Iraq - A Little Perspecvie Please!

[AMERICAN TAX PAYER]

WHAT'S ALL THE FUSS?

"Are we fighting a war on terror or aren't we? Was it or was it not started by Islamic people who brought it to our shores on September 11, 2001? Were people from all over the world, mostly Americans, not brutally murdered that day, in downtown Manhattan, across the Potomac from our nation's capitol and in a field in Pennsylvania? Did nearly three thousand men, women and children die a horrible, burning or crushing death that day, or didn't they?

And I'm supposed to care that a copy of the Koran was "desecrated" when an overworked American soldier kicked it or got it wet? Well, I don't. I don't care at all.

I'll start caring when Osama bin Laden turns himself in and repents for incinerating all those innocent people on 9/11.

I'll care about the Koran when the fanatics in the Middle East start caring about the Holy Bible, the mere possession of which is a crime in Saudi Arabia.

I'll care when Abu Musab al-Zarqawi tells the world he is sorry for hacking off Nick Berg's head while Berg screamed through his gurgling, slashed throat.

I'll care when the ******ly so-called "insurgents"
in Iraq come out and fight like men instead of disrespecting their own religion by hiding in mosques.

I'll care when the mindless zealots who blow themselves up in search of nirvana care about the innocent children within range of their suicide bombs.

I'll care when the American media stops pretending that their First Amendment liberties are somehow derived from international law instead of the United States Constitution's Bill of Rights.

I'll care when Clinton-appointed judges stop ordering my government to release photos of the abuses at Abu Ghraib, which are sure to set off the Islamic extremists just as Newsweek's lies did a few weeks ago.

In the meantime, when I hear a story about a brave marine roughing up an Iraqi terrorist to obtain information, know this: I don't care.

When I see a fuzzy photo of a pile of naked Iraqi prisoners who have been humiliated in what amounts to a college hazing incident, rest assured that I don't care.

When I see a wounded terrorist get shot in the head when he is told not to move because he might be booby-trapped, you can take it to the bank that I don't care.

When I hear that a prisoner, who was issued a Koran and a prayer mat, and fed "special" food that is paid for by my tax dollars, is complaining that his holy book is being "mishandled," you can absolutely believe in your heart of hearts that I don't care.

And oh, by the way, I've noticed that sometimes it's spelled "Koran" and other times "Quran." Well, Jimmy Crack Corn and -- you guessed it -- I don't care!" -

[jmcole22]

Bravo!!!!!!!!!!! I couldnt have said it better myself. As an American Soldier, I too do not care that the insurgents rights are being deprived.....wait a minute, they are not soldiers, therefor the Geneva Convention does not protect them...they are terrorist. If any American feels this is worng, please by all means, move to the Middle East. Maybe your freedom of speech would be better spent there.

[Bubba Force]

The Pentagon announced today the formation of a new 500 man elite fighting
unit called the

US REDNECK SPECIAL FORCES (USRSF).

These South Carolina, North Carolina, Kentucky, West Virginia, Mississippi,
Missouri, Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia,

Louisianna, Texas and Tennessee boys will be dropped into Iraq,

and have been given the following facts about the Terrorists:

1. The season opened today.
2. There is no limit.
3. They taste just like chicken.
4. They don't like beer, pickups, country music or Jesus.

5. They don't admire naked women.

6. They are DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE for the death of Dale Earnhardt.

This mess in Iraq should be over IN A WEEK.

[Red Dog]

The Pentagon announced today the formation of a new 500 man elite fighting
unit called the

US REDNECK SPECIAL FORCES (USRSF).

These South Carolina, North Carolina, Kentucky, West Virginia, Mississippi,
Missouri, Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia,

Louisianna, Texas and Tennessee boys will be dropped into Iraq,

and have been given the following facts about the Terrorists:

1. The season opened today.
2. There is no limit.
3. They taste just like chicken.
4. They don't like beer, pickups, country music or Jesus.

5. They don't admire naked women.

6. They are DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE for the death of Dale Earnhardt.

This mess in Iraq should be over IN A WEEK.


I think you should send this idea to President Bush. Or he could form a force of women with PMS, menopause, and weapons, we could finish this thing in about a week!

[GRITS]

Whoa, If you send a bunch of Lexington Red-neck women, I'd give the thing in Iraq. two days.

[Captain Worley]

I think we should bomb them with bacon, alcohol and porn.

[FloridaFan]

And Michael Jackson

[swampfox]

I can see it. A whole division of Michael Jacksons, each with its own attorney, strolling into Baghdad under parasols.

I think all sides would lose interest pretty quick.

[Captain Worley]

Well, MJ is over in Saudi Arabia, so maybe we could convince him to mosey on over there. Or moonwalk on over there.

[RocDocsWife]

Hi ya'll.

My husband has been in Iraq little over a year........................with that said, let me say this-


I have pms and a hand gun, any questions?

I do so miss my husband and would do anything to get him back home. I have even talked with him about me getting "my girls" together and going over to take care of things...........:LOL

I guess I am just selfish...............shoot me......

[The Sage]

Did you know that 47 countries have reestablished their embassies in Iraq?

Did you know that the Iraqi government currently employs 1.2 million Iraqi people?

Did you know that 3100 schools have been renovated, 364 schools are
under rehabilitation, 263 schools are now under construction and 38 new
schools have been built in Iraq?

Did you know that Iraq's higher educational structure consists of 20 Universities, 46 Institutes or colleges and 4 research centers, all
currently operating?

Did you know that 25 Iraq students departed for the United States
in January 2005 for the reestablished Fulbright program?

Did you know that the Iraqi Navy is operational? They have 5-100-foot patrol craft, 34 smaller vessels and a naval infantry regiment.

Did you know that Iraq's Air Force consists of three operational = squadrons, which includes 9 reconnaissance and 3 US C-130 transport =
aircraft (under Iraqi operational control) which operate day and night,
and will soon add 16 UH-1 helicopters and 4 Bell Jet Rangers?

Did you know that Iraq has a counter-terrorist unit and a Commando
Battalion?

Did you know that the Iraqi Police Service has over 55,000 fully trained and equipped police officers?

Did you know that there are 5 Police Academies in Iraq that produce over 3500 new officers each 8 weeks?

Did you know there are more than 1100 building projects going on in Iraq? They include 364 schools, 67 public clinics, 15 hospitals, 83 railroad stations, 22 oil facilities, 93 water facilities and 69 electrical facilities.

Did you know that 96% of Iraqi children under the age of 5 have received the first 2 series of polio vaccinations?

Did you know that 4.3 million Iraqi children were enrolled in primary school by mid October?

Did you know that there are 1,192,000 cell phone subscribers in Iraq and phone use has gone up 158%?

Did you know that Iraq has an independent media that consists of 75 radio stations, 180 newspapers and 10 television stations?

Did you know that the Baghdad Stock Exchange opened in June of 2004?

Did you know that 2 candidates in the Iraqi presidential election had a televised debate recently?

OF COURSE WE DIDN'T KNOW!

WHY DIDN'T WE KNOW?

OUR MEDIA WOULDN'T TELL US!

Instead of reflecting our love for our country, we get photos of flag burning incidents at Abu Ghraib and people throwing rocks at the presidential motorcades.

The lack of accentuating the positive in Iraq serves two purposes.

It is intended to undermine the world's perception of the United States thus minimizing consequent support, and it is intended to discourage American citizens.

---- Above facts are verifiable on the Department of Defense web site.

[cuebald]

Sounds to me like we're building a nice place for them. Of course, we wouldn't have had to build it if we hadn't broken it (Pottery barn rules). Maybe when we're finished we should all move there.

Every time you hear the word 'billion' it is three dollars out of your pocket, figuratively, since the money spent on iraq is borrowed from China. So far you have spent $600 out of your pocket on Iraq alone, that your grandchildren will have to pay for. Do you feel like you got your money's worth? WIll you still feel that way when China calls in the notes and takes ownership of the U.S.?

From what you are saying, we have created 1.2 million jos in the Iraqi goverment. Why cant we create that many jobs in AMERICA???

Whatever we do there in the future, we had no business there in the past, nor do we now. I firmly believe that this war was started with a profit motive in mind.

[The Sage]

Sounds to me like we're building a nice place for them. Of course, we wouldn't have had to build it if we hadn't broken it (Pottery barn rules). Maybe when we're finished we should all move there.

Every time you hear the word 'billion' it is three dollars out of your pocket, figuratively, since the money spent on iraq is borrowed from China. So far you have spent $600 out of your pocket on Iraq alone, that your grandchildren will have to pay for. Do you feel like you got your money's worth? WIll you still feel that way when China calls in the notes and takes ownership of the U.S.?

From what you are saying, we have created 1.2 million jos in the Iraqi goverment. Why cant we create that many jobs in AMERICA???

Whatever we do there in the future, we had no business there in the past, nor do we now. I firmly believe that this war was started with a profit motive in mind.

Read the real history of all wars. They were all started with a profit motive in mind. That's what it's always been all about.

[cuebald]

That is why when George W. Bush heard America had been attacked, he uttered the phrase, "We hit the trifecta". All of the financial infrastructure was already in place with the oil companies, Halliburton, The Carlyle Group, and all the original contributors to the Bush Election campaign, who I understand ponied up over $150M to buy the office for him, betting that he could throw a bone their way. 9/11 provided the perfect excuse to start a war, after which the country destroyed would have to be rebuilt.

You are correct. Wars are not about ideologies. They are about gaining or retaining wealth and power. Iraq is no exception. WHile we little men in the street talk about democrats and republicans (who are all the same anymore anyway), the republicrats are putting on a show up front and skinning us behind closed doors.

In fifty years I predict America will be like Europe was a hundred years ago. The very rich, served by the very poor,with no one left in the middle until an uprising succeeds. And we're too stupid fighting about politics to see it and stop it.

[swampfox]

Did anybody see the president of Iraq a week or two ago when he said that his country was ready to take care of itself, and that he wanted us to leave?

[better days]

I saw that, when asked a second time he back tracked and said reducing soon our troops numbers. I would think we will be there awhile, if we leave tho I'm sure the U.N. would be there soon after for the civil wars that will follow.

[cuebald]

From the looks of the news, the civil war has arrived in Iraq.

When do we come home?

[Captain Worley]

Probably not until 2013. Ten years was the projection I saw originally (late 2002) , and I'd say it was probably realistic.

[swampfox]

According to the count kept on the Keith Olberman show on MSNBC (updated every night), it's been well over 1000 days since the commander-in-chief announced "mission accomplished".

[Captain Worley]

That was a boneheaded PR stunt if ever there was one.

[swampfox]

The pundits seem to be almost at a loss over what to say about Bush's poll numbers. They get worse (for the Bush) every week, and now a sizable majority of people say that they would trust the Democrats more than the Republicans to handle every issue they asked about, including the economy and taxes!!!

This has never happened to this extent before. I think the Democrats are not wondering anymore whether they are going to become the majority in both houses of Congress. Now they're worrying about what they will do WHEN it happens.

The biggest mistake they could make, in my opinion, is to run Hillary for president. I think McCain could win over her, even though I have lost a lot of respect for him personally lately. I'd like to see this Muthra (sp?) guy run. But no Hillary, no Gore.

[Captain Worley]

You know, I think the Democrats are going to lose even more seats this election cycle. They expected big gains last time, and got the exact opposite.

I think a lot of people are expressing disbelief in the President's immigration policies as disapproval. While I strongly disagree with some of his stances and policies, I overall think he has done a good job with the exceedingly difficult circumstances he was handed and that occured since he took office.

As for who will run for President, and who will win...who knows. I would love to see Rice run for President, but I think she is way to smart to take the nomination. I don't want to see McCain run as the Republican nominee.

I believe Hillary would sink any chances the Democrats have. They have better choices out there....they have to. I think if John Edward's runs he'll have the same effect, but he'd still get more votes than Hillary. Not even his home state of NC wanted him.

[swampfox]

The reason that I wouldn't vote for Gore was because, up until the last week or so of his presidential campaign, he declined to disassociate himself from Bill Clinton. Plus he was an active participant in some of the nastiest stuff. I haven't forgotten how embarrassing it was when he was standing in Tienenman (sp?) Square, holding hands with the Chinese commie government, just months after they had killed many demonstrators for democracy in that same place. Plus, he was the one who personally accepted a huge campaign contribution from Chinese Buddhist monks in California. Gore is a smart man. Has a good education (Vanderbilt). He knew that Chinese Buddhist monks are strictly sworn to poverty and are therefore penniless. So the money obviously came from somewhere else, no doubt the commie Chinese government. But he accepted it as if he didn't know. Screw him.

It is for the same reason that I don't think I could stomach voting for Dr. Rice.

It's true that the poll numbers don't tell you what will happen all the time, but this has been just such a remarkable decline over the last several months, lower nearly every week on job approval. And now similar polls regarding the Republican party are showing the same disaffection. There's no sure thing, but it doesn't look good for the Republicans.

I am not excited about the Democrats having the same kind of stranglehold on the government that the Republicans have had since 2000. It has really been a time of no government at all, and the Democrats would not be likely to do better. I would favor a change to a Parliamentary system, as most democracies have, instead of what we got now. In that system, the prime minister (or whatever they call him/her) is elected by, and serves at the pleasure of the elected representatives. MAYBE that would make people more serious about who they vote for, and the government would at least be able to work together to get things done.

But I'm not counting on anything.

I'm always amazed at how many people over the last several years have been so pleased with one-party government. I suspect that many of those people would be just as comfortable in a communist state as they are now.

[Captain Worley]

I can't get behind a parliamentary system. I can't explain why...it just seems wrong to me. I'll think about it.

I do think the best thing, and the easiest thing, to do to fix the political system is this country is to ban party affiliation from being mentioned in any public debate, speech, or ballot. Maybe then, peole would listen to what the candidates would say. Maybe then, a person could get elected based on his/her beliefs instead of the beliefs of their 'Party,' a term which I have always found ironic (last of the Cold Warriors, I can't help it).

[swampfox]

Good ideas, but would people listen?

Right now they are satisfying their tribal instincts by "belonging" to the Republican party or the Democratic party.

Back when Lincoln was running for president against Douglas, they would give speeches and debates that often ran 7 or 8 hours, sometimes resuming the next day. And people came, and stayed, and listened. (They took breaks for meals, those that didn't bring picnics.)

I fear that those days are gone forever.

[Captain Worley]

Good ideas, but would people listen?

I don't know, but it would be the start of a good movement, wouldn't it?

How about this: Lets use friendsoflexco to start a grassroots campaign for this and see if we can make it take off. Maybe we should start by posting e-mail addys for our state representatives or others (shoot, nationally if we can do it) we can influence and start an e-mail campaign.

[cuebald]

The reason that I wouldn't vote for Gore was because, up until the last week or so of his presidential campaign, he declined to disassociate himself from Bill Clinton.

I have always thought that if Gore had resigned when Monica came on the stage, he would have been elected president. His silence implied consent and that didn't play well in Middle America.




I do think the best thing, and the easiest thing, to do to fix the political system is this country is to ban party affiliation from being mentioned in any public debate, speech, or ballot. Maybe then, peole would listen to what the candidates would say. Maybe then, a person could get elected based on his/her beliefs instead of the beliefs of their 'Party,' a term which I have always found ironic (last of the Cold Warriors, I can't help it).

They will never listen. That's why God gave them two mouths and only one ear.