We Would Have Been Much Better Off Never Invading Iraq

[DemocratSinceBirth]

We would have been much better off if we had never invaded Iraq. I am reminded of Wes Clark's words that the invasion of Iraq was "the biggest strategic blunder in the history of the republic." As odious as Saddam's regime was it was a countervailing force in the area to Iran. Now Israel and Egypt are the only countervailing forces in the area and Iran wanting to be the hegemonic power is doing it best to undermine Israel and we can not respond because we are bogged down in Iraq and our troops would be caught in the crossfire between a fight between Israel and Iran.

This is mess.

[Drum]

1. I have no choice but to agree with the obvious. nt

[adriennui]

2. you've perfectly summarized hell

where do we go from here? out of there as fast as we can.

[HawkerHurricane]

3. Welcome to Syracuse

Thousands of years ago, the Greek cities of Sparta and Athens went to war. Sparta had the better army, Athens the better navy. Athens was going to win because thier navy let thier merchants make lots of money, they could outspend Sparta.

Then... Athens decided to send the fleet to Syracuse to force Syracuse to give them more money. Most of the fleet was wrecked, as was a good portion of Athens' army, and it cost Athens a lot of money.
And the Persians, wanting to weaken Greece as a whole, gave the Spartans a big chunk of money to 'rent' a navy with.
Using the rented navy, Sparta defeated the remnants of the Athenian navy, and Athens with no navy or army surrendered.

In my little anology, we are Athens, Al Queda is Sparta, Iraq is Syracuse... now, who is (or will be) Persia, and who will be the Phillip of Macedonia and his son Alexander (the Great)... these jobs are still open.

[dysfunctional press]

4. well...DUH!

...and just think of all the social good that could have been accomplished with all that money down the shithole.

and all the lives lost on both sides...

and the history that was looted or desroyed...

and our worldwide image and prestige have been very badly tarnished...

you're doin' a heckuva job, georgie.