Iraq elections

[spence]

A fishing board is the perfect place to discuss politics. Where else can such a diverse group of people come together and share opinions? Nobody is forced to open a thread with an obvious subject...

I think it's very difficult to say a war isn't "worth it" while it's happening. History alone will determine this...

There was certianly a parallel here to Vietnam, a war of idiology which divided the country at the time. I don't need to add that Vietnam doesn't have a good place in history for obvious reasons. My hope is that Iraq is viewed much better, it will have to be a success of the Iraqi people.

You really do have to separate the troops from the civilian leadership as they are not one in the same. This is the main message of K33ry's Vietnam protests, it was true then and it's true today.

The Generals gave much warning about troop strength and security before the invasion which fell on deaf civilian ears. The legal framework which allowed abuse and toruture in Baghram, Abu Grahib and Gitmo was drafted by civilians not Generals.

It was civilian leadership that ordered our troops to not deter looting after the war, that disbanded the Iraqi army and that has controlled the Billions in mismanaged contracts.

Our troops really have nothing to do with any of this. They do as they're told, do the best job possible and try to get home alive. Put in that position I would behave exactly the same.

Regarding the recent vote.

Congress didn't give Buhs approval to wage war in the name of Liberty or Democracy, in fact the conditions were very specific. 1) Prove Saddam has WMD and 2) prove Saddam is teamed up with al Qaida.

Now we know that not only were both items completely false, but the bi-partisan Senate panel has largely concluded the evidence was never there to justify the Administration's claims in the first place. Congress was duped, led to war in a blur of overstated claims, reckless optimisim and 9/11 induced emotion.

This should disturb all Americans deeply, regardless of whether Iraq is "worth it" or not.

-spence