War in Iraq

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-10-2008
War in Iraq
18
Sat, 04-26-2008 - 9:56pm
Should we be there?? If so/or not why??? Do you think Al Quida(sp-sorry) is there because we are?? Do you think there is actually a "winning" when it comes to war?? Do you think we are messing around is what has become a civial war. Lastly, are you a Dem or a Rep??

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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-10-2005
In reply to: tednlisa00
Sun, 04-27-2008 - 10:15am

No, I never think we should have gone there in the first place. We should have kept our focus totally on finding Bin Laden, but Bush had HIS focus on Saddam from the moment he took office, and even before he was running for President. Look at all our troops who have been killed and maimed for life while he sits up in his ivory tower.


I am a Democrat, have been for over

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-10-2008
In reply to: tednlisa00
Sun, 04-27-2008 - 2:10pm

I agree 100%

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-02-2008
In reply to: tednlisa00
Sun, 04-27-2008 - 5:27pm
"This is the longest war in our nations history (even civil war) besides Vietnam and they drafted for that war."



Exactly. They drafted for Vietnam. These men and women volunteer.



For the record:

An estimated 13,283 Americans died during the 2 year Mexican war.

An estimated 498,332 Americans died in the 4 year civil war.

An estimated 116,516 Americans died in the less than 2 years American's fought in WWI.

An estimated 405,399 Americans died in the 4 years of American involvement of WWI.

An estimated 36,574 Americans died during the 2.5 years of active combat with Korea.

An estimated 58,200 Americans died during the 11 years in Vietnam.



Approximately 4,000 Americans have died in the current war.






We invaded Iraq in the spring of 2003...that's 5 years. I'm not disputing that it HAS been a long time...it has. But...I also KNEW, even back in 2003, that this was going to be my generation's Vietnam. I knew when we were told, "This is going to be a long, drawn out conflict" that it was NOT going to be like the First Gulf War. And, one could also say that despite being the second longest conflict in our history, it has also been the least costly in terms of American lives.



As for your questions:


"Should we be there?? If so/or not why???": Yes, we should be there. Rightly or wrongly, we invaded Iraq, and I feel it is our responsibility to help stabilize the region. If we leave prematurely, then we give credence to the thought that we are the World's Bully. As a military spouse, surely you know of all the rebuilding and protecting our men and women are doing for the Iraqi people.



"Do you think there is actually a "winning" when it comes to war??" Yes, I do...but not this kind of war. The middle east has had inner fighting since the dawn of time and I believe it will continue until the end. That doesn't mean, however, that we shouldn't be involved (IMO).



"Do you think we are messing around what has become a civial (sic) war." No. I believe the "waring" that is going on is at the hands of terrorist groups trying to regain their power. I do NOT believe it is a "civil war" between otherwise normal Iraqi citizens. Their elections have proven that the differing religions CAN work together for the country as a whole rather than tearing it apart. Is it perfect? No. But these terrorist groups are who we are battling.



"Lastly, are you a Dem or a Rep??" Hmm...why? Is it so if we disagree with you, can just use our party affiliation as the reason? Anyway... I was a democrat in 2000 and did NOT vote for Bush the first election. I switched parties in 2002 and became a registered Republican. Many factors played a role in my change : 9/11; home ownership; children entering public school; working in a small family-owned business, amongst other things. As it stands right now, I am a McCain supporter...but that *may* change depending on the democratic nominee.



And my husband is currently in the Gulf. He'll be coming home for July and August, then heading right back on a different ship come September until December, and we don't doubt that he'll be seeing one more trip before he retires.


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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-10-2008
In reply to: tednlisa00
Sun, 04-27-2008 - 10:09pm

Do you realize that soldiers are getting out in record numbers?? Do you realize that they are drafting convicted felons into the Army?? I am sorry, but my husband and every other soldiers deserves better!I am I suppose to be impressed that only 4,000 sliders died?? Each on of these deaths have effected at least one person(if not more) in some way.How many of these funerals have you gone to?? I can tell you that over 380 soldiers have died at my husbands base alone, can you say that about

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-27-2008
In reply to: tednlisa00
Sun, 04-27-2008 - 10:16pm

The deaths pre Korea can be attributed not only to battle, but to the fact that without antibiotics, basically every person who had a open wound could expect to die of infection.


This is the Viet Nam of our generation all right, a war fought for no good reason, with no end in sight, with the added fillip that we are creating a terrorist haven, creating generations of folks who hate America and Americans, creating a civil war and a fundamentalist religious society.


Rose

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-02-2008
In reply to: tednlisa00
Sun, 04-27-2008 - 10:34pm
"Do you realize that soldiers are getting out in record numbers??"


And my brother just graduated with a full class from Army Basic? So?



"Do you realize that they are drafting convicted felons into the Army??"



Did you mean to say "enlisting" instead of drafting? There is no draft that I'm aware of. Or are they synonomous? My husband was a recruiter for 3 years and never indicated as such, but what do I know?



"I am I suppose to be impressed that only 4,000 sliders died??"



Um no. But you ARE the one who brought up how LONG we've been at war, even went so far as to compare to history, and so you SHOULD keep it in historical perspective.



"I can tell you that over 380 soldiers have died at my husbands base alone, can you say that about your husband's base??"



Any death is tragic and frankly, I won't trivialize them in a game of one-upmanship. But if you want to talk about "longest war in history" then I think it's only fair to point out that it has also been one of the least costly in terms of troop deaths.



"If we continue at this rate (without drawing down troop levels) then they will not need to become self sufficient"


Ahh..but that was NOT your original question. I don't disagree with drawing down troop levels. I DO disagree with a complete pull out.





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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-10-2008
In reply to: tednlisa00
Mon, 04-28-2008 - 12:44am

My husband didn't enlist he was commissioned so I often mess the term "enlisted" up, sorry.Does it matter if they are drafting or enlisting convicted felons??? A felon is a felon regardless of how they entered the military. If a sex offenders isn't registered does that mean they're not a sex offender??Can you truly be serious???


One of the

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-10-2008
In reply to: tednlisa00
Mon, 04-28-2008 - 12:53am
I missed the part were you said your brother just graduated with a full class. How many of them wouldn't have been allowed in 5 yrs ago?? Are you happy that your brother (who is probably a good soldier)
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-02-2008
In reply to: tednlisa00
Mon, 04-28-2008 - 2:20am

"The Army has suffered far more loss then the Navy so this is more of a part of our daily life. "

Niiiiice.

I thought you wanted rational answers to your original question. It's clear to me, now that it was never your intent.

I still stand by my original answers.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-29-2003
In reply to: tednlisa00
Mon, 04-28-2008 - 9:12am

I am a Republican... and I don't believe we should be in Iraq. Now it's a quagmire with Syria and Iran crossing over to fight the troops. how in the world do we get out of there? Iran would love to stage another take over.


I think Al Qaeda are like roaches.. they may be together but any little movement causes them to scatter. Can't stay we are 'winning' the war in Iraq though I do believe we are winning the war on terror.. or maybe I should say staving it off (for now)

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