We bring democracy to a dictatorship while our country is slowly turning into one.

What a joke.

And having their discharge and retirement put on hold?

What about the schools in disrepair here in the US? What about the hospitals that are being closed due to lack of funding here in the US? What about our hungry and homeless?

Do you think that our citizens should be left to die in falling apart hospitals, struggle to put food in their mouths and our children have to sit in overcrowded classrooms using books that are 10 years to old? Should we not focus on rebuilding America? The money spent in Iraq could do a hell of a lot of good here.

Surely you aren't referring to me. I could swear I JUST posted this:

Why would you assume that we have no harsh words for those setting off car bombs? I haven't exactly read any quotes praising their actions. Of course, they are bastards. But, they weren't there before we decided to interfere.

How about blame for everyone that created this mess.

Now THERE is a novel idea.

What's shocking to me is people who seem to believe there's some sort of "either/or" situation here. Either it's the insurgent bastards fault or it's our fault. Sorry, the world ain't that clear cut. Actions have consequences. And to understand those consequences, an honest assessment of the situation is necessary. And the honest assessment was NOT done prior to invading, and here we are. There are some evil people doing evil things in an environment that was blindly created by our military decisions.

I don't suggest looking backward for the purpose of laying blame. I suggest looking backward for the purpose of getting the people who have made blind decisions in the past to open their eyes and make informed decisions going forward. That's why I find it so important to try to get Bush and company to admit that they made a mistake, because until they do that, I have zero confidence that they won't make the same mistake again. I have zero confidence that they are looking at the situation in Iraq objectively and honestly. And without that, I have zero confidence that they will make decisions that result in anything but continued violence between Iraqis and death of American troops.

Do I know that pulling our troops out is the best decision? No. I don't have the knowledge to be sure. What bothers me is that it seems like even if someone WITH the knowledge to make that call were to come to that conclusion, Bush would ignore them because it doesn't fit his short term agenda.

I completely agree, GD.

I didn't think so. I took that to mean that some think it necessary to state that "scumbags who kill innocents are evil" in every friggin post one makes, rather than understanding it's more or less a given.

I do, too. It's interesting that in preparation to decide on a new direction for Iraq, George is talking to all the same people who've been advising him (telling him what he wants to hear) for years.

Not to mention that, all along, we have heard from Bush that he will do what his commanders on the ground think is best...as long as they agree with him, of course.

You know, it'd be easier to respond to if you spelled out who "people" are in the context of your post. It seems to imply posters on this board, so I would expect that this is not the case of the general "people" of this board but if you are talking about specific people here, call them out and let them respond for themselves instead of miscellaneous other people like myself who wonder, "is she talking about me? Should I respond to this?"

In any event, I'll just ask you, are you talking about me? Are you looking for a response from me on this?