Troops to remain in Iraq until 2009?

[Newby]

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/03/21/bush.newsconference/index.html?section=cnn_topstories

Even I think that's a bit too long... it's gonna turn into a war that we win just like we did in Vietnam...

[MyndFyre]

Know what a *big* difference is between Iraq and Vietnam?

In the Vietnam war, we were fighting a political entity.  They had infrastructure, prisons, etc.  They could take POWs.

In Iraq, it's much harder for them to do that.  We control the majority of the infrastructure throughout the country.  It's much harder for them to take POWs because they don't have anywhere to bring them.

Just a thought.

[GameSnake]

 Bush did say, on the subject of withdrawl, "it will be up to future presidents". I think Bush is going to stick to his guns on this issue, it's very rare for a political figure to admit thier wrong all the way up untill thier faced with something they can't refuse. Is this going to turn into another Vietnam? I don't know, are we going to have another cultural revolution? I don't know.

[igimo1]

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/03/21/bush.newsconference/index.html?section=cnn_topstories

Even I think that's a bit too long... it's gonna turn into a war that we win just like we did in Vietnam...

That's only a year more than the earlier estimates from 2004. Not only that, but we're fighting terrorists who are willing to die for their case.

Myndfyre: They don't want to take Americans prisoner (mostly), they just want to kill us.

[iago]

Although I definitely did not support the original war, America should look after it as long as they possibly can.  As soon as America withdraws, there's going to be serious problems there.  Part of invading a country involves taking control of it, but in this case America is doing it the lazy way.  They should stay there as long as it takes. 

[Warrior]

I agree, we've given these people liberty. It's up to them however (with our support after the eventual pullout) to stabalize themselves. They need to build up their nation and I think once they have a good military/police/government they should do fine.
Sure there will still be insurgency and I don't know quite what will happen but this can't be avoided. I  think it's all for the better however.

[GameSnake]

Although I definitely did not support the original war, America should look after it as long as they possibly can.  As soon as America withdraws, there's going to be serious problems there.  Part of invading a country involves taking control of it, but in this case America is doing it the lazy way.  They should stay there as long as it takes. 

If you agreed with the war that was on the premise of WMD's, you were wrong, and why would you agree to the war now as opposed to back then anyway? I believe Bush just kept pushing Iraq untill there was actually a noble cause in it -- and now there is -- but going to war on false premises is never right.

[zorm]

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/03/21/bush.newsconference/index.html?section=cnn_topstories

Even I think that's a bit too long... it's gonna turn into a war that we win just like we did in Vietnam...

Note that reconstruction and rebuilding nations takes a long time. Also note that having troops in a country doesn't mean war/occupation/fighting or any of that. Look at Germany and all of Europe for that matter. We still have troops over there from 50 years after World War II. I think its a fair assumption that we will have troops in Iraq for just as long, however this doesn't mean that they will be involved in day-to-day combat just that they will be there. And thus this whole idea of pulling the troops out is a bit absurd and crazy.

[GameSnake]

We're only staying because Bush created this mess.

[Towelie]

We're only staying because Bush created this mess.

I agree, bush shouldntve ever gone into iraq. But, because we cant go back in time and stop taht from happening, we shouldnt take our troops out asap.

[zorm]

We're only staying because Bush created this mess.

Bush didn't create it. Saddam created it in 1990 when he invaded Kuwait and the international community decided it was unacceptable. Bush was simply finishing the job that started before. Also keep in mind combat operations never stopped after the first Gulf War. We had warplanes overflying Iraq with the Iraqis shooting at them everyday since the start in 1991.

[GameSnake]

We're only staying because Bush created this mess.

Bush didn't create it. Saddam created it in 1990 when he invaded Kuwait and the international community decided it was unacceptable. Bush was simply finishing the job that started before. Also keep in mind combat operations never stopped after the first Gulf War. We had warplanes overflying Iraq with the Iraqis shooting at them everyday since the start in 1991.

Yes he did create the war it is a fact.

[Sidoh]

Yes he did create the war it is a fact.

Are you saying what Saddam Husein has done is acceptable?

[GameSnake]

No -- but Zorm tried to say Bush did not create the present Iraq war -- when infact he did.

[Sidoh]

No -- but Zorm tried to say Bush did not create the present Iraq war -- when infact he did.

Bush didn't start the cause for the war, though...

War is designed to resolve problems.  Saddam Hussein was definitely a serious problem.