Why, oh why, are we still in Iraq?

ptmusic · #1 06-22-2005, 01:34 AM

Set aside the debate as to whether or not we had a valid reason to go to war in Iraq in the first place.

Set aside the debate as to whether what we've actually accomplished there is worthy of having gone to war in Iraq in the first place.

I'd like to hear valid reasons for STAYING there now.

Are we going to create permanent stability and democracy throughout the region?

Are we going to improve our relationships around the world by staying longer?

Are we going to save lives (American and non-American) by staying there longer?

Are we going to win the war on terror?

Are we going to keep the terrorists off our soil?

Assuming that someday we will eventually leave Iraq, will we look back and be glad we pulled out then as opposed to now? What will make some future day better than today to leave? And after that future day, will terrorists stay off our soil? How will we be better off than if we left today?

I'm sure those of you who believe we should stay there longer know my answers to these questions. But perhaps you have different answers. Or perhaps I'm not even asking the right questions.

Why are we still in Iraq?

-ptmusic

BCPVP · #2 06-22-2005, 01:50 AM

The Iraqis are not yet ready to take care of themselves.

ptmusic · #3 06-22-2005, 01:56 AM

[ QUOTE ]
The Iraqis are not yet ready to take care of themselves.

[/ QUOTE ]

From an ethnocentric point of view.... so what? What does that have to do with us?

From a more compassionate point of view.... are you really convinced that they ever will be "ready"? How will we know? And more importantly, are you convinced that our staying there will insure their readiness?

-ptmusic

ACPlayer · #4 06-22-2005, 02:10 AM

There is no good reason to remain in Iraq.

The main reason we are still there is because there are elements in the administration that want American boots in Iraq for the next fifty years and know that if they withdraw now they will never be able to go back in.

The motivation to keep the troops there for the next fifty years is to establish a toehold in the middle east. The reason for the middle east is oil, the fuel that our economy and military need to keep going.

Basically, we are there as looters.

BCPVP · #5 06-22-2005, 03:34 AM

[ QUOTE ]
From an ethnocentric point of view.... so what? What does that have to do with us?

[/ QUOTE ]
Well, wouldn't it be a waste of blood and treasure if we pull out before the Iraqis can handle themselves?

[ QUOTE ]
From a more compassionate point of view.... are you really convinced that they ever will be "ready"? How will we know? And more importantly, are you convinced that our staying there will insure their readiness?

[/ QUOTE ]
1) Yes, there will be a point when they're "ready".
2) IMO, it would be when the Iraqis are able to repel several major terrorist attacks by themselves. I'm sure the military/political have a certain goal in mind, tho.
3) Not sure what you meant by your third question. Presently, I don't think the Iraqi military is quite ready to handle what will be thrown at it when the U.S. leaves, so a military presence is still needed. Hope that answers your questions.

lehighguy · #6 06-22-2005, 03:35 AM

Can the Japanese form a functioning democracy?
If so, do they want to?
Will they ever be ready to take control?
Why is it our concern how they order ourselves with the war over?

Questions from 1945

Myrtle · #7 06-22-2005, 06:48 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Can the Japanese form a functioning democracy?
If so, do they want to?
Will they ever be ready to take control?
Why is it our concern how they order ourselves with the war over?

Questions from 1945

[/ QUOTE ]

...interesting point.

How long did the U.S. maintain a military presence in Japan after WWII?

What was the nature of that presence?

When did the transition from occupying military force to supportive ally occur?

The once and future king · #8 06-22-2005, 06:55 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Can the Japanese form a functioning democracy?
If so, do they want to?
Will they ever be ready to take control?
Why is it our concern how they order ourselves with the war over?

Questions from 1945

[/ QUOTE ]

Utterly facile comparision. The differnaces between Japan 1945 and Iraq 2005 are to great and massive to even bother listing.

Myrtle · #9 06-22-2005, 07:00 AM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Can the Japanese form a functioning democracy?
If so, do they want to?
Will they ever be ready to take control?
Why is it our concern how they order ourselves with the war over?

Questions from 1945

[/ QUOTE ]

Utterly facile comparision. The differnaces between Japan 1945 and Iraq 2005 are to great and massive to even bother listing.

[/ QUOTE ]

....Please expound further on your opinion.

trippin bily · #10 06-22-2005, 07:15 AM

[ QUOTE ]
There is no good reason to remain in Iraq.

The main reason we are still there is because there are elements in the administration that want American boots in Iraq for the next fifty years and know that if they withdraw now they will never be able to go back in.

The motivation to keep the troops there for the next fifty years is to establish a toehold in the middle east. The reason for the middle east is oil, the fuel that our economy and military need to keep going.

Basically, we are there as looters.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm with you up to the looters point. We could take oil if we wanted. It seems we would rather it be sold to us.
As for Iraq... I am as big a supporter of Bush as there is.
I want us out of Iarq now but that is not practicle.
We have a responsibility to create stability in a place we made unstable.
Terrorists are blowing up Iraqis by the dozens every day.
We can't abandon them now.
Its a tough one.