are we wasting our time in iraq?
111829
The only reason America gives a flying fuck about the Middle East at all is because of oil. Anyone who says other wise is stupid
673555
It sounds like you enjoy wasting your time.  If that's the case then why not piss away another three years?
974553
This was a massive plunder operation under the guise of patriotism misplaced.  It is otherwise known as the big lie.  Iraq was ugly for many, but peaceful.  Now Iraq is a violent shambles,directly due to the intervention of GW Bush.  If there were no oil there, do you think we would be there?  Not a chance.
1038941
I recently received an email from a friend in Iraq who said that it's a completely different atmosphere where "70% of people want us here and know we need to be here, 5% don't want us here (the insurgents), and 20% are rich enough they don't have to care.  The US is crying for us to leave and push the Iraqi's to "run" when they're hardly able to crawl on their own..."\n\nI think regardless of elections, etc we need to be there at least another 3 years.  \n\nHow long do I THINK we'll be there?  I dunno, the "War" in Iraq is technically over, but the "War on Terrorism" should never cease...
651258
USA is bogged down in IRAQ
930649
so are you arguing that we should stay in Iraq or not?  Because you say you can use sources why we should stay, BUT you are against withdrawal.  those are the same things.
1152220
big waste of everything. Yeah, I'm sure killing innocent Iraqis is one less innocent Iraqi to kill over here.  What we did to Iraq is equivilant to a bully beating the crap out of someone and then telling him that he beat him up  for his own good. Fighting for peace is like fucking for virginity.
598263
I agree with you 100% We have no real reason for being in Iraq except that G.W. Bush wanted to finish what his daddy started No disrespect to our troops they are only going where they were sent Just like in 'Nam
859588
Who the hell knows, but we do need to do something.  This war is not working out the way we expected.  We have spent 1/2 trillion and we are making enemies faster than we can kill them.
193511
I believe we are starting to see signs of a determined effort on the part of the US administration to give the fledgling Iraqi government a timetable to deal with, in terms of the US reducing its troop strength. This is happening for a number of reasons.  1) The American people have had quite enough of the pace of this war and our inability to stop the senseless killings of our troops, by these devil worshiping bastards the media calls, insurgents.\n2) We need to free ourselves up from this circle jerk before the next one starts.\nWe may not see a complete troop withdrawal for a long time, but we may be able to pull our guys back or out of harms way so they are no longer practice fodder for the bad guys.  Remember, the bad guys don't want to see us go, they want to keep us there putting out fires, but hopefully we can see that and not allow ourselves to play into it.
949551
Before I answer this question, I'd like to bring up something that really bothers me deeply concerning Iraq, would we be so regretful if we had successfully converted Iraq to a democracy with complete peace? \n\nThe question I have been screaming BEFORE the war started has been, "Does the means justfiy the end?" What if this end had been a success? Would most be sitting around feeling good about America?... feeling good about themselves? ... even though current civilian Iraqi body count is over 600k?... even though we never had a valid nor justiable reason to occupy Iraq?...\n\nOf course you know my feelings on this... immoral means never justfiy an end even if that end is successful. What about all those ppl that have died? What about the loyal, committed soldiers that followed their country's orders... not just American soldiers btw. \n\nSo once again, we should not take any pride in any way, shape or manner for our leader's invasion of Iraq. \n\nIs there ever a time to take pride in participating in a war? I think so. I did an Army tour in the mid-80s then when Saddam invaded Kuwait, one of our allies, I volunteered to come out of inactive status to participate. Why? Because I truly thought we, as a WORLD, had progressed past the days of barbaric occupations of invading just because you are stronger than the other guy. I took pride in that war because I compared it to a bully beating up a little child... that we were fighting the bully. Now, we are the bully.\n\nI can't begin to describe in words the disappointment I have in my country due to our actions. And what gets me now is the length of time it took ppl to come to this realization. I was a voice from the beginning saying it was wrong... most of these ppl against it were the ones in 2003 with those ribbons on the back of their mini-vans, American flags outside their homes... telling me I was anti-American or unpatriotic for not supporting my president. \n\nI'm serious. How many of you out there reading this either didn't have an opinion or was pro-Iraqi war because you thought it was going to be a cake walk? You were so sure we would just walk over the Iraqis and be the WINNERS. You never stopped to ask about our reasons... were they justified. America is going to war and we are going to kick some *** then come home like nothing winning.. showing the world 'who we are'.\n\nFor example, that Cindy Shehan (spelling) that camped outside of Bush's home in Texas in protest of the war AFTER her son died in Iraq. Where was her protest before her son died? I'd be willing to bet that up to that point, she was one of those ppl driving those mini-vans proudly with the ribbons on the back before that. \n\nSome ppl compare Iraq to Vietnam. While I see some comparisons, believe it or not, Vietnam at least had a reason. Vietnam was about containment. Containment is a word used to describe the stopping of the spreading of communism of that era. While I never saw how the spread of communism threatens us, at least they gave us a real,honest reason. \n\nNow to get the core of your question... what should we do now, knowing what we know now about the lies?\n\nUp to a week ago, I was on the fence about this. I literally could not decide. On one hand, I don'f feel good about making a mess of their country, the 100,000s that have died then leaving them to somehow find a way. On the other hand, I was thinking we couldn't win... win in terms of ever helping those ppl to 'get along' in a civil manner.\n\nI have since, just in the past few days, come to a realization... we need to get out. Why and what caused my choice, decision? \n\nIt all came together for me a few days ago when I read about some Shiites that had kidnapped 25 sunnis, took them into the streets and then burned them alive. Not only did they do this, Iraqi troops stood by and watched and an American helicopter patrolling took no action.\n\nThis action was not the r
737244
Not really. In fact, the current occupation of Iraq doesn't have anything to do with the reason we went over in the first place.\n\nWe're doing nothing more than baby-sitting the country, and acting as its local police force, while it's in the middle of a civil war. There is no evidence, none, that says anything we're doing there has any effect on global terrorism. It's purely politics and empire-building.
850376
No...and why would we ask?  I can figure out why some other middle east countries and even a couple of European countries might consider asking them to "help".\n\nBut my bet is that there are hundreds (at least) of people from both those countries already in Iraq.  And I doubt they are helping to rebuild schools or hospitals.
886627
I truly believed that we went into Iraq because the intelligence information said that wmd's were present and we wanted to stop it.  Also, I think the threat to our oil supply was an issue (unstated).  Additionally, we just had to hit someone, after 9/11.\n\nBy going into Iraq, we have bought some peace time on our soil.  We have disrupted the Islamic terrorists by our presence in the area and by capturing/killing some leaders of the movement.  We also have a base camp in the middle of this messy part of the world and will probably keep it, even if most troops withdraw.\n\nIf we had not gone into Iraq, I think that we would have had more terrorist acts in the US by now.  History will have to determine if it was worthwhile or not.  \n\nGood question.
792450
There is no 'Rosetta stone' answer for Iraq.. no easy answer. I think it is pointless to waste time on the 'woulda, coulda, shoulda' in the rearview mirror. Important what is at hand in the present. With that said, it achieves a great deal getting out. The most important - saving lives of both our troops and the innocents caught in the middle.\n\nThe question should be redirected (from the premise), 'What would be achieved by STAYING in Iraq?
328523
You will get different answers from different people.  There are some people that spend all day in an air conditioned office, with a pool just outside that get off work at 1600 (4 pm).  Others, like me, are in the infantry.  We also have tankers, artillery, medics and others with us.  We live in Iraqi houses, sleep in our trucks, stay up all night in an ambush site, drive all day as an IED (roadside bomb) test kit, talk to the people everyday.  And we may stay out for 7, 8, 9 days or more.  We set up a patrol base and get mortered daily.  Sometimes we dont see our actual base for a month at a time, or more.  When we get blown up, shot up or totally f*cked up, we have to turn around the next day, with some of our friends not with us, and do it all over again.  Yet to some, stress comes from running out of staples when you are done writing that report, or the ari conditioner not working today.
732821
I so agree with you bro, I went to Iraq in 2004 and I was in Baghdad for a year. I'm currently in college and I love my country and I love the army, but Iraq was a huge mistake It's a fucking mess over there. I hope american leaders will wake up and realize the sooner we leave the better, because its only gonna get worse over there. I prey that no more of our countrys children will have to endure anymore torture over there because this war doesn't benefit anyone. BRING THE TROOPS HOME, and OBAMA FOR 2008.