Freedom is bought in blood!

Actually, if we were to leave Iraq, the only thing that would most likely happen is a civil war. During this period of time where the opposing forces in Iraq and the middle East are tearing each other apart for power, we'd be perfectly fine. It would take several years for them to recover enough to even think about messing with the West. Who knows, they probably wouldn't care anymore. If the minds behind Al Quaida and other terroristic forces come into power in Iraq, then they have to tread carefully. If they were to do something so rash as to attempt to attack America or her allies for an all-out war, they'd find not only America retaliating, but her allies as well. Your fear is irrational...but that's understandable. Popular war time propaganda is to cast 3rd world middle Eastern countries in a "boogie-man" type light. The mindset would almost be cute, if it weren't so pathetic. It's not America's job to police the world. Such thinking is what got us into trouble in the first place.

The reason Rome fell was because she spread herself too thin. She occupied too many countries, too far away. Many of her soldiers were mercenaries because her own countrymen refused to join the service. Rome did not protect herself. Her armies were spread around the known world and she was left vulnerable to the attack of the Goths. The Goths ransacked Rome but Rome was nothing more than a slum. Most of Rome's more educated citizens had already relocated someplace else. America better be careful that we don't spread our forces too thin. Most people do not want their children to join the service because they are afraid they will be sent to war without the necessary equipment which to date has been a problem. The present administration is against a decent raise for the military, a raise for war widows, they are against well protected vehicles which can withstand roadside bombs in place of Humvees, they have the worse body armor which does little to protect our soldiers, they are fed old rations, over charged by Halliburton's for food and laundry service and then they wonder why parents don't want their kids to join Fight the war or go home, but if you choose to fight it, then equip your people well, get them the BEST protection money can buy, keep them as safe as possible...because all our service people have families who want them safe and want them home.

Well i think the war on iraq has turned around and Bush would not have embarked on that futile war had he known it was going to backfire like it is now

You should print out this post and tack it to your wall.....because by your posting it sounds to me as if you are telling the rest of us that as soon as you turn 18, you are planning to enlist in one of the military branches?

Your right freedom is bought in blood and we need to make damn sure no administration or anyone else for that matter lessons the blood that has been spilled for the constitution so we can be free. Only reason Israel is on our side is that we have dumped billions into their war industry. Every time we have tried to get them to make peace you can bet they didnt like it. You point out us being like the Roman Empire, there was another country not long ago that also thought it was like the Roman Empire, Nazi Germany. All the flag waving people of germany back than thought they were being patriotic also and look where it got them. Freedom needs to be defended here at home first. If Iraq was really ready for freedom the people their would be doing alot more in my opinion. You cant force any form of government on any people if they arent willing to accept it and I dont see the current government there doing enuff to move forward to being independant.

hm i think you still much too green to understand the situation, my suggestion is you must read more and learn to heard from other people..

You do a good job regurgitating things you have heard. We don't belong in Iraq. We cannot force democracy on anyone. Don't worry your young mind about it - we will all be speaking Spanish LONG before Arabic is spoken here.

You're one very smart teenager! You're right. The Iraqi citizens were freed from Sudam Hussein with American blood and the other sects trying to take over are spending American blood in the efforts to return Iraq to what it was during that evil dictator's time. I realize it's not for us to decide how they should live and what they should believe, as I'm sure you also do. I see that in what you wrote. But one someone asks for our help so they can live a better life shouldn't we provide it? Yes we should. Unfortuantely it is costing too many lives. My fear is that we will have another Vietnam and I pray this time we do not turn our backs on our soldiers when they come home. They deserve our love, support and grattitude. If the Taliban had gotten what they expected to accomplish on 9/11 all of our lives would be very different today and none improved, all only worsened as the Taliban set out to control the world.