A thought...my thought...on Bush and the War....

[Justin54B20L]

So, why? Why is it that we keep our troops over there for so long? In the face of all logic and reason, why does one defy these truths in the pursuit of seeming madness?

I have tried to wrap my head around this central question for some time now. What is it that drives Mr. Bush to keep our troops there in the face of everything that suggests that they should leave? What is it? Is he frightened, paranoid of “them” following us back here to the US? Does he know something we do not? No….no I don’t believe that to be the case. America is great…America is a giant. Pain these terrorists can inflict upon us could be nothing worse that a mere paper cut in all relativity. Sure, 3000 civilian deaths is a tragedy, but come on, it’s nowhere near to becoming close to take down the US. So what then is it?

I’ve looked and I’ve searched, and I think I’ve stumbled upon an answer. An answer so simple, so obvious, that I didn’t notice it at first because I neglected to look directly ahead of me. The answer lies, with all things forgotten, in the past. One must look back to Rome to see, but the answer lies there. Power, power not only to rule or acquire wealth, but power for the sake of power.

So what does keeping the troops over there have to do with his lust for power here? Is it to use the military to acquire more power and wealth? Again, no…not exactly. The fact that he does acquire these things from this endeavor is merely inadvertent. No, the real reason he needs to keep the troops there is the very same reason corrupt roman emperors kept the legions fighting in the frontiers. To keep the military, the only real threat to his power, as far away and as occupied as can be so that their focus is on protecting each other from death while he takes what he wants from the home. With the military occupied in battle, it can not affect its most sacred duty…namely that of protecting the citizens from all enemies foreign and domestic. With corrupt political appointees at the top, the real military commanders are blind to truth of this fact.

The military, you see, is generally made up of decent well-meaning people. I know, I’ve served in the Army myself. They have no aspirations of power or dominance, they are there trying to earn a better life for themselves but overall serving for a principle they know to be greater than themselves. Their dedication to the idea of America laid out in the Constitution is without reproach, yet without the ability to see the inherent truth of their situation, they are incapable of fulfilling the founder’s ideals.

In truth and with all reasonable certainty, Bush has the power now to dissolve Congress and retain power indefinitely. His neo-conservative and religious partners are elated and ecstatic that this possibility is within their reach. The mere perception that this is a real possibility should be absolutely frightening to every thinking American. This is then why it is imperative that the troops be brought home now, to curb this threat.

[mr_hat]

1. Paying if forward. Empire, that is.

[mdmc]

2. I disagree, but appreciate your OP

Bush is fighting this war for the same reason HRC or Leiberman is - to fight terra.

He (they) are doing it the wrong, outsourced, profitable to exxon, way.

He (they) can't admit that their "plan" to leave Iraq a stable, unified, pro-west, democracy won't be easy (or won't be successful).

We will stay until we admit defeat.

[Justin54B20L]

3. I value your opinion, but I have contentions with this

Perhaps...just perhaps, and I'm willing to give some leeway here, Bush did begin this to do what he thought was right. To fight a war against terror (however that can be done).

But I diverge at this point. While, like Roman emperors of old, his intentions were perhaps good to begin with it was quickly seized by those with power aspirations (read:neo-cons). This was not necessarily Bush himself in the beginning but he did take notice on this line of thinking and seized upon the idea of power, taking the lead hence.

It's not that they can't admit their war is a failure, it is that they know and won't admit it because it serves their purpose, in line with the OP.

[mdmc]

4. I opposed overthrowing Saddam all along

The reason I opposed invading Iraq was because I knew that a stable, unified, pro-west, democratic Iraq was going to take decades of hard work and sacrifice. It will take decades of occupation and investment. It could cost a trillion dollars over the decades.

I was of the opinion that all those resources could be better used by improving diplomacy and security world wide, and protecting our ports, borders, and airports. We should be doing these things with security, not profits, in mind.

The military would never overthrow the government, unless they had corporate approval. Since Bush has corporate approval, the military would never overthrow him. Why overthrow him when his "replacement" (whoever wins in 2008) will continue to do the bidding of corporations?

There is no need to overthrow the government. We are given the choice over and over and all we do is stay the course. In 2008, we will stay the course once again.

Perhaps the new corporate President will be black, latino, female, mormon, or gay (go Rudy! GO!). As long as corporations own America, the military will stay the course.

So I disagree that Bush wants to stay in Iraq to avoid a military coup. He wants to stay the course, cause it will lead to victory. Hillary will also lead us to victory. So will Romney. It is only when we admit that this neo-con dream is a failure that we can truly cut and run. Once we do that, we can claim "victory" and withdraw with honor. eyes

peace and low stress and keep on posting!:kick: