Why do so many people seem to think there is a war in Iraq, when all the facts and evidence say otherwise?

Question

So many seemingly intelligent and articulate people talk about a war in Iraq like its actually happening right now.

But the hard facts and evidence agree that the war ended in 2003, and we are now in a stabalisation and peacekeeping roll out there.

Or are you going to spout some conspiracist theory telling me that the media covered it all up, and the war is still being waged in secret?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003_invasion_of_Iraq
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/05/20030501-15.html
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/05/01/iraq/main551946.shtml

I never said its not a dangerous place, I agree lives are being lost, I never stated otherwise.

BUT, a war is when TWO armies are fighting each other, and right there i think you'll see the problem with calling whats happening in Iraq a war.

What we have is a group of individuals, call them what you like: Terrorists, Fanatics Extreemists, but under the Geneva conventions and laws of armed conflict, they do NOT count as an Army in any way.

In much the same way as the troubles of N. Ireland was never a war, even at the height of tensions in the 70's when every soldier was under as much danger is happening in Iraq today.

I still maintain that what is going on over there is a Peacekeeping action, which it should be noted is happening much more successfully in British controlled areas like Basra

Also for those tiresome individuals saying I should join up and go there, well I've been in the army for over 11 years, and done tours in both Afghan, and Iraq as well as a few other places

Answer 1

they talk about all the deaths every day. You don't hear the daily statistics on automobile deaths that happen everyday in this country. the Iraq deaths pail in comparison.

Answer 2

By definition there is not a war in Iraq, nor was there ever a war in Iraq. The last time the US declared war was 05 June 1942 during WWII against Bulgaria, Romania, and Hungry.
Now there have been many military engagements authorized by Congress since that date, but no formal war. The War Powers Act of 1973 states that President cannot use military force without Congressional approval in excess of 90 days (including the extension). So many people blame Bush for the "war" when congress authorized the extended military engagement with a vote of 373-156 (both Senate and the House combined).

Answer 3

The real reason, I believe, it's being called a war is because of all the insurgents. Our troops are still being killed fighting insurgencies and people tend to assume that there is still a war in Iraq because two or more parties are fighting. It's true that we are in a stabilizing stage but with continued fighting and little conflict resolution, it's tough to think of Iraq as not being a war zone. The media will label the situation a war because it is the easiest way to refer to the situation in Iraq. The government also stresses that we are fighting a "war on terror" which also makes people think there are terrorists in Iraq and so there is a war going on there.
The president declared that major fighting was over in 2003, like the article you put into your question description stated, but people find that to be misleading. Most people believe a war is over when the killing stops. It hasn't stopped yet so people will assume what they want to.

Answer 4

Okay...

I guess Vietnam, Panama, Kosovo, and just about any other armed conflict that the US has been involved in since WW2, weren't wars either...they were just "police actions" or whatever the other double speak term for war is.

Whether it's a war or not, the results are still the same. And they're not looking good.

Answer 5

In my opinion, I believe President Bush has ended the war with Iraq.

But now, the Americans need to leave Iraq.

The Iraqi citizens are getting upset, and going crazy,
because the Americans will not leave.

Because of this, I feel that this is the reason American soldiers are still being atacked in Iraq.

The war is over, and there is overall peace with our countries, but not our people.

Answer 6

I think people use the war to highlight the fact that the general level of violence and instability is more accurately descrbed as a war than as a peacekeeping process. You are acting like the is a single, specific definition of war, when that is ludicrous--compare the nature of The War of the Roses to World War II to The Crimean War; next, consider the meaning of war in the phrases War on Drugs, War on Terrorism, and Cold War.

Ultimately, we want people to understand that the level of violence, while lower than that in the early stages of the invasion, is still hundreds to thousands of times higher than what you or I experience in our home lives.

Answer 7

I think the fact that people are still dying as a direct result of our presence in Iraq makes the official end of the war a moot point. Korea and Vietnam were officially "Police Actions," but that doesn't stop most people (including veterans of these actions) from viewing them as wars due to the activity and loss of life.

Answer 8

You are so right!

Also there is no such thing as global warming - all the facts show that the earth is just going through a normal warming up phase.

And tobacco smoke does not cause cancer either. No doctor can say 100% that in any particular person the cancer was caused by tobacco smoke.

And aliens from outer space abduct people everyday. Last night I was beamed up to a space ship made entirely from jam.

When are people going to wake up?

Answer 9

Hey Alice K, I've been there for more than one tour. I can tell you this isn't a war. It's an afteraction. I was so bored my second time there, because we don't do combat missions. All we do is support a fledgling government.

Now that I've told you that, will you stop your lib banter? I seriously doubt it.

As for "me," the commies sure has hell got you fooled. ololololololol moron.

Answer 10

I guess it's all the blood and bombs.

Who would have known that "peacekeeping" could be so darn deadly.

Bill O'Reily calls it the "Iraq War Part II".