Go big or go home? (Iraq)

[Kire]

I have to admit, I'm kinda torn on this one...but I'm very much leaning towards go home. Bush is making a speech tonight about his plan for Iraq, and it includes 20,000 more troops and billions more. While this sounds like insanity, I can understand the need to stop utter chaos and civil war from breaking out there, and having to deal with whatever government "wins" at the end of it. I can understand why you'd want to make a big push to obtain stability, but I don't know if this is the right way to do it, and frankly, I don't know if it's possible without a dictator like Saddam in that region.

On the other hand, many generals have said more feet on the ground won't make anything better. Lots of Iraqis don't want us there and are shooting at us just because we're there. Something's going to happen, whether we like it or not. I guess it's just deciding whether we can do something about it or not.

BTW, this is easily going to get blocked by the new congress...whether we see a phased pull-out of Iraq is going to be a whole different matter and a harder sell.

[Red Dragon]

Re: Go big or go home? (Iraq)

Cut n' Run!
Cut n' Run!
Cut n' Run!
Cut n' Run!!!!!!

[Valkysas]

Re: Go big or go home? (Iraq)

We can't pull out right now. We destroyed their country, its our fault the insurgents are on the rampage causing the population to live in fear. We got them into this, we have to get them out of it.

I'm sure one reason many people are saying they want us out is because if they openly support us right now, the insurgents will kill them. The soldiers are doing a lot of good over there, and a few of my online friends who have served over there have told me how grateful the people are for what they're doing.

[Vonwert]

Re: Go big or go home? (Iraq)

I say we just get out because it is going to go downhill anyway you look at it.

You have a structure that is prime ground for creating hatered and unrest which fuels radicals.

Lack of jobs, lack of facilities like water, lack of resources, ect. This is what creates "terrorist".

So a large number of troops isn't going to solve anything but a few less Iraqis on the streets.

Basically I say we just let them deal with their problems and let them decide how far they are going to take it.

[JPS]

Re: Go big or go home? (Iraq)

THE BILLIONS WE SPEND OVER THERE CAN BE USED TO HELP FUND STUFF WE NEED OVER HERE!!!

SORRY ABOUT ALL CAPS, I DIDNT REALIZE IT WAS ON TIL I LOOKED AT THE SCREEN:LOL

[Red Dragon]

Re: Go big or go home? (Iraq)

THE BILLIONS WE SPEND OVER THERE CAN BE USED TO HELP FUND STUFF WE NEED OVER HERE!!!

SORRY ABOUT ALL CAPS, I DIDNT REALIZE IT WAS ON TIL I LOOKED AT THE SCREEN:LOL

That emote doesn't work with caps.


I say we nuke the world. Then let the mutants rise and repeat the process all over again.

[John Mora]

Re: Go big or go home? (Iraq)

I say we pull out and carpet bomb the country for good measure <3

[DarkwingChuck]

Re: Go big or go home? (Iraq)

As I see it, we can't stay there forever. And the minute we leave it's all going to hell in a handbasket. No two ways about it. We've put Iraq in a horrible situation that has NO good ending. The only difference from when we leave is how many troops die in the meantime. If there was some way to fix the situation or even ease it a little I'd say it was our duty to stay until that was done but realistically there isn't. The **** is well on it's way to the fan and we're just barely slowing it down.

[IRC]

Re: Go big or go home? (Iraq)

As much as I think we need to remain there, I can't help but feel that it's just not worth it anymore. Even if Iraq falls into civil war or is ruled by whatever cleric has the most influence.

Also Afghanistan is starting to fall back to the way things were before.

[Shard]

Re: Go big or go home? (Iraq)

Even if Iraq falls into civil war or is ruled by whatever cleric has the most influence.

I think it's fair to say that that's already the case. From the cheers of "Muqtada" during Saddam's execution to the daily finds of murdered men by militias, it's clear who has the real power in Iraq. The other players are just fighting for scraps.


I think Iraq could be turned around. I think it would take a massive, perhaps decade-long commitment from the U.S. and others to make that happen. I don't think there's the will or the acceptance of the costs we'd incur to see it through.

That said, moving in 20k troops and throwing another billion at the problem is just delaying the inevitable. I think it's a political ploy so the hard-line Republicans can turn to their base and point at moderate Republicans and Democrats as the ones at fault for their failing strategy when the '08 elections roll around.

[Chrono]

Re: Go big or go home? (Iraq)

Most of the money isn’t going over there; it's staying here and going to corporations like Halliburton and all of the mercenary companies.

[IRC]

Re: Go big or go home? (Iraq)

wasn't it like 200k for a victory party?

[Nixon]

Re: Go big or go home? (Iraq)

As mentioned before, the Bush administration dug us a nice rut, and it'll take a lot to hoist ourselves out of it.

I have friends serving in Iraq right now, and I want them back home. They've told me about what goes on... this is not good for either side. There's not going to be a peaceful or happy solution.

That's why it's always a good idea to look BEFORE you leap.

[Alzar]

Re: Go big or go home? (Iraq)

going big isn't going to accomplish anything.

HAVENT WE LEARNED ANYTHING FROM VIETNAM

sheesh.

we should go home.

[neobi]

Re: Go big or go home? (Iraq)

My speech/Mass comm teacher was over in Iraq. He seems to think we need to be over there and I trust his judgement. He tells me stories. It's hard to see all these suffering kids running up to you begging for anything. They throw out candy apparently... He seems to think for their future and everything it'll all be worth it.