OrnotBitwise
Rookie
- Nov 18, 2007
- 36
- 7
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Hmm. The logical question to follow this with is "will Iraq EVER be in a position for us to bring our troops home?"He'll probably say the same thing anyone capable of logical thought would: Is Iraq in a position for us to bring our troops home within a year?
If not, the answer is no, regardless WHO wants to say otherwise.
Our keeping our troops in Iraq is predicated on two propositions, one clear and the other unstated by the administration's supporters, by preference. I'll state the latter first, since it's the more contentious of the two, in the popular media.
(A) Since we "broke" Iraq, we bought it. We destroyed their government and infrastructure and therefor we owe the Iraqi people a debt of honor (if you will permit me the poetic hyperbole). I have no problem whatsoever with this proposition. In fact, I agree with this statement without reservation. We owe the Iraqi people big time.
By itself, however, this assertion does not mean we have to remain in Iraq. Oh yes, it's true. A lot of people claim that it's enough, but it's not. The second necessary proposition is as follows:
(B) Our troops are doing more good than harm by remaining in Iraq. Many people take this as a given but it is not. Our troops are, without question, increasing security in those zones in which they have a strong presence. Even I won't argue that. It is also true, however, that the presence of our troops is increasing tension between some of the factions in Iraq and increasing resentment for the United States -- and the West in general -- among the Iraqi population in general. Let's face it, NO ONE likes a foreign invader. Think Red Dawn here.
My opinion -- regretfully but strongly -- is that the harm our presence is causing outweighs the good that our troops are doing. That's regardless of the intent or moral rectitude of our forces: I mean no disrespect to anyone.
It's actually fairly simple if you strip all of the rhetoric and emotionalism off of it. The Iraqis don't want us there anymore. It's their country. Case closed -- or so it should be.