Great Poll: In retrospect, did you and would you have supported Mr. Bush' war on Iraq?

Question

(I'm trying to be neutral here)
Based on the present political and economic situation that the US, is facing right now, would you have wanted Operation Iraqi Freedom to push through, assuming you had the power to influence things 4 years ago?

2 Questions:

1. Did you support, or at least agree back then? Why?
2. How about today, after the aforementioned basis? Why?

Answer 1

Two separate issues -- the initial invasion of Iraq to depose Saddam, and the years of occupation after "Mission Accomplished".

I have no position on the original invasion -- I generally oppose unilateral invasions on principle, but there was apparent evidence that could reasonably support the decision. I didn't have all the evidence, so I won't comment on whether I think Saddam should have been deposed or not.

But that has very little to do with the years of occupation AFTER "Mission Accomplished". That was botched from day one -- if for no other reason than because the Administration (by its own admission) didn't understand the political and religious climate in the region, and was not prepared for the reality of what happened on the ground.

So, regardless of whether we should have deposed Saddam -- the years spent afterwards were a mistake, and I've always said they were a mistake. There were other, simpler and less costly (in money and lives) ways of achieving the same stated goal -- which was to have Iraq establish a new govt.

Answer 2

No I didn't support it. From what I read about Saddam Hussein, he jealousy guarded his country from anyone outside his own regime. He would not have supported terrorists. Iraq had been under severe sanctions for many years and, although he was cheating on a few things, they were not a threat to the U.S.

I do not support the war now but I realize that to just spontaneously pull out at this point would be a huge mistake. I am hoping within the next year that a gradual withdrawal of most combat troops will be possible.

Answer 3

1. No. Bush got away with going to war by fear mongering and manipulating the American people (hate to make a Hitler comparison, because people will assume I mean a holocaust, but, in the early years Hitler did the same thing to get Germans to feel ok about war... protect national identity and protect against terrorist *shrug*).
2. Our economy, the war death count, and our reputation in the world has mirrored the horrible, horrible idea that war in Iraq was. People dying by hoards in Iraq now (because we've basically taken down any order that once was and allowed civil war to grow) and Americans barely batting an eye to the headlines. We're a million miles away, and I'm sorry, this war is hardly in our backyard and never was, and those who want to throw 9/11 into the mix are ignorant. If we had to deal with what the Iraqis now have to deal with... we'd not tolerate the continuation of this war.

Answer 4

I didn't at the time, but I kept quiet a while, giving the benefit of the doubt.

Now I will do whatever it takes to help us rid this nation of the Bush cabbal, who are not leaving office any time soon in case that isn't clear enough.

and Brianne, below, supports him while telling us it's because he's readying the world for the end times: and she thinks that's a great idea.

I wish all the fundies would just drink some poisoned kool-aid so they can have their own wonderful little end time together...and leave the rest of us without the worry that they are working so hard to blow up our world.

Answer 5

Never supported him, never will. Back then, because invading a sovereign nation seems, and is, wrong (at least to me). And today: because the patriot act invades our very rights as Americans and violates what makes up our constitution. And because too many lives have been lost, American or otherwise, in Mr. Bush's vendetta.

Answer 6

No, and not only no, but hell no! For the same reason I can't vote for Hillary, because I can recognize a war crime when I see it. It's a damn shame that Molly Ivins didn't seek an earlier diagnosis of her breast cancer, otherwise she would be here explaining the obvious, something she excelled at. H.R.C. has no moral compass at all, not even one that needs to be re-calibrated.

Answer 7

1. I was furious by the manipulation, the lies, the fascism. Of course, i opposed to the war.
2. I proved myself right. The bodycount continues, the chaos is more than ever, Iran strengthened by this war, insanity, nepotism and fundamentalism rule in politics.

Answer 8

I would not support Iraq Invasion and I don't think President Bush would support it, it's simply was better for USA and the world as it was before,
I would just let the Arabs/Muslims kill themselves, it's their way to rule

Answer 9

YES, I agreed in 03 and I agree now. Lets get on to Iran and North Korea now.

Answer 10

1) Never did, because I KNEW that the current state of affairs would transpire.

2) see #1