Logic: The Destroyer of Ignorance

[KG_Soldier]

I think an independent Iraq with a government for its people and America to thank for it (assumuing this is what kind of government Iraq ends up with) would go a long way toward easing the hate felt by many Muslims toward us. I think proving the rest of the world wrong by leaving Iraq after they're government and military have enough power will prove we aren't in it for the oil and help how the world perceives us. I think this will take many years, but flattening Countries and then walking away as Frank suggests will certainly NOT curb radicle Islam.

[KG_Soldier]

You sound like Michael Moore Steve.

[KG_SSpoom]

Maybe not flattening them in the first place would be the best option?
Even Moore has some good points even if he is a left wing whack job.
Both the far left and the far right are wrong the truth is somewhere in the middle

[KG_AGCent]

To answer your question Sspoom; It won't be my choice as to whether or not she serves in the military but I certainly won't stop her. She has already done a lot of research and is already (in 7th grade) putting together her resume for the Airforce Academy and the Naval Academy, she hasn't decided which yet.

I would freely give her to my nation to serve this country and its interests as the CinC sees fit. It would be my honor.

[KG_SSpoom]

I guess my question wasnt concise enough.
I know you will support her in whatever she choses.
I believe with all my heart that you love her unreservedly and
without measure.
What I was Implying was do you believe that Iraq is a good enough
cause that her life and the lives of others lost or ruined there wouldnt be spent in vain for a cause that isnt/shouldnt be our own?
I know you would/will be proud of her in whatever endeavour she choses.
Im just saying that I dont think the Iraq war is worthy of even one American
life, especially one of a relative or a close friend.
I know we are building schools there, building Firehouses and Police stations there, opening hospitals there and definately doing some very noble deeds there. But here in the United States schools are closing, Fire and Police stations are closing Health care is getting beyond the ability of the average American to afford while taxws are getting to the point of being nearly punitive. Meanwhile in Iraq the city of Baghdad is under curfew
basic ammenities like electricity and water are scarce and Intermittent at best. Somehow I just dont see what we are doing in Iraq as being beneficial to anyone. Unless you count the war profiteers who are making a mint off the American taxpayers.

[KG_AGCent]

In answer to your first question, I do. For two reasons mainly. First; the destruction of the status quo in the middle East by introducing democracy and advanced western ideas into a culture that is stuck in the eighth century. Second, the destruction of the ability to of those eighth century barbarians to to do to us again what they did in 2001. Whether that requires a few years settling Iraq's new gov't into place or the destruction of an entire civilization is of little concern to me. Both of those reasons are enough for me to encourage my daughter to serve her nation. I would be back in uniform carrying a rifle if they would take a broken-down freon monkey. But they won't so I'm not.

I think it is worth noting that my views are not the result of reading a couple news articles but founded on many hours of reading and research into the history between the West and the Middle East. Muhamedans still are smarting from their ass-kicking in the 1400s at the Battle of Lepanto. They still gnash their teeth at being kicked out of Spain first by force of arms then finished off by the Inquisition. They still lament being driven back from the gates of Italy and Austria to Constantinople (I refuse to call it Istanbul). Make no mistake, they believe they are in their version of Ragnarok and the more we send to Valhalla the better we will all be. An enemy with a memory that long requires that we have a memory that long in order to find the WILL to fight them.

In answer to your second position, there have always been profiteers in war. Daimler-Benz, Mitsubishi, Grumman, Ford, Bethlehem Steel, Rolls Royce, Renault, Fiat... the list could go on and on. Those with the ability to produce the weapons needed to fight a war will profit. This is nothing new. It has always been paid by the citizens of the nation that is fighting.

[KG_SSpoom]

Well said Rob, points and commitment acknowledged and respected.
I guess we will just have to agree to disagree, Im fine with that =)