? Answer me, what about the goal of finding OBL? When did this become about the liberation of Iraq? You have basically just admitted that Bush started a war for oil. Period.

Answer 6

I agree with coragryph. Good answer.
Many people believe that Congress 'voted for the war' or gave the President unlimited authority to wage war on Iraq. In reality, Congress gave limited authorization to the President for the purpose of pressuring Saddam Hussien to comply with U.N. resolutions. It worked. Saddam began cooperating with the U.N., only to have President Bush demand that Saddam PROVE that he had no weapons of mass destruction. How do you prove a negative? Since it's impossible to prove that you don't have something, the President declared that Saddam was not complying, and attacked Iraq.
As for ending the civil war there, we have no chance of ending it.
As for the U.S. having troops in 52 countries, we shouldn't. Have you read that the Italians are protesting against the military bases there, or that the Japanese are attacking our bases? Or the military bases in Saudi Arabia, which provoked Al Qaeda to attack us on 9/11? Bush was prudent enough to close the Saudi bases, ergo no more terrorist attacks here. It has nothing to do with airport security.
When an empire has 1.5 million troops, but can't muster 150,000 to fight a war, it's time to bring home most of our troops all over the planet.

Answer 7

The racket taking place in our name is based on the false sense of "American Prowess" Bush and the Conservatives try and shove down our throats about this cause.

Where were you when Bush gave that speech where he proclaimed that we weren't going in there to solidify a western presence?
http://thinkprogress.org/2006/03/15/permanent-bases/

You wanna make the Mid-east more stable? Take George Bush, the Republicans, and the Big oil entities "Greed for Oil" agenda and poopcanit post-haste.
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Cheney's_Energy_Task_Force

Answer 8

If this were just a fight for oil it would be much simpler to just exterminate the locals and then take the oil as needed. We have the tools to do that. But some of us want to see democracy as we understand it reign in the world at large. Unfortunately it probably won't work but you have to love the ones who still believe it will.

Answer 9

Will,in a way you are right,but i have been i iraq an yes we could stay a 1000 years lose thounsands of are men for oil i am one who says blow the sob off the face of the earth an then we can not worry about the dam oil not one drop of oil is worth a us life,hell we have gave them billions an what we get is body bags think son just sit down an think what we get.

Answer 10

the region was fairly stable until about 4 years ago.

iraq oil, we get virtually zero oil from iraq. china, SE asia, and europe get the iraqi oil. why is it our responsibility to insure that they get the oil without them committing any troops ?

we keep military and equiptment stationed all over the world. it is there for quick resonse purposes to any world location, more than for maintaining stability in the host country.

we keep lots of troops in kuwait.