I am one who opposed the war in Iraq from the beginning. Viewing the news from 1991 to 2003 did not convince me that Iraq was involved in Sept.11 nor had the weapons required to cause us such grave concern. To continually try to spin this as "If we fight them over there, then we will not fight them here" is absurd. We had better hope that we can win there because our ability to defend ouselves here has suffered terribly. Whatever happened to "Walk softly, but carry a big stick?" The hidden costs of war will only emerge once King Bush has left the throne. Most of the military equipment in Iraq will not be worth bringing home. The approximately 30% of our troops with various degress of PTSD and the large number with obvious physical injuries will be a drain on the national treasury for generations to come. I still want to know where the extra $4 trillion dollars in increase in national debt has gone. The big borrow and spend times in Washington must come to an end. My friends around the world wonder why we cannot end this war even if the President does not want to do so. They say that Bush appears to be a dictator which no one can over-rule. Interesting comments.

Beware when Bush uses happytalk. It inevitably means things are even worse than we know.

I've tried to envision a way for us to exit Iraq that wouldn't be as enormous a blunder as our entrance. But it gets down to one thing: Regardless of how and when we leave, chaos and anarchy will be inevitable and unavoidable. So it only makes sense to exit sooner rather than later. That will cut our losses in life and treasure.

Invading and occupying another country on false pretenses, when oil was the real pretense will utltimately fail, unless we come clean about our reason for invading Iraq. We need the truth and not more of the everchanging B.S. "God is not mocked": to all of you conservative Christians who do not know what it is meant by 'blessed are the peacemakers', or what the words 'repentance' and 'humility' mean.

Invading and occupying another country on false pretenses, when oil was the real pretense will utltimately fail, unless we come clean about our reason for invading Iraq. We need the truth and not more of the everchanging B.S. "God is not mocked": to all of you conservative Christians who do not know what it is meant by 'blessed are the peacemakers', or what the words 'repentance' and 'humility' mean.

Yes, violence in Iraq has been down lately. But the MSM doesn't report the reason--two million Iraqis have fled and those who remain have segregated themselves in ethnic enclaves--Sunnis surrounded by walls in one area and Shia surrounded by walls in another. International terrorism is higher now than when we invaded Iraq. We've wasted billions of dollars which by the way, are becoming nearly worthless in international markets because of our war debt. I would like for Republicans to answer me--how has this war been worth it?

Yes, violence in Iraq has been down lately. But the MSM doesn't report the reason--two million Iraqis have fled and those who remain have segregated themselves in ethnic enclaves--Sunnis surrounded by walls in one area and Shia surrounded by walls in another. International terrorism is higher now than when we invaded Iraq. We've wasted billions of dollars which by the way, are becoming nearly worthless in international markets because of our war debt. I would like for Republicans to answer me--how has this war been worth it?

The US is doggedly pursuing the notion that the benefits of oil in Iraq will far outweigh the war it took to capture those benefits.

And I thought Colonialism was a thing of the past!

Earl C's comments touched on something almost no one discusses in any detail, the long-term economic impact, most of which has not even been allowed to affect federal spending on a host of other government programs, most of which benefit the most economically, educationally, politically disenfranchised part of the population. Most political and social commentaries do not approach the topic because its unknowns are so potentially dire and its "knowns" are really hard to know (much of the spending on the war is debt-spending, not yet affecting the current budgets). One more issue that's extremely hard to discuss relates to the human cost, whatever the war's "outcome," actual "victory," whatever that equates to, or "defeat," which might equate to just coming home. Those American men and women who have fought, been wounded, died or survived with all the memories they carry for life, were and are the nation's greatest resource. I've met and work with a number of those veterans, who truly represent so many of the nation's greatest traits, dedicated to duty, hard-working, united (at least initially) under a sense of duty and idealism. Either way we slice the outcome, their lives or futures were certainly weighed too lightly in the gamble that led the nation into where we now are, with no clear alternative or strategy. Reckless commitment of the nation's greatest resource, its people, our brothers and sisters, is, I hate to say, a woeful understatement.

My brother was there for Desert Storm, and was looking forward to seeing those he protected in Kuwait once again.

He is now there once again. Those who he looked forward to seeing, now don't see him the same way again. They want him and all the allies out.

Imagine how they feel towards us in Iraq....

The writer could have chosen a totally different viewpoint had he so chosen. Eighty percent of Republicans and 40% of independents thought current assessments of the war were favorable, while 76% of Democrats thought it unfavorable. Most of these Democrats would probably be stridently against anything associated with Bush, be it the war, school policies. the economy, etc. This negativism skews the final number to 43% favorable. Leave out this knee-jerk response by Democrats, the final number would likely be much higher.

Any Surge would produce a temporary success anywhere it is applied.Even the city of Washington would experience a reduction in crime if you ship 30,000 extra policemen in.

Oh how easy it is for the Shrub to claim the high cost of his collective blunders has "all been worth it". He's personally paid no price beyond his ditched approval ratings (Who approves of him now anyway? His mommy?), and he has nothing in common with the middle and lower-class victims of his presidency. He's lost no loved ones, made no sacrifice and is unaware and therefore unaffected by his crap economy and $4.00 per gallon gasoline. We are all witness to it: Ignorance truly must be bliss.

The Iraq War, like most wars, has been pushed by the military-industrial complex and the oil barons. They're the real power behind Bush and Cheney. I will always remember how this administration has meant corporate greed, war and sky-high oil prices.

"Leave out this knee-jerk response by Democrats, the final number would likely be much higher."

Or leave out the blind and ignorant allegiances of the conservative right and the number would be more like 65-70% believing the entire policiy and undertaking were failures.

Peace

"Leave out this knee-jerk response by Democrats, the final number would likely be much higher."

Or leave out the blind and ignorant allegiances of the conservative right and the number would be more like 65-70% believing the entire policiy and undertaking were failures.

Peace

"However, 61 percent said the presence of U.S. forces in Iraq is making the security situation there worse. About three in 10 said American troops improve security. For more from the poll, click here."

Okay, can't McCain, Clinton and Obama take up this one point in their rhetorical debates? Just this one fact as opposed to our internal (isolated) US fantasies? I already know who has the best serious answer, one that will be an honest bridge. Hint: It is not someone with a C in their name.

As an Americanized citizen, my perspective varies greatly from that of the mainstream. The war in Iraq had everything to do in stimulating Wall Street with tons of taxpayer money, and protecting the vital interests of Israel in attacking its nearest, most powerful enemy through the great leverage which the Jewish state holds over the United States' congress.

Bush is the Nazis revenge on America- He has successfully bogged us down in a non-winnable war that fattens his family and cabal's coffers each day of occupation, he has systematically transformed the economy into one that favors oil and military companies over all others (permanent oil-war), and he has devalued the dollar to record lows (exactly the tactic the Nazis used on England to wreck their economy by flooding millions of pounds of counterfeit money into Britain to raise inflation astronomically)...I wouldn't be surprised if they don't have money printing presses at their new paramilitary compound/nuclear shelter/ranch down in Paraguay, cranking out whatever they need for covert ops...Oh yes, then there's 9-11...

You morons who have something to say about the war are nothing, but a bunch of cowards. I am sure that none of you have ever served in the military. All I can say is be thankful that you live in a free goverment, and you can express your voice. You should hornor those who have given there lives for what the believe in. They didn't have to, they never met you, and probably never will. These young men and women gave there lives so you wouldn't have to. What kind of idiot thinks that everything would be alright if we just pulled out of the war now. Oh an yeah I did serve in the Army, and have been over there, the media only lets you see what they want you to see. Open you eyes people.

I believe that the American taxpayers are paying 80,000 Sunni men $300 per month to fight the insurgents.

That is not a lot of money when compared to American lives lost - just $24 million per month - but that payment is what is largely responsible for the dramatic decrease in secular violence in Iraq. The money and the intelligence of the Sunni's is what is succeeding.

General Patraeus understands how to conduct this operation and to use the surge of American forces to tamp down other insurgent efforts.

But to what end?

It seems to me that absent any changes in the Iraqi government and its policies, the whole surge and Sunni buy out is just a holding action. If either the U.S. troop levels come down drastically, or the Sunni's quit - we are back top square one.

What is the criteria for victory? When will the job be finished? How long do we have to keep this up?

Congress will hear from Patraeus in a few weeks....that is when the anti-war demonstrators should be out in force. Congress must extract from Patraeus the exact criteria for our victory and his outline of our exit strategy.

We need to bring the Iraqi debacle to a close. That does not mean a helter-skelter pull out - or what the Republicans characterize as a "surrender." But, it does mean sharing with Congress - precisely what victory will look like.

Mr. President - what has to happen for us to "win" your war.

I think that all you really want is for another Republican to get elected to the White House. If you can keep everything in flux - then the Democrats will not dare to pull the plug.

What a country - Witless Republican and Gutless Democrats.

A pox on both their houses.

Sadly, the most anti-war of the present presidential candidates has felt compelled (For the sake of popular opinion and votes) to disavow the comments made by his pastor which point out the fact that we are not the good guys we pretend to be in modern history, and have brought much of the anger of our enemies (and allies) upon ourselves with our arrogance and willingness to commit mass murder in the name of god$$$ and country$$$. Our lack of humility and ability to see cause and effect in our fortunes is mind boggling.

Bush never ceases to amaze me. He is strutting all around the country bragging his war is a sucess. Every time that chimp opens his mouth things head south for the troops over there. I still remember the aragance of Bush when he taunted the insurgents "to bring it on."

I thnk the best way out of this war is to inform Maliki to get his house in order cause we are leaving. Every time we mention leaving, then he seems to perk up, then once Bush the chimp assures him we are here to stay and our checkbook is always open, the iraqi government once again acomplishes nothing. So I guess it will remain "stable" as long as we bankroll the Iraqi government, and give money the the "awakaning council" since those former bad guys are now our friends, according to King George. Oh well less than a year till the end of the absolute worse presidency ever, or as I like to say "The End of an Error."

Actually, casualties were down late last year. THIS YEAR CASUALTIES ARE RISING. But our subservient, Bush enabling press will never tell you that.

I for one can not wait until Bush is out of office. Between the invasion of Iraq and all the children who have lost parents, the high price of gas, the price of health care (if you are lucky enough to have health care) and prescription drugs ~ I have had enough!! I can not believe this country elected him to a second term. We need to get of Iraq and take care of the American people. We can not afford another Republican president. God Bless America!!

I've been a Republican for a large portion of my life, but not anymore. I've come to realize that most Republicans are head over heels in love with the past, which is why they keep attempting to repeat it! This moron we have masquerading as a leader never understood Viet Nam, and as a result, he's created another 'Nam, only this time in the Middle East. While I am not a lover of the Democratic party, the move of the Republican party to the extreme, flat-earth right has forced me to join them becuase the Republican party and reason no longer have anything to do with each other... They are threatened by the concept of evolution, but the response is not soul-searching or any attempt at enlightenment, but "Creation Science" or "Intelligent Design", basically aboriginal, fundamentalist religion dressed up to look like science. The same is true of global warming, the environment, whatever. I have little respect for Republicans anymore, becuase they are head-in-the-sand change-phobic fools. Someone once said the biggest lies are the ones we tell ourselves...

Iraq is a mess - is now and probably always will be. My heart aches for those poor soldiers and their families. Another big concern for me is I really think Bush is crazy enough to start another war with Iran. What's he got to lose? You know he's already warned Iran and he doesn't like being ignored. (Ask Saddam, oh, you can't, he's dead) Good example. We're hearing more & more remarks from Bush, Cheney and even McCain about the danger of Iran and about them helping the U S enemies by supplying them with weapons and money. I feel reasons being created again to justify starting another war. God Help Us!

Its amazing when those who oppose the war are called cowards. Republicans love to remind us that Clinton was a draft dodger, yup he was, at least we know what he was and what he stood for whether you agree or not. Now Bush and Company are a different story, we know about Bush's questionable service record, and then Daddy getting him into business school so he wont go to vietnam, some hero. Then there is Cheney, what did he have 5 or 6 deferments. What was his excuse? not his heart, he did not have his first heart attack till his late 30's, some hero. The real cowards are the people who buy into Bush's lies and fear mongering. America may have at one time been a nation of brave people, but now they are a nation of quivering cowards, not because they oppose the war, rather they surrender thier personal liberties to a fanatic (who has a pretty poor reputation of the truth)who keeps scaring them.

Bush declared victory years ago, was that also a blunder? When will it end what did this administration lead America into? More deficits, dead Americans, etc.

I tend to believe that history will show, as it always does, that there was much more to this war than what meets the eye. A great number of opinions have been made here. I often wonder if the war, fuel prices, and all this geo-political strife caused by the war is not a diversion for something or someone else. The surface is never what it seems. I wonder how many UN Security Council Resolutions are unknown to the public. I'll bet much is done in closed sessions behind closed doors. In an interesting twist of view, what if UN pressure through the powerful groups forced this current situation. Much had been said early on about UN assistance, what happened to all the assistance? Was this planned? Always interesting, closed door history.

No endeavor that had such an ignoble and dishonest beginning can ever be expected to have a good and noble end.

That things are "better" than they were a year ago in NO way excuses the stupidity and hubris that went into those fateful decisions 5 years ago.

How blessed we are to have hind-sight!
No WMD's found, therefore Iraq war was mistake. Couldn't have Saddam just allowed inspectors to determine that? But he didn't. I repeat that! BUT...HE...DIDN'T
He wanted subterrfuge. He wanted the world to doubt.

For better or worse, this is our war.
I said it on Sept. 11th. "We will see who our friends are." Saddam blocking U.N. inspectors, Security Council waffling, and most people worried about hurting the terrorists' feelings while they murder, maim and intimidate people with their poisonous rhetoric.

Take this time on the anniversary of the Iraq war to reflect what has been gained and what the world has gained in being less one ruthless, vain and heartless dictator.

We win this war with fewer armchair quarterbacks. We win this war by keeping our concern about the Iraqi people and fighting terrorists and not harassing our elected government who has given more to the nation of Iraq than any one else ever did when other nations traded backdoor favors with Saddam while he built another palace and his demon seed ravaged the population living under fear.

The Iraqi's have the choice to fight or live with each other. Only the U.S. and coalition allies gave them that chance to choose. The world owes the U.S. and the coaltion thanks. Save your bile for those much more deserving.

I want to respond to Trent's post concerning the sacrifices of the soldiers. My nephew in law currently stations in Iraq, this is his third tour as a Marine Intelligence officer. Never at any point in any of our family gatherings did he ever say he has made sacrifices for us to have freedom. He accepts the fact that he signed up for the Marine after college and is quite happy in the military. Out of courtesy and consideration for him, members of my family who are against the Iraq war refrain themselves from making anti war remarks in his presence. In fact we did not dwell on that fact because we respect one and another's opinions. Besides he joined the Marine because he liked to be a Marine, not for any noble reason.

Hey, George give that speech in Tora Bora.

With the "real" costs of the war projected to exceed 100,000 civilians killed, nearly 4000 US soldiers (to date) killed, the price of oil going up over 4 times (most of which is hedging due to the uncertainty around the war) and a smash to the federal deficit of $3T (per a recent study), this war is not "accomplished", "vindicated", "worth it" or of any other positive value.

There was no serious justification for invading Iraq. The scant evidence provided was a thinly stretched and well spun bit of propaganda.

Bush got his revenge on Saddam for Daddy.

Was that worth, to put it bluntly: 4000 dead young men and women and $25,000 per taxpayer in the US?

Would you have signed up for a debt of $25,000 to support this war? Anyone? Does your $600 "stimulus" make you feel good about any of this?

And that debt has been sold off to treasuries buyers world wide ensuring that you get to pay for that debt over and over and over again, a good chunk of that money will be borrowing costs that leave the US economy... something it really did not need.

We all knew he was not the brightest bulb when he was elected. The proof lies in the shambles of the war, the deficit, the economy and the environment.

Historians will have little positive to attribute to the presidency of George Waterboard Bush.

I was asked yesterday if the world ia a safer place without Saddam, I sadly had to answer no. I would not have said that 5 years ago, but as things have turned out only two groups of Iraqian people are safer and they are killing each other at a rate that may rival the rate Saddam himself was killing his internal enemies. worse yet 7 in 10 Iraqians want us out of thier country and we refuse to leave despite the cot in lives and billions per month in deficit spending.

Saddam was a bad guy, his wars with Iran certainly killed millions of people , We supported him in those wars, in fact we knew He was usiing gas warfare in the 1980's.

I think it's clear Bush knew saudi Arabians were the main source and supporters of the 9-11 attacks. Bush and the bin Ladin family go back decades in the oil business and was seemingly much more concerned with his financial interests then is who was really responsible for 9-11 and held up Saddam as a substitute for our right full wrath for the attacks.

Osama is still out there and more likely to die of old age or accident then at the hands of american justice. I think its highly likely this is no accident, Bush was probably told not he was not allowed to catch Osama by the bin ladin family form the begining. its amazing how the media doesn't put any of this on the air.

one would do well to realise, there are two different political parties in america but both have to work within the narrowly confined "reality" of the popular media.

its sad but Saudi Arabian oil lords and Rupppert Murdoch (Faux news and many "independdant local radio networks" owner. both non-american entities with agendas of thier own have more influence on american politics and policies, then any american person or group I can think of? bad things are here and worse things are to come. May our devalued currency at least feed us through the dark times ahead.

I could go over the constitution, but I think Bush has thrown it out and no one has said anything, so My words would mean nothing. good luck my fellow Americans

I was asked yesterday if the world ia a safer place without Saddam, I sadly had to answer no. I would not have said that 5 years ago, but as things have turned out only two groups of Iraqian people are safer and they are killing each other at a rate that may rival the rate Saddam himself was killing his internal enemies. worse yet 7 in 10 Iraqians want us out of thier country and we refuse to leave despite the cot in lives and billions per month in deficit spending.

Saddam was a bad guy, his wars with Iran certainly killed millions of people , We supported him in those wars, in fact we knew He was usiing gas warfare in the 1980's.

I think it's clear Bush knew saudi Arabians were the main source and supporters of the 9-11 attacks. Bush and the bin Ladin family go back decades in the oil business and was seemingly much more concerned with his financial interests then is who was really responsible for 9-11 and held up Saddam as a substitute for our right full wrath for the attacks.

Osama is still out there and more likely to die of old age or accident then at the hands of american justice. I think its highly likely this is no accident, Bush was probably told not he was not allowed to catch Osama by the bin ladin family form the begining. its amazing how the media doesn't put any of this on the air.

one would do well to realise, there are two different political parties in america but both have to work within the narrowly confined "reality" of the popular media.

its sad but Saudi Arabian oil lords and Rupppert Murdoch (Faux news and many "independdant local radio networks" owner. both non-american entities with agendas of thier own have more influence on american politics and policies, then any american person or group I can think of? bad things are here and worse things are to come. May our devalued currency at least feed us through the dark times ahead.

I could go over the constitution, but I think Bush has thrown it out and no one has said anything, so My words would mean nothing. good luck my fellow Americans

Some things to think about:
1. War has cost about $1 Trillon
2. There are 2.5 million Internal Displaced persons in Iraq.'
3. There are 2 million Iraqi refugees outside Iraq.
4. Over 38,000 Iraqis are seek asylum in US because of the violence, about 2x from 2006.
5. 28,838 wounded US service personnel
6. Kurd terror groups use Iraq as a safe haven in their fight for Turkey.
7. 40,928 Iraqi civilians have died since 28 April 2005 due to the war.
8. No WMD found and no link to Al Qaeda according to US military.
9. Little to no unity in the Iraqi government which is the key to legitimacy and to a positive outcome.
10. 1000+ US contractor employees have been killed.

So what are the "undeniable" successes?

Some things to think about:
1. War has cost about $1 Trillon
2. There are 2.5 million Internal Displaced persons in Iraq.'
3. There are 2 million Iraqi refugees outside Iraq.
4. Over 38,000 Iraqis are seek asylum in US because of the violence, about 2x from 2006.
5. 28,838 wounded US service personnel
6. Kurd terror groups use Iraq as a safe haven in their fight for Turkey.
7. 40,928 Iraqi civilians have died since 28 April 2005 due to the war.
8. No WMD found and no link to Al Qaeda according to US military.
9. Little to no unity in the Iraqi government which is the key to legitimacy and to a positive outcome.
10. 1000+ US contractor employees have been killed.

So what are the "undeniable" successes?

Where's the oil?

The Iraq war has undermined our security by giving different factions a reason to unite; created a cause for extremists funded by our supposed allies the Saudis; destabized the region especially in Pakistan; made US citizens a target for violence; created a huge debt that will take at least 10 generations to pay off; been one factor in rising oil prices; and made one supporter of these failed policies - John McCain - a presidential hopeful.

Bush/Cheney must be given crdit for one thing. They do what they say.

Hillary/Obama - What have they actually done to stop the war, even though they cannot stop screaming against it to attract the votes.

The Iraq war has undermined our security by challenging our democracy with extended invasions of privacy by the government; stepped on our values of humanitarinism through the use of torture; given different extremist factions a reason to unite; created a cause for extremists funded by our supposed allies the Saudis; destabized the region especially in Pakistan, the next country to become a battleground; made US citizens a target for violence; created a huge debt that will take at least 10 generations to pay off; been one factor in rising oil prices; and made one supporter of these failed policies - John McCain - a presidential hopeful.

As a WWII veteran and a life long Republican, but not of this sorry group that now controls the party, I am ashamed and mad as hell at Bush. He is not capable of making a good judgement and too arrogant to accept good advice. He now talks about the "success" of his surge but we never hear of the huge additional costs in American lives and treasure. One can not weight the worth without considering these and when it is done the results, only temporary, were not worth the life one even one of our troops.
Bush does not even have the honesty or decency to admit his flawed actions and continues to defend them. That is a true sign of stupidity and false pride. Bush can run and hide in the very controlled environment his supporters maintain for him but the smell of rottenness proceeds and follows him.

Much like the defeated people of Germany and Japan after WW2 or even the Stalinist Communist supporters of the old Soviet Union the people of the United States are now coming to recognize that as a nation, we were led through a complex mixture of propoganda, utilizing fear, ethnocentrism and a desire for revenge after the 9-11 attacks into participating in the creation of nascent totalitarian state. The machinery is all there, a suspension of civil rights and the establishment of a parallel form of judicial adjucation for specifically identified individuals and groups (which needs only to have it's parameters expanded to become more inclusive) and the creation of an imperial presidency, immune to the checks and balances envisioned by our founding fathers. Perhaps the happiest thing about this state of affairs is that it has not come to fruition as the engineers of this catastrophe were not true beleivers, as in the case of the Nazi's, Communist's, emperor worshippers. Fortunately, they were more like opportunists concerned primarily with making sure they supped up as much money as possible through tax breaks, no bid contracts and the privatization of this glorious war for themselves and their friends while they still had power. Perhaps, for awhile, George Bush's trademark smirk, served as sort of true beleivers tell, telegraphing that he was secretly right no matter how wrong he appeared, did betray a delusion that he was operating under divine guidance to prosecute his "Crusade" in some fantasized armegeddonish role as the leader of the good forces of Christianity against the evil forces of Islam, but even that all knowing smile has now been wiped off his face by the cold reality that the world is not ending and neither angels or god can stave the rising rivers of blood his administration now straddles from this ill Iraqi adventure. I for one heartily suggest that a full investigation be initiated to find out just what the members of the Bush administration were eating, drinking or smoking prior to pushing for this war and banning it entirely as it obviously sincerely damaged their mental clarity as even now they try to spin this disaster into some sort of gold cloth of honor, decency and common sense. We have now turned the corner in this conflict so many times that it is obvious that we are moving in a spiral towards the light at the end of the tunnel which is in reality a black hole, from which there is no escape. This is not to say that the Bushies and their cohorts in the Republican party are not without guile, we should fully expect for them to pull a Bin Laden out of the hat before the next elections. Yet even that may not be enough as the implications of how they placated society and ran their government aground on borrowed money starts to come unravelled as creditors start to wonder exactly when and with what they shall be paid as the mint hurriedly prints more and more money to plug the hole created. As the polls suggest, other than the 30% of the people who are directly being paid or benefitted by the warped reality of the current administration, the rest of us are spitting mad and wondering just what went wrong with our government and how did it ever get so bad so quickly? We must now figure out how to fix this mess and it will require much like the people of other regimes gone mad, coming to sense of that we have been duped and been duplicitous in equal measure. Yes, after suspicious elections, the Patriot Act, after seeing CIA agents outed, the establishment of concentration camps and extra judicial systems enacted, after finding out that there was a move afoot to taint the justice department, after seeing country western singers pilloried for voicing their displeasure with the government, after discovering that there were secret wire tappings that could not be prosecuted as they were beyond view due to their executive priviledge there was just cause to fear the government, to be afraid to voice ones opinions for fear of retaliation. Yet the fear of being fired or dogged by the IRS, FBI, or worse while we could be making millions in real estate instead should have pointed out to us that so much of this was smoke and mirrors. Now the smoke is clearing, the mirrors are cracking and we must come to the conclusion, all of us, co-opted beneficiaries, conspirators, unwitting civilians, terrified to silence dissenters alike, that we nearly destroyed the nation through our submission and co-operation. Fortunately this time of darkness comes to a close now as the current administration, due to unfettered greed, unprecedented incompetence, and hopefully an innate, inner desire not to completely wreck this beautiful democracy, really lacked the desire and cojones to capitalize on its moment. This era will be endlessly debated for some time to come in much the same manner as was the McCarthy era, with the caveat that this time we came much closer to edge than ever before.

Bush is unfortunately my Commander in Chief so I cannot write anything profane about him... but I am sure you get the drift... if I could... I would. War in Afghanistan... not a blunder... the right decision. War in Iraq... wow... most idiotic thing ever in the history of mankind. Anyone... I repeat anyone... who thinks war in Iraq has even an iota of justification, is living in a fool's world. I am alive and I thank GOD (my GOD) for it and the prayers and good wishes of my loved ones; most white people in the US especially the older ones are so full of themselves they wouldn't even begin to comprehend the meaning of peaceful, diplomatic victories instead of war. War is supposed to be the last resort, not among the first options. India lives in a bad neighborhood and yet doesn't initiate war only defends itself... and just look at their economic rise! They don't have too many resources they make good use of their scarce resources, we in the US have all the resources we could ever want and we misuse them, waste them, and send our children and some guests (myself) to die in Iraq, fighting a war for a war monger, who I am sure doesn't know how to spell peace... or even use the word correctly in a sentence... I bet he likes "peaciousness", a word that he probably would make up in a less than stellar moment of his life!

The Iraq war is a mistake to cover a mistake. Most Americans, myself included, could see a rationale for going to war in Afghanistan. Especially since they were harboring Osama Bin Laden whom intelligence experts, after the fact, said was responsible for 9/11. But after thwarting the Taliban & causing Osama to go underground, for some reason, we turned our sites on Iraq. Supposedly it was to rid a country of WMD. Then it turned into a mission to liberate a people from a tyrannical dictator. I'm not sure when it became US policy to invade a sovereign nation and overthrow their leader. But that's precisely what has happened. Bush and his war hawk administration have pored billions of dollars of taxpayers money into rebuilding the infrastructure of country that they spent billions of dollars to tear down. And to what aim. Iraq, and for that matter, the Middle East will never change their core beliefs or their feelings toward the "Great Satan". Not only were there no Al Quaida in Iraq prior to the war, but it now has become a training ground for them. How does that improve our security? About the only thing the Iraq War has successfully done is improve the bottom line of Dick Cheney's old company, Haliburton, and all it's subsidiaries.

Iraq war is another embarassment, like of Vietnam. out of it nothing positive. I think Rev.wright and senator McCain lost their minds at Vietman war! Wright saying hatered things& McCain wants to continue the war, for more militray(young american) to die. They are both taking revenge from the society who sent them to vietnam where lost their minds.American must rejects them.

What a shame this administration has been for such a great nation!
Republicans should never again be allowed to govern even a township in this country!!

I served in the military during the Vietnam War era for 6 years. I also had Intelligence School training. Much of what passes for national security today is only political. Even back then we knew that having a strong military as a deterent was better than actually having to fight a war. Our country has an obligation to the world. Unfortunately, those who think that because we have it, we must use it, have missed the point. Bush never tried diplomacy. He was determined to go to war for whatever reason. Maybe Saddam insulted his Daddy. May my friends on the nutty right get over the fact that their pious "religiousity" is no more Christian than is the ultra-left who see no need for a God. Remember, we are over 9 trillion dollars in debt and still counting. We could learn some lessons from Mad King Ludwig II of Bavaria on how to spend our national treasure. He backrupted a country on his desires. Not much is new under the sun. By the way, Obama gave possibly the best speech I ever heard on race yesterday. Listening to a few clips from Rush, Rush still doesn't get it. I am a white man who would consider it an honor to have Obama as a brother.

If Obama is the Democratic candidate in the fall, I will vote for him, simply because he was opposed to the war in Iraq from the beginning. Unlike many, I was never fooled by the rhetoric fueled by the Bush Administration for making the first pre-emptive strike against a foreign country in the history of the United States. At the time it was in the name of 'weapons of mass destruction', and the imminent threat which they posed to the United States. When that didn't work out, it then became removing Hussein from office. And now, with a 'surge', you have a Baghdad only slightly contained, but an increase of violence in other regions of Iraq and Afghanistan. The reason for this entire debacle in the Middle East, which is many more times unstable than it was before the U.S. invasion of Iraq, was not WMD, or Hussein, or spreading democracy. It was control of oil. Simple and clear. A war for oil, with thousands of U.S. troops dead, and tens of thousands of civilians dead. My intelligence has been insulted time and time again by the idiots who claim to have the best interests of my country in mind. Wars cost money. We are trillions of dollars in debt, and no one is buying it any more. Not the Saudis. Not Europeans. Not the Japanese. The value of the dollar is so low, a scone and cup of tea at a normal London cafe costs the equivalent of $16. With a ridiculous war going on and a dollar which is rapidly declining, a major change in Washington is needed, and fast.

Instead of short term effects, instead of pretending you have amnesia and don't recall the lies that enabled the war to begin, why not consider such mundane items as
(a) costs in dollars,
(b) American lives lost,
(c)Iraqi lives lost,
(d) what weakening effect the war has had on our totalmilitary strength, and
(e) the link to the stupendous rising cost of oil,
as well as (d) the corrupt awarding processes that enabled a few corporations to profit obscenely from the largess dispensed by our Administration and Congress?
Total that up and decide if the war was worth it.

Not his blood, not his money. Everyday Bush stays in office is a celebration of Zero Accountability and the failure of Congress to protect America and the World from this lunatic.

The USA deserves the recession it currently is undergoing- after all, idiotic Americans voted Bush/GOP twice in a row- at least gays can't get married!

Anyone who knew anything about the history of the Middle East knew that a war in Iraq had to fail. Anyone stupid enough not to know that the boundaries of Middle Eastern countries were fictions created by Britain and France after World War One--only someone that stupid would have dreamed of turning Iraq into Texas.

But Bush contemned knowledge, those who actually knew anything.

So, he launched an unnecessary and unjustifiable war in a part of the world that he knew nothing about.

His fantasy of turning Iraq into Texas might have been pretty. But it in no way connected to the real world. (Ah, yes, he once denounced those who live in a reality-defined world!)

His great accomplishment has been to turn the U.S. into a pariah. People who were once our friends now think that we are mad, deluded.

At the same time--believing that taxes are all bad--he has sold us to the Chinese, who are bankrolling our war. (Except that our grandchildren's grandchildren will still be paying for this war, assuming that the Bush assault on the dollar fails and that our currency might somehow retain some value.)

To put Bush's accomplishments into perspective, watch the Fed trying now to prevent another depression. Economists are scared: they understand just how great a financial mess this country is in. (And remember when Bush became president he inherited a surplus.)

King Bush and prince richard have achieved the goal they set seven and one half years ago. Help big business become bigger, create more wealth for the rich, ignore the poor working class and absolutely destroy this great nations ability to reconcile differences through peaceful means other than invasion. Our credibility with other nations is in the toilet along with our dollar. Thanks King Georgie.

Here's a thought for all the big time war hawks! We're running out of money. If you're going to call anyone against the Iraq debacle a coward, why don't you self-proclaimed "supporters" put YOUR money where your big mouths are, pack up your stuff and go join the effort. If you feel so strongly that it's neccesary to send other people's loved ones into this idiotic mess, and this effort is so important to you, than go help out.

'compliant, supine media' traits properly ascribed to even The Post vis-a-vis the War Crimes in Iraq. Linda Heard's concise rendition should be passed around to your investigative reporters/editors/staff.
WHAT'S GOING ON IN WASHINGTON AND THE MEDIA REGARDING THIS SELF-DESTRUCTIVE AND NATION DESTROYING CONFLAGRATION IN IRAQ?
WHO'S BUYING THIS CRAP? WHY AREN'T BUSH/CHENEY AND CO. IMPEACHED AND ON TRIAL FOR WAR CRIMES IN THE HAGUE?
How to Destroy a Country and Get Off Scot-Free by Linda Heard, sierra12th@yahoo.co.uk
Someone once told me if you're going to tell a lie make it a whopper based on the premise the more outrageous the lie the more likely it is to be believed. At the time, I wrote off his advice as hogwash but as we see from the Iraq debacle, he was right. Five years later, the deceit continues undiminished and nobody has been held to account. Britain's Gordon Brown yesterday promised to hold an enquiry into the "mistakes" made in Iraq. Sounds good, but don't hold your breath. All previous inquiries have been labeled "whitewashes". They can't afford the truth to come out else they might get a one-way ticket to The Hague.Ambassador David Satterfield, and adviser to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, is doing the rounds of talk shows lauding America's victories over Al-Qaeda in Iraq. On one occasion the host interjected to mention the unpalatable fact that Al-Qaeda members only flocked to Iraq once the Americans were in place leaving Satterfield momentarily nonplussed.It's obvious that Satterfield is so saturated in the party line he forgot the Pentagon's recently published study that found with certainty that Saddam Hussein had absolutely no links to Al-Qaeda. And lest we forget Saddam didn't have WMD either, which means not only was the war immoral the prewar sanctions on that country that contributed to the deaths of over half-a-million Iraqi children were too. Think about it for a moment. The warmongers invaded, crushed and occupied a country that was no threat to anyone. They stood by as it was looted, exacerbated sectarianism, flattened entire towns, tortured untold numbers of innocents, brought in gum-chewing, tattooed foreign mercenaries and paid crony companies billions of dollars for mythical reconstruction projects.They then pretended to hand over sovereignty to that country while at the same time constructing permanent bases and the biggest US Embassy in history resembling a small town. They said they had no interest in Iraq's oil, yet they are putting immense pressure on the Iraqi government (sic) to sign into law a bill that permits foreign (read American) oil companies to lock up decades-long deals. Let's be frank. Iraq wasn't a blunder, it was a crime. So how did they manage to get away with implanting their long-conceived plot to do away with Israel's No. 1 foe, ensure their competitors couldn't get their hands on Iraq's resources and entrench their military might in the region? Future historians will no doubt be scratching their heads over this one. You had to live through it to believe it.
First, they cleverly used the politics of fear to sway public opinion. As noted in the Project for the New American Century's document "Rebuilding America's Defenses", the warmonger signatories - who later became senior members of the Bush administration - needed "a new Pearl Harbor". On Sept. 1l 2001 they got it. Americans and their allies were in shock. Almost every country in the world was sympathetic and willing to do anything to help. And, boy, did they capitalize on that empathy even managing to persuade Russia to stay silent as they made deals with Caspian states to allow US bases.
Step one was a country where a giant bogeyman was supposed to be hiding out in a cave presumably equipped with a dialysis machine and a production studio and whose black-turbaned government forced women to wear a burqa and disallowed nail polish. But then Defense Minister Donald Rumsfeld was disappointed because there weren't enough targets for his bombs. It was no fun bombing a country into the Stone Age when it was already there.
Step two was the insidious demonizing of Muslims, thousands of whom were arrested and held for months without charge or access to lawyers. In that climate of fear, it was relatively simple to persuade the American people that Saddam Hussein was conniving with the people who brought down the World Trade Center. US officials warned of mushroom clouds; Prime Minister Tony Blair said British interests could be attacked within 45 minutes of Saddam giving the order. Then Secretary of State Colin Powell allowed himself to be used as their fall guy. He spouted the most unbelievable scripted codswallop the UN had ever heard...yet, bullied and bribed nation after nation pretended to believe him as IAEA chief Mohammed El-Baradei and UN weapons inspector Hans Blix did little to discredit the hoax.
Step three entailed replacing Osama in people's minds with Saddam, who overnight morphed into a hydra-headed monster whose idea of a pleasant weekend was gassing and torturing his own people.
Step four was 'Shock and Awe' which illuminated the Baghdad skyline on March 19, 2003. As their bombs and missiles rained down on crowded market places scattering limbs, they told us those bombs and missiles were Saddam's even though the Independent's Middle East correspondent inconveniently dug up their Made in the USA shards.
As the months went on, we began to wonder what happened to the WMD. They told us it was only a matter of time before it would be unearthed from under the sands or discovered in a tunnel under one of Saddam's palaces. They even suggested it may have been shipped off to a neighboring country for safekeeping!!
Step five was an orchestrated administration campaign to inject us with mass amnesia. Never mind about the weapons, they said. We are here to liberate the poor Iraqi people from their evil dictator and deliver freedom and democracy. Look, look, they said. The Iraqis have purple fingers! With up to one million dead, Iraqis are lucky they have any fingers at all.
To be fair, they couldn't have done it without the aid of a compliant, supine media, which embedded its reporters with US battalions and agreed not to show captured US soldiers, flag-draped coffins, military funerals or scenes of blood-soaked Iraqi civilians. Independent reporters who neglected to abide by the script were discredited, refused access to information and even shelled.
I still recall a live report from David Chater of Sky News, who saw the barrel of a US tank slowly turn toward the Palestine hotel - known to be a journalist's hang-out - before firing its shell killing three reporters. The Baghdad offices of Al-Jazeera and Al-Arabiya were also hit.
With so much information on tap I'm flabbergasted that so many people still believe the Iraq fairytale. I wish they'd get in touch with me. I've got a few pyramids and a sphinx going cheap. Sad, isn't it!
http://www.albertpeia.com
http://www.albertpeia.com/currentopics10108.htm
http://www.albertpeia.com/wallstreetlunacy10108.htm

What a wonderful set of blogs. The bottom line: The provision in the Constitution is for a common defense as pointed out in earlier blogs. There is no room for pre-emptive wars, unless say that a foreign force is amassing an army on our borders with apparent intention to attack. Speaking of this, isn't this what we did to Iraq - amass a large foreign army on its borders. If Saddam did in fact have WMDs and without anything to lose, he could have dropped a few on Camp Doha in Kuwait. The best evidence that Saddam, the madman, did not have WMDs in 2003 is that he did not use them when it was to his best advantage to do so. Our war mongering, did-not-show-up-for-Vietnam-action leaders were hell-bent on going to war. It is a sure fire way to retain political power. Remember, you never ever "change horses in the middle of the stream."

Have a great day, one and all.

Let us not fool our selves!!!!!

The War in Iraq was about OIL,Not any thing else!!!!.

The situation there is worse and worse!!!!

We are treating the symptoms, but not the
disease. The disease is untreatable!!!!!. The Surge will not solve the problem.

Let us not fool our selves!!!!!

The War in Iraq was about OIL,Not any thing else!!!!.

The situation there is worse and worse!!!!

We are treating the symptoms, but not the
disease. The disease is untreatable!!!!!. The Surge will not solve the problem.

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The actual situation is more serious than the happened ones in other times because the present politicians are not intelligent.

It was reported that the first thing we did after occupying Iraq was to send our troops to guard the Ministry of Petroleum. The weapons that were left following the fall of Iraq's army were left unguarded and were most probably used against our brave men and women who were left to pay the highest price in carrying out the policy directives of the most STUPID, MORAL BANKRUPT, PRESIDENT and ADMINISTRATION we have had in the some time. Too bad we did not see the writings on the wall following our initial occupation.

It was reported that the first thing we did after occupying Iraq was to send our troops to guard the Ministry of Petroleum. The weapons that were left following the fall of Iraq's army were left unguarded and were most probably used against our brave men and women who were left to pay the highest price in carrying out the policy directives of the most STUPID, MORAL BANKRUPT, PRESIDENT and ADMINISTRATION we have had in the some time. Too bad we did not see the writings on the wall following our initial occupation.

America, in the way founders dreamed, is dead. The political system has been open for sell to the highest bidder for over a century. Only now it is obvious that the oligarchy that controls our government shows disdain for what Americans desire. We have a dirty little coward in control who was never taught to have any morals or ethics by his parents. Our liberties exist only on paper, not in every-day life. America is financially ruined, and its military is ruined. A few men, wanting to acquire fantastic wealth have caused both of the aforementioned conditions.

This war is a diasaster, as is every disaster. But is worse because it takes place in a Muslim country. If you guys paid close attention to Ahmadinejad's speeches he said something worth listening to, he said "A nation that knows martrydom will NEVER know CAPTIVITY."

http://youtube.com/watch?v=JwJHM2ekijY

And he is right. How can we defeat a people that whether they are alive or killed emerge victorious? Instead of bombing these people and creating more enemies. Let's stop intervening in their internal affairs. In the long run empires are not worth sustaining, look at British empire?

Anyway, this war is over and the Iranians won, just look at Ahmadinejads visit in Iraq here, it proves it:

http://irannegah.com/Video.aspx?id=506

Let's face it, this video is an embarassment for Bush and us the American people that have been duped by it all!

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Bush should've been impeached years ago, but unfortunately, murders of soldiers and innocent Iraqis are not as serious as lying about getting a blow job. Obviously, rights to the Iraqi oil have not yet been sewed up to the satisfaction of his oil profiteering resources, or we would be out of there. The worst President we have ever had is finally successful at the ultimate failure of his life. Where is his Daddy to save him this time? Too bad he doesn't really know OUR FATHER and the commandments!

But what is not being reported is that the US is intalling MEFTA, which is NAFTA here, and the Iraqs hate us for it, just as many here hate NAFTA. We have invaded Iraq militarly to instal Friedman economics and it won't work just as it hasn't worked in 131 other countries.

By privatizing, deregulating and shutting down their social support systems we have destroyed their economy to instal multinational control over their economy, and most of all put thier educated and working class out of work, just as golbalization has done here.

This is creating a lot of the unrest in ther country and altmately will create our downfall. The Iraqs had free education and health care under their socialized system and we want to set up a system of economics just like China's?

It's doom to failure. If we had gone in and gave the money to them, we would have been way ahead for a lot less tax payer money used and they would have probably blessed us.

Just as here today, Americans are asking themselves are we better off todays then yesterday, so are the Iraqs, and the answere is a resounding no in economic terms.

More drum beating against Iran, Syria, and so forth. We just do not get it. With what are we going to fight another protracted,pre-emptive war? Our economy is in a shambles. Our military is exhausted. The rich have plundered the national treasury. We are in debt for many generations to come. The dollar is almost worthless on the international market. Speaking of which, against the lowly Kuwaiti dinar, it now takes almost 4 US dollars to get one dinar. It wasn't too long ago that the dinar was equivalent to 3.3 dollars and was holding steady. We are going to come to our senses one day and wonder what happened to our rich, prosperous nation. Our infrastructure is already in a state of crisis. However, we prefer to have no taxes than to have good schools, good roads, universal health care, and so forth. The gang that told us that government is bad has been runnning the shop since 1994. They have been successful in proving that the government for, of, and by the people is as bad as they have been saying that it is. The people's problem is that we have put into power those same people who have been out to destroy our government. The lost e-mails, the stolen computers, the lack of documentation for all of the missing taxpayer dollars sent to Iraq, and the gross negligence of a bunch of cowboys with no earthly idea what it truly means to be Americans except for capitalism for the few proves the point that just pick one of the big button moral issues of same-sex marriage, abortion, and so forth and the right wing nuts will continue to win until enough "I want to be rich" voters realize the futility of voting Republican. I have always said that I'll never be rich enough to be a Republican. I rest my case. For those out there who have not figured it out, you are accepting a few crumbs of prosperity with great hopes that your ship will come in. The U.S. economy is near collapse as witnessed by the unprecedented actions of the Rederal Reserve to bail out the big guys. This is done with the same taxpayer money (did I say borrowing?) that the government refused to use to assist the airlines during their time of crisis right after 9/11. The message is let certain industries rise and fall based on free market economics, but let the government take care of the fat cats that rape the common folk over and over. If I seem frustrated and cynical, I am. I'll soon not be able to visit other countries because I'll not be able to afford to go there thanks to the valueless dollar that I carry in my wallet. America has a problem. When I say this, it does not mean that I am not patriotic. However, being a patriot means that telling the truth trumps the big lies that have been heaped on us for far too long.

My goodness, I've never seen such winy blame Bush crap in my life. If your willing to work hard, believe there are good people in this country, stop hating "the administration" and consentrate on all the wonderful, positive things this nation has accomplished you will realize how lucky and wrong you are!

Winy!? Is this a word? Bush deserves all of the blame he gets. The right wing has badgered us for years now saying how bad the Federal government is. In true form, they have now proved how bad it is. Personally, I have a lot of respect for the professionals in our government. Bush just proved how uncontrolled cronyism can mess up the system. Check out FEMA. FEMA was praised under Clinton for accomplishing great things. It collapsed under Bush. Yes, there are many wonderful things in this country. However, along with positive assessments must come honest reviews of those things that are not going well. Housing, health care, and infrastructure, to name a few, have fallen on the rubbish pile thanks to the trillions that will be ultimately spent in Iraq. I also remember a bunch of whining when Clinton was in office from the same people who do not want people to whine now. For eight years, Clinton was ridiculed, bad-mouthed, and so forth by the same people who cannot stand to hear one word of criticism against a President who should have been impeached when he led us into war in Iraq, not to mention his attitude when he found out about Abu Gureb and other horror stories. He may speak Christian, but he does not practice Christian. Read your Bible. I still want to know who pays for the big run-up in the national debt. Bush says that he is not doing anything that will be placed on the backs of future generations. (Just read his State of the Union messages.) Perhaps he knows a non-tax way to do this.

"I've tried to envision a way for us to exit Iraq that wouldn't be as enormous a blunder as our entrance"

Here's a radical but realistic plan:

1) Arm the Sunni minority to the teeth. We've already begun this process, but it would need to be accelerated.

2) Do away with this pretense of "democracy". These people have NO historical experience with representative government. They knew a Caliph for centuries, then a Sultan for centuries, then the British Mandate, and then a dictator. Think of the centuries it took for democracy to take root in England and the America. It cannot just be transplanted. Trying to plant democracy in Iraq is like trying to plant a tulip into a concrete street. It ain't gonna take...

3) Put the armed Sunni minority back in charge. They are no friends of Shi'a Iran. If we leave the Iraqi Shi'a in charge, then Iran will continue to hold enormous sway within Iraq. If need be, we could hold "elections" and show the Sunnis winning for the all the world to see.
With the Sunnis fully back in control -- we could bring our troops -- while be reasonably assured that order would be maintained and Iran's role would be minimized.

Senator Joseph Biden has the best plan for Iraq. Break this so-called country into 3 segments: Kurds in the north, Sunnis in the middle, and Shi'a in the south.

Get the U.N. to keep the peace at the new borders.

Troops come home. Done.

This President has morally bankrupted America. And, based on news about the economy, has literally bankrupted us as well. And, yet, with all of the obvious crimes W. has committed, no one has really stood up in Congress and used the "i" word like they should. So much for our system of checks and balances...

http://www.cafepress.com/wetnoodle

First point:
I always find it so amusing how people are so hell-bent on raising the American death count in any anti-war argument. Don't get me wrong, I truly, truly hate the fact that our fellow Americans are dieing over there but there has been what, approximately 4,000 American deaths? Do any of you even know how many Iraqis have died as a direct result of this mayhem we've created? The sad part is.. our troops volunteered to be there (mostly) whereas some(most?) of the Iraqis want no part in this. There are children dieing and all we care to say is "oh we've had a ton of American deaths, lets get the hell out of there NOW" and fail to consider what circumstances we leave Iraq in. This attitude precisely why terrorists exist and if we leave Iraq as a smoldering, war wrecked country how many of those men and women are going to want to seek revenge? How many of these children that have witnessed so much death and destruction are going to grow up with hatred and a thirst for American blood?

Second point:
I find it amusing hearing the "we waged this war to get oil" argument. Really? You honestly think that Mr. George W. Bush wants the price of oil to go down? Ask yourself this - what benefit would Bush - or his co-conspirators - gain from lowering the price of oil? Okay now that you don't have an answer, go snoop around and see how many different ways Bush is tied in with oil companies, organizations and owners. Kind of makes more sense for him to raise the price of oil instead of lowering it, doesn't it? Now, what in the world could cause the price of oil to go up 300% over 8 years... oh yea, attacking a region that supplies it!
Watch the news (especially a few months ago), any time the price of oil would start to decline, Bush would jump on TV and make some absurd threat to Iran / N. Korea or make some very transparent report about Iraq.
I want to know why there was little resistance when it came to dragging Clinton into court for getting a bj in the whitehouse but whenever someone connects the VERY VISIBLE dots and proclaims that Bush should be tried and hung for his actions, they are labeled a conspiracy theorist and given aluminum to wrap themselves in.

Open your eyes America, we are victims of this whole sickening plot. Of course, the thousands upon thousands of Americans, Iraqis, and Afghanis aren't enough for us to grow some and do something about all of this.. lets just pull out and leave Iraq, to hell with what happens next!

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