http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/Mike/6913 What do we have to show for a five year occupation of Iraq? Why are we even there,since our own pentagon just debunked the Iraq-Al Qaeda connection? We have lost nearly 4000 American lives. Our military readiness is at an all-time low, with the sacrifice of our troops,some making their third or fourth tour. We are pouring in $12 billion a month into Iraq just to try to curb the violence and instability, that has jumped the price of oil to all-time highs. We have the world’s largest embassy, built by a corrupt company from Kuwait..at a cost of $600 million. We have KBR getting a no-bid contract; then moving their corporate headquarters to the Cayman Islands to avoid paying employee payroll taxes, and corporate taxes. What’s the solution?  It is certainly not Vice President Dick Cheney and Senator John McCain assuring the Iraqis that we will be there for long haul. Now the Iraqis will not be in any hurry for political reconciliation or strengthening their police and military.  They can continue to squander their oil revenues, while we use our money to repair their infrastructures, repair the utilities, and sacrifice the blood of our troops for their security. I am for a safe and timely withdrawal (up to a year) even though some military leaders are saying we are just around the corner from success.  How long have they  been telling us this? John McCain says a withdraw will certainly bring on a bloody massacre; however , that is not a truth certain. We cannot afford to remain there forever, and leaving 10 years from now, is not an assurance that Iraq would not erupt after our troops left.   What do we have to show for a five year occupation of Iraq? Why are we even there,since our own pentagon just debunked the Iraq-Al Qaeda connection? We have lost nearly 4000 American lives. Our military readiness is at an all-time low, with the sacrifice of our troops,some making their third or fourth tour. We are pouring in $12 billion a month into Iraq just to try to curb the violence and instability, that has jumped the price of oil to all-time highs. We have the world’s largest embassy, built by a corrupt company from Kuwait..at a cost of $600 million. We have KBR getting a no-bid contract; then moving their corporate headquarters to the Cayman Islands to avoid paying employee payroll taxes, and corporate taxes. What’s the solution?  It is certainly not Vice President Dick Cheney and Senator John McCain assuring the Iraqis that we will be there for long haul. Now the Iraqis will not be in any hurry for political reconciliation or strengthening their police and military.  They can continue to squander their oil revenues, while we use our money to repair their infrastructures, repair the utilities, and sacrifice the blood of our troops for their security. I am for a safe and timely withdrawal (up to a year) even though some military leaders are saying we are just around the corner from success.  How long have they  been telling us this? John McCain says a withdraw will certainly bring on a bloody massacre; however , that is not a truth certain. We cannot afford to remain there forever, and leaving 10 years from now, is not an assurance that Iraq would not erupt after our troops left.   en-us Someone pleeeease tell me, when do we know we have "won" this occupation? Ever stir up a fire ant nest? They just keep coming. Who do we surrender to?  I say we start the draft, flood Iraq with a million troops and get it done. This way, we can use the word "we" more extensively. http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/Mike/6913/#c_41971 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/Mike/6913/#c_41971 Someone pleeeease tell me, when do we know we have "won" this occupation? Ever stir up a fire ant nest? They just keep coming. Who do we surrender to?  I say we start the draft, flood Iraq with a million troops and get it done. This way, we can use the word "we" more extensively. Good question Vet.... but first you have to define victory.  The goal post have splintered, from being moved so much. Yes one half of 1% is not very very representive of "we." I've got to stop watching Bill Moyer's Journal on PBS because it reminds me of all the lies,excuses, manpower and money being wasted on the worst foreign policy ever in the history of the United States. The winners are Iran ,Blackwater, Halliburton,KBR, and the corrupt government of Iraq.   http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/Mike/6913/#c_41984 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/Mike/6913/#c_41984 Good question Vet.... but first you have to define victory.  The goal post have splintered, from being moved so much. Yes one half of 1% is not very very representive of "we." I've got to stop watching Bill Moyer's Journal on PBS because it reminds me of all the lies,excuses, manpower and money being wasted on the worst foreign policy ever in the history of the United States. The winners are Iran ,Blackwater, Halliburton,KBR, and the corrupt government of Iraq.   I am not a pacifist.  Unlike Bush/Cheney, I have made a fist--there are things worth fighting for.  Iraq ain't one of them.  This Administration lied us into this war and now we can't just get up and leave without dire consequences.  Even though I have draft age kids, I think a draft would wake a few people up. Lots of people are for this war and they have no skin in the game.  Just their big pie wholes waging about "cut and run" and other silly slogans.  There is NO sacrifice, except the few volunteers--along with their families-- give their all.  And of course, exorbitant gas prices.  http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/Mike/6913/#c_41999 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/Mike/6913/#c_41999 I am not a pacifist.  Unlike Bush/Cheney, I have made a fist--there are things worth fighting for.  Iraq ain't one of them.  This Administration lied us into this war and now we can't just get up and leave without dire consequences.  Even though I have draft age kids, I think a draft would wake a few people up. Lots of people are for this war and they have no skin in the game.  Just their big pie wholes waging about "cut and run" and other silly slogans.  There is NO sacrifice, except the few volunteers--along with their families-- give their all.  And of course, exorbitant gas prices.  Well I am not ant-war just anti-Iraq war. I stood up and applauded the invasion of Afghanistan.....It was rhe right thing to do ,just not completed. http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/Mike/6913/#c_42001 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/Mike/6913/#c_42001 Well I am not ant-war just anti-Iraq war. I stood up and applauded the invasion of Afghanistan.....It was rhe right thing to do ,just not completed. I don't know if you guys have seen this site. It's rather sobering: http://icasualties.org/oif/ http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/Mike/6913/#c_42007 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/Mike/6913/#c_42007 I don't know if you guys have seen this site. It's rather sobering: http://icasualties.org/oif/ That site is on my favorites list. I will not be fooled again.   http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/Mike/6913/#c_42009 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/Mike/6913/#c_42009 That site is on my favorites list. I will not be fooled again.   Well, my friends: In a videoconference, Bush heard from U.S. military and civilian personnel [in Afghanistan] about the challenges ranging from fighting local government and police corruption to persuading farmers to abandon a lucrative poppy drug trade for other crops. […] “I must say, I’m a little envious,” Bush said. “If I were slightly younger and not employed here, I think it would be a fantastic experience to be on the front lines of helping this young democracy succeed.” “It must be exciting for you … in some ways romantic, in some ways, you know, confronting danger. You’re really making history, and thanks,” Bush said. I wonder if he would say this too: “I love the smell of IEDs in the morning.” http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/Mike/6913/#c_42011 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/Mike/6913/#c_42011 Well, my friends: In a videoconference, Bush heard from U.S. military and civilian personnel [in Afghanistan] about the challenges ranging from fighting local government and police corruption to persuading farmers to abandon a lucrative poppy drug trade for other crops. […] “I must say, I’m a little envious,” Bush said. “If I were slightly younger and not employed here, I think it would be a fantastic experience to be on the front lines of helping this young democracy succeed.” “It must be exciting for you … in some ways romantic, in some ways, you know, confronting danger. You’re really making history, and thanks,” Bush said. I wonder if he would say this too: “I love the smell of IEDs in the morning.” Are you kidding ,he can't even account for his last nine months in the Air national Guard. Several soldiers were very angry he actually said that......They basically said"Tell that to  my family ,who has been waiting for my return." http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/Mike/6913/#c_42012 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/Mike/6913/#c_42012 Are you kidding ,he can't even account for his last nine months in the Air national Guard. Several soldiers were very angry he actually said that......They basically said"Tell that to  my family ,who has been waiting for my return." Connie Chung interviewing Dubya at the 1988 convention: Bush: “I flew fighters in the Texas Air National Guard for which I’m very proud.” [Snip] “They should have probably called up the National Guard in those days. Maybe we would have done better in Vietnam.” http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/Mike/6913/#c_42015 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/Mike/6913/#c_42015 Connie Chung interviewing Dubya at the 1988 convention: Bush: “I flew fighters in the Texas Air National Guard for which I’m very proud.” [Snip] “They should have probably called up the National Guard in those days. Maybe we would have done better in Vietnam.”