So what do the people, who have served in the military, think about Iraq?

Question

Don't they know what is going on better than those of us who can only see through journalists? So what's their (or your) opionion of Iraq? We've got politicians on both who all rattle off. But do they truly know? Liberals may not like Patreas, but he does have authority, and he is more experienced. From what I hear, rising in the military isn't like running for president. And if another general proposes disaproval, he/she (I don't know how it works) shouldn't be labeled anti-american.

And please don't bash one side or the other. I hope to hear from those who are or have served.

DC: Thanks.

Flaming: Those first four lines are very interesting. Made me think.

So am I now conservative? ;)

Answer 1

I think signs of succesfull start to appear this year look to Anbar province also the death toll is decreasing .

Answer 2

As per doctrine designed by Congress no member of the military (currently serving) can challenge the President or Congress openly without charges. This is by the UCMJ and Manual of Courts Martial. I however am retired and can say anything I want. Bottom line is soldiers in "the box" are tired and they should be. The enemy is not clearly identifiable, the missleading information at home, the discontent by small but very loud groups at home, the fact that they had to create an entirely new doctrine to combat this enemy and its environment. For them it all sucks. Add to that a very confused group of novice legislators in Iraq without direction on what to do. With all that and bullets, IEDs, and shoulder fired missiles from Iran it really sucks. But it is a mission, and the mission must be accomplished. All the great things they do for the families and children of Iraq have to go unsaid if they are publicized in anyway they become a target for the Iranian insurgents or Al Qaida. Do something great and not get credit for it sucks. Try to prove your doing the right thing to everyone at home and not word spoken by anyone in the media...sucks. Are they proud of what they have accomplished, yer darn right. Any of that help?

Answer 3

General Patreus works directly for George Bush. George Bush is a stooge for a cabal of right wing, cold war retreads. Patreus has no real choice except to support these retreads because that's his job. Bush and company had no idea what the end game of their invasion of Iraq would be and even now are trying hard to convince the American people that it's just a matter of time, or some other crackpot nonsense that will bring this war to a successful conclusion. Patreas himself has no idea how to end this situation because there's never been a war like this one. Conventional military force simply can't
deal with this kind of conflict and it can't impose any kind of functioning government on unwilling people either. We can stay there for decades and in the end the same situation will be evident, only the various alliances will vary. It seems like we get a big cheer from Bush if 'violence is down'....if as many people were killed and maimed in the US as in Iraq every day, even with our eight times greater population, there would be no end of finger pointing. In Iraq its acceptable...at least for the current US government. Clue: Iraq is hell and the Bush Junta is at fault because they gave the signal to go. Bush and his posse of losers need to get a signal to go as well.....go away!

Answer 4

i served in the military during the Viet Nam war.that was a war that was a mistake.it was all about money.and this war in iraq is the same thing all over again.it;s got nothing to do with freedom for all people.it;s got everything to do with the oil in the ground.it;s all about the rich and powerful in this country.saddam was taken down we should of came back home right after his down fall.but this government or ours thought well lets stay here and see if we can get all the oil we can.and we;ll just tell the american people it;s about peace for the iraq people.and if we leave their country will surely crumble.what ever happened to bin laden.maybe george bush knows where he;s at but needs a reason to keep us over in iraq.the people there want us out.and the american people want us out as well.but bush does;,t listen very well to the people who put him in power.this war is wrong.just like viet nam was wrong.i;am a damn mad veteran who thinks we should of learned our lesson about invading a country more then 40 rys ago.

Answer 5

Please do no longer difficulty. I too have had my companion serving in Iraq. Comms could nicely be decrease off for alot of motives. they are continuously decrease off whilst there are 'incidents'to circumvent information achieving the families till now they have been formally notified, and regrettably there have been alot of 'incidents' recently. i'm shocked that the mail hasn't have been given by. needless to say, mail would not take precedence and that i used to get a dozen letters suddenly. If something had occurred to him , you may comprehend. the main suitable element to do, is to have a be conscious together with his Superiors on the Pentagon. they are able to have the potential to reassure you, in spite of the indisputable fact that perchance no longer able to demonstrate the clarification in the back of his silence. i in my opinion experience for you yet save faith with him and he will love you all the greater on your help and subject whilst he gets domicile.

Answer 6

The people who are there on a daily basis have a better idea of what is really going on than a reporter that visits occasionally. As for generals who voice disapproval after they leave the service, it's difficult to take them seriously since they seem to have political motives. If they really want to exhibit credibility, they should do it while they are in uniform, like MacArthur did during the Korean War. Sure, it will get them fired (they will retain their retirement if they do it correctly), but they will have enormous credibility.

Answer 7

I will always place the mission first

I will never accept defeat

I will never quit

I will never leave a fallen comrade.



Those 4 lines from the Soldier's Creed are ingrained in every one of us, and we live by them. One of the reasons we are the most effective Army in the world.

Read those lines, and come up with your own opinion on what we think about the war. We don't get into the politics of it. We look out for the Soldier next to us, do our job and get home to our families.

Everything else is just a bunch of hot air.

'Nuff said

Answer 8

Wow, Cheney and his friends are soooooo richer after the Iraq war

Answer 9

Here are some URLs you might want to check on this score:

http://www.appealforredress.org/index.php
http://www.ivaw.org/
http://www.vaiw.org/vet/index.php
http://www.veteransforpeace.org/

Answer 10

US TROOP POLL ON IRAQ
http://zogby.com/news/ReadNews.dbm?ID=1075

They want out. I don't blame them.