Can they come home now??

[oldlady]

All this arguing that pulling out American troops from Iraq would lead to civil war--- what is this, if not a civil war???

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/30/international/middleeast/30iraq.html?th&emc=th

"BAGHDAD, Iraq, April 29 - Insurgents determined to destabilize Iraq's new government executed a devastating series of coordinated attacks on Iraqi forces on Friday, detonating 12 car bombs across greater Baghdad and striking military targets throughout Iraq. At least 40 people were killed and more than 100 others wounded."

<snip>

"The strikes Friday morning came after a momentous and tumultuous day for the new government. After three months of delays that American officials said gave new strength to the insurgency, the dominant Shiite alliance won approval for a new cabinet - but not before angering Sunni political leaders who said they had been shortchanged. "

"....at least 480 Iraqi policemen and troops have been killed by insurgents in the last two months,"

We shouldn't have gone & we shouldn't stay---we've made such a mess.

peace

[AG78]

1. Not leaving

We didn't go there to leave. Mess, no mess, it doesn't matter. The number dead doesn't factor into it either.

"Indeed, the United States has for decades sought to play a more permanent role in Gulf regional security. While the unresolved conflict with Iraq provides the immediate justification, the need for a substantial American force presence in the Gulf transcends the issue of the regime of Saddam Hussein."

"Over the long term, Iran may well prove as large a threat to U.S.interests in the Gulf as Iraq has. And even should U.S.-Iranian relations improve, retaining forward-based forces in the region would still be an essential element in U.S. security strategy given the longstanding American interests in the region."

They wrote everything they want to do in 1997. It's never been about 9/11. Whenever the American Empire falls(as all empires do), that's when we'll leave. Until that day comes, we're in Iraq to stay. It doesn't matter what we consumers want. This isn't Vietnam. They can always show those planes driving into buildings. They didn't have that kind of visual 35 years ago.

[B Calm]

2. The oil is more important..

[malaise]

3. why didn't one journalist

ask him about the link between oil price increases and the mess he and his goons have created and continue to create in Iraq.

[stanwyck]

4. Leave? Enron just had had their best year

ever. 2004 was fabulous for Enron. Well, not the thousands who lost their jobs and life savings under Kenny Boy's leadership. But for the Bushies still left standing...things are going great.
And, remember, Wolfowitz assured us that Iraq's oil would pay for this war. If, of course, the Bushies would let us know how much the war costs. Which they won't.