The United States of America and the Iraq Conflict

[darksgt]

I've been reading some of the debates here and I picked up on some people's views on the United States. However I'm still curious to know people's complete views and thoughts on both the United States and Iraq. I'll start with my views.

The United States
I'll be perfectly honest and say this first; I love my country and I think it's the best thing since sliced bread. I am going to a military university and in four years time I will be a Second Lieutenant in the US Air Force. My dream is to make at lease one star general before I retire and in doing so, protect the US and her allies to the best of my ability. However I will say that the US isn't perfect and we still have many problems to deal with. But you can't argue with the results, just over 200 years old and the only superpower left in the world.

Iraq
I never wanted the US to go in but since the military is there I believe we should finish what we started. It won't be long before Iraq can regain control of it's territory and the US can leave knowing they will not slip into a civil war. I also believe that if the US withdraws from Iraq before the country has stabilized that it would be a huge dishonor to the US and an insult to all the members of the Armed Force that served in Iraq, especially the ones who lost there lives over there.

[Raikadu]

Although I'm not one to go against my country, I cannot say that deciding to go war with Iraq was a smart decision. It was a rash, and on the spot decision. The evidence supporting the main reason for going there has all but disappeared.

[wondering]

Saddam Hussein is gone, Iraq doesn't have WMD, and I think the Iraqi people are fine.......Why stay there?

[skullreken]

Seriously Iraq is embedded in what will errupt into cival war the same thing happens when any country is liberated through war or has a forced regiem change hell my country did too
the main problem is that because of the US armies presence in Iraq a taliban contigent has gotten a foot hold and widened it's influence personally I think aslong as foriegn forces are still there there wont be a chance for it all to calm down
I think the best move is to give the Iraqi security forces a kick up the arse and make them pull more weight that way brittish and american forces can start to pull out and while being replaced by iraqi forces
Hopefully that would help brace them so they can win the civil war which will follow

[mercer_sensei]

Im not so sure that it was the best idea to go to war with Iraq. Everyone is going on about how we need to stay there and finish the job.... unfortunately the job will never be finished. thats just how it is. I honestly think that Iraq isnt a county that can benefit from a democracy, so we shouldnt keep trying to force it on them

[wondering]

I think the problem is that America is trying to place an "american-style" democracy into Iraq. But Iraq isn't America. I'm not too sure but isn't religion a major impact there? With those two sects going at each other until one of them is out of the picture.

[mercer_sensei]

Yeah, one of the main reasons why democracy has worked here in America is because of the separation of church and state, combined with a very lax religious tolerance. Every religion is tolerated in America. Not so in Iraq. That country would never be able to survive in an American type democracy

[Diver-san]

First of I'm not American but I am British and were just as much to blame for going in as you guys.

I think going in was a stupid decision. But thats not really the issue now whats been done is done so we can't change that now, and pulling out now would be a really bad idea. If we pulled out now it would be a bloodbath. A major major civil war would probably errupt over night, one which the new gouvernment is incapable of dealing with right now. So we are kind of stuck there untill the new gouvernment gains enough strength to deal with things on its own.

Thats what I think anyway. We started it so we have to see it through or the little good that did come of the war (getting rid of sadam whatever the reason we did it was a good thing) will be lost as the next dictator steps up.

[mercer_sensei]

yeah, indeed, the new government needs to gain power before we pull out, but the problem is that no matter how long we wait, or when we come out, there will definately be a civil war as soon as we get most of our troops out. Thats the bottom line and thats why we are still there

[wondering]

Hmm, if I understood what you mean just now, wouldn't it be best for the American forces to just come out already. I mean, get the civil war over with and see who wins. The winner can then bring forth peace/dominion over the country. Now that might a bit harsh, but if the only way to prevent that war is for America to always have soldiers in Iraq, then does that really solve anything?