[Rhodes22-list] Question for Brad about Iraq Information (political)

[TN Rhodey]

Herb,

You ask a fair question and it is a complicated answer. I would say the
Kurds are better off (for now) and  the rest of the country is a mixed bag.
If we were both to agree Iraq was better of today you would then need to
consider was the gain worth the cost. And if they are better off today what
will happen when we leave? Will they still be better of....who knows.

I guess I am selfish....to me the question is are we better off. The answer
to that is just as complicated but I would say we are not. A quick check of
the headlines paints a pretty grim picture in the Middle East. Every
terrorist group out there seems as strong as ever and the Taliban is making
a come back. We have spent billions on a plan that doesn't provide any
protection for our citizens with no end in sight.. Even though Saddam was a
tyrant he did help keep Iran in check. Now Iran and Iraq seem to be unified
in hating us. I don't see the up-side to this whole thing.

I wish I didn't know anything about the history of the area and the culture.
I would at least think we had a chance.

Wally
On 7/11/07, Herb Parsons <HParsons at parsonsys.com> wrote:
>
> Rummy,
>
> You don't get to speak to what I believe. I never said that (though I
> may).
>
> I merely pointed out that you said "nothing has been accomplished". You
> were wrong.
>
> You may not LIKE what's been accomplished, but the fact remains that
> things have been accomplished.
>
> I think it's the height of irony (and hypocrisy) when the left decries our
> actions in places like Gitmo, then make statements lauding the
> "stabilization" that Saddam brought about through mass murder, genocide, and
> torture.
>
> So, just to be sure that I don't commit the same wrong as you, that of
> putting words into your mouth, I want to be sure I understand you.
>
> Is it your position is that Iraq was better off under the rule of Saddam
> than it is now?
>
> Herb Parsons
>
> S/V O'Jure
>   1976 O'Day 25
>   Lake Grapevine, N TX
>
> S/V Reve de Papa
>   1971 Coronado 35
>   Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana Coast
>
> >>> <R22RumRunner at aol.com> 7/11/2007 6:25 AM >>>
> Herb,
> Since you still believe that going into Iraq and getting rid of Saddam was
> all worth it, what good has come of it. We have destabilized a country
> that was
> held together by a thread in the first place and opened up an entire
> country
> for  Al Qaeda to come in and get control over.
> If you want to talk about the great schools that have been built but are
> unfinished because contractors can't find anyone to work. Or perhaps the
> great
> restoration of basic services like water and sewer and electricity that
> are
> barely existent for a few hours each day.
> Then there's the little thing about the remainder of the globe that hates
> our guts. Yep, all in all I'd say we did one hell of a job.
>
> Rummy
>
>
>
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