dwccrew wrote:

majorspark wrote: War is over in Iraq. We won. Go ahead and purchase the condo.

Define won. I'm still trying to figure out what the objective was.

Saddam is gone. His government was defeated. Americans are no longer fighting pitched battles in the streets. The insurgency has been thrown back. A stable democratic government has taken shape.

majorspark wrote:

dwccrew wrote:

majorspark wrote: War is over in Iraq. We won. Go ahead and purchase the condo.

Define won. I'm still trying to figure out what the objective was.

Saddam is gone. His government was defeated. Americans are no longer fighting pitched battles in the streets. The insurgency has been thrown back. A stable democratic government has taken shape.

I'd agree, but the main objective changed and was unclear from the get-go. First it was because of WMD's, then terrorism, then the liberation of the Iraqi people. I understand that Saddam was an evil man, but he kept that region in check. The Iranians didn't do much because they feared Saddam had those WMD's (even though he didn't) and would use them. It makes sense Saddam didn't want weapons inspectors to search and find nothing, thus making him look weak and vulnerable.

Also, while are troops are now leaving the country and smaller numbers will be there, that doesn't change the fact that the country is totally unstable. Different sects are fighting each other now. The government is far from stable. Hell, it took nearly a century for our own government to become stable (states fighting each other, no real unity).

Only time will tell what will happen in Iraq, but if history teaches us anything it is that the mideast will never be a stable region.

Footwedge wrote: Iraq is a huge shithole today.

Iraq was a shit hole before we got there too.

dwccrew wrote: I'd agree, but the main objective changed and was unclear from the get-go. First it was because of WMD's, then terrorism, then the liberation of the Iraqi people. I understand that Saddam was an evil man, but he kept that region in check. The Iranians didn't do much because they feared Saddam had those WMD's (even though he didn't) and would use them. It makes sense Saddam didn't want weapons inspectors to search and find nothing, thus making him look weak and vulnerable.

I know Saddam kept the region in check. Now that we have replaced his government it is imperative that the new government assumes this role. One can argue the reasons for our involvement, but I believe the objective was always the same. Remove Saddam from power and set up a stable democratic government.

dwccrew wrote: Also, while are troops are now leaving the country and smaller numbers will be there, that doesn't change the fact that the country is totally unstable. Different sects are fighting each other now. The government is far from stable. Hell, it took nearly a century for our own government to become stable (states fighting each other, no real unity).

You are correct about our own government. That is why we should be patient with the new Iraqi government. When I say a stable government has taken shape I do not mean it has taken its final shape. Sects may be fighting each other but no one is fighting pitched battles in the streets. It is clear to me things are heading in the right direction.

dwccrew wrote: Only time will tell what will happen in Iraq, but if history teaches us anything it is that the mideast will never be a stable region.

History teaches us that the world is not a very stable place. Look at Europe. They have been killing each other for centuries. Were no strangers to violence here in our country either. You are correct though only time will tell. Hopefully the people of Iraq can enjoy a decade or so of peace before the crazy people in this world screw it up. God knows they need a break.

majorspark wrote:

dwccrew wrote: I'd agree, but the main objective changed and was unclear from the get-go. First it was because of WMD's, then terrorism, then the liberation of the Iraqi people. I understand that Saddam was an evil man, but he kept that region in check. The Iranians didn't do much because they feared Saddam had those WMD's (even though he didn't) and would use them. It makes sense Saddam didn't want weapons inspectors to search and find nothing, thus making him look weak and vulnerable.

I know Saddam kept the region in check. Now that we have replaced his government it is imperative that the new government assumes this role. One can argue the reasons for our involvement, but I believe the objective was always the same. Remove Saddam from power and set up a stable democratic government.

dwccrew wrote: Also, while are troops are now leaving the country and smaller numbers will be there, that doesn't change the fact that the country is totally unstable. Different sects are fighting each other now. The government is far from stable. Hell, it took nearly a century for our own government to become stable (states fighting each other, no real unity).

You are correct about our own government. That is why we should be patient with the new Iraqi government. When I say a stable government has taken shape I do not mean it has taken its final shape. Sects may be fighting each other but no one is fighting pitched battles in the streets. It is clear to me things are heading in the right direction.

dwccrew wrote: Only time will tell what will happen in Iraq, but if history teaches us anything it is that the mideast will never be a stable region.

History teaches us that the world is not a very stable place. Look at Europe. They have been killing each other for centuries. Were no strangers to violence here in our country either. You are correct though only time will tell. Hopefully the people of Iraq can enjoy a decade or so of peace before the crazy people in this world screw it up. God knows they need a break.

I agree with you somewhat, but not totally. I do believe there is much violence in Iraq still, albeit not our troops involved; there are marketplace bombings and people being murdered all the time. Most of the time it is religious fighting, but there is a lot of it going on.

I agree with you though in hoping that the country does become more stable.