Can Anyone Clarify?

[Downthestretch55]

The Iraq situation continues to confuse me.
I know that many wish for "victory", whatever that might be.
"Reconstruction and reconciliation" seem to be good objectives, but I remain sceptical that will happen while the US remains present.
So, in light of Gen. Petraeus's statements, I only ask for someone to clarify.
What are we doing in Iraq? Define the "mission".
Will the "mission" ever be accomplished?
At what expense?

Please read, then comment.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sto...49-663,00.html

Thank you in advance for your insight.

[Downthestretch55]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

DTS, no the mission will never be accomplished because there is no plan. Nobody really knows what we are doing there anymore or to begin with. The expense will be and always has been lives of brave soldiers. Hasn't this been discussed about 1,000,000 times already here and everywhere else?

Thanks DaHoss,
Yes, it's been discussed about 1,000,000 time.
Unfortunately, it remains unresolved, therefore my request for clarity.
I don't see the need for "sacrificing" additional brave soldiers lives for this cause, but I was hoping that if someone that I've previously discussed this with (going back to the espn days) could clarify, justify...especially in regards to Gen. Petraeus's statements, I'd be much appreciative.

[ELA]

I have always -- with maybe one or two exceptions -- stayed out of political, religious, and similar discussions when on a BB.

However, I do want to say something about this. I never had the honor to serve our nation in the military -- and yes, I think of it as an honor. I am not going to give me opinion on Iraq, terrorism, the war, success, failure, or whether or not the US can "accomplish" it's "mission" or attain anything for that matter.

Be that as it may -- there is an incredible amount more to "it", than a simple, myopic, one dimensional snapshot view of going to Iraq. This is not about Iraq. It's about so very much more. "IT" can be a very complex thing.

Let us all remember, terrorism may have no borders. Often it may not have a face.

Perhaps, just perhaps -- if we, as a country -- the United States of America -- don't "go over there" and deal with whatever it is . . . if we don't deal with it over there . . . then we might have to deal with it over here!

In closing -- I want to personally say "thank you so very much" to the military personnel around the world. I recently saw this commercial and thought that it meant something.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osTrMe76kes

Thank you.

Eric

[Downthestretch55]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

I agree about no need for additional "sacrificing" and I think probably 90% of the population would agree. Do you really think you're going to get a justification from anyone? Come on, you're right and you know it.

DaHoss,
You might not believe this but I really don't want to be "right" about this.
I only posed this because I really want to understand what our leaders are thinking.
Our brave military have done an admirable job. Their sacrifice is obvious, as is their care on their return to this country despite the wounds they and their families have endured. I applaud their efforts.
I'm not seeking a "right" or "wrong" here. I only seek clarity.
Perhaps I'm not the only American that demands it.

[Downthestretch55]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

And you're going to get clarity on the Derby Trail Forum? I agree about what an admirable job our military has done. I know many people currently over there, including very good friends of mine. I also know of at least two people that I graduated high school with who have died in Iraq leaving behind wives and very young children.
It's a mess. Of course we as Americans want to know what is going on and what the plans are for the rest of whatever we are doing over there. Nobody seems to know. My point is, EVERYONE here knows your stance. And no one likes the fact that our youth is losing their lives daily. It's seems like rhetoric to me these and a majority of your threads. Disguised with a "aww shucks" I just want someone to clarify it for me. Your mind is made up and you know there are no answers. Isn't that enough?

DaHoss,
Good questions.
First, let me express sympathy for the loss of your friends and to their families.
Second, I do see the Derby Trail as a microcism of America. There are many divergent views shared here, as there should be. It's what this great country is about..."freedom of speech" and more. I'm certain that we all love this great country.
My stance...yes, I wish for peace. I see nothing wrong with that.
Third, I do seek answers. There is nothing wrong with that either.
Now I'll back off and wait for answers...not "bashing" for asking.
If that's what you're saying I'm doing..."AWWWWW SHUCKSSSS!!!!

[hoovesupsideyourhead]

i say this..paper the place with flyers ..stating that in 2 days the u.s is going too open a can of whoop ass... town by town..operation rolling thunder 3.,.turn it into a parking lot..then re build it with no bad guys and pull out all the wile sealing the borders to iran and syria......our guys come home thats it

vote hooves in 08

[Downthestretch55]

That Walmart is gonna have one heckava parking lot.
Where's Brownie now that we really need him?

If we all want to be right let us remember why we were there in the first place. Its not like we just appeared overnight for no reason.

WMD's

There were none. So one might ask, why did we not just pick up and leave because we were not ready to occupy the country? This is a legitimate question. WE ruined a country's infra structure and totally disrupted its institutions, as horrible as they were under Saddam. WE thought the Iraqis would somehow self assemble. WE were unable to pick up and leave after making a horrible mess of everything. So WE stayed and attempted to create a government of our liking, one that would have some sort of rule of law, a country with some sort of respect for the individual yet fair to all. This became a very difficult problem as we vastly underestimated a devastated country's ability to unite.

So I will ask again since we have been over this a number of times: What is so difficult to understand? The problems that we face today in Iraq, or the future, or in the past?

The plan is now to try and create some sort of stability and then get the hell out. We have set the government of Iraq up for a very difficult mission (to stop their people from killing each other... please, lets not confuse what the vast majority of the killings are about, they are sectarian in nature).

So what is difficult to understand or get right? WE have not got this right and will not get this right (there is never a perfect solution). We hope to get out with as few deaths as possible and leave some sort of stability for the Iraqis to build on.

I believe the above is a good summary of this debacle. The debate now is about the timing of the withdrawl.