I agree with CDOR and Dataweaver--McCain is a National Hero! I may not always agree with him or want him for my candidate, but I respect him for his service to this country and hold him in high regard!
Our objective in Iraq (a stable, democratic nation of no threat to its neighbors and no base for terrorists) was nobly conceived and earnestly pursued. To succeed was to create a template for restive populations in the region and to aim a democratic sword at the heart of mullah tyranny in Iran. Even at daunting odds, the gamble was worthy and worthwhile. If democracies won’t take big chances for democracy, who will? It was clear from the beginning that the war would unfold in two parts—ousting Saddam with shock and awe, and helping the Iraqis construct a new system. We are great at shock and awe and promptly demostrated it. We could assist in achieving the second part, but success depended upon the Iraqis. It was not at all certain how they would respond. We now know, and the knowledge has set us on the brink of a painful exit. The Iraqis have chosen their history of sectarian strife over a dramatic departure from that bloody history. Our words and actions suggested that we Americans would do the hard and bloody work of building and defending their democracy. For as long as we are willing to spend the blood and treasure, they will let us. Our involvement was premised on plausible American interests—democracy in the region could change the environment completely and stifle the terrorism that stems from militant Islam. We gave them five years and a real chance. It proved to be a bridge too far. John McCain’s admirable tenacity won’t change that. Assigning blame will go on for years. I personally think that the tipping point came when the media sensed that the administration wouldn’t or couldn’t do anything about the reckless, even treasonous, support they offered the enemy.
I don’t know if “nobly conceived” is quite accurate - I would call it “myopicly conceived”. And you’re right that the “gamble” was an extremely long shot, at the very best. I’m not a betting man, but if I were, I wouldn’t have made that bet.
It would be just grrreat to have a free and democratic Iraq, but it ain’t going to happen at the barrel of a gun. Thinking that we can force our values and our way of life on people who don’t want it, is the fallacy that this whole sorry mess has been built on.
"It would be just grrreat to have a free and democratic Iraq, but it ain’t going to happen at the barrel of a gun. Thinking that we can force our values and our way of life on people who don’t want it, is the fallacy that this whole sorry mess has been built on. “
Well said. Further, I am sick and tired of hearing about the war on crime and the war on drugs. For years now, our police forces have spent huge sums of money and many have lost their lives trying to bring law and order to minority ghettos where its obvious the inhabitants are content to be run by drug gangs, who continually kill and steal from each other and the populace.
Ghetto residents obviously don’t share our cultural values, are not inclined to defend themselves, and have no desire to live in a safe and secure environment. No amount of police effort will change this. They are incapable of participating in lawful society. They are unsalvageable.
Let’s build a barrier around all the urban ghettos, pull our law enforcement forces out, and let them kill each other and themselves with drugs. Enough is enough!
This is why it was such a CATASTROPHIC ERROR to invade and occupy Iraq in the first place. Despite our quick military victories, it was a lost cause from the beginning. It only stirred up a hornet’s nest and it has resulted in a no-win situation where there is no good way out. Many people saw this coming and spoke out about it, but the Bush administration in all of its arrogance paid no attention. Now our entire country, along with Iraq, is paying the price. And as McCain notes, it could get much worse.
We could not afford to allow Saddam or his successors remain a threat to our interests in the region any more than we can allow the ayatollahs or their successors be a threat to our interests in the region.
I am very interested in seeing YOUR plan to resolve the problems in the Middle East. If you do not have one, you should either support our current effort, or buy a turban and move to Iran.
In remarks clearly aimed at his critics, the President said, “When we start drawing down our forces in Iraq, it will (be) because our military commanders say the conditions on the ground are right, not because pollsters say it’ll be good politics.”
He relied on his military commanders and advisers when we went to war in Irag, he deferred to them in decisions about the number of troops in each stage of the war, and he is relying on them now. The President is consistent and HE IS RIGHT. Congress does not have any right to determine what clearly is not under their purview. Besides, with that many incompetents in the senate and house, they ought to be embarrassed showing the very limited range of vision they have!
I would buy “Architecting failure is ‘noble’ and recognizing failure and calling it by its name is ‘treasonous’. There are truly no conservatives left in the GOP at all.” IF it were not for the fact that, if we do fail, it will be because you leftists brought the failure about.
It would be just grrreat to have a free and democratic Iraq, but it ain’t going to happen at the barrel of a gun.
Democracy can be destroyed at the barrel of a gun too—typically an AK-47. Your analysis mistakes our guys for the group that is attempting to “force its values” on others. In other words, you’re mistaking our guys for the enemy.
This is why it was such a CATASTROPHIC ERROR to invade and occupy Iraq in the first place.
This war was and is the right thing to do, the only wrong thing about it has been the lack of follow through on an American promise. “We will hunt you down,”
Three places American rockets should be but are not… Syria, Iran, and Pakistan. We don’t have to send troops or take over capitals, just rockets on the borders. And the President’s domino plan will work.
And you’ll be freed to concentrate on Global Warming, or financing U.N. Blackmarket and Rape squads in DARFUR.
