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[QUOTE=Jim in CT;991127]I think it's fair (and a good idea) to discuss the Iraq War, and debate whether or not it was a terrible idea. That's fair.
[QUOTE]
I agree it's fair and agree with most of what you said in your 2 posts.
However, it seems we never learn.
Never learned from the French that Vietnam would be a losing cause. Never
learned from the Russians you couldn't win in Afghanistan.
When it comes to Iraq, Saddam was known to use gas on his own people,
and all international intelligence said he had WMDs. He refused inspection.
A time table was laydown for him to allow inspection or suffer attack backed by many in Congress who flip flopped when things got tough.
He was given every opportunity but refused and time was up. It was his choice and he chose the consequences. In hindsight it would have been better to take him out alone, but with all his doubles and hiding places, no one knew where he was and time seemed to be of the essence.
It was my understanding that the reason for going into Afghanistan was to knock out the Taliban training camps. Once that was done we should have gotten out of there. These people have lived their way of life for 1000s of years and there is no way they could or want to be swayed to live our Western style.
I hate war for the same reasons the Vet wrote about, the affects on the troops and their families. They are the only ones who truly sacrifice. I have so much respect for all our Vets and hold them in the highest honor.
The only common sense thing I ever heard about preventing war is to pass a law, that only people over the age of 50 yrs. of age could fight. But no one ever learns, way too much quest for power and dominance.
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