In response
While I agree with Jill to a certain extent, I do have a couple points to make. More and more lately, I am noticing a similarity in arguments for and against increasing the number of troops being sent to Iraq. Everyone, on both sides of the issue, claims to be thinking of what is best for the troops.
I am not innocent on this issue. As a military wife, I am constantly imagining that I have a more clear perception of things than others, but that is far from the truth. The reason I want the troops home is not because I know what is best, but because I hate the situation that has separated me from my husband. I am willing to admit that. In my opinion, no one really knows what is best for the soldiers fighting overseas. The only people who can give definitive answers, are the soldiers themselves, and their opinions are as varying as the rest of ours.
Obviously it is not in their best interest to be in an unstable region fighting for an unknown cause, but no one really knows what the next step should be. Is it better to leave the number of troops fighting unchanged, that doesn’t seem to be working at present. However, who knows if increasing the number of troops will solve the problem or only draw out the fighting for a longer period of time, or intensify the violence. Maybe you think it best to draw the troops out all together, but that has the potential to make the entire country collapse into civil war, increasing the violence, and who knows what results that would have in the long run.
I am not saying there is no solution. Far from it, I am an optimist, and I hope the situation will be resolved quickly and with minimal bloodshed. My only point is that no one knows what is the best solution, or what is best for the troops on the front lines who have to deal with the repercussions of our actions. Why don’t we just call it like it is. Don’t try to safe guard your opinion by saying it is in the best interest of the soldiers, or anyone else. Stand by it for what it is, your opinion.
January 12th, 2007 at 9:08 am
I’m very much enjoying the blogs, and am particularly impressed that you can remain as objective as you are, given your own situation. Good work!
My worry is that the administration’s goals are still not being honestly shared with the American people. Their true goals. I think the powers that be hope to establish a permanent military base (or maybe more than one) in Iraq. Clearly that wouldn’t be a good move with things the way they are now, so they need to wipe out the insurgents to make a safe place to establish an ongoing presence there.
The question is, why? Why do we need a base there?
I think the president’s speech Wednesday night gave us our first hint. It would put us in an ideal position from which to launch attacks on Iran and Syria.
I think President Bush honestly believes our nation is going to be at the mercy of middle eastern countries in the not too distant future because the world is running out of oil. So he wants to establish a powerful position from which to get more of it. It’s a short-sighted view, in my opinion.
Instead, he and all of us should be spending our money and efforts on finding alternative sources of energy. Renewable sources, sources of our own, that don’t make us dependent on any other nation. Sources we could, in fact, share with the world. If all the money spent on this war had been spent on projects like this, we wouldn’t have to worry about the middle east anymore. And no one would have to die in the effort to convert to wind and solar and other alternative energy sources.
This isn’t about spreading democracy or WMDs and never was. It’s about oil.
And as for spreading democracy–believe me, when the Iraqi people are ready for change, they will rise up and create it for themselves, in the way that works best for them. You can’t force democracy down the throats of a culture that doesn’t want it, doesn’t understand it, and isn’t willing to fight for it.
Keep up the great work!
Maggie
January 12th, 2007 at 3:13 pm
Perhaps you are right, but I don’t think that goal (creating a permanent military base in Iraq) is going to be completed by 08/09 when Bush will be leaving office. If that is his plan, I think it is short sighted and foolish, because with the current political climate, it is very likely that a democrat will take office. Hopefully, whoever does take his place will have the presence of mind to realize that is no solution to our current energy crisis at all.
Finding alternative energy sources is an important task that needs to be addressed sooner rather than later, but I fear this administration is focusing only on the present and not the future. A time will come when the oil will run out, and our only hope is that somehow an alternative solution is found, but without governmental support for the research, I fear it will be an uphill battle.
January 17th, 2007 at 12:08 pm
After such insightful comments mine may seem trivial, my bias unchecked at the door, and my point…… blunt. I believe that there is some truth to Maggie’s points, we will become very dependant on Middle Eastern Countries as oil reserves are diminished, democracy isn’t necessarily the flavor of the month right now in Iraq, and our government should be responsible enough to seek out alternate energy sources. As for Iran, and Syria……….not exactly the Virgin Islands, but I’d still send postcards. I believe the answer lies in our Soldiers, our nation’s greatest treasure, and the values we hold dear. The Infantryman’s creed tells us,” I am the Infantry, Queen of Battle. I have kept our nation safe for over two centuries purchasing freedom with my blood. To the oppressed I am the hope of the future, to the tyrant I am the day of reckoning”. We fight in Iraq, Afghanistan, and wherever else our Soldiers end up to bring about change, improve living conditions, and prevent travesties. Whatever the agenda, toppling Sadaam’s regime was the right thing to do. Whoever said,” the truth shall set you free”, probably wasn’t facing public opinion polls, overwhelming pressure, and a bad intelligence estimate. 20,000 more troops will step up the operational tempo (OPTEMPO) of our nations service men and women. I differ, however, because I support the decision to send more troops to Iraq to assist the Iraqi govenrment in training their forces, securing their neighborhoods, and bringing the peace of mind that one has when they can watch their children play soccer without fear of setting off an improvised explosive device (IED). Lastly, a Democratic president in 08? I’m voting Giuliani for President.