[BABRAM]

But I actually do agree that we just can't pull out. I do think we need to have the Iraqi government take over the secuirty of their country. I don't think we need to have our troops sacrificing themselves for the security of a foreign country. One that is ambivalent, at best, at our continued presence.

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

[tomder55]

Please read this link if you haven't yet (I have linked it twice I believe). Much of what is being discussed about things needing to get done is already well on it's way to getting done.

Essays: 'Mission accomplished' by Bartle Bull | Prospect Magazine October 2007 issue 139

Also note that the press is having difficulty avoiding the obvious

Iraq Sees Dramatically Low Death Toll



As for the US leaving or remaining ? I think we will make defense treaty arrangements with Iraq to have deployment there ,at a much reduced level, well into the future . The focus has evolved from Iraq to regional stability . Iran has ambitions in the country that Iraq could not possibly counter at this time . It is not in our interest to have Iran dominate the region because of the continued reliance on Persian Gulf crude . Since we have made little attempt to free ourselves of dependence on foreign sources the alternative is to remain engaged or to learn to live as a lesser power .

[Curlyben]

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