Quote:
Originally Posted by ScottGem
Scott,
As Americans, if we agree or not with the war, or how we went about the removal of the former Iraqi government, I think your are reasonably correct in that we must show resolve to follow through, not abandon based on our original actions. I'll address why there is more to this equation for success than a US presence (something you hit upon), but let me again mention that Sgt. Jeffers, no doubt and with much respect, did what was asked of him during his duty.
The one timetable that I think should be considered is ceding military and government control to Iraqis. Not right away, of course, but we need to have a marker. In fact, Iraqis themselves should desire that goal, as I believe many actually do. As I've said before, we are not making Iraq a part of the US anytime soon. We do, however, consider the application of this war not only for the removal of a dictator and regime, but as an offensive to those that would be a threat to our freedoms. People like Hussein that randomly shot missiles into Israeli civilian neighborhoods. People in the Gaza that jumped up and down and applauded when OBL took his best shot at us on 9/11. And let me conclude that it's obvious that Iraqis do want some form of Independence. The question remains are they willing to get past external negative influences of western hatred bred by radical Islam, to take this responsibility upon themselves now that we afforded them the opportunity.
Bobby
