The New Iraqi Paradigm

[DemocratSinceBirth]

Things are so bad we can't stay...Things are so bad we can't go...

I'm not endorsing this paradigm but I think it's emerging... I'm glad I'm not empowered because I don't know how to solve this dilemma or quagmire...That's why they call them dilemmas or quagmires...

[tekisui]

1. I think we missed several opportunities to leave.

We could have left after their constitution, we could left when we determined their were no WMD. We could have declared victory and left after elections, Saddam's capture, his hanging, etc. But, instead we built permanent bases, now one on Iran's border. We built the world's largest embassy. We missed all of the chances to exit gracefully and bring in the UN.

It's clear, now, from Fall 2007, that the plan was never to leave. Perhaps the *plan* was to destabilize the country to the point that we cannot leave. And, I think we are there now.

I want ALL the troops out yesterday. But, I am afraid that their is no chance of all troops being out anytime between now and 2027.

I wouldn't want to inherit this mess. I am amazed that anyone does. Their are no easy decisions to be made in Iraq.

[Amonester]

2. The plan was to steal away as many billions of barrels as possible

and make the taxpayers pay for the expenses, both in tax dollars and in blood.

The plan is still operational.

The plan also includes doing the same in the "n" country next to the current "q" country.

That plan is on its way.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

5. I Always Said Bush Attacked Iraq Because It Sounded Like Iran And He Got Them Mixed Up

eom

[ginchinchili]

3. Yes, it's a good thing you're not "empowered" or we'd have ...

a continuation of the Bush policy, doing nothing. It's not one or the other, dilemma or quagmire. It's a quagmire without question, and it's only a dilemma if you allow yourself to approach it like most Republicans are, using dilemma as an excuse for supporting the status quo.

Joe Biden has come up with a viable plan that was endorsed by most Democrats and even many Republicans, at least the basic design of having federation-styled government, allowing Sunnis, Shiites, and Kurds considerable autonomy and a weaker central government. Many Iraqi leaders have expressed varying degrees of support, including the powerful Shiite cleric Sustani.

Biden is the first to say it won't be easy and there are no guarantees, but it can at least give the Iraqis enough of a structure to work with and us an opportunity to leave in a responsible way.

The current situation is only a paradigm if you view unstructured chaos as a model for other countries or regions. I don't think anyone is doing that. Bush had planned on Iraq becoming a paradigm for the region, but today that's not much more than a bad joke, a 4 1/2 year old bad joke that will continue unless we truly do something different over there.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

4. I'm Glad You're My Fan

Oh, the Iraqis rejected the partition plan...

[undeterred]

6. We can leave any time.

We are acting like a battered woman who has no choice. We have to keep voting for funding because otherwise we won't eat. Well, miss a meal, damn it.

Kucinich and Feingold voted no. They are the only prominent progressives who see things clearly. They could get us out of this mess.