End of War in Iraq

[bush_cheney2004]

...Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty.

- John F. Kennedy (1961)

[Bonam]

...Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty.

- John F. Kennedy (1961)

A good compromise, a good piece of legislation, is like a good sentence; or a good piece of music.

- Barack Obama

Quite the different tune. Times change.

[bush_cheney2004]

A good compromise, a good piece of legislation, is like a good sentence; or a good piece of music.

- Barack Obama

Quite the different tune. Times change.

Different time....same tune.

[Bonam]

"A good compromise" and "oppose any foe" sounds like the "same tune" to you?

[bush_cheney2004]

"A good compromise" and "oppose any foe" sounds like the "same tune" to you?

Do you think President Obama's escalation in Afghanistan and Pakistan represent "a good compromise"? How about the continued occupation of Iraq? Threats and sanctions for Iran? "War games" with South Korea?

...we've heard this tune before.

[August1991]

CNN: Last U.S. combat convoy has left Iraq

US military out of Iraq? This is a weak attempt by Obama to shift the news in anticipation of the 2010 mid-terms. (The US military is not really leaving Iraq now. It left years ago.)

That's it, that's all. Mid terms. Let's see what happens. (My spin? All incumbents lose and that's how Obama's staff will spin this one too.)

Practical effects of the Democrats' losses in the 2010 midterms? Minor. Obama got his main agenda through. He made his Mom proud.

[dre]

It's terrible that Canadians actually want their country to be financially stable. I always thought it was 'conservative' to worry about cost.

No shit! What kind of retards dont go deep in debt to invade random middle eastern countries? Stupid Canadians

[Sir Bandelot]

...Democratic government in Iraq...SUCCESS!

beg pardon

[bush_cheney2004]

No shit! What kind of retards dont go deep in debt to invade random middle eastern countries? Stupid Canadians

Nothing random about Iraq.

[bush_cheney2004]

beg pardon

Coalition failures in Iraq are no worse than coalition failures in Canada.

[Sir Bandelot]

Coalition failures in Iraq are no worse than coalition failures in Canada.

Unless we get into body counts...

[bloodyminded]

Unless we get into body counts...

Yeah...but Canada!

[bloodyminded]

The grand successes of the Iraq War can be measured in numerous ways. The "fragile democracy" we like to speak of--as if it's a beautiful but delicate flower that we all admire--is a situation in which an election held months ago has failed to produce an actual government. But who are the "armchair generals"--the critics--to judge? judgement properly belongs to the other "armchair generals"--the war's supporters. It's their war, after all--they own it, the way that religious heterosexuals "own" the word "marriage"--so critics have no right to say anything about it. That's just "common sense."

Educated Iraqis have fled the country in droves. But that's good, no? Who needs any damn intellectuals and professionals? Damn elites. Sam Walton drove a pick-up truck, you know.

There remains approximately four million refugees. Well, that's only one out of six Iraqis, not too shabby! Many are living illegally in neighbouring countries, scraping a living through sex work, underpaid hard labour and other fine professions. So what's the problem? Freedom rings.

Electricity has now risen to about fifteen hours a day in Baghdad (which is high compared to some other regions, say Fallujah, which is now prettily poisonous thanks to the coalition). But fifteen hours a day isn't bad in 45 degree heat--it's more electricity than they had a couple of years ago, and a mere nine hours a day less than they had before the war; so who's complaining? (Well, Iraqis no doubt are complaining, but they don't understand Freedom the way we Western sophisticates do.)

What's important is that "the troops" (Peace Be Unto their Name, since they're Holy) living in newly-minted Western-style enclaves (no Peasants allowed, thank you) are living in comfort, and get to have fun with Iraqi sex workers who were driven into prostitution by the very war that their very clients were ordered to prosecute. See how the world keeps spinning, and how things work out for the best?

The country is now violently sectarian in a way it wasn't before...so the coalition (ie the Empire and its number two, the Former Empire) brought Diversity to the forefront of Iraqi cultural life! That the Iraqis are ingrates (as neoconservative elder statesman Richard Perle soberly pointed out) shouldn't dissuade Western celebration of the grand success.

Also, the Dawa, who were allies of the suicide bombers who blew up the the Marine base in Beirut, now help to "run" Iraq (and a fine job they're doing!). So "terrorists" became "democrats" through sheer force of American will. This is part of the redemptive power of American-led wars, we're led to understand, since such wars are by definition well-intentioned and supportive of Liberty. As Mark Steyn has informed us (rightfully and righteously mocking the global majority who disagree with him on everything), now Syria and Saudi Arabia will become Democracies, as a result of neoconservative (nee Cold War Policy) Domino effects of democratization; Syria and Saudi Arabia, Steyn informed us, will be democratically-run by 2010.

Oops...oh well, there's four months left. Could happen.

And Iraq will be a tourist trap by...2004. Oops...well, let's set the bar lower, and deride everyone who criticizes this noble experiment.

The war is won. We just don't know won it, yet.

Edited August 20, 2010 by bloodyminded

[bush_cheney2004]

The grand successes of the Iraq War can be measured in numerous ways. The "fragile democracy" we like to speak of--as if it's a beautiful but delicate flower that we all admire--is a situation in which an election held months ago has failed to produce an actual government. But who are the "armchair generals"--the critics--to judge? judgement properly belongs to the other "armchair generals"--the war's supporters. It's their war, after all--they own it...."

Well, to be frank, that's all some Canadians have done from the 'git go...despite not "owning it"...to talk about it as detached observers who so righteously supported Afghanistan as the primary and "moral choice" compared to invading Iraq sans UNSC, only to see Afghanistan fall short of what has been achieved in Iraq. I think some just want to see Iraq fail for this reason, less the policy be repeated on the next perp nation.

[bloodyminded]

Well, to be frank, that's all some Canadians have done from the 'git go...despite not "owning it"...to talk about it as detached observers who so righteously supported Afghanistan as the primary and "moral choice" compared to invading Iraq sans UNSC, only to see Afghanistan fall short of what has been achieved in Iraq. I think some just want to see Iraq fail for this reason, less the policy be repeated on the next perp nation.

I can't help what "some Canadians" think.

[Shady]

Let's not forget, this isn't an accomplishment for Obama at all. This withdrawal is specific to the status of force agreement George W Bush made with the Iraqi government before Obama took office.

Obama's purposely taking credit for something he had nothing to do with. But that shouldn't really suprise anybody by now.

[bloodyminded]

Let's not forget, this isn't an accomplishment for Obama at all. This withdrawal is specific to the status of force agreement George W Bush made with the Iraqi government before Obama took office.

Obama's purposely taking credit for something he had nothing to do with. But that shouldn't really suprise anybody by now.

It's a fantastically ridiculous "achievement" to be taking credit for in the first place. It's a catastrophe.

[ToadBrother]

Let's not forget, this isn't an accomplishment for Obama at all. This withdrawal is specific to the status of force agreement George W Bush made with the Iraqi government before Obama took office.

Obama's purposely taking credit for something he had nothing to do with. But that shouldn't really suprise anybody by now.

A current administration taking credit for what a previous administration did? Shocking, I tell you, shocking!

[Shady]

A current administration taking credit for what a previous administration did? Shocking, I tell you, shocking!

Hope n change!

[PoliticalCitizen]

...Removal of Saddam Hussein's regime in accordance with US Public Law....SUCCESS!

You mean... after instating Saddam Hussein's regime in accordance with US Public Law? Hmmm...

...World's kargest embassy in Baghdad.....SUCCESS!

You mean... the only sound building in the capital of a nation?

Does it have more defence lines than the US embassy in Ottawa?

...Oil services contracts for American (and Canadian) contractors...SUCCESS!

Well, not for long...

...More Mideast bases for American forces....SUCCESS!

Again - not for long... the money's running short...

...Democratic government in Iraq...SUCCESS!

Government? In Iraq? Haven't heard of one...

...BONUS - Libya rolls over on nuke weapons development...SUCCESS!

Huh? Whoever cares about Libya? Iran's nuclear plans are undeterred.

And now - the real achievements of USA's war on Iraq (a nation that didn't attack, threaten to attack and lacked the capability to attack USA):

- Over 1 Million Iraqis dead as a result of the conflict;

- 5 Million Iraqis fled their "liberated" country; out of which 1.5 Million to Iran;

- Over 1 Trillion paid out to defence contractors (Lockheed Martin, Haliburton, Blackwater, etc.);

- Over 13 Trillion national debt.

[bush_cheney2004]

You mean... after instating Saddam Hussein's regime in accordance with US Public Law? Hmmm...

All the better....the Americans can giveth and taketh away.

You mean... the only sound building in the capital of a nation?

Does it have more defence lines than the US embassy in Ottawa?

The US has an embassy in Ottawa? Why?

Well, not for long...

As long as Canada will go without the Stanley Cup!

Again - not for long... the money's running short...

See above.

Government? In Iraq? Haven't heard of one...

Yep....no Queen required for permission to do things.

Huh? Whoever cares about Libya? Iran's nuclear plans are undeterred.

The Libyans?

And now - the real achievements of USA's war on Iraq (a nation that didn't attack, threaten to attack and lacked the capability to attack USA):

Didn't stop Canada from attacking Iraq, Serbia, Afghanistan, or Haiti. Salute!

Edited August 20, 2010 by bush_cheney2004

[Shady]

- Over 1 Million Iraqis dead as a result of the conflict;

Lie.

- 5 Million Iraqis fled their "liberated" country; out of which 1.5 Million to Iran;

Lie.

- Over 1 Trillion paid out to defence contractors (Lockheed Martin, Haliburton, Blackwater, etc.);

Lie.

- Over 13 Trillion national debt.

Not because of Iraq.

[Moonlight Graham]

"End of War in Iraq"...hahahahahaha

It's MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! all over again.

Some troops leave, yet the war marches on. As Matthew Good aptly puts it:

Never mind that the troops that haven’t left Iraq continue to undertake the exact same missions that they have been, despite the fact that the Pentagon has claimed ‘combat operations’ at an end. There’s no difference between ‘combat operations’ and ‘counter terrorism operations’ in an asymmetric situation. It’s still combat, no matter how you phrase it in the media.

On tuesday, 81 Iraqis were killed. and 178 wounded across the country. The war continues, newspaper headlines or not.

Democracy in Iraq? Iraq has been unable to form a govt since "democratic elections" f'ed up in March. Whatever happens with this current govt situation matters little, as civil war in the country is likely at some point. It would be great to see Iraq turn into a legit liberal democracy, but like Afghanistan i'm not really that confident. What kind of "democracy" is it if you need occupying foreign permanent military bases & a massive "embassy" to keep the democracy from teetering into chaos. We'll check back in 20 years & count how many chickens have hatched.

Glad to see that democratic "domino effect" of Bush's working so well in the middle east , about as accurate a prediction as the "domino effect" feared from a communist Vietnam.

Ah well, a crapload of civilians died in Iraq so a crapload of people in the U.S. and elsewhere could make a few bucks. In who knows how many U.S. congressional districts bullets, guns, missiles, equipment, body armour, replacement parts for tanks/aircraft/ships etc. were manufactured so the military-industrial machine could keep churning and make America lots of jobs and $$$.

The war in Iraq continues despite what your CNN/FOX anchor tells us, and it remains a complete farce to a public too stupid to realize it and a fourth estate too cowardly & headline-hungry to report it.

As Matthew Good again points out:

Since the day that it was invaded, 4,415 Americans have left Iraq in metal boxes, 4,276 of them after President Bush stood in front of that now infamous “Mission Accomplished” banner. Thousands of others, who were lucky enough not to find themselves in metal boxes, have returned wounded.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!! The war is over, yet the casualties continue.

[bush_cheney2004]

...The war in Iraq continues despite what your CNN/FOX anchor tells us, and it remains a complete farce to a public too stupid to realize it and a fourth estate too cowardly & headline-hungry to report it.

...and onlookers even more stupid to believe it would makes any difference.

[Shady]

It's still sad to see so many people continue routing for failure in Iraq. I just don't understand the mindset of an individual who sits there, typing gleefully in hopes that a country descends in to chaos and destruction. How compassionate.

All because they don't like the actions of an ex-President. Pretty disgusting.

Anyways, Iraq is in a much better position than when Saddam Hussein was in power. They're also in a much better position than a few years ago, before the surge. Thank God President Bush was a true leader, and did what was right, and not what was politically expedient. The surge worked. Does that mean violence in Iraq is over? No. There will be ups and downs. But hopefully they can continue to progress forward.

As for violence in Iraq. Of course there will be instances of violence every once in a while. India is an established democracy and it sees suicide bombings and violence from time to time. In addition, Iraq is surrounded by anti-democratic, extremist Islamic countries. And the last thing these countries leaders want to see happen is a prosperous democratic Iraq. I guess they have a lot in common with some of our forum posters. They both hope Iraq doesn't work out. Take note anti-Iraq forum posters. You're in good company with the likes of Bashar Al-Assad of Syria and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran.