This is so sad.
If all those contractors in Iraq came home, maybe Bush would be forced to end this war.
Has anyone watched Bush's War on Frontline?
If Bush, Cheney and Rummey were in any other country we would be calling for their heads.
Flash,
I think any rational person has their heart break every time they hear about a personal story of loss like this. I do not have the words to say to you what I wish to say, not adequately.
I hope and pray for the safety of your son - I hope and pray that he returns home unharmed, mentally, physically, emotionally.
I hope for the same for all of our service members, and of course, I pray for the same for Iraq. By prayer, I don't mean I am appealing to a 'higher power', though I am, but rather, that it is my most fervent desire for you - and I know of NO one who wishes it otherwise.
There are days when I wonder if those on the right truly feel they are the only ones who think, who have compassion, or a concience. We all, all of us, have aching hearts for your fears, your feelings of dread and worry, would that we could lighten that in any way, we would.
War is failed diplomacy, it is it's last, brutal act. But, it is sometimes necessary. We wish to avoid, we must avoid, the unecessary ones, so as to avoid these tragic losses.
My thoughts go out to the families of those serving (some of whom are dying) in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The time for automatically fighting ignorant brutality with high-tech brutality is hopefully drawing to a close. A strong country defines itself through the use of creativity and innovation in order to deal with complex problems; surely we can come up with a better way to fight ignorance-inspired violence than occupying countries like Iraq for years and years...and STILL failing to provide the local population with enough American Arabic speakers to find common ground.
We need a strong military. We've got this.
We also need a strong grasp of geopolitical and cultural realities, so that we can unleash our innovative thinkers to deal with these types of multi-layered, complex problems in multi-layered, complex ways. We've got to stop avoiding this.
Today the President snidely and condescendingly asked,
"If America's strategic interests are not in Iraq, the convergence point for the twin threats of al Qaeda and Iran, the nation Osama bin Laden's deputy has called the place for the greatest battle, the country at the heart of the most volatile region on earth, then where are they?"
Beyond being an increadible strawman - I'll answer on behalf of us ordinary Americans.
First, Al Zarwahiri called Iraq 'the greatest battle' because WE ARE THERE. They came, because WE CAME, and we are not denuding/destroying their ranks by our presence, but instead are filling their ranks by our presence.
Second, you want to know where, if not Iraq, try Afghanistan Mr. President, for that matter, try Pakistan, and then, god forbid, try the birthing ground of Wahabism (aka Al Qaeda's twisted birthmother) namely, try Saudi Arabia.
While he condescendingly describes attempts to suggest the Iraqis are footdragging as 'bullying' and 'vacuous, blustering intimidation' - btw, that's what 'Hectoring' means - sometimes this guy so clearly is scripted to use words that are designed to make him seem erudite it's a laugh. Does he think 1% of the populace uses "Hectoring"? Does he actually think any of us think he was trying to be tactful toward Democrats? Since when? He's not spent one tactful day in office.. no, he was just thinly veiling an insult.
Anyway, the person he's REALY complaining about being bullied isn't Nuri Al Malaki, it's George Bush, and he resents it. My reply, is tough bananas (Btw, Foot, it IS possible to construct a comment without profanity).
Defining the actual analysis of whether ANY progress has been made due to increased security as 'hectoring' begs the question, it frames it in yet another surreal and totally useless debate about whether we're being 'respectful' enough of the Iraqi government, which was NEVER the issue - and is increadibly ironic given the rampant ethno-centrism and rabid disrespect shown foriegn cultures in the main by the right- but, I digress. No, this is about whether our presence is actually helping. Bush SAYS they've made progress, well, isn't THAT nice, I mean they've made PROGRESS, wow. Now let's talk about how MUCH progress? I guess in Mr. Bush's view moving 1" down a hundred mile road is sufficient justification to continue this insanity.
They have no solution to the long-term powersharing roles, especially economic structuring.
They have enormous dissatisfaction with the structure of the cabinet.
They have OPEN warfare going on over the role or even presence of independent militias.
Fundamentally the Shiites (ya' know, 60% of the population?) are entirely unhappy with the current regime.
They (the Shiites) put a lid on things to allow for progress, the progress didn't happen, and NOW they are impatient. Our 'surge' didn't do anything to resolve these underlying issues, and worse, may
Well you were really on a roll there for awhile Flash. But it was only a matter of time before your friends hatred of America bled through their fascade of concern or empathy.
Anyway sorry to interrupt, leftout, you were saying something about "Bushitler", or was it "we lost", or "America sucks"?
In any case, please, do continue with the spittlefest..
In the world of trolls, if you aren't accepting of all the deaths caused by
the republicans war, that makes you a hater of our country.
Maybe it is our love of America and wanting to get back to those days when we could be proud Americans, not hide our heads in shame.
Remember before the lies were told, when the oil mongers thought they could take over the fields in the middle east.
Funny how none of the big supporters are rushing over there to serve, and maybe let some of these kids on their 3rd and 4th tours come home.
Hey they will take any age right now.
I'll drive any of you to the recruiters office.
I've never been tempted to hang my head in shame for being American. Why would I? We are blessed to live in the finest country this planet has ever produced!
But you go ahead Noni, it works for you.
BTW, how's that oil-free lifestyle working out for you?
Swiftee,
Go back under your bridge. Really.
And last time I checked, thinking some people are corrupt, willing to use the good name of the US for their own purposes, and willing to turn a blind eye to the abuse of foriegn civilians, well, thinking that is neither unpatriotic, nor is it unAmerican.
Conversely, blindly obeying whatever your spoon-fed by fact-challenged freaks like Limbaugh and OLie-ly, well, now, that's certainly UnAmerican. Why are you such an America hater, Swift?
BTW, would you possibly try to define what it is you think makes America great, and try to do something a little more deep than
"Because of our freedums." mmkay?
How about, 'Because of the enormous cheritable work we do', or 'our respect for religious diversity', or "our defense of democratic ideals and the idea that people should have the liberty to govern themselves" or evan "our standing up to totalitarianism". You see, because, if you make those kinds of statements, I can agree with you, we have been, and often are, great. But on the other hand, in each case, I EASILY point to examples of where the right-wing nutzies like you have wontonly, repeatedly, willfully violated each and every one of them just to line your pockets or worse, obtain political power.
Getting oil at the price of your honor is worthless. Getting in bed with whores, makes you one too.
If culturally myopic individuals like Swiftee only knew how the world (not their myopic, dull conception of America, but the actual world) works....
Then again, if that were the case, things could settle themselves....
Let's get serious; if you don't mind I would suggest that people who don't understand what we are going through are indicative of the anti-nuanced world we currently inhabit....
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