I'm not consciously making a comparison to the "Immigrant Boycott," just wondering.  Anti-war protesters say Iraqis want us out.  War supporters say Iraqis want us there.  So what do you think would happen if for one day (well-publicized in advance), all U.S. troops abandoned their posts on the streets of Iraq, didn't provide security for civilian contractors or Iraqi police and officials, and just played cards inside their fortified camps?  What would the streets of Iraq be like on that day?
127538
I wonder if things would change.  Doubtful.
538616
We should begin a phased withdrawal of the troops. The Iraqi government has had plenty of time to establish defenses and security for its people. By the bulk of the military operations in Iraq being conducted by Americans soldiers, it provides a crutch for Iraqi commanders and a lightning rod against America for Iraqi citizens. When this country was founded, French troops did not lead American forces in its defense after the revolutionary war, they took off as soon as the surrender was signed by Cornwallis. If the Iraqi government wishes to remain in power, it find a way to do so of its own accord. The military should maintain a few military bases for logistical support, similar to what happened in Germany after WW2, but that is all.
137735
As a soldier I obviously have strong feelings about this question which are I would hope obvious enough not for me to point out here. \n\nI would like to mention something else though.  Many of the respondents have said "I support our troops but not the war."\n\nI have a very difficult time with this assessment.  Essentially what they are saying is that the soldiers are working for nothing.  We went to Iraq and removed a cruel dictator from power.  The fact that Hussein had chemical weapons was well documented by the thousands of Kurds he killed with them.  Had he agreed to allow documentation of their disposal (I believe he didn't because he sold them to other nations but that isn't a discussion for here) indicated a guilt.  The diplomatic process had failed years ago and whatever liberals think was not going to be reserected.\n\nMany of us do not necessarily agree with why we are at war but think that the ends do justify the means in this case.
384092
One really powerful primary source about Iraq and Afghanistan is the Sandbox blog on the Doonesbury website.  Every day there are a couple posts by soldiers involved over there.  There is a range of content, but it gives you the sense that there really are good people working hard to improve the lives of Iraqis even though there is also a lot of disastrous stuff happening.  It might open their eyes a little.  I think they'll find glimpses of the good side there, regardless of their politics.
631146
I (american) completely agree with you that our country has been completley out of line in trying to be the worlds "big brother". You should know that your mirror will only show what is shown to it.  My mirror would show acceptance and love for all people. I was deeply disturbed by one of your previous posts. Please dont think that americans actually have a voice in whether or not we go to war! How would you feel if I was one of the closeminded americans that thinks that just because you are middle eastern, you know the terrorists and can make them stop if you want. I can't even begin to understand what it feels like to live in a warring country, my condolensces to you and yours. But remember that not seeing all sides of the story is one of the problems that led us to where we are today.  You are obviously very upset, and for good reason. So I would like to personally appologize to you for the occupation, although I have absolutely no control over it. By opening our eyes and truly thinking about things before we believe them, we might eventually be able to achieve peace. I wish you, and your family, and Iraqi and American troops peace. Please rethink your hatred for all americans and know that there are many of us here that agree with YOU rather than our own government. By finding a way to see that no culture as a whole is inherantly evil and that every individual is different and needs to be respected, you too will be a part of the path to peace.  Peace to you my brother. Tasharrafna. Shukran.
339921
To US troops: If the US politicans had stayed out of this war from the beginning you'd have already won the war and been walking in victory parades back home.\n\nTo the Iraqi people: If the US politicans had stayed out of this war from beginning you'd all be safe right now & 600,000 of you wouldn't be dead.
87352
We withdrew about 15,000 troops that we had sent in for extra security for the December 15, 2005 Iraqi election.  Osama bin Laden second in command releases a tape stating that we were withdrawing our troops because we know we lost the war in Iraq.  The insurgents are terrorists being backed by bin Laden and his followers.  It is their attempt to make the country fall into Civil War thus making us look badly to their people.  If we leave there will definitely be a Civil War at once without our security to keep the different factions apart until the Iraqi government becomes strong enough to control these matters themselves.  Either way it looks as though we are there for a lot longer than we want to be.  It is better for us to remain there a little longer and lose credibility because of it than to withdraw all our troops and have the whole Middle East fall into chaos and lose credibility because of that.  Whatever we do in the position we are in is not going to please all the people.  We are better off keeping the terrorist's in a part of the world where our military can fight them than to be fighting them in our streets.
303440
didn't the Canadians start this?  whats good for the goose is good for the gander.  every Friday we should do something more profound.  lets see, the immigrants had a big protest. what if we did that every Friday.  skipped work and protested all day long outside federal and state government offices.  that would make a statement.  but I'm afraid that the consequences would be to great for most people to try.  but how much do you really care about our troops and our country.  one man can't do much, but a nation certainly can.
546167
Whatever the political reasons were that we went to Iraq, how many people can argue that the people over there that are willing to try and build a civilized and organized government are much better off? Its a war, people die, goals are chieved and failed, thats what its all about. Did we invade their country? I don't think so, since the new government there is asking us to stay. I don't know if I'm the only one thats noticed, but 80% of the people opposed to the war are either parents concerned with the well being of their kids in the military, or people who aren't and never were part of the military in their entire life. People join the military to fight in wars and defend their homeland, thats what the military does, if you join the military with expectation of not being put into harm or for a free ride through college, thats your own fault, do not join the militarty unless you want and are fully ready to go to war.
159991
25, was active Army, 25F (Network/Switching systems Op/Maint)\nI just exited the service after 6 years and 7 months (was stop loss-ed for my second Iraq tour), and the things I ask someone else that was in Iraq is where they were, what they were doing, and whether or not the local nationals nearby would "misbehave."  The answers to the first and second are always different, the third one is usually yes.\n  One thing I've learned about the news is that the news only exists where the reporters are, and it is only as good as their understanding of the situation.  There were so many things that I've witnessed that the news would mention as side notes, using the phrase "reports of..." because they didn't have anyone there.\n  One thing I've always wanted people back home to be aware of is that the situation is both worse and better than what they hear.  The news only seems to focus on US casualties, but never talks about police forces built, infrastructure repaired, people helped, anything with a positive outcome, etc.  The news also misses the significance of some of the Iraqis targeted by insurgents if no US forces were involved.  During my second deployment, I spent the majority of the time in Mosul, and it never ceased to amaze me how the insurgency would actively target local officials with the same techniques and weapons they'd use for CF (Coalition Forces).  It seemed like incidents were occurring constantly, Iraqi Army being hit with IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices), police were being gunned down, sheiks (who are more or less the equivalent of an alderman here) being assassinated, sometimes with their families.   If you want a good question, consider the amount of times you are quoted the number of US soldiers killed by hostile fire, and wonder how many Iraqis are killed by the insurgency.  Not like those estimations of bystanders killed, but how many have been actively sought out and killed by the insurgency since the start, before you heard the words "sectarian violence" on the news.  That's a question I wish I knew the answer to.\n  I hope that gives you a start of sorts.  Please continue to ask more questions, and you will receive replies.
676001
First of all I'm a soldier and I support the war on terror because I've been to Iraq, and I believe in the cause 110%.  I'm willing to guess that 99% of the rest of the people here only know what they see on the media, or read on an antiwar site.\n\nSecond however there is such thing as free speech so we can't get rid of the protesters.  \n\nJust remember without the US how we are, you wouldn't be talking so openly on Yahoo.  \n\nVICTORY !!!!!
553144
At this point, just leaving Iraq right now with the situation it's in is a recipe for disaster. If you think it's bad now, just imagine what it'll be like without us. On the other hand, it's more of a catch-22 than anything. If we keep staying in Iraq, insurgents will keep killing soldiers. If we leave, however, everything we've done will be for nothing. The closest thing we can do that would be considered winning in my opinion is to have a functioning government, an army that can hold it's own, and basically get Iraq back on it's feet. After that, then we should leave. If there is *no* way we can win the war without anything like divine intervention, then we might as well leave.
595571
Why don't you Americans get out of the country and let the Iraqi's handle their own problems? Imagine your country in the Iraqi's place, would you like to be rescued by conquering hero's (actually villains with a false cause- where are the WMD's?).\n\nAnd if you are dying, you are also killing, and killing unarmed civilians too. Well it's your own elected Representatives that sent you out to do the kill, what did you expect, the natives would be too terrified to shoot back? \n\nWould your countrymen react passively to invaders?\nLook at any country that the US has interfered in-they end up destroying it completely- be it Vietnam or Afghanistan or Iraq - why doesn't the US of a start minding it's own country?\n\nOn a personal note, all I can say is stay alive kid, and do let live - the Geneva convention is there and don't break the rules. You'll only end up making the world hate your country more, and that'd be a pity, for it is one of the greatest countries in the world after mine though!\n\nI am not an Iraqi or Muslim for your info.\nst
246342
What I want to know is where is the "INS" in this country when the Illegals are protesting. Our government is charged by the Constitution to PROTECT the American people. The millions of illegals in this country are the same as an invasion! Where's the National Guard? Oh that's right there over in Iraq Protecting Halliburtons and KBR workers. How F*cked up is that?
626438
Our guys stood & still stand between it. Not so much an Iraqi civil war as a muslim civil war between sunnis & shites that al queada wanted to start all around US troops so we'd take the casualties & they could twist everyone onto the common foe/invader. Look at plans like Sen. Biden's which rips us out of there & encourages (literally) Iraq to break up into enthnic states. Then ask yourself what would happen with kurddish populations in Turkey, Syria, Jordan; what would happen with Arab countries assistance to the Sunni state dominated by al Queada; Iranian & Hammas support to the Shia state. It all makes for regional civil war (not to mention $200 oil) which we'll just have to go back & settle at a higher price. No offense to the honorable gentleman or whomever may agree with him, but how can a serious leader actually come up with such a retarded idea & propose it as the policy of the US - you don't like the war so your solution is to surrender & come home for six months before you have to go back & get even more of our guys killed then if you'd stayed & won? What the hell?
516682
Thats quite an interesting article, thank you for putting it up, and i agree with ecerything the generals say, but do you not think there is larger issues here? The ineffectiveness of the iraqi govt, caused by the clash of ethnic groups but also by the duality of relying on US troops while also trying to distance themselves from US policies, and other issues like this? I respect what the generals say but are they not purely looking at this from a military and practical perspective? Killing every terrorist and insurgent will not finish this war, because its impossible...hmm i cant see an alternative way of getting out of this situation but i also refuse to believe that its as simple a solution as issuing killing orders...tho that would be a step forward i admit
483557
Iraq was not like it is now when Saddam was in power. Saddam was a threat to his own people, and those around him, period. World threat? Threat to America? Not by any thinking person's stretch of the imagination. We had to retaliate for 9/11 and a group of brilliant people decided Iraq was the path of least resistance after we topple their tyrant to install a democracy. Wishful thinking at its best, we are starting to see the worst. Things have degraded to their tribal levels split along religious sects. We invaded without understanding the culture and history of the region. Hatred and war are long time bed-partners in the middle-east. Just to keep the excitement growing we can now add extremely twisted, hate filled, religious fundamentalist zealots adding to the killing in the name of Allah.  Baghdad is eerily starting to look like Saigon. We won't need a strategy to get out, we'll need emergency evacuation.