Great points...KEN-JENNINGS wrote:
Eh, we left Somalia, and although Billary was blamed at the time, no one really scolds the US about leaving that place. Somalia and Iraq have huge similarities, why should we play the part of the Iraq peacekeepers if a lot of people there don't want us there?Kmarion wrote:
I think we would all love to withdrawal. I'm afraid of what will happen with a void of military presence though. It may seem bad now but I foresee a humanitarian disaster when the troops are gone. So you see you get damned either way. We will be blamed for staying and for leaving. The Iraqi's need to take over, they are not prepared for this. The US/UK are holding their hands for as long as they can. Secretary of State Rice has recently told the Prime Minister of Iraq the the US support is not indefinite as well.Vilham wrote:
About damn time we started to withdraw. The military needs a budget cut and more should be invested in our navies and air force.
And "borrowed time" is a threat. "US support is not indefinite" is merely a bad euphemism for that.
QFTKEN-JENNINGS wrote:
They are different as far as the development of the two nations.
They are extremely similar in the traditional tribal aspects of the countries. One of the reasons we could get nowhere in Somalia is citizen distrust with the occupying force, much like Iraq. Add in the fact there are/were multiple factions vying for power, and you have a very similar political/social climate.
And yeah, being on the Horn of Africa at pretty much the closest point to the world's energy supply definitely equates to zero economic interest.
edit: And as far as recouping the monies dumped into Iraq, we must not forget that US corporations are receiving the monies we "dumped" into Iraq, but they don't pay much (if any) Corporate Tax. We may see some if you subscribe to "trickle down" economics in the form of CEOs buying jets and other luxury goods.
As far as the 600+ tons of cold hard cash we straight pallet dropped into Iraq, yeah, we probably won't see that anytime soon. Same as happened in Afghanistan. You would think we would learn from our mistakes.
I'm sorry USMarine, but he really got you on this one.KEN-JENNINGS wrote:
Yes, USMarine, I work for a paycheck. Please tell me you joined the USMC for a paycheck, too. I know my brother and Dad didn't.
Nevertheless, I'm not as worried about the ideological interests of the Iraqis as I am in the lack of unity among Iraqis in general. Because the Sunnis and Shia hate each other, there can be no hope for a functioning democracy in Iraq.
This is why it's a lost cause. Democracy or even a relatively free society is not possible among intense ethnic conflict. Ethnic hate can take centuries to subside, so unless we're prepared to stay in Iraq for at least a few decades, anything we do there now is just futile.
How did he "get" me? He said police also. Some people would rather work a "non-normal" job. I highly doubt people would do the military or police for free.........especially in Iraq.Turquoise wrote:
I'm sorry USMarine, but he really got you on this one.KEN-JENNINGS wrote:
Yes, USMarine, I work for a paycheck. Please tell me you joined the USMC for a paycheck, too. I know my brother and Dad didn't.
Does the second sentence make any sense?Vilham wrote:
About damn time we started to withdraw. The military needs a budget cut and more should be invested in our navies and air force.