For those who want to stay in Iraq -

[brokensymmetry]

A few nights ago, I watched the Mel Gibson film, "We Were Soldiers". If you are an advocate of keeping our troops in Iraq, I suggest you watch the film. It's set in Vietnam, and is rather graphic - I believe the lessons remain valid.

After you've watched it, tell me again how remaining in Iraq is worth the cost.

[Name removed]

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[Mikimouse]

3. The cost, in this case, would be more of an abstraction...

than a tangible cost. It would involve issues that are economic, military, etc., but also issues that relate to international credibility, social upheaval, mental health of those involved and their families, destruction of other nations, etc. There are a large number of considerations involved in the 'cost' of such ventures.

[brokensymmetry]

4. Really, watch the film.

Monetary costs and casualty lists are one thing. The reality of killed, burned, and maimed soldiers is another. And that's the cost I'm referring to.

[Name removed]

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[brokensymmetry]

8. As I recall -

we've already passed 18,000 medical evacuations. That's way beyond too many, in my opinion.

But since you seem interested in some sort of numbers game, perhaps you could grace me with the numbers you regard as acceptable?

[Name removed]

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[brokensymmetry]

11. Seems reasonable to me.

And welcome to DU! :hi:

[Name removed]

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[WilliamPitt]

2. ...be careful with the word "Want"

It implies people here going "Woo hoo! Iraq! This rules!"

'Want' has no place in the equation. If 'Want' had weight, we'd be living in a better world. If wishes were fishes, we'd all cast nets.

[brokensymmetry]

7. Perhaps "prefer" would be more accurate.

I recognize that each path has costs. Each has consequences. And yet, I find myself ever more convinced that I don't want more of our soldiers hurt or killed. I see only one way to accomplish that end - that way being to cut and run.

As always, I value your insights.

[teach1st]

6. I'm of mixed opinion

I was against the invasion. I had always thought, however, that once we were in Iraq it was our responsibility to see the thing through; that it would be more dangerous on a global scale to leave. Now I'm not so sure. At the very least, I don't think we should remain a presence in Iraq on this administration's terms. I wonder if it's too late to continue on newer, more reasonable terms.

[the Kelly Gang]

9. should be handed over to UN / united Arab peacekeepers

[Malva Zebrina]

13. I have not watched the movie and probably will not

but I am with Kucinich on this . I do not buy it that we now, NEED to stay there amidst all the chaos Bush has caused, while so many many young lives are being tossed away by killings. Children going to school, were indiscrimately gunned down by soldiers shooting at anything, as they apparently cheered or looked on with glee, when a humvee exploded. Seven hundred of our youngs--dead--their families will NEVER be the same. They were robbed of a full, satisfying life or at least the opportunity to pursue one because of the greed of an insane man who sent them to kill and murder ten thousand and more innocent people, on false pretenses. HE lied to propel our children there to kill at his will, those who would lay claim to the lucrative oil fields they owned.

There is an interesting article in Business Week
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/bw/20040423/bs_bw/nf200404236834db056 Laying out ang argument by Century Foundation Senior Fellow Morris Abramowitz

I have a small objection to Mr. Abramowitz's wordage in the last paragraph:

" MESSY AND COSTLY. The greatest impact of U.S. intervention ..."

Why are people so afraid to use plain words to describe this attack and this invasion that Bush undertook with lies? It is not an "intervention" , it is an attack, an invasion, an illegal invasion, a quest to expand empire and done with lies to the American people.

I wish everyone would stop being so evasively polite

[Jim__]

14. I don't believe the question is that simple

I marched against invading Iraq. However, once done, I thought we had to stay there to bring some sort of stability to it to prevent massive deaths in a chaotic civil war.

However, the Bush administration and its policies are nothing short of insane. To invade Fallujah and/or Najef is to bring about the type of chaos I thought we were obliged to prevent. I can't believe the American people will continue to support what is just a slaughter of an essentially unarmed people.

We won't get out while Bush is president. I'm not sure getting out before some type of stability is established is the best policy under a sane administration.