The War in Iraq; why is it wrong?

@rodney850 (2145)
United States
April 1, 2008 8:31am CST
I know this title is going to get under some people's skin before they even start the article but you have to admit, it is an eyecatcher. My intent, though, is to ask a few questions of the people who are so dead-set against this military action (because it really isn't a declared war)exactly why? By "why" I mean other than the normal rhetoric of "Bush lied". I personally don't believe he lied because he had the same information that the congress did when they gave him permission. What I want to know is why are we so morally against this "war" and what you personally would do to change the situation we find ourselves in over in Iraq? Do we as a Nation lose more credibility if we pull out now and leave them to the terrorists or is it more detremental to stay? Just to put myself into the fray, here are my beliefs: I personally believe Saddam had WMDs and we by waiting for international "approval" (which we never got) gave him the time he needed to move them and hide them. Terrorists have established bases in Iraq that have been there far longer than we have which may or may not mean that Saddam was in colusion with them but even if he wasn't, you can bet your a$$ he knew they were there! I personally don't believe America can stand back and be apathetic and say, "It doesn't concern us" in the matter of international terrorism because it concerns everyone and people who don't believe that need to get a reality check! Yes, I hate to have our young men and women in harms way risking their lives daily in a country which really, in my opinion, could care less if they lived or died, but some things in life and the preservation of freedom are necessary.If we as the most powerful and most looked-up to nation on this globe start turning our backs on the rest of the world and "their" problems, WE are the ones who will end up with a knife in our backs. 9/11 was a tragic warning of things yet to come, especially if we don't learn from it. I believe the most important lesson of 9/11 would be to be ever vigilant. Don't be rocked to sleep by events halfway around the world that don't seem to affect you because, but by the grace of God, it could be you!
9 people like this
17 responses
• United States
1 Apr 08
The Iraq war is wrong because the USA stayed too long, spent too much money, and did not kill enough of the enemy. After conducting a brillant invasion and defeat of Saddam's forces, the USA then tried its hand at 'nation building' and 'birthing a democracy'. These were well intentioned but misguided efforts. It would have been better to have withdrawn our forces and let the Iraqis settle things amoung themselves with the proviso that if Iran sticks their nose into it, we chop it off. The above is what would have happened if it had been up to me. Now, as to those who say this was an illegal war, I tell you that is nonsense. As a practical matter the only illegal war is the one you lose. The people who run the world do not recognize the concept of an illegal war. How would anybody enforce a law against a particular war? Think about it and you will come to realize the very idea of an illegal war is foolishness and naive. War is to be avoided when possible but whether any particular war is legal or not is irrelevant unless you do not win that war. As a legal matter, the USA was putting Saddam back in his box for violating the cease fire agreement ending the first Iraq war. The USA needed no other reason, but the fact Saddam did insinuate he had WMD as a strategic ploy to intimidate Iran, gave the USA additional reason to go in and end that possible threat. Your question, "Why is the Iraq War wrong?". My answer, "The USA occupied the country rather than withdrawing after the invasion, spent too much money, and killed too few of the enemy."
4 people like this
@rodney850 (2145)
• United States
1 Apr 08
Redyellowblackdog, I agree with you to a point in the fact that we should have forgone the "birthing of a democracy"! I don't believe it will ever gell because Islam and democracy are an oxymoron! I can see where you are coming from with your last statement but I don't know if leaving a country leaderless and in economic shambles was the answer either.
4 people like this
@elmiko (6630)
• United States
1 Apr 08
Their not going by the independent studies about the iraq war. They seem to be doing the opposite. Iraq never attacked the u.s. and had no affiliation with al qaeda. We were the ones doing all the attacking on them to begin with. There was no reason to go to war in iraq because of that.
• United States
1 Apr 08
...sometimes I think the psyche of the world is if we'll just let these despots get their genocides over with, we can work out world peace with them - It was public sentiment delayed us from world war 2 and millions perished horribly because of it. I hope we don't repeat the past..
3 people like this
@4ftfingers (1310)
1 Apr 08
The way I look at it is like this. If Britain still ruled over America it would be extremely sh*tty for Americans. Britain would be exploiting America for it's oil, amongst other things. Britain would take the oil at a price it choses and if America didn't like it, Britain would threaten it with abuse. This is exactly what's happening in Irq and other middle eastern countries. Iraq were exploited by the US and Britan for years, until Saddam came along and stoop up to them. It never had anything to do with terrorism, we just needed an excuse to invade Iraq to get the oil at the right rice again. Fortunately for Bush, in Laden came along and caused all that devistation on 9/11. By playing on people's fears of terrorism he managed to convince most Americans at least, that they needed to go to war in Iraq. The real reason he needed to invade Iraq and get rid of Hussain was to put in place a new Iraqi government who will sell fuel to us at the exploitative price we demand. He wanted to do the same with Iran, but unfortunately couldn't find a reason good enough to go to war with Iran. We need the fuel, there is no doubt about it. But when our people in the west are driving around in their gas-guzzling SUV's, leaving our TV' and lights on all day cause we're too lazy to turn it off, it kind of takes the p*ss concidering there are people dying over there every day for the fuel to do these things. We were all so shocked by 9/11 and the London bombings and we will forever be reminded about it. These sorts of things are happeing every day for some people. But we are all so far removed from that, none of us really care. That's why it's so wrong.
2 people like this
• United States
1 Apr 08
I really like it when people express opinions different from the run of the mill pap usually encountered in the news. I may not necessarily agree with what you say, but this is one interesting response. Good one!
4 people like this
@rodney850 (2145)
• United States
1 Apr 08
4ftfingers, I'm not sure I follow you on the oil. Are you trying to tell me we are getting free oil from Iraq and charging the American public between 3 and 4 dollars a gallon for gas? I don't believe the information you have is very credible but I sure would like to know where you got this information. Saddam Hussein thumbed his nose at the US because he didn't think we would jump? I believe that assertion is correct to a point also except it wasn't that he didn't think we would jump, he had no choice given he had WMDs he was hiding.
2 people like this
@rodney850 (2145)
• United States
1 Apr 08
Again, You or no one else can possibly believe that Saddam Hussein was that stupid! He Had WMDs, we gave him too much time to move and hide them. We couldn't allow Saddam to continue this path just like we will not be able to tolerate Iran becomming a nuclear power and when the time comes whether it be McCain or Hillary or Obama the US will not allow a third world country to become nuclear capable!What do you think the huge fuss over Korea was all about?
1 person likes this
• United States
2 Apr 08
At first I was against the war. Now I feel as if we did the right thing. Someone once said, "America is great because America is good". People complain that we can't be the police of the world. Well why not? Why can't others like England and France join us? Do we want to live in a narcissistic world that does nothing to try to stop our neighbor who is starving, torturing, and terrorizing his children? What's so wrong about fighting terrorism, because terrorism is really what it's all about and it's not limited to Muslims. Terrorism has had and has many religions, it just so happens extremest Muslims are the most powerful ones at this time. It's very true that not every Muslim is a terrorist, but just about every terrorist is a Muslim these days. All over the world! Saddam was a terrorist. He ruled his people with terror, leaving them in poverty as he lived a lavish life of having more than any man needs. For the way he treated his people alone is enough reason for me. I don't care if he had WMDs or not. If we were taking oil and our prices were lower, then I would believe we went for oil in the mean time, I believe it was just another strike against President Bush that probably made it even harder for him to make his decision. I wonder what people would be saying today if there wasn't any oil in Iraq. I have heard many people say "Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11". Well who ever said it did? President Bush never said we were attacking Iraq because of 911. That's why we went to Afghanistan after Obama. So now we are there, and so are most of the terrorists of the world. All fighting for Iraq. Not many people seem to understand how bad it would be for the world if we pull out of Iraq if it's not stable. If it should fall to an Islamic government, it will become just like Iran spitting out hate for America and the Jews, pretending they represent peace. Women who for the first time in their lives are tasting freedom will have to wear all black and forget about ever driving a car, and may even have to let their son go off to blow himself up in a car taking as many people with him that he can, so Islam can dominate the world as it so openly claims it's going to do.
1 person likes this
• United States
2 Apr 08
Obama, Osama you expect me to keep them straight? I can't even keep all my grandchildrens names straight anymore. Lol, if only he would go after Obama right? Sell their SUVs? I'm about to give them my old heap.
1 person likes this
• United States
5 Apr 08
There are plenty of resources in this country for the poor. Even the poorest in this country is rich compared to most in third world countries, we don't know the meaning of poverty here. Radical Islam is taking over the world under your nose. http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ZjBhMTM5MTlmN2YzNzE0MmFkOTg2OGYxNWM2MGNiNTQ If we pull out of Iraq it will spread faster than Clem can say "vent fan".
• United States
6 Apr 08
Then they need to take whatever steps necessary to change their situations instead of waiting for a government handout. The concept is called personal responsibility, and I think it is high time the country got back to it.
@friendship (2084)
• Canada
2 Apr 08
rodney850, Invading a sovereign country is unjustifiable. The United Nations didn't approve such invasion.
1 person likes this
• Canada
3 Apr 08
Your answer makes me want to giggle. Looking at your answer, I got an impression that you don’t need United Nations at all. Is it right? If yes, why do you also need other nations to take care of terrorism? From your point of view, it means that every country can invade or destroy other sovereign countries whenever and wherever they would like to do so. If so, we are living like in a jungle . I am wondering whether or not this is a 21st century when people should be more civilized than in the past centuries?? Of course, USA is also a sovereign country and I do have a great respect to USA. It is indeed a great nation because I had been there. I do really understand your stand point. Saddam is NOT a great leader. He invaded Kuwait and he treated his people unkindly. He had been a great threat to surrounding areas including the world peace. I also understand that USA also feels that it is “being invaded” by Bin Laden. So, both Saddam and Bin Laden should also NOT invade other nations in the first place. My point is ... don’t we have a procedure to solve every world problem? United Nations (UN) is one of those procedures. If the United Nations (UN) stinks as you said, why can’t we find other procedures? If we can avoid a war, why should we wiggle a war? If we don’t like to be invaded by other countries, why should we also wiggle a war in the first place? We are not like those who are harsh and barbaric. We are more civilized than them, aren’t we? I would like to let you know that most people including other nations don’t understand your stand point. Again, they can’t often comprehend your point. You would like to do what it is based on your "best" consideration so that a world peace (i.e., a safe world) can be maintained. I also know that you have also used other means (i.e., sanctions and/or embargo, etc) but at the same time, some people are so harsh and barbaric. But I believe that there is still a way out to solve every problem without a war. The war should be a last resort and it must be based on a proper procedure. Otherwise, we will get back to a stone-age. Since this discussion is asking why the Iraq war is wrong, I may have to let you know again why other nations feel "sick" about the Iraq war. Well, if you think the opinions of other nations are worthy to be taken into account . If not, why is this discussion opened?
• United States
3 Apr 08
There is no possible way to solve every problem without war. When diplomacy breaks down, then war is often the only answer. As to the UN, it has an agenda that is not part of it's original intended purpose, and it threatens every nation's sovrenignty. In short, it wants to become the world government, instead of merely a meeting place where countries try to work out differences. It has ceased being useful a long time ago.
1 person likes this
• United States
2 Apr 08
We didn't need the stinking UN's approval... The US is a sovereign country as well, or hadn't you noticed? We enforced a ceasefire that had been violated, and we didn't need anyone's permission to do so either. If it had been left up to the lily-livered Un, they would probably still be issuing sanctions against the "late" Saddam. We took care of business.
1 person likes this
@Destiny007 (5805)
• United States
1 Apr 08
I think I am going to have to agree with redyellowblackdog on this one, because I just did a search and discovered that the British faced this same situation before there even was an Iraq in 1917. We should have taken out Saddam and then let the Iraqis sort it out. To me we had a moral responsibility to help the Iraqis rebuild, but I am beginning to think that is a flaw in our thinking. It is our humanitarian side that has put us into the situation we are now in, just as it did the British 80 years ago. If Iran would have interfered then they easily could have been dealt with. We removed the threat that Saddam represented and that then should have been the end of it. As to the WMD's.... the fact that he had them is beyond question, and the satellite images of the tracks leading between Iraq and Syria just prior to the invasion indicates a good possibility as to where those weapons went. If we pull out now we will most definitely lose credibility... and this is a very hard question to answer. Now that the Iraqis have and established government, anyone operating against that government are now outlaws, and that includes groups like al Sadr's followers. If we are going to remain in Iraq, then these groups must be eliminated, and a good place to start would be al Sadr himself. I notice that he seems to disappear into Iran every time the government tries to enforcement peace, and he did it again just last week. Those militias must be neutralized, or we are going to be there a very long time.
2 people like this
• United States
5 Apr 08
The war is not the problem with the economy... the housing bauble, the sub prime lending practices, bad investments by the investment banks, high fuel prices, high food prices, excessive government regulation and taxation that is throttling free enterprise and our free market economy, global warming legislation, and excessive socialist program spending are what is damaging our economy. It isn'tt just the US either, the entire world economy is in trouble right now, and it is going to get much worse.
1 person likes this
• United States
6 Apr 08
I'm flat saying that this war is NOT the reason the economy is in the shape it is in. There are many more economic factors at work, not the least of which is the spending that Congress is doing. If you think time are bad now, then you really are not going to like what is about to happen if the democrats get their way. Why not do some actual research and find out the reasons the economy is slow instead of blaming the war for all of oyur economic problems? I should be asking you what you are talking about, because you sure don't know.
@rodney850 (2145)
• United States
1 Apr 08
I agree totally about alSadr. He is and will be a thorn in any viable governments side if he is left to run renegade in his own little world.
1 person likes this
@clrumfelt (5490)
• United States
1 Apr 08
I don't know is this will answer any of the questions you are asking but by way of providing an alternate scenario if we had not gone to war with Iraq: When the Towers were bombed everyone was saying, "How was this allowed to happen on Pres. Bush's watch?" and blamed him for not using the intelligence information we had to stop what eventually happened. Not withstanding that Osama Bin Laden had been there for years, the same volatile and threatening presence as ever, and none of the other presidents did anything about him either even though they had the info and opportunity. Can you imagine what those same nay-sayers would have said had Sadaam the the WMD's which he undoubtedly had, to create mass havoc and loss of life in the USA? I feel Pres. Bushed used the best intel he had to try and keep the USA safe, and the threat still exists should we pull our forces out too soon and let Iraq fall into the hands of the terrorists who want control there. It could end up worse than before.
@rodney850 (2145)
• United States
1 Apr 08
Clrumfelt, How true! It's incredible how liberals can puff up their chests and tout the greatness of the fabulous Slick Willie and yet most of the terrorist problems we have today stem from his actions or might I say inactions! It may not be in our lifetime but history will prove, when all of the facts are in, William Jefferson Clinton was an incompetent, self-righteous, lying, power abusing SOB!
1 person likes this
@rodney850 (2145)
• United States
1 Apr 08
Oh, my! Did I forget draft dodger?
1 person likes this
@flowerchilde (12529)
• United States
1 Apr 08
You're very right! Also we shouldn't be rocked to sleep by the media to whom it is more important a certain party get back into the presidency than anything else, and this colors all their reporting since before 9/11.. influencing not just this country but others as well!
@gewcew23 (8007)
• United States
1 Apr 08
To answer your question I need to ask a question have we invented a magic time machine. Well if we have not then why is the agreement Bush lied about WMD. We cannot go back in time and stop this war from happening so the only answer to the war in Iraq is to win this war. I was on the side of the Buchanans before this war started. We where the Conservatives that where talking about that Iraq was no threat to the USA, and we should not waste our time, money, and lives for the possiblity that Iraq had WMDs. If anyone does not believe that there are Conservative out there that tried to stop this war from happening, read Pat Buchanan's book Where the Right Went Wrong. There is more reason that the non-intervention wing of the Republican party was against the war in Iraq but I do not have time. Now we are there and there is no going back. We cannot turn back the clock. We must win and setup up an Iraq government before we can leave. I wish I could go back in time and fix alot of thing I have done, but I cannot. So we must live with it.
1 person likes this
• United States
1 Apr 08
There have been so many heated discussions on this and I dont really want to get in volved in some sort of big argument. But with that said, I think that the United States has made Iraq a safer place to live for the people there. Why is it that we are not counting the lives we have helped in all the numbers we throw out?
1 person likes this
• Belgium
2 Apr 08
A safer place? We stirred up more conflict in the country that already had conflicts.
@clrumfelt (5490)
• United States
1 Apr 08
You are so right with having that attitude about it all. I guess the thing is that bad news just gets more ratings and so a lot of the good gets left out.
1 person likes this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
11 Apr 08
Unfortunately we can't go back in time so there's no point in going over the old arguments about the Administrations lies to get us into this war. I'll just say I hope we've learned our lesson because I'm afraid they're going to try the same ploy with Iran and we can not afford another war in more ways than one. The idea that us being in Iraq has prevented us from being attacked again is pure BS, in my opinion. Truth is, we've created more terrorists than ever existed in the world before. In answer to your question - "Why is it wrong?" - maybe it's wrong because the Iraqi people think it's wrong: http://www.counterpunch.org/young01052008.html I guess they don't have a say in what happens in their country any more than we have a say in what happens here. Most of them don't want us there and most of US don't want us there - what's wrong with this picture? Annie
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
11 Apr 08
"I live in an area where everyone thinks we're doing the right thing." I'm curious as to where that is because I'm hard pressed to find one person around the area where I live. Saddam Hussein was a no-good rotten SOB, you're not going to get an argument from me about that, but there are many others as bad or worse in this world - is it up to us to take them all out and reshape their countries into the way we think they should be run? As for OUR interest in what happens in Iraq, even Petreaus can't say our security is improved one bit because of our actions in Iraq. Annie
@rodney850 (2145)
• United States
11 Apr 08
Annie, I'm sure there would have been much less violence and bloodshed back in the 1770s also if America had just cowed down to the British and payed all those taxes! With change of the magnitude that has happened in Iraq of course there will be those who will say, "it was better before, at least we weren't being bombed everyday" but at the end of it all, even these people will be grateful for what was changed. Besides, these people KNOW the American soldiers will not kill them for speaking their mind which can't be said for terrorists like Sadr! And yes he is in fact a home grown terrorist seeking nothing more than what all arrogant tyrants want and that is power!
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
1 Apr 08
Hi rodney, All war is wrong. Where are the peacemakers? Blessings.
1 person likes this
• Singapore
4 Apr 08
When the "war" started in Iraq, I knew it was the beginning of the end. I hated the thought of what was happening over there. Then in February, a young man came and installed another phone line for me. He is in the navy. He told me that people in Iraq need us and that if we pulled out now then everything that he and others would have been for nothing. He has seen all of it for himself and while I hate the thoughts of war; according to him, we need to see this thing through.
• Greece
2 Apr 08
I want to ask you just a thing! What job has America at Iraq? To provide peace? What job has America at FYROM? To provide peace? What job has America to do wars and spend people life's at other countries? You have to know that the most european goverments supports America's politic but also the most european citizens hate it... It is your country you have to do something to provide the real peace.. Your people die for money and nothing else...
• United States
5 Apr 08
I guess you done went and forgot about the Iraqi violations of the ceasefire that the US had with them as a condition of peace? That's all the reason we needed.
1 person likes this
@tezovhemo (360)
7 Apr 08
the war isnt over yet i dont think it ever will be after damage they caused to usa and uk
• India
2 Apr 08
I felt that you have given enough hint that you are a Christian by including a line "but by the grace of God" in your last sentence. Therefore, let me critique your point even as a Christian. Christians throughout the centuries have held different position on war. But I have never ever read any theologian in the entire history of Christianity who would have said that the kind of war the US fought in Iraq is biblical. Though Bush use the name of God wrt to Iraq war I will say that Iraq war simply has no biblical support. It is unchristian and unbiblical. I believe Iraq is a sovereign nation, and US has no reason to attack it without UN authorisation. It is only US and UK that believed that Iraq had WMD, the rest of the world did not believe it and that was why the international body did not approve. And since it was not there US did not find the WMD. I think the US govt. failed to be far sighted... as in the sense of being able to feel how it is to be bullied. I felt that Iraq had to say what it said when it felt that it was being bullied by the US. However, I felt that the reason for the war was not really WMD, but oil.
• United States
1 Apr 08
not for moment did sadaam think we were going to ivade his country..he had a lot of faith in the world community just letting him get awasy with taking Kuwait..but it did not go down this way..don't you think other countries are thinking ..hey that could be us? the Arabs or any other country know that the US will use the big stick if they have to ....its just that simple..
@ruby222 (4847)
2 Apr 08
I know very little about the war in Iraq..my hubby follows the news moreso than me.But to my way of thinking our intervention has made things no better for the people of Iraq...not only that ..in hindsight I think we may have worsened the situation...in one way I truly feel for the people within Iraq ,who are good human beings...there are bad eggs wherever you go...