Have we won the Iraq war? (America, mission, experience, Israel)

[MysticSang'ha]

Goodie! Does that mean that our men and women can finally come home now?

[Starfish]

Originally Posted by MysticSang'ha

Goodie! Does that mean that our men and women can finally come home now?

I'd ask the soldiers themselves, that question. You might find your answer in the blog from the link in the OP.

[MysticSang'ha]

Originally Posted by Starfish

I'd ask the soldiers themselves, that question. You might find your answer in the whole article from the link in the OP.

I clicked on it and I didn't find an answer, actually. I was being a little sarcastic in my first reply.

And I volunteer as Family Readiness Group Leader at my husband's Army Base. I have held the hands of family members who have lost their loved ones in Iraq, helped direct them all to resources during times of transition of deployment and homecoming, kept phone trees intact, and listened carefully to our base commander and his frustrations with our current administration. I am far more involved than at first glance with our soldiers, their families, and from higher-ranking officers down to privates I've talked with and supported....and I've listened to them, too.

Plus, my own husband is an Iraq War Veteran (deployed for 12 months in '04). The numbers of soldiers that I know who are fed up with Iraq is overwhelming, yet they still follow orders despite severe underfunding for them and for us (the families).

I'm sorry, I just don't agree with a single point presented in the OP.

[Starfish]

Originally Posted by MysticSang'ha

I clicked on it and I didn't find an answer, actually. I was being a little sarcastic in my first reply.

And I volunteer as Family Readiness Group Leader at my husband's Army Base. I have held the hands of family members who have lost their loved ones in Iraq, helped direct them all to resources during times of transition of deployment and homecoming, kept phone trees intact, and listened carefully to our base commander and his frustrations with our current administration. I am far more involved than at first glance with our soldiers, their families, and from higher-ranking officers down to privates I've talked with and supported....and I've listened to them, too.

Plus, my own husband is an Iraq War Veteran (deployed for 12 months in '04). The numbers of soldiers that I know who are fed up with Iraq is overwhelming, yet they still follow orders despite severe underfunding for them and for us (the families).

I'm sorry, I just don't agree with a single point presented in the OP.

Fair enough. But he has spent a lot of time there, and is not on the payroll of any one publication. Over time he has been critical and complementary of our side. He seems pretty credible.

[Troublemane]

I predict there will be a declaration of victory by september, october at the latest, if only to deprive the obama camp of the privalege. there may be some optimism that mccain will win (not likely) but i think the polls are showing a greater probability obama will win, so---that means (just to be on the safe side) victory will be declared before the election, just to ensure bush gets the glory.

[Starfish]

Originally Posted by Troublemane

I predict there will be a declaration of victory by september, october at the latest, if only to deprive the obama camp of the privalege. there may be some optimism that mccain will win (not likely) but i think the polls are showing a greater probability obama will win, so---that means (just to be on the safe side) victory will be declared before the election, just to ensure bush gets the glory.

I've not thought about that. But if any president gets the "glory", one would think it belongs to Bush. If the war is blamed on him, then the victory should be as well.

[PureX]

Since there was no war, only an invasion and occupation, it's impossible for us to have "won" anything.

[MysticSang'ha]

Originally Posted by Troublemane

I predict there will be a declaration of victory by september, october at the latest, if only to deprive the obama camp of the privalege. there may be some optimism that mccain will win (not likely) but i think the polls are showing a greater probability obama will win, so---that means (just to be on the safe side) victory will be declared before the election, just to ensure bush gets the glory.

Well, Bush did say that we "misunderestimated" him.

[Starfish]

Originally Posted by PureX

Since there was no war, only an invasion and occupation, it's impossible for us to have "won" anything.

Michael Yon apparently disagrees with you. So do a lot of people.

[Autodidact]

Originally Posted by Starfish

I appreciate your open mind. None of us know what will be in 5 years.

IF Iraq remains free and democratic giving those people rights and privileges they would likely have never had otherwise, IF Iraq remains a strong ally to the US in the Middle East bringing added stability into a very volatile region, IF Iraq shows other similar countries that it can be done--that freedom and democracy are attainable and possible . . .

THEN would it have been worth it?

They can't remain any of these things without first becoming them. They are none of those things now.