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The Ticking Iraqi Clock
As an Iraq veteran it's very hard for me to grip the strong possibility that the troop surge in Iraq was all for naught. So recently I have been focusing on the successes of the surge in Iraq without political or ideological blinders. I recently wrote a piece to touch on a different angle than my usual argument that the war is unjustified and illegal in the eyes of millions of Americans and the world community. However, this was all based on a hypothetical scenario that we actually had a compelling reason to invade and occupy Iraq in the first place.
This underscores the genesis of this disaster when we forgot about Osama bin Laden and refocused the war on terror to Saddam Hussein who didn't have WMDs, did not want war with us, and posed no threat to the United States. So while recognizing the success that the surge had from tactical military standpoint, I remain strongly opposed to the war.
I will never dismiss the falsehoods of why we went to Iraq as a moot point. Too many people have suffered and died for the sane and rational to have the cavalier opinion of "to hell with it, forget why we are there, we just need to win."
I'll leave that to the people who will forever buy the Bush mantra hook, line, and sinker. They can't be reached and luckily they are in the lowest of the minority. Their main argument: we have to fight them there so we don't have to fight them here. Really? Or is that just a way to legitimize sending another soldier or Marine back to Iraq for his fourth or fifth deployment? As if the Iraqi insurgents could possibly come "over here" in the masses to invade America -- give me a break. We are fighting the Iraqis "over there" because we are in Iraq -- plain and simple.
It's crucial for us all to understand the Iraqi insurgency has been disguised by the Bush Administration as AQI -- Al Qaeda in Iraq . Catchy name isn't it -- and oh what a convenient excuse to keep the war going. Let's justify the last 5+ years of death and destruction by lumping the violent reaction of the Iraqi people to an occupation of their land into the same category as those who orchestrated and carried out 9/11.
This very same crowd living in a "fools paradise" continuously attempt to latch onto some illusion that this tragic episode in American/Iraqi history was a colossal failure that falls on the back of U.S. intelligence agencies. Come on, Bush was going in regardless of what the CIA told him.
Now the latest propaganda being formulated by those in a perpetual state of denial is that the Bush Administration initiated this war and occupation as philanthropists for the Iraqi people. Explain that philanthropy to the 4.5 million Iraqi refugees, the families of the uncountable number of dead Iraqi civilians, and the U.S. troops who had to bear witness to it and died in the process.
The same Iraqi government elected by its people who President Bush proclaims such compassion for are asking us to set a timeline to leave. Why is the blatantly obvious impossible for the average warmonger to grasp? The reality is that their numbskulls deny them the humility to admit it.
I'm well aware that this sounds irresponsible. But if the Iraqis want to do it "John Wayne" style from here on out -- why should we interfere? After all, according to the Iraqi government they are just so close to standing up so we can stand down. Sound familiar?
We have tried so many military strategies in Iraq in an effort to clean up President Bush's mess. The only road we haven't explored is the road home. Just something to think about.
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When conservatives said "We have to fight them there so we don't have to fight them here," I always wondered how they would get here. Perhaps they would have flown in first-class on United enjoying a movie and a glass of wine. In that case, we could have arrested them at the airport.
Bush was determined to go into Iraq. The intelligence was ginned. Republicans buried the Congressional committee that was supposed to investigate how the intelligence was ginned. Now they make light of it. Conservatives even equivocate when Maliki proposed an 18th month timetable for U.S. troops similar to Obama's. Bush and company really think in their hearts that the Iraqis are primitives who can not run their own country. And as Mr. Bruhns rightfully points out, constantly identifying Al Qaeda in Iraqi as the group we were fighting was simply another ruse bought into by the press hook, line, and sinker.
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realpolitic,
Amen to all you have written in your comment. I appreciate you taking the time to read and reply with your thoughts.
V/R
John
Thank you for a very interesting article, your thoughtful reply, and your service to our country. I look forward to reading more from you in the future. Keep up the fight. Our troops deserve better than the Bush administration.
Just to let you know...I read your post very slowly and very carefully - and, then I read it again! - so as not to repeat the same mistake I made last time! As per usual, I am in near total agreement with all of your sentiments. I just wish that the road home could be explored by someone who intimately understands how that course should be charted. And, I'm still hopeful that is possible as I very impatiently await Senator Obama's VP (with Special Portfolio on Iraq) choice which should, with any luck and mercy at all, be announced very shortly.
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LizM,
I agree -- it will be announced very shortly. On Hardall last evening they have Joe Biden as the #1 pick for Obama, but who knows, if he isn't the VP pick, I'm sure he will be Secretary of State. Always good to hear your comments. Thank you.
V/R
John
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samp426,
PT Barnum allegedly stated, there's a sucker born every minute. That is probably true. Thanks for the comment -- very much.
V/R
John
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samp426,
PT Barnum allegedly stated, there's a sucker born every minute. That is probably true. Thanks for your comment -- very much.
V/R
John
John, all that I can say here is that "Ike was Right."
Since "Ike" was a five(!)-star General of the Army even before he became President and therefore Commander-in-Chief, I think that we can say that he was "a subject-matter expert."
When "Ike" created the term "military industrial complex," he warned us that this juggernaut could, and would, obliterate every other social priority in its path. It would consume everything, in the name of national security, and yet leave us terribly vulnerable as a nation. So it has.
Many of us remember "Ike." We were kids, he was not, but we heard him speak on our black-and-white televisions. This was the man who had, in a real sense, won the war in Europe and who had won the respect of both enemies and allies in doing so. But we did not listen to him then, and we do not listen to him now.
Maybe, John, it's high-time that we did. In the space of a generation ... ours ... we have lost a precious thing and paid a terrible price. We are told that saving our nation is "off the table." Why do we just roll over and pretend that our country is already dead when people say things like that? Whatever happened to, "forbid it, almighty God!" ?
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Sundialsvc4,
When you say "We are told that saving our nation is "off the table." I'm assuming you mean what Speaker Pelosi said about impeachment, then you followed up with "Why do we just roll over and pretend that our country is already dead when people say things like that?" I think that is exactly why we have to keep speaking up and having our voices heard. Your comment is very thoughtful and insightful. Thank you for reading and replying.
V/R
John
Put very succinctly. It stupefies me when I engage a loyalist in the discussion, and how indignantly they react. "Why do you hate America"? "What about the sacrifices all of our heroes have made to date"? "We won't surrender until we win". "Why aren't you supporting the troops"?
I served in the early seventies and not one of them has. The answer's always the same when I ask: why would you ask such stupid questions? When I get that glazed look, I just stop. It's like I'm in The Stepford Wives.
The basic point is always glossed over: we shouldn't be there. Never should have been. No justification exists for our going in: how can one be feasible for staying? Oh, you break it, you bought it? As if our soldiers were dishes, or glassware. Uh, no thanks. Not at the expense of my son.
Two more died today. When is enough going to be enough?
This war was started by a dubious cabal, and now that the ink is dry, we aren't reacting in disgust to the oil and defense industries apparent victory?
As PT Barnum allegedly stated, there's a sucker born every minute. The GOP and their corporate sponsors has a lock on 'em.
There is never a good reason to start a war. Why we are perpetuating this one is beyond my capacity to reason.
We "broke" Iraq so now we "own" it. We also broke Afghanistan so now we have a right of way for pipelines. Sounds like eminent domain. You just "break it" first, then "buy" it at your own price.
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outnow,
Noted, and point taken. I know these are not your views, however, they certainly reflect that of the Bush Administration.
V/R
John
You deserve honor for your sacrifice. You are one of the lucky ones.
And... you served under Commanders who took the dirty-job seriously. Whether or not that extended to the Commanders-in-Chief or not, at that time, is a political question. But as Grant put it, "Generals don't start wars; politicians do."
How, then, do we find ourselves mired in the very thing that General of the Army Dwight D. Eisenhower took such pains to repeatedly warn us about? Why do we find the mighty nation for whom so many "gave their last full measure of devotion" to, besmirched in the mud? Why did some of those people "give their last full measure" in a mis-wired shower stall, and no one's accusing anyone else of murder?
Your life wasn't treated with contempt. But those of your Brothers ... and SISTERS ... in Arms, are. The duty of an officer to his subordinates was treated with contempt. That's High Treason. Such damnable treatment of "your last full measure," whether you were forced to give it or not, is truly a crime against everything that you and every other soldier, airman, sailor or marine has ever stood for in more than 230 years. It's a crime against every name inscribed on every granite wall. And it must not go unpunished.
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samp426,
PT Barnum allegedly stated, there's a sucker born every minute. That is probably true. Thanks for the comment -- very much.
V/R
John
John,
"The only road we haven't explored is the road home."
Absolutely one of the most poetic, insightful, and truthful, lines you've ever written.
Unfortunately, the road home is blocked by two formidable foes: The Financial Industry that has underwritten Bush's war and the astounding debt he continues to amass which allows them to continue to reap profits from death.
And the Military-Industrial Complex, that makes and sells the weapons of death in the lie of fostering Democracy and Freedom while enriching themselves in an illegal and immoral occupation of a sovereign country.
I believe it will take more than just a new President to defeat these two enemies that we have been warned about over and over since Jefferson and Lincoln's times.
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Rule Of Law,
I agree with your analysis :
"Unfortunately, the road home is blocked by two formidable foes: The Financial Industry that has underwritten Bush's war and the astounding debt he continues to amass which allows them to continue to reap profits from death."
I definitely think that is part of it. Thanks very much for your encouraging comment.
V/R
John
Not to mention the ethnically cleansed neighborhoods in Bagdhad nor the protection racket of the Sunnis on our side paid for by the American taxpayer; never mind the incredible tax burden that this ongoing debacle will put firmly on the shoulders of our grandchildren; never mind irreparable damage done to our troop readiness and desire to become part of American military; never mind the damage done to our National Guard for whom we count in times of domestic catastrophe. Never mind the war crimes committed in our names.
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CitizenE,
So very true. I have written on these very issues time and time again. It is good to hear your take on it all. Your comment reflects the opinions of so many. Please keep them coming.
V/R
John
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