Gen. Petraeus
Can we all agree on those few things? Then we should also acknowledge that there may not come a time when that government is able to take charge as we would envision and staying there to further the legacy of this administration, at the expense of our forces, individually and overall, may very well prove to hold unending costs despite the valor and bravery exhibited by American and other forces.
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I really don't know what to make tof the Petraeus Report.
I would like to believe that the general is telling the complete, unvarnished truth, but as an Air Force retiree, I know that there are tremendous pressures on senior officers to paint a rosy picture of the war.
From what I can see -- out of 18 goals that Bush set forth before the surge, we have achieved one.
That might qualify as "working" in Bush's book -- but in my schoolhouse, one out of 18 is a failing grade no matter how you look at it.
How does one "win" a war against unidentified, undefined terrorists, insurgents and sectarian extremists? Is it even possible?
I don't know, but I sure hope it is.
What a horrible mess we're in.
Posted by Air Force Guy on September 17, 2007 04:06 PMWhat kind of mess would we be in if we retreat and give up? Have you ever thought of that?
Posted by on September 17, 2007 07:54 PM
Mike Clow thinks we should all acknowledge a lie.
"...we should all acknowledge that our presence there, while greatly humanitarian in nature, is also viewed by many as an occupation and that is used by some to stir up support for the insurgency."
A solid majority of Iraqis want us out. That is more than many or some. That is most.
Humanitarian presence? Are you even remotely aware of what's going on in Iraq?
Posted by Charles B on September 17, 2007 11:15 PMCharles B:
"A solid majority of Iraqis want us out. That is more than many or some. That is most."
That poll CB was a very small sampling of a very large country. In addition, the only answers allowed where yes or no.
Here's what the Iraqis really say when given a chance to speak about their feelings of our presence over there and reflect on the consequences of a total withdrawal.
A city worker in Baquba, the capital of Diyala Province, described his ambivalence in strong terms:
"The withdrawal of the occupation forces is a must because they have caused the destruction of Iraq, they committed massacres against the innocents, they have double-crossed the Iraqis with dreams," said Ahmad Umar al-Esawi, a Sunni worker. "I want them to withdraw all their troops in one day."
But, he added, dropping his voice: "There is something that I want to say although I hate to say it. The Americans forces, which are an ugly occupation force, have become something important to us, the Sunnis. We are a minority and we do not having a force to face the militias. If the Americans leave, it will mean a total elimination of the Sunnis in Iraq.
"I know I said I want them to leave, but if we think about it, then I have to say I want them to stay for a while until we end all the suspicions we have of each other and have a strong national government."
At first, he sounds like he could be from MoveOn.org. But then he changes his tune because, unlike the Bushhaters, he actually cares what happens to the people of Iraq.