Why Are We Getting Our Butt Kicked In Iraq?

I think you're allowing yourself to be upset by the steady drumbeat of the press, most of whom seem to be bent on undermining our effort in Iraq.

The few interviews I've seen of returning soldiers are very positive -- they say we are winning on many fronts. We are winning the hearts and minds of average Iraqies and helping the formation of their democracy.

This will take time -- maybe more time than most Americans are willing to endure -- but the payoff will be a vibrant democratic free society in the heart of the Middle East. It could change the face of the region over the next 50 years.

 

The problem is that we are fighting against ourself.

We hire all of these contractors to rebuild Iraq instead of letting them to it themselves. So instead of working, they are left to fighting either us or the other factions.

I can't see how they see us in a positive way, as until we actually let them take control of rebuilding their country as they see fit, we will only be seen as the occupier who is trying to force our ways on them.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mssmith95 @ Jul 17 2006, 11:49 AM) [snapback]287555[/snapback]</div>

Name one Iraqi company capable of rebuilding their country after 30 years of total neglect. Who is to build their communication hubs, modernize their oil infrastructure, train their security forces, modernize their public utilities, etc? Interesting how phone service passed 7,000,000 Iraqi's from a pre-war level of 833,000 and internet access now tops 1,000,000 Iraqi's, and how they have over 3 dozen INDEPENDANT newspapers and over 100 INDEPENDANT radio stations, and now the first Iraqi Province is now totally under the auspices of the Iraqi government, how their economy is growing over 30% this year again over the past year, how they are now exporting oil, etc.

No its not perfect yet - give it time. In any case we can not pull out at this time. And keep your eyes on the wider global conflict that we are engaged in - of which this a but a piece part.

And -- read the front page of the NY Times!!!! How Iraqi's who once opposed our presence now want us. If its on the NY Times front page it must be pretty real - especially something pro - war on terror (dont think it involved them giving away any more U.S. national security secrets)

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jbarnhart @ Jul 17 2006, 02:15 AM) [snapback]287468[/snapback]</div>

I reject the basic premise that is posed by the lead in, that we are being defeated.

Recall that the President never said that this would be a 'short' or easy war; recall a period of 'decades' was touted, due to the nature of fighting an enemy that plays by no rules and hides under the protections of civilian populations and religious structures.

It was nearly 3 years before we even were able to start offensive actions in the Pacific; it took 5 years to amass an invasion force in Normandy, and another year after that to defeat a very battered Germany.

Anyone who remembers anything about World War II, or has studied anything
about World War II, will understand and remember that during the war, the
Japanese developed a way to demoralize the American forces. The Japanese
psychological warfare experts developed a message they felt would work.

They gave their psychological warfare script to their famous broadcaster
"Tokyo Rose" and every day she would broadcast this same message packaged in
different ways, hoping it would have a negative impact on American GI's
morale. Moreover, it was also targeted to the 'homefront'.

What was that demoralizing message?

It had three main points:

Your President is lying to you

This war is illegal

You cannot win the war

Does this sound familiar?

Is it because

Tokyo Hillary
Tokyo Harry
Tokyo Teddy
Tokyo Nancy
Tokyo Durbin
Tokyo Kerry

and their ilk, have all learned from the former enemies of our country and
have picked up the same message and are broadcasting it on

Tokyo CNN
Tokyo ABC
Tokyo CBS
Tokyo NBC

and their ilk, to our troops.

The only difference is that they claim to support our troops, before they
demoralize them.

Come to think of it, Tokyo Rose told the American troops she was on their
side, too.

s.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(wstander @ Jul 17 2006, 01:23 PM) [snapback]287600[/snapback]</div>

Agree 100%
We have to look at this conflict on a more global perspective.

 

The active war in Iraq ended quite a while ago, and our military took care of that easily (as far as warfare goes - no war is really easy). What we have now is an occupation, which makes stationary targets out of our troops. When you occupy a country, this can't be helped, unless you have such overwhelming force that the enemy is completely subjugated. Even the Germans couldn't do it during WWII, and they were ruthless.

Whether Iraq becomes another Vietnam depends on goals and staying power. In Vietnam we had no clear goals, only the desire to keep the North Vietnamese from winning. Eventually the losses became too painful and we pulled out. This could happen in Iraq, or we may be able to stay the course and see something good come from it. It's too early to tell from my vantage point.

Tom

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(wstander @ Jul 17 2006, 12:23 PM) [snapback]287600[/snapback]</div>

You've nailed it. The gutless liberals in this country have invested their future in this Country's defeat... Although we have done what no other country could have done in liberating the Iraqi people, the media will not acknowledge it.... The liberals and their lapdogs in the national media have no agenda, they just hope and pray something else goes wrong.... pitiful bunch...

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bruceb @ Jul 17 2006, 06:43 PM) [snapback]287781[/snapback]</div>

And this statement makes you better than "them" how?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dbermanmd @ Jul 17 2006, 12:04 PM) [snapback]287560[/snapback]</div>

and actually avoid complete family (or city) Assassination (chemical warfare (FACT!) or other) for expressing oneself......

out...

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jack Kelly @ Jul 17 2006, 09:16 PM) [snapback]287871[/snapback]</div>

North Korea is a lesson learned from clintons time on how NOT to deal with terrorists. that mess is being cleaned up but does NOT pose the same threat that a nuclear iran would.

and dont think that iran is not in our crosshairs - hopefully before they go nuclear. imagine what a mess it would be now if they had a nuke.

learn from the clinton mistakes - dont let the nuclear genie out of the bottle like he did THREE times.



<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mastergunnera8 @ Jul 17 2006, 09:50 PM) [snapback]287896[/snapback]</div>

what do you call 9 million iraq's voting under the threat of death twice? that is expressing yourself in the most important way.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(wstander @ Jul 17 2006, 12:23 PM) [snapback]287600[/snapback]</div>

I think you forgot to add:

Fraulein Coulter
Herr Limbaugh
Herr O'Reilly
Herr Frist
Herr Rove

all broadcasting on state sponsored Fox News.

Yea.......I can play this stupid game also. It's fun to generalize and group mindlessly.

You guys will never quit the "If your not with us, your against us" game. Sad.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(eyeguy13 @ Jul 17 2006, 07:22 PM) [snapback]287925[/snapback]</div>

I am sure that this state support will come as a surprise to NewsCorp B)