Rossputin.com Rational Thinking About Our World

Rusty,
I want to tell you that I sincerely understand your heartfelt feelings about the troops, in particular your son. I know you are worried sick about him and the others he serves with. You worry about their safety, you worry that they will not feel confident that we, as a nation, stand behind them. I, too, care deeply about them. You see, I used to be one of those troops myself. I served In Viet Nam 1968-1969. I was a nineteen year old buck sergeant in an infantry company, First Infantry Division (the Big Red One, a proud military fighting unit). Our unit saw combat frequently. I lost friends and fellow members of our platoon. I had my share of close calls as well. So, I know something about conflict on a personal basis, too. Iraq is a conflict that certainly has it parallels to Iraq, does it not? I certainly feel that my military service gives me some insight into what are troops are undergoing. Certainly more so than those who have never served.

Let's try to parse this issue into smaller pieces, to perhaps make it easier to deliniate my position. First, the troops themselves. Neither you nor me want to see another US serviceman killed. True? If they could come home tomorrow I would be thrilled. I can't imagine that you wouldn't breathe a sigh or relief to see your son and others out of harms way. Do I support our troops? You bet! I would give them everything possible to keep them safe and well. And, to date, they have gotten all that was requested. So, I want to emphatically assure you that I love our troops, I have a deep kinship with them, I was one of them when I was much younger and much less educated. I did what I was told to do, that's it. I was proud to do it as well, my father was a 25 year retiree of the army as well and I wanted to make him proud. Growing up an army brat had made me aware of discipline and service.

Hopefully, to this point I've established that I know firsthand of ground combat and that, consequently, I have deep feelings for our troops having been one myself. The easy stuff is now behind us.

Why do I feel we should get out of Iraq poste haste?

(1) My first reason is that President Bush is not competent to be commander in chief. He has made more serious mistakes than can be tolerated by our country in his position, particularly with respect to Iraq. Be honest, please. Has this campaign, which has been conducted for nearly four years, been done expediously and effectively especially considering that time equals loss of US lives? Has it been conducted effectively especially considering that the best technology and the best trained and equipped troops in the WORLD were undertaking the mission? An honest answer to that question is...no.

(2) Commencing the Iraq invasion was a serious error of judgement. Bush invaded Iraq unilaterally. It was his war of choice. But consider this, Iraq was a "solution in search of a problem." Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11, did it? Please, please don't respond that you thought many of the jetliner hyjackers were Iraqi. I think you are better informed than that. Iraq had nothing whatsoever to do with 9/11. It was Al Queada that attacked us. Do you really think Iraq was a direct, immediate and lethal threat to the US before it was attacked? Were there Al Queada terrorists in Iraq preinvasion? I think the answer to both questions was...no. The Iraqi invasion was a serious distraction from our retaliation on the real enemy, Al Queada and its leader Ossama Bin Laden. Well, he is in northern Pakistan after escaping US forces in Afghanistan. I would firmly support a limited invasion of northern Pakistan (depending on whether General Musharraf wants to be with us or sit it out) to get Osama Bin Laden. I am not afraid to use our military force. In this case, we would have clear cause, a clear objective and the capability to do it. Whatever in the world compelled Bush to invade Iraq and not go after Bin Laden?

(3) Bush would have gotten away with the Iraq invasion if it had been successful and even more importantly, done quickly. Because the Iraq conflict has dragged on so long (longer than WWII) it has effectivele devolved into a civil conflict. The ouster of Saddam Hussein created a power vacuum and Bush failed to fill it quickly. Consequently, the immediate and real players in Iraq involve Shiites and Sunni muslims, Syria and Iran (Kurds are a side issue at the moment). Bush has become irrevelent. He just doen't know it yet. He fiddled while Rome burned. Adding more troops to this mix is ultimately going to be futile. Not a day goes by that we don't lose more US troops...that clock is constantly ticking.

(4) Due to internal political facts in Iraq, even the Iraqis don't want the continued presence of US troops in Iraq. Those who were supposed to cheer us onto victory now want us out. That's a fact. Read the articles.

So, finally you see the underlying reasons why I feel we should get out of Iraq poste haste. Am I saddened that we will lose Iraq? Yes, without question. But Rusty, at what point is enough...well, enough? Is it until all objectives have been attained reagrdless of lives lost, regardless of time expended? When do you accept what is staring you in the face and make a decision, a very difficult decision?

It is not lost on me the implications for US foreign policy if we withdraw from Iraq. Vehement supporters of the Iraqi war think everyone but them is stupid. But, unfortunately for all of us, the really stupid person in this entire fiasco is sitting in the White House. He destabilized the entire mideast...unilaterally! There is no one else to shoulder that responsibility but him. Hence, my conclusion, Bush took a high stakes gamble for no logical reason and lost. And we the US people and our poor troops in harms way are paying the price. This country will be vastly better off when the president is replaced. Whether Republican or Democrat, I really don't care. Our current president is not up to it.

I made an earlier post about Democrats withholding funding for the war, it won't happen. They are not that stupid. It is a partisan ploy to create an issue. It is very smart politics to let Bush have everything he wants. Bush is self destructing as we speak. The Democrats don't need to push him.

In summary about the issue of Iraq, I think the conflict has spun out of control. Due to mishandling of the conflict the war has turned into a civil conflict and the ability of US military force to force an acceptable resolution has been severely diminished. With the continued loss of US lives, the escalating friction between the US and Iraqi governments, and the difficulties engendered by Iranian and Syrian interference makes the environment for US troops very hostile. These reasons coupled with those elaborated above force me to conclude that it is in the best interests of the US to begin withdrawal. I also believe no other Congressional consent for the use of military force should be given President Bush unless under the most extreme of circumstances. He is much less than a prudent, careful and thoughtful commander in chief. He doesn't fight the fight smartly, he fights with bravado and stupidity.

But Rusty, let's turn the tables here for a moment, shall we? I've explained why I believe we need out of Iraq. I have a few comments and questions of my own. It has been my observation that supporters of the war in Iraq seem to consider anyone who is against the war to be traitors. Are others not entitled to have an opinion? Or are we, in your opinion, too uninformed to understand why we hold that position? I want your son home, tommorow would not be too soon for me either. But that "losing the war" issue sticks in your gut as well as he wider implications for the middle east. I understand. But understand this, Iraq has, unfortunately, been lost already. The "decider" has bungled it. The only question is the time at which we will withdraw. The next president will have alot of remedial work to do.

Another important question for you to consider might be, What would have to be accomplished in Iraq before you want our troops to leave and given that what are the prospects for that happening? Let's again mention that we lose a few more troops each day we work on this, hmm. Fully establish a new democratic government which is pro US? Eliminate all terrorists? Eliminate all Iranian and Syrian influence in the new government? How much do you want done, how long will it take, and how likely is it that it can be done? My guess is that very little incremental progress will take place with the surge strategy and that will take how long? How many more die for the attempt which is anything but certain in its outcome?

Accept what is before us. It is a bitter pill and I have to swallow it right along with you and others. But you should seriously consider that others may, at some point, be right. I have never always been right. I may be wrong now. I am willing to say that but I think the US position is very grave in Iraq and I honestly do regret every life lost as I read about it in the paper.

So I am not a traitor to my country. I am exercising my right to voice my opinion, that's all. I will say I think it is an informed opion. I really wouldn't debate this with you guys otherwise. Bush wants to take that away. He wants unquestioned obedience...I can actually understand that. He's a political animal, a scary one. The alarming part begins when everyday citizens begin to assume the same viewpoint.

Now my response has gone on ad nauseum but there was alot of ground to cover. I don't like to send out a partial answer to this and that.

I sincerely wish to see your son home soon. And all the others too. Unfortunately, their lives are not worth fighting at this place, at this time, for this president.

Addendum: Rusty, I would like to suggest that you take a few minutes to read this very interesting interview:

http://men.style.com/gq/features/landing?id=content_5326

I think it has a direct bearing on our ongoing conversation.