Changing my mind on Iraq

well i am not american but i do love american history. i cannot help comparing iraq to vietnam different reasons, but perhaps the us should not be there either just like they shouldnt have been in vietnam.

I think we owe the iraqui people alot since as you said, we did create this situation.I do not think our being there is helping them in the least. I think we should get our troops out of harms way and look into other ways of helping them. Yes, it does bring back some memories of vietnam.

Soccermom, you have an implant! Only a remote-controlled agent for the US or British will make such a statement as you just did! Soccermom, somewhere I stated that it is not possible to have been human and support the unjustified invasion of Iraq! The fact that the troops maybe there in Iraq just for their oath of service (in the hopes of fortune and fame) does not change the fact that Iraq was unjustly invaded and people are being unnecessarily killed in an unnecessary war based on lies upon lies! Soccermom, your current decision or position is the result of an agent under the influence (and in this case, under the influence of electronic devices and/or possible unconsented substances!) No, this is not Science Fiction! Please do check out: Human or Robot? - http://www.geocities.com/ulafrique/nanotechnology.html Hi-Tech manipulation - http://www.haarp.net

Yeh I know what you mean. It's a really difficult situation, with no right answer. I think it's right that we should never have taken the war to Iraq, I sort of see the benefits of the Afghan war but there were similar problems in both countries that the Bush Administration were either ignorant of or just didn't see as a major problem. Both countries have many different religions, cultures and tribes that were never united as one. They call everyone who resists our forces, insergents or terrorists. That's just not true. A lot of those resisting our forces don't necissarily agree with the acts of terrorists (in the sense of murdering innocent people), but want to protect their homeland, as any of us would in our own countries. They don't form an official army because we don't allow them to, we want their official army to support our occupation. And I reckon this is why we will never be able to win. To win would be leaving the country with no conflict and that's never been the case, certain religions or cultures have always been oppressed depending on who's in control. That's why they found it so easy to behead Saddam for killing so many people. I can't speak for everyone in these two countries but it seems like they don't respect a single government system like we do. They might want democracy but not on a national scale, not yet. It may be years before they do. I think in truth it was more important for us for Iraq to be a nationally democratic country, because you can't trade with a nation if it's not a nation. I would love to think that our occupation does help Iraq to become a democracy. But I can't see it happening for years.

My husband is a Marine and has been on deployments to Iraq. According to his own experience and what he has seen there so far...no, the Iraqis are not ready yet to handle things on their own. There is too much civil unrest now in the country. Not so much of Iraqis fighting with US but more of Iraqis fighting Iraqis. If they pull out all the troops now, the country will be in in shambles. I also don't agree with how the war started and don't think all the reasons for invasion were justified. But like what you said, what is done is done. So, to pull out the troops now would be an even bigger mistake and very irresponsible. I think we have to finish what we started whether we like it or not. I don't like the idea of my husband having to go for another tour to Iraq end of this year. But I do know that it's important for them to help the Iraqi government now. It's a slow process and the datelines they have put forward are so unrealistic...that's why we keep missing them. There is so much more work to be done there. I read in another anti-war post where a reader commented that it's sad that the troops actually think that they are dying for freedom and the country. I'm like "wwwhhhatttt???!!!" I don't think what my husband is doing is in vain. He's a wonderful Marine, proud American and a wonderful family man and I'm very proud of him. And yes, he CHOSE to do this. And I support him 100% not because I support the war or anything but I love and support my husband.

I cant see anything good coming of staying longer. You look at whats going on now and its worse now than it was. I still think if we stay for another 20 years Iraq will be a hot spot even than. Wont it be an even bigger waste of human lives if we wait till than to pull out? So my opinion is we need a plan, its either we are going to get someone in office there who is gona get the job done so the Iraqis can start to pick up the slack or worry about our own problems. You can only fight someone elses battles for so long. I know everyone keeps thinking oh this will end up just like being having bases in Germany or Japan after WW2 but I dont ever see it being like that. I can understand the multitude of reasons why we should stay, fight terrorism there instead of here, keep oil sold in US dollars so our economy doesnt collapse, better we control the worlds oil sources than China or another country, trying to bring about a real democratic society to be an example in the middle east for other nations to follow. Even after I look at all these things I still have to wonder what the long term effects here at home are going to be. Shoudlnt we worry first about our own citizens over big business and other countries? Everyone seems to forget what happened in the former soviet union and how they were finanacially drained out from the war in afghanistan. I dont think even if a democrat gets in to the oval office it will bring an end to the war because I am sure that whoever gets in will probly be backed by big oil also. But in all this and our billions we have spent on keeping us safe from terror, what has been done to protect us at home? Anyone could drive a convoy of explosives accross the mexican border and no one seems to care so how much is it really to do with freedom and terrorism? You said you know its a loss of human life but its a war after all well what about this http://www.costofwar.com/ seems to me we couldve done alot better for our nation and its citizens than what we are doing right now.

Yup I think so to. I read some where,where they think if we pull allthe way out before their Gav. is really stable that it would just go into a civil war and would be worse than now.Wouldnt it be nice if they could all come together and talk like we all do here in mylot and got along with each other would be better that what they are doing to each other. The Iraqi seem to think this is a holy war. I really dont think that had anything with us going in there to help these people out . I know all the junck about WMD but think about it we gave them a whole month notice that we were coming. They had plenty of time to move it we wasnt surpose to find any!

I am not american so it is hard for me to really put myself in your shoes, however the general opinion over here is that u should have stayed out. That u got what you wanted after Saddam, however if u leave now you will leave an unstable country that somehow does rely on you to help them rebuild it again. I am actually not sure what I feel, and I am also not sure what would happen if the troops did leave.. At the same time, you can not be there forever and this seems as it has been going on forever =(

Soccermom you have put this very eloquently, I posted a similar discussion before you and I suppose I too question the wisdom of pulling out of Iraq right now. It would play right in to al Queada's hands. They should at least finish what they started. Personally I don't give a hoot about oil/gas costs from my own point of view, but it seems like a time for us to consider going greener.

That's one of the things I like about you, Soccermom... we rarely agree on much, but I can respect you and your opinions. Being willing to change your mind when the facts convince you to is a rare thing. Thank you for being one who can.

Good to hear. I believe you are right with the whole not abandoning Iraq thing, it would make it worse than before. But I have a qualm with the term "religious war". It is not a religious war.

I am probable wrong but I thought that after Saddam was disposed of and the Iraqis held their own elections we would stay long enough with our military support until they were able to take care of themselves. I also thought that there had been a deadline set for this and it has now passed. If this is correct then all we are doing is babysitting them at a cost of our military lives. If I'm wrong please set me straight.

This is a hard one for me- I would love to see the troops come home- All of them- today! My brother states different- He knows he is there for a reason- It’s his duty as an American- and a Soldier- He is 37- a father of 3- and a husband, son, sister, dad, uncle, etc. It’s hard having him gone- He is a lifer- He will put in 20 years and then retire- He went to Saudi during Desert Storm- He went to NYC also- Now he is in Iraq- Sure he volunteered to join the Army- He wanted to protect us here in the states and the best way to do that was to become a Soldier- Did he ask to go to Iraq to fight some religious war?? NO—I would gladly pay $5 a gallon of gas to have him home- safe- so his kids didn’t have to worry anymore- and my mom could finally sleep a full night peacefully without worrying about her son- It is hard on families as well as the soldiers- I say bring them home- It’s time!

correct me if i am wrong, but if we make a mistake, we fix it before walking away. yes? if that is the case, i am with you. not many are for the war, if any. but the issue now is do we turn our back on a country the needed our help more than ever now, because of the position we put them in?

Pulling out of IRAQ is a bad idea;Just imagine the haven this would create for the Al-Quida with an unstable Iraq.I do believe that it may be time for their government to step up and maybe we need to change some of our strategies to acheive the ultimate goal of a more stable country ;But pulling out is not the answer. Why don't we just set up border patrols and let the internal fight take place for a bit . Put their fate into the peoples hands like a real democracy and I'd bet we'd see results alot quicker and force the government into action .

it is not true usa is great cheater . HE do war only for oils not for peace. BUSH is also a terror