The Black Republican

So does this mean that we should stay indefinitely? I doubt that our troops being brought home will give them any more resolve to fight then what they have by our being in Iraq.

Three points:

• I hope we're in Iraq exactly one day longer that the length of time our troops spend "occupying" Germany, because bringing hope to the Middle East is at least that much better an idea than protecting France and Belgium from the Russians
• Who is "them" and what have they done to you to earn your condescension?
• Please learn the difference between the conjunction than and the adverb then

I want the job completed before our troops leave! How do you get from that to indefinitely?

The whole debate over when to pull out of Iraq highlights the difference between the actions of adults and adolescents. An adult finishes what he or she starts, no matter how difficult it may become. An adolescent wants out the minute things start getting tougher than they thought it would be. If you have ever raised a teenager you know this to be true!

hope to the Middle East???

Spare me.

We didn’t give a damn about those people when Saddam and his sons were committing all those atrocities.

A noble objective but not the one made for going into Iraq. Maybe if that had of been the objective more people opposed to the war would support it. The initial objective was to remove Saddam and to eliminate his “WMD”. He’s gone and there were no WMDs.

We “broke it now we own it”.

Who is "them" and what have they done to you to earn your condescension?

Condescension?? What?

So you would have troops deployed for say 10 years if it took that long to “complete the job”?

When adults and professionals have jobs or task to perform they can and do have a “schedule” which will define what needs to be completed and when it should be completed in order to complete the “job” in a reasonable amount of time.

Adolescents/Teenagers tend to think that there is all the time in the world because young people tend to think they are immortal or will live forever.

So if the Iraq people continue to be unable or unwilling to “take the wheel” we have to stay how long? When is it time to say enough?

I know I know…until the job is completed

So, Mr. Adult... when are we leaving Bosnia?

Or how about Korea or Japan? We need to stay in the Middle East far longer than it takes to get the job done. We need to maintain a military presence there indefinitely.

MLM, you state:

"A noble objective but not the one made for going into Iraq. Maybe if that had of been the objective more people opposed to the war would support it. The initial objective was to remove Saddam and to eliminate his "WMD". He’s gone and there were no WMDs."

Here is just a portion of the Congressional Resolution authorizing the war in Iraq:

"Whereas in December 1991, Congress expressed its sense that it `supports the use of all necessary means to achieve the goals of United Nations Security Council Resolution 687 as being consistent with the Authorization of Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution (Public Law 102-1),' that Iraq's repression of its civilian population violates United Nations Security Council Resolution 688 and `constitutes a continuing threat to the peace, security, and stability of the Persian Gulf region,' and that Congress, `supports the use of all necessary means to achieve the goals of United Nations Security Council Resolution 688';"

As for your statement asking if I would be willing to have troops in Iraq for 10 years, how about 7 years? Would 7 years be unacceptable to you? I somehow think that if you are this unhappy three years after the start of the Iraq war, seven years would be intolerable. But that is how long the U.S. military occupation of Japan lasted - and that's seven years after the war had ended.

It seems that finishing a job takes time, no matter what the "schedule" says!

That Congressman's role in Mr. Clinton's decision to cut and run and how Bin..Din has used it to recruit the misguided and ill-led is very timely and key. Good work.

Well, Steve, my son-in-law was a Ranger in Somalia. He was wounded there. I have yet to meet one soldier who has an ounce of respect for Clinton, predominantly as a result of Somalia. We are living the consequences of his decision to withdraw. It's apparent Murtha no longer has both oars in the water. I have spoken to several who have returned from Iraq and the stories are nothing like you hear in the MSM. Actually, we are liked by the vast majority in Iraq. Did you see where they donated to the hurricane relief effort as a symbol of their gratitude?

A scheduled war, eh?

Democrats demand Plan B. Adolescent strategy.

This isn't a soccer game, MLM. And, someone please explain Jay Rockerfeaaer to me; didn't he pull a Paul Revere for the opposing side?

Oh, I heard a great interview of Doris-something-something (Higgins?) Brilliant historian on VPR (Blush- I can't help it, such sauve voices and great table manners :0)) She gave me much insight on Abraham Lincoln - his journals and his letters to friends and how he was admirable and fair to his foes- if thry could benefit the US of A. I really learned a lot - except her name, obviously.

Doris Kearns Goodwin is her name. And to hear her talk about Lincoln leaves one the impression that she only recently discovered that he once existed. She has a book coming out about Lincoln, (big surprise huh?), and there is a planned movie to follow based on her scholarship.

I only hope she managed to avoid plagiarism in the writing of this book, beyond that I expect little, nothing new to be sure. Except, now Doris knows who was the 16th President, which, as I said, seems to be news to her.

Oh, well - shows you what I know. At least it put to rest the whole Lincoln was gay* controversy for me - not that it was any of my business. According to her, all the guys were in touch w/their emotions and loved their friends and had to share beds - it didn't mean they were sexually active w/each other, for crying out loud. That was cool to hear. Just Manly men- w/feelings. Every gal deserves one of those :0).

I was just thinking that you would do a Lincoln post - since any mention of his name deserved of a post? I was thinking VPR was getting more balance hehe.

And, I meant Jay Rockerfeller - my left hand always theinks faster than my right!

Sounds as though you got something from her talk, so, perhaps I under-rated her work. I am grateful for any accurate discussion of Lincoln.