Comments on: “THIS MORNING AS FOR SOME DAYS PAST…”

By: B.Poster

B.Poster — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 20:35:04 +0000

Ultimately we will be completely leaving Iraq any way. The military cannot maintain the current forces there for much longer, as it is being worn down, and the American people will not tolerate it. The bases that were supposedly being built are likely for the Iraqi forces we are training. There likely never was a plan to stay long range. No matter who wins the next election the US will be withdrawing from Iraq.

What is not being discussed about the so called “occupation” is Iraq has a soverign government now. It may not be as effective as we might like but it is a soverign government non the less. Some of the Iraqi leaders have said US forces are still needed. Ideally the wishes of those Iraqis and Iraqi leaders who trusted us should be taken into account.

Even so, the primary goal of American leaders needs to be to look out for American interests. The US cannot remain in Iraq. The American people will not support it and the military is being worn down to the point that it cannot maintain the forces there. In addtion to this, whlile the US is busy in Iraq and to a lesser extent Afghanistan far greater threats to American national security of Russia and China are being virtually ignored. This will need to change.

A premature withdrawl from Iraq will be a huge victory for the forces of Islamic terrorism and a huge defeat for us. If we will secure the borders, fully develop our own oil and gas reserves, build more refineries, and palce a moratorium on immigration from Muslim countries it is very likely that we can mitigate this defeat.

By: Bill Arnold

Bill Arnold — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 17:16:50 +0000

For those interested in reading thought-through arguments for peaceful prevention of war, see the following booklet from FCNL (Friends Committee on National Legislation, a Quaker organization), written partially in response to pleas from people who were unable to answer the question “if war is not the answer, what is?”.
http://www.fcnl.org/issues/int/sup/ppdc_booklet.htm
It, and some of the other publications on the site, are worth reading, rather that just skimming for code words then mocking.

Iraq is a hard case. Currently (according to the site) FCNL is lobbying for “New Diplomatic Offensive for Iraq Act (H.R. 3797)” and S. 2130. As Rick says, the huge problem is preventing civil war/warlordism after we leave.

By: Chip

Chip — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 12:17:18 +0000

Lemmings out there “voting for change,” as if doing so is synonymous with progress, have been seduced by naive idealists whose understanding of the world’s problems is about as deep as their heartfelt deliveries of the “solutions” are sincere.

By: Banjo

Banjo — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 03:24:16 +0000

Barack Obama increasingly looks like someone better suited to teaching graduate students at a pretty good college in the Midwest. He makes the peanut farmer from Plains look as wordly as Machievelli.

By: edward cropper

edward cropper — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 03:04:17 +0000

The dumbest thing he said was how could he be considered so inexperienced if he was out organizing political campaigns that have been running for years.
Does he actually believe sane people think it is his political skills that is producing his current results.
I knew this guy was arrogant, but even this took me back a little.

By: William Teach

William Teach — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 02:04:38 +0000

Is Obama such a witless child that he believes all we have to do is snap our fingers and everything will be sweetness and light with the Sunnis and Shias?

Yes. He is a Democrat, after all.

By: Marv

Marv — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 01:44:35 +0000

I look at the ignorance (or willingness to ignore facts for the sake of votes) of the front runners,in both parties,and hang my head in amazement and fear.

You know, we have our military fighting and dying all over the world from Iraq to South America, to the Philippines. People need to realize that Iraq is a battle, NOT a war. Walk away from the battle, you’ll lose the war.

By: "editor" Fletch

"editor" Fletch — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 00:28:51 +0000

Rick-

If Obama is elected in November, he is going to have to work with the new President to prepare Iraq..

I think you meant to say “Congress” here…