Best. Idea. Yet. For getting out of Iraq

[ljm2002]

I just read this letter to the editor at sfgate.com:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2007/02/09/EDGRJN76S21.DTL

How we can buy our way out of Iraq

Editor -- I turned 90 years of age recently and am writing to suggest a way for our country to get our troops out of Iraq. I worked for the Women's Air-Raid Defense during World War II in Honolulu and have always been very proud of the opportunity to serve my country.

Here is my idea. I recently read that we are spending $10 billion a month in Iraq. I suggest we tell Iraqi government officials that we will give them a check for $10 billion if they will ensure our troops are brought home safely with no casualties and that the violence between the Shiites and the Sunnis stops. If they comply and the violence stops, we will give them another $10 billion for another six months.

(... more at link)

That is truly the best idea I've heard yet on how we can get out of Iraq while not deserting the mission (however ill-advised that mission was).

Someone send this woman a ticket to Washington DC and have her suggest it to our esteemed (...hack...cough...) Congresscritters!

[bmbmd]

1. Not gonna happen.

That's "appeasement"-as in "Millions for defense, not one cent for tribute". Besides, ten billion is a drop in the bucket.

[ljm2002]

4. Not appeasement.

A pragmatic application of funds to a stated purpose, with the parameters clearly outlined, and a 6-month / $60Bn cap.

Not that I seriously think it could happen, since that would require some sort of sanity on the part of our military and elected officials. THAT, for sure, is not gonna happen.

[LSK]

2. been there done that

http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/01/30/iraq.audit/

[ljm2002]

5. Not the same thing...

...in fact, that $9Bn was probably intentionally unaccounted for.

This money would have specific strings attached -- not accounting strings, but results strings. Give us safe passage while we leave, and maintain the peace in your own country, and you'll get 6 months worth of $10Bn payments.

We'd get better results than we're getting now, although admittedly that is a low bar (as in, below sea level).

[sinkingfeeling]

3. With what we've already spent on this occupation, we could have greatly improved the

lives of all Iraqis. I think the population was around 25 million when we started. So, divide 25,000,000 into $500,000,000,000.

[Jim Warren]

6. It's not about getting out.

It's about getting the oil out. It's about the 17 permanent military bases and the 105 acre "embassy" compound and beachhead to the whole region.

We are never leaving Iraq.

[ljm2002]

7. True...

...but there are stated reasons for being in Iraq, which post-invasion, became "bringing democracy to Iraq". No reason we can't hold their damned feet to the fire regarding what they SAY is the reason we're there.

I totally agree with you, that is a given. But I also want us out of Iraq. And I'm tired of our representatives who refuse to pursue the will of the people as evidenced by the November elections, not to mention all recent polls, showing that 2/3 to 3/4 of the people want us OUT OF THERE.

[Jim Warren]

8. Yes, yes

I know, and I agree with you...........but bush/cheney will do what they do to keep us there including lie, cheat and manufacture "events" to make it so.

Believe me I wish it were not so, but US forces will never leave Iraq as long as bush/cheney are around.

You know what I mean?