"Stay the Course"

[carrymeaway06]

Two strategies have been presented:
"Stay the Course" or "Cut and Run"

The first is the president's choice. Now, I know this topic will present much argument, BUT before it does, I want to hear from those who agree with the President that, yes, there were mistakes in Iraq and also that we cannot yet pull out.

So, President Bush said two things that stuck out... seriously stuck out...
"There were not enough Iraqi and American troops to secure neighborhoods that had been cleared of terrorists and insurgents. And there were too many restrictions on the troops we did have."
AND
"Our military commanders reviewed the new Iraqi plan to ensure that it addressed these mistakes. They report that it does. They also report that this plan can work,"

Comments from those who support the war first, PLEASE... than let the arguments begin!

 

[FleurDeLiz]

I don't support the war nor Bush. I'm voting Democrat next election. I have thoroughly made up my mind on that no matter who the candidate is, even if it's Hilary Clinton. I'm voting Democrat.

Sorry, you didn't get a "war" supporter first to discuss the issue in your thread.

I'm also not up to date on what Bush is doing, but a few days ago my husband said Bush may not get the okay for the new troop support. That's all I know right now.

We have people in this country of America we need to take of period and a 10 trillion dollar deficit with an aging baby boomer generation. We definately have people and issues to seriously take care of in this country period!

End of my rant!

 

[tulc]

Two strategies have been presented:
"Stay the Course" or "Cut and Run"

Actually the first is the Bush admin . mantra and the second is the Bush admin. propaganda characterization of anyone who disagrees with them.
tulc(just a thought)

 

[jad123]

Two strategies have been presented:
"Stay the Course" or "Cut and Run"

The first is the president's choice. Now, I know this topic will present much argument, BUT before it does, I want to hear from those who agree with the President that, yes, there were mistakes in Iraq and also that we cannot yet pull out.

So, President Bush said two things that stuck out... seriously stuck out...
"There were not enough Iraqi and American troops to secure neighborhoods that had been cleared of terrorists and insurgents. And there were too many restrictions on the troops we did have."
AND
"Our military commanders reviewed the new Iraqi plan to ensure that it addressed these mistakes. They report that it does. They also report that this plan can work,"

Comments from those who support the war first, PLEASE... than let the arguments begin!

Bush is not "staying the course". There has been a shift in his policy in Iraq specifically when it comes to rules of engagement. Changes should been made a year ago but we are where we are. A few coments.

1. There are 18 provinces in Iraq. Thirteen of which are under control at this point by the new Iraqi leadership without U.S. assistance.

2. Up to this point U.S. troops have had a "hands off" approach in Bagdad. By this I mean the Iraqi military was responsible and we came to assist when needed. Now we will be working side by side with Iraqi troops in Bagdad at snuffing out insurgents.

3. Up to this point we have been unable to attack in Mosques so terrorist could easily hide out there. It is my understanding that this is changing as well so there will be no safe haven in Iraq for the minority opposition.

4. We need more than 21,500 troops but it is better than none. The two primary generals who will be leading this in Bagdad (who support staying there by the way unlike some other generals you see on cnn) are very good and WILL request additional troops if they need them.

5. As for cutting and running, this plays into the society today. Quick answers, quick results. Short term enjoyment and no thought of the future. The long term effects on U.S. security would be devastating to say the least. We would no longer have any power over Iran, Korea, Syria, etc.

6. The lose of U.S. troops in Iraq is horrible. There will be more to come and I salute them and their families for the sacrafice they make so we all can sit here on our computers and yap away. it is sad to see mothers on TV crying that they agaisnt the war and do not want their kids there. Bottom line though with no punches pulled - Their kids are in the military and it IS a job that one risks their life. They did volunteer to serve in the ARMED FORCES and protect U.S. interest domestic and abroad.

 

[KarrieTex]

Bush is not "staying the course". There has been a shift in his policy in Iraq specifically when it comes to rules of engagement. Changes should been made a year ago but we are where we are. A few coments.

1. There are 18 provinces in Iraq. Thirteen of which are under control at this point by the new Iraqi leadership without U.S. assistance.

2. Up to this point U.S. troops have had a "hands off" approach in Bagdad. By this I mean the Iraqi military was responsible and we came to assist when needed. Now we will be working side by side with Iraqi troops in Bagdad at snuffing out insurgents.

3. Up to this point we have been unable to attack in Mosques so terrorist could easily hide out there. It is my understanding that this is changing as well so there will be no safe haven in Iraq for the minority opposition.

4. We need more than 21,500 troops but it is better than none. The two primary generals who will be leading this in Bagdad (who support staying there by the way unlike some other generals you see on cnn) are very good and WILL request additional troops if they need them.

5. As for cutting and running, this plays into the society today. Quick answers, quick results. Short term enjoyment and no thought of the future. The long term effects on U.S. security would be devastating to say the least. We would no longer have any power over Iran, Korea, Syria, etc.

6. The lose of U.S. troops in Iraq is horrible. There will be more to come and I salute them and their families for the sacrafice they make so we all can sit here on our computers and yap away. it is sad to see mothers on TV crying that they agaisnt the war and do not want their kids there. Bottom line though with no punches pulled - Their kids are in the military and it IS a job that one risks their life. They did volunteer to serve in the ARMED FORCES and protect U.S. interest domestic and abroad.

Very good points and I agree with them.

I think many Americans have forgotten that the Iraqi gov't has more control over thier country. Since the Iraqi gov't is in power, we do now have the right to upsurp thier authority.

As a woman who is a casualty of this war, I am behind this 100%. I don't think Rumsfeld did as well as he could have but I do not doubt that this is for a benefit.

I would like to confirm that men and women who are in the military joined and train daily to protect this country using violence. They knew it going in and they know it now.

 

[carrymeaway06]

Thanks to both of you for the show of support. The reason I wanted those who support war first is, if it were just me and this turned into a debate, I was going to ask the thread be shut down. There's too much our people sacrifice their lives for than to be bashed in an all anti-war discussion. Thanks

 

[billwald]

Closest Bush has sent his daughters to Iraq is South America.

 

[scandinavian19]

Some other elements to take into consideration about the proposed cut and run policy.

1. It may take months to pull out the amount of troops out and leave existing troops more susceptible to futher attacks.

2. It sends a wrong message to those within and surrounding regions. (Iran and North Korea)

3. It leaves the door open to the creation of Taliban regime or perhaps invites Iran that could control more of the worlds oil supply.

4. Many forget the causualities are Iraqis who voted for the first time never having the ability to choose their own destiny and are fighting for their own freedom.

5. The cost of re-deployment then if a Taliban regime or Iran scenario were to occur then what would be that cost. (monetary, and lives?)

6. It could create an all out civil war and set the country back even further inspite of who won.

 

[carrymeaway06]

Closest Bush has sent his daughters to Iraq is South America.

They didn't willingly sign up to join the army so for Bush to send them to Iraq would be wrong.

 

[Gwenyfur]

Bush is not "staying the course". There has been a shift in his policy in Iraq specifically when it comes to rules of engagement. Changes should been made a year ago but we are where we are. A few coments.

1. There are 18 provinces in Iraq. Thirteen of which are under control at this point by the new Iraqi leadership without U.S. assistance.

2. Up to this point U.S. troops have had a "hands off" approach in Bagdad. By this I mean the Iraqi military was responsible and we came to assist when needed. Now we will be working side by side with Iraqi troops in Bagdad at snuffing out insurgents.

3. Up to this point we have been unable to attack in Mosques so terrorist could easily hide out there. It is my understanding that this is changing as well so there will be no safe haven in Iraq for the minority opposition.

4. We need more than 21,500 troops but it is better than none. The two primary generals who will be leading this in Bagdad (who support staying there by the way unlike some other generals you see on cnn) are very good and WILL request additional troops if they need them.

5. As for cutting and running, this plays into the society today. Quick answers, quick results. Short term enjoyment and no thought of the future. The long term effects on U.S. security would be devastating to say the least. We would no longer have any power over Iran, Korea, Syria, etc.

6. The lose of U.S. troops in Iraq is horrible. There will be more to come and I salute them and their families for the sacrafice they make so we all can sit here on our computers and yap away. it is sad to see mothers on TV crying that they agaisnt the war and do not want their kids there. Bottom line though with no punches pulled - Their kids are in the military and it IS a job that one risks their life. They did volunteer to serve in the ARMED FORCES and protect U.S. interest domestic and abroad.

Our military IS volunteer. We know the risks when we signed our enlistment papers and took our oaths. We knew while we were in boot, the DI's didn't let us forget. In fact they trained us to survive, to fight as a team, and to protect each other and the people we were being sent to defend. They also taught us to stand tall, and not take any crap for being what we were....Marines.

While the losses in Iraq and Afghanistan are tragic, let's put this into perspective. At Iwo Jima we lost 26,000+ men in 45 days!...In Iraq/Afghanistan combined we're still under 6000!

All those troops want to hear is the american people saying "we support you" and mean it with more than a magnetic ribbon, or bumpersticker...but with letters, cards, pogey bait, silly string (it's really saving lives!) and care packages.

While you're in the muck, you don't really care about the politics of the situation...you care about hearing that someone back home cares about you...is thinking about you and praying for you. Doesn't matter what your faith...the old axiom is true...there are no athiests in foxholes

So next time you feel like ranting about the politics of the war while saying I support the troops or We need our boys home! Maybe instead pick up a pen and put it to paper, lick a stamp and mail one of those troops you "support" a Thank You card and pray for 'em!

 

[BereanTodd]

There have been a great many mistakes made in Iraq, and whether we should have ever gone in at all is in question. Although I've never voted anything but Republican I have serious issues with Bush and with much that the Republicans are doing/have done.

That said, if we look at the place where we find ourselves right now we can't just cut and run that would be the WORST thing we could do. Iraq would become a bloody civil war, the terrorists would hail it as victory, it would only embolden our enemies and those who wish to kill us all.

Personally I think the best corse of action is to drop this sham of a unified Iraq, and portion it into 3 nations - Sunni, Shi'a and Kurd.

 

[KarrieTex]

Closest Bush has sent his daughters to Iraq is South America.

You forget his daughters are adults and can decide for themselves if they want to do this or not. It is not his right as a parent to tell his adult daughters what to do.

Also, do you know what they are doing? Are you with them everyday to see if they aren't supporting our soldiers through other means?

Very narrowminded of you

 

[KarrieTex]

Our military IS volunteer. We know the risks when we signed our enlistment papers and took our oaths. We knew while we were in boot, the DI's didn't let us forget. In fact they trained us to survive, to fight as a team, and to protect each other and the people we were being sent to defend. They also taught us to stand tall, and not take any crap for being what we were....Marines.

While the losses in Iraq and Afghanistan are tragic, let's put this into perspective. At Iwo Jima we lost 26,000+ men in 45 days!...In Iraq/Afghanistan combined we're still under 6000!

All those troops want to hear is the american people saying "we support you" and mean it with more than a magnetic ribbon, or bumpersticker...but with letters, cards, pogey bait, silly string (it's really saving lives!) and care packages.

While you're in the muck, you don't really care about the politics of the situation...you care about hearing that someone back home cares about you...is thinking about you and praying for you. Doesn't matter what your faith...the old axiom is true...there are no athiests in foxholes

So next time you feel like ranting about the politics of the war while saying I support the troops or We need our boys home! Maybe instead pick up a pen and put it to paper, lick a stamp and mail one of those troops you "support" a Thank You card and pray for 'em!

You go girl!!!!

 

[angelwind]

Our military IS volunteer. We know the risks when we signed our enlistment papers and took our oaths. We knew while we were in boot, the DI's didn't let us forget. In fact they trained us to survive, to fight as a team, and to protect each other and the people we were being sent to defend. They also taught us to stand tall, and not take any crap for being what we were....Marines.

While the losses in Iraq and Afghanistan are tragic, let's put this into perspective. At Iwo Jima we lost 26,000+ men in 45 days!...In Iraq/Afghanistan combined we're still under 6000!

All those troops want to hear is the american people saying "we support you" and mean it with more than a magnetic ribbon, or bumpersticker...but with letters, cards, pogey bait, silly string (it's really saving lives!) and care packages.

While you're in the muck, you don't really care about the politics of the situation...you care about hearing that someone back home cares about you...is thinking about you and praying for you. Doesn't matter what your faith...the old axiom is true...there are no athiests in foxholes

So next time you feel like ranting about the politics of the war while saying I support the troops or We need our boys home! Maybe instead pick up a pen and put it to paper, lick a stamp and mail one of those troops you "support" a Thank You card and pray for 'em!

I needed to hear this, thank you.

 

[Gwenyfur]

Anytime Angelwind

Shalom