Ultra hot topic, hence the Firesteed as the logo! (hehe)

What's your thoughts on the war in/on iraq? and the battle against terrorism?
Do you support the war? Do you condemn it?

Myself, I do not believe in war. Two wrongs do not make a right. There might not be any other way to solve it, But killing isnt one in my eyes.

As for terrorism, I find it disgusting that people, Just like us can kill like that, I do not believe the terrorists should be killed however, Jailed for life, In the most boring, Non windowed room ever.

Boy I can already see the flames coming in this thread.....

This whole war is a joke in my opnion. Not funny haha, but funny as in "wtf were people THINKING when they did that?" I think it has been badly handled from the very beginning. I also feel that now we are somewhat backed into a corner. If we were to pull out now, that place would turn into a day camp/training school for terrorists.

Well whether I support war or not (which I don't) that issue for me is way past. What's done is done unfortunatly...however they need to get out. It's gone on for way too long, they shouldn't still be sending people over there.

It's ridiculous really.

Agreed

First prewarning to posters in this thread, debate each other's points/views CIVILLY please.

I dont agree with the war whatsoever.

Not only are the troops dying over there, but they are dying for what? So people can be free. Noble cause, yes. Nessessary? No.

Whats next? Are we to go to any other dictatorship/communist country and take over and reform them to democracy as well?

Our troops are over there being attacked and killed by these "insurgents"

1. we are NOT an established authority or government over there. WE ARE AN INVADING FORCE. A force that is ILLEGALY invading, might I add.

2. these people are protecting what is theirs... their country, their beliefs, their culture. All of that is being threatened by the way of the western world (US to be exact) and they want to fight to keep it.

Would you consider the american military evil and wrong if it was to attack and kill members of a country that came here to try to convert us to communism? No, youd probably consider them heroes. Yet these "insurgents" are labled as "terrorists" and "evil".

I think the US needs to get out of Iraq, refocus its efforts to clean up the US and the mess thats here, and keep its nose out of the worlds business so we stop becoming the world police.

I try to come up with a clear cut view on this often, and never get very far.

1. The "real" reason we went over there was for "weapons of mass destruction." These were (reportedly) not found, but is there a possibility that weapons were found and kept from public eyes? Why not plant them to depict justification? Couldnt be that hard...

2. From what little I know, Saddam Hussein was not a good leader to his people. Was it our job to fix this? No. Was anyone else ever going to? Who knows...

3. The world economy is heavily dependent on petroleum and all by-products thereof. The middle east holds the lion's share of this resource and through that alot of money, ergo power. A kind of power that could reshape the global market (of which the US is a part) becoming of intent interest to the rest of the world.

4. The middle east is plagued with violence. This is bad for all the people of the world, not just the residents of that area. Again, a global interest.

There are alot more points that I cant even think of at the moment. My basic feeling is that the middle east in general is far too volatile for the rest of the world to rest easy. People always say that the US shouldnt be the "world police," and I agree to a point. I look around and I dont see anyone else that can (or will) respond with the resources we have...

As a member of the military, I agree with the big boss. I personally do not want to go over there, but if it is what I am assigned to do, then I have to do it. The biggest problem I have is, they are de-mobilizing the national guard in a few months, and we as USAF civil engineers, are taking over their positions. Ok here is where it effects me, my child is due to be born June 17, and I am scheduled to go July 1 for atleast 8 months, then I am separating March 29th. I will not have the retainability to get back and outprocess, they will be making a waiver for me, just to stick me there. I dont like the idea of missing the first 8 months of my childs life, but I have to do it.

I know there are alot of people opposed to the war, that is their right. My concern is alot of people are turning their emotions toward us troops. The whole "we support our troops" fad has died down, and we see the effects. Those nice discounts we got everywhere after the war have ended. I know people may not agree with them, but it was nice to be appreciated for a while. I personally hope it ends soon so we can just get home and worry about our borders and the concerns back at home, but we started something, and we need to finish it. I do not want the backlash of pulling out and leaving them high and dry..

Please feel free to chime in on how you guys feel towards the military members, but also please remember, we are just doing our jobs. We love our country, and will do anything to keep it safe.

I feel that we needed to get into Iraq and releive Saddam of his rule. Weapons of Mass Destruction, we didn't find them, so what. They are still finding mass graves that his regime is responsible for. You tell me the Iraqi's are not happy that Saddam is gone...they are. You still have that group that are not, but they are the ones that were in Saddams service.
This war has gone on for far too long? How long do you propose a war should last? What price are you willing to put on the security of a nation and in our times the rest of the world? Are you willing to sacrifice your time and possibly life to protect what most take for granted? We are the world police whether we want to accept it or not. No other country has the ability to do what we can do and most don't have the will to do it either.
If we don't do something all we hear is how this country or that country is condemned by UN for being abusive to their women, or oppressive to this group of people. The biggest problem we have in the US are folks that have false notions that if the US were to keep their noses out of other countries business we would be left alone. That is not true. There is always a threat to the US no matter what we do. We can go into a country and fix all their financial problems and then they will use their new found funding to plot attacks against us. You think I say this without knowing what I am saying? How many foreign leaders have been educated in American Universities only to go back to their countries and then say that the US is a terrible place full of terrible people? Look it up, you will be surprised.
If the US does something we are wrong if the the US decided to sit back and let the world handle itself we are wrong. It doesn't matter what we decide to do we are wrong. So, why are these insurgents evil by our standards? Because the majority of them were trained in terrorist training camps in other countries. Considering we are fighting a war against terrorism..that makes them evil and the bad guys. If they were just insurgents then them being evil is an entirely different thing. At one time even Americans were insurgents when viewed by the British.
Some have said that this invasion is illegal and unsanctioned. We have no authority over there. Last I checked, if a foreign army conquers you and now you are struggling against them...they are still the ones in charge and the authority. Until they leave they are the authority. Believe me, not one American (or ally) that is out there wants to be out there longer than they have been or will be. We would all be glad to be back right now. Wars don't end overnight and there are always good and bad points about them. Don't even try to mention the war the Israelis had with like 5 or 6 (can't remember right now) Arab nations and ended in 7 days because they are still fighting today.
Most folks focus on all the bad stuff that is happening over there because that is all the media will print. They tend to ignore the good stuff the American military is doing for the communities. They don't mention the rebuilding of schools, water works, helping them stand up their own government (there is some of this in the media) and police force or American soldiers and Iraqi children singing Christmas carols together. A lot of the rebuilding is taking a lot longer and is costing more than expected because these insurgents are attacking us while we do it. They are destroying what we build. No one seems to take notice of that. Instead the majority of Americans and those opposed to the war focus on the negative aspects of what is happening out there because that is all the media focuses on.
I was there twice and I used to think the same things, wtf are we doing here. This place sucks and these people suck and we will not make a bit of difference here. But that was all wrong. That place "sucked" because it is a war zone" and the people are just normal folks trying to make a life and they are just as scared as the young troops on the ground. Without us there, they would just fall under another regime and be worse off.
Do I support the war? Hell yes I support the war. I will always support any fight my brothers and sisters in arms are engaged in. I do not feel we should leave Iraq until we have ensured that a well trained and effective Iraqi military and police force are in place and have the tools and equipment to keep Iraq secure. I don't care if it takes another year or ten.