One of the most absurd lies we've been fed is that Wars can end via schedule

[ThomWV]

I would just like to point something out for the war-mongers who would sing our success in the east.

The war in Iran "ended" because we put an X on a calendar and said that's the date. We're going to do the same thing in the Afghanistan. Someone schedules a date for the war to end, the newspapers report its over, and that's that. What utter nonsense. Wars end when one side is defeated and is unable or unwilling to continue the fight; and while you can paint a pig green cut his hair and call him a well manicured lawn in truth he's still a pig.

[Jim__]

1. But, are our occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan wars?

There was never any doubt that we could militarily occupy these countries. The question has always been, what do we do after we've occupied them? I've never really heard an answer to that question. Just setting a date and leaving the country seems like a valid plan.

[denverbill]

2. It should be illegal for America to fund military operations with no defined goal.

It's easy to define war against a nation like Japan or Germany. But how can you 'win' the 'war' on terrorism or the 'war' on drugs?

At best, you can hope to eradicate most terrorists or drug dealers, but it's impossible to eliminate them all because new ones just pop up to take their place. Even if al Quiada is completely destroyed, some new martyr's brigade will just form up tomorrow in Afghanistan, or Somalia, or Saudi Arabia or somewhere else.

I say if you can't define the victory, you can't win the war, and if you can't win the war, it's dumb to waste money and lives trying.