Now I'm not so sure I want our troops out of Iraq...

[Contrary1]

I have come to the conclusion that for at least the next 4 years, Chimpie will be attempting to bring democracy to entire the Middle East. (minus Saudi, Arabia, of course) The more troops we have in Iraq, the fewer there will be to start up a war with Iran and/or Syria.

At least in Iraq, our guys have a general feel for the territory, and what they are up against. Hopefully, now that the faux election has taken place, more of those gleeful folks seen dancing in the streets will be joining in the fight to keep their country free.

1500 Americans dead, and thousands maimed and injured. That's too many to die for a lie, don't get me wrong. But that number may end up looking smaller, when all is said and done.

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

1. They need to come home ...

they are already overextended and overworked as it is . I agree with your point : Hopefully the people of Iraq will join the fight to keep their country free - but there is one thing stopping them : The Bush Administration .

[necso]

2. Do keep in mind that they need

staging grounds to launch invasions -- we really aren't in a position to do the D-Day thing anymore.

[Verve]

3. Good point! Iraq is a terrible situation. But it could be worse if *

started destroying other countries as well. :nuke:

[LittleClarkie]

4. Thing is, if they want to go elsewhere

they will just declare Iraq a success, and "Saigon" themselves out of there. Nevermind the mess, they just won't let the media tell us what a mess it is in there, or they will blame it on the new Iraqi government (I guess they didn't really want democracy)

Now, I have no idea how they're going to frame the next war to get America to accept another one right away. I think if they try one more, just one more, the camel's back will break. They will need a draft then, and it will be all she wrote.

So why is it a Dem (it is, isn't it?) who keeps putting in the draft bill. I know there's a point, but it's being used against us pretty effectively, like somehow WE'RE the warmongers.

[Lexingtonian]

5. what "entire"?

C'mon, the more sensible perspective is that it's all about settling old scores. See how much democracy there is in Iraq a year from now...it's going to resemble Afghanistan and Pakistan and Kazakhstan more than the wishful thinking or idealism you've let them goad you into can admit. Blocs of warlords and tribal chiefs and ethnic groups vying for predominance, exploiting the electocratic setup as best they can. Take a guess whether folks like Allawi or Chalabi will survive this next year physically, let along politically.

[CWebster]

6. Security forces and insurgents

Consider this:

The US dismantled Saddam's police state. Iraqis are waging war against the occupation of their country, but it is essential that the US portray them as terrorists, either remnants of Saddam's regime or a foreign Al-Queda presence. The US most promote itself as establishing stability when it is the force of destablization. The US seeks to establish a proxy force of Iraqis to do the dirty work and divide Iraqis against themselves. The US accomplishes this by bribing Iraqi men who have no other recourse to support their families--no jobs, no infrastructure, etc. What the US wants is Saddam's police state without Saddam who might act against US interests by supporting Palestinian aspirations which threaten Israel's occupation.

[OneTwentyoNine]

7. Bush would have to have Congressional approval once again....

To start up a War anywhere else. Would ANY Dem with a brain vote once again to give that fuck ANOTHER War??

If they do,I switch parties...

[htuttle]

8. Ha! You assume they still respect the Constitution

Bush has already gotten away with violating the Constitution several times -- why would the wingnut Congress hold him responsible now?

I'd be willing to bet money that he won't go to Congress before he attacks somewhere else.

[OneTwentyoNine]

9. I would assume that Dems *might* bring up the War powers act from 73'...

But that might be a stretch even for them. Wouldn't want to shake up anything when Bush has his new War plans going.

[Roland99]

10. Either way, Iraq is going to be a haven for terrorist groups like al Qaeda

no matter if we're there or not.

Saddam ruled with a very heavy fist. Even Saddam-lite Allawi won't be capable of keeping al Qaeda from thriving in Iraq.

[Just Me]

11. I strenuously OBJECT to a "NO EXIT" strategy!!!!

Vietnam was based upon a NO EXIT strategy and evolved to a fucking bloody hell hole!!!

The same will happen in Iraq.

NO. US troops should be moving out. The election is over. Leave security trainers and compensatory dollars for destroying that nation,...then, get the hell out!!!

With respect to stirring up any more battles in the M.E., I strenuously OBJECT to that as well. I'll be damned if this administration will be allowed to be THE PROVOKATEERS of a world war. Hell NO!!!