Is 'staying the course in Iraq' a RWing or LWing Talking Point?

[Q]

- At one time I thought that pretty much every Democrat wanted us out of Iraq because the stated 'urgent' need to attack was based on transparent lies and the invasion had nothing to do with 9-11 or the 'war on terror'.

- There's no question that the Republican party and neocons support the invasion and occupation of Iraq...it was THEIR plans and policies that got us there.

- But there's a growing number of Democrats (on DU and other places) who seem to have accepted part or all of the Bush* Doctrine and installing 'democracy' in Iraq by force.

- Are Democrats becoming more supportive of the Iraq 'war' because Kerry and Edwards voted for and might inherit it? Or have they changed their minds over time and now believe 'regime change' was worth all the death and destruction?

- It seems the Bush* cabal has pulled off a propaganda coup: both parties now insist we must 'stay the course' in Iraq and not 'cut and run'. Never mind the deceit that took us there. Forget that Iraq had no WMD, ability to defend their country or plans to attack the US. Don't talk about the fact that AGGRESSIVE war is illegal or that thousands of innocents and soldiers have needlessly died so that George* can call himself a 'war president'.

- Many on the Left are now apparently afraid to speak out against the invasion / occupation of Iraq for fear of being called a 'traitor' by the Republicans and 'out of touch lefty fringe' by Democrats. Iraq is this generation's Vietnam. Get used to it.

[Cleita]

1. They are cooling it until after the election.

To criticize the Iraq war now would seem to criticize our candidates. We must not let the truth be obfuscated though. This was not a just war and spinning it as such changes nothing.

[Q]

4. Bush's* war will become Kerry's war...

...and in four years Kerry will catch all the blame. This is why Democrats MUST separate themselves from the Bush* Doctrine crowd and denounce unprovoked, aggressive war.

[no name no slogan]

2. Have to agree with you

I was a tad bit pissed off seeing the rought draft of the platform that was released yesterday. Sending even MORE troops into a country where most of the population wants us to get the hell out, no matter the consequences? It was a mistake then, it's a bigger mistake now, and it will be an even bigger mistake in the future.

We could be using this war to bash the fsck out of Bush/Cheney, but unfortunately we can't do it because of the ticket. We can still win, but it gets that much harder now.

[Q]

5. Isn't this how Vietnam became a 'quagmire'?

- Neither party seems to want to learn from history. Just because we have the MIGHT doesn't mean we have the RIGHT. And that's essentially what some Democrats are signing on to: might makes right.

[Q]

3. And speaking of denial...

...both Democrats and Republicans on the armed services / intelligence committees have 'agreed' to not investigate the Bush* administration's involvement in the lies and deceit that took our nation to war.

- In other words...the Bush* cabal won't be held accountable and George* will be able to campaign on the Iraq and terror wars without being called a liar by either party.

[baldguy]

6. Depends on who's saying it.

For the RW "Staying the course" means invading Syria & Iran & whatever other country the chimp decides to.

For the LW, it means cleaning up chimpies mess.

[Q]

7. How can you 'clean up a mess'....

...when the mess continues to get worse? Do you REALLY think the Iraqis will feel better about the occupation simply because a Democrat is president? They'll still be occupied and Iraqis (and Americans) will continue to die in a country that doesn't want military bases on their soil.

- And if Syria and Iran are attacked...it will be because both parties want them attacked.

[meow mix]

14. to me.. "cleaning up the mess" means "we still want that oil"

and we want an american-friendly iraqi govt to deliver it. and this govt must have the overwelming support of its population or we will continue the occupation.

all comes down to our energy security..
calling it anything else is just pretending, i get nervous when i see normally good libs pretending like that. it means they have accepted it?

had hope for awhile, but the latest indicators are that the resource-wars will not be ending. ever. americans just want thier "energy security" no matter what side of the fence they are on.

[jpgray]

8. Rather have a Vietnam protest leader than a champagne squadron debutante

:D

I know the latest line that is the oldest one--'no difference between Bush and Kerry', but I just can't buy it. They are very different people, and Kerry's handling of Iraq, while it not be what I would ask for, will be far superior to anything Bush could come up with.

The danger comes from seeing it in black and white--either you are for immediate withdrawal or you are a war mongering PNACer? Doesn't make sense when even Kucinich agrees that some UN involvement and stabilizing has to take place before we leave.

[donhakman]

9. Stay the course is nautical

[donhakman]

10. he needs your help

[dweller]

12. But the Dems had their chance w/ Kucinich

his supporters were labeled 'delusional' and were shouted down here regularly.

Dennis called for bringing the troops home w/in 90 days....a promise.
UN involvement (who needs the UN?) was laughed at also.

now, where are we today?
Stuck for many more years...regardless.
dp

[Solly Mack]

11. It's not my talking point

the "course", thus far, has been disastrous.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

13. Pissing contests between the parties.

Both parties, and their candidates, are busily playing the "tough on defense" tune. Sadly, many here are singing along under the delusion that (D) wars "aren't as bad as" (R)wars.

[stavka]

15. The Democratic Leadership will never advocate a "cut and run"

What the US has done, is interrupted a civil war, starting in 1918 (when the Turk was asked to leave) that was under control since the Baathists took control.

There was one exception, when George HW Bush called for a popular uprising, and then left the fools (and their families) to die on the hook. I call that, the other "Bay of Pigs"

We (UK/US) have on occasion backed one faction or another as it has suited us.

The atrocities the Baathists committed against "their own people" were instigated by the United States.