Pull them out, or wait it out?

Sad to say, the Iraqis can't handle their situation. Foreign combatants, religious strife, and the many splits in the country aren't making things look good for the future. An immediate pullout would be at least a bit premature. I met some Iraqis in Australia, about to go home, and asked them what they were expecting. They honestly said they didn't know, but they were hoping it would be OK. That was a couple of years ago, and we know what's happened since. The US didn't go there to fight someone else's civil war, but it's more than slightly difficult to believe that everything will just naturally come together when the US pulls out. For staying, the main rationale is trying to help. There are some legitimate military reasons, like giving the Iraqis support, and perhaps dealing with AQ interests in the country. For going, the reasons are essentially that no worthwhile civil, military or strategic results are being achieved, or forseeable, and that Iraq will sooner or later have to face the test of standing on its own. In practice, my main gripe is that this is really just another political war. The invasion was almost bloodless, and then the military presence was established on some very non-military principles, trying to make cops out of soldiers. The US military has become associated with a civil situation which is nothing to do with it, and afflicted with a civilian-inspired administration which has been laughable, if it were funny. Slapstick with cost centers and implausible auditing doesn't equate to a successful operation. It's going to be a strategic call on whether the US wants a permanent presence in the Middle East or not that will determine whether there's a pullout or not. That was part of the original rationale, and I'd say it's likely that contingency plans are few. Too much was staked on this operation, and too little of it was based on military realities and needs. Frankly, I don't see Iraq as the ideal place for a presence. The middle of a regional war zone isn't my idea of a great position. What we've got here is a war being fought for undefined objectives. That motif, so far, hasn't washed with the American public, or the global public. The management of the civil situation has been 150% appalling, and was never necessary. I think any continued US presence in Iraq has to prove itself worth doing, and convince the world that the US knows what it's doing, and what it's trying to achieve. Just for the record, there's no doubt that the US will hand over power to the Iraqis at some point. Even by the very undemanding logic of civil administration in Iraq to date, that's always been visible. I doubt if even the most optimistic foreign policy could include playing nanny indefinitely.

I was supportive of us going into Iraq....and am a Republican....but I also believe that this has turned into a "civil war" at this point.....I think we should be setting a distinct timetable for pulling our troops out. We have done alot to assist the Iraq people in learning how to set up a democracy. I think that we still needed to be there throught the first election and the training of their military and police forces.....but I think we need to bring our troops home a little at a time....to pull them all out at once would be devastating to the Iraq people. I understand the need for a plan to bring our troops home, but I do not agree with the way the politicians are trying to get that accomplished.... Anyway, that is my thoughts on it.

..as far as wars go, this has been a short one.. they say the rules of engagement are so strict (a political correct war, monitored by the media, which is so largely liberal / anti conservative, so their war has been the one on Pres Bush) with all this they can't accomplish much, but they're trying to change that, with the surge.. [It should actually be a rather easy endeavor.) If we pull out millions could die.. like did when the U.S. bent and pulled out of Vietnam and the poor south Vietnamese were slaughtered.. to say nothing about being taken over by communism.. I really think the only hope for any sort of peace in this world is for democracy to sweep through some of the mid east.. if all would get behind that, it would go so much better!! And of course all people want to govern themselves, the idea some want cruel dictators is silly. We should stay and help the Iraqi people to stabilize their country and become strong, able to govern and keep peace.. the terrorists are in there stirring up troubles between the parties.. As matter of fact they have cells in almost all countries..

The best way to support the troops is to get them out of Iraq. Bush and Cheney bungled this operation by not sending in enough troops to begin with and disbanding the Iraqi army. What ever chance of "winning" we had, slipped away by the middle of 2004.

pull them out. its a stupid war!!!!!

Pull em out now and let them come home where they need to be with their families! We do not need to be there anymore! Let them all come home safely!

George Sr. and George W. were having a serious talk. George Sr. says, "Son, I think you're making the same mistake I made with your mother so many years ago..." GW replies, "What was that, Sir?" George Sr. looks him straight in the eye and says, "I should have pulled out Son, I should have pulled out."

I think it sould of stopped a long time ago. I feel like Bush has put to much into this war.