What are we doing in Iraq?

Flint · 02-28-2007, 11:14 AM

I'm not asking this to be smart-ass, but I've serisouly lost the plot on this one. Without getting into an involved back-story of political debates, can someone please just explain to me in simple terms: What are we doing in Iraq? Why are we in Iraq? That simple question should have an answer that can be clearly stated and clearly understood. If someone could explain it to me, I would appreciate it. Thanks.

glatt · 02-28-2007, 11:20 AM

Because Saddam was an imminent threat to the USA with his bountiful WMDs.

No, Wait. It was because we wanted his oil.

No, wait. It's the flypaper. We wanted all the terrorists to come to Iraq so we could 'bring it on' in one convenient location.

No, wait. It was because we needed to get our troops out of Saudi Arabia, and Iraq is a nice central location in the region to base them.

No, wait. It's because Bush always wanted to finish his father's job.

Take your pick. I'm sure there are other possible reasons too.

I don't think anyone knows.

elSicomoro · 02-28-2007, 11:33 AM

You want the official answer, right Flint? The one that the government is using? To topple a brutal dictator that was a serious threat to the United States and to give Iraqis freedom from said dictator.

The real answer...pffft! We'll never really know...

Pie · 02-28-2007, 11:36 AM

Babysitting a civil war.

Shawnee123 · 02-28-2007, 11:36 AM

Diversion from Osama

The Domino Theory

Some kind of profit for Bush

The world may never know.

Happy Monkey · 02-28-2007, 11:41 AM

Because as long as we stay, we won't have lost yet.

Flint · 02-28-2007, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glatt

I don't think anyone knows.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sycamore

We'll never really know...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shawnee123

The world may never know.

There has to be a reason, or we wouldn't be doing it, right? Someone will surely be able to explain this to me.

Shawnee123 · 02-28-2007, 12:09 PM

So I can spend billions trying to fill up my gas tank?

glatt · 02-28-2007, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flint

There has to be a reason, or we wouldn't be doing it, right? Someone will surely be able to explain this to me.

The official reason was that Saddam Hussein wasn't complying fully with the weapons inspections, and we thought he still had the weapons of mass destruction he had years before.

I have no idea if that's the real reason.

If your question is "why are we still there?" I think the answer has more to do with Bush's psychology.

Flint · 02-28-2007, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glatt

The official reason was that Saddam Hussein wasn't complying fully with the weapons inspections, and we thought he still had the weapons of mass destruction he had years before.

Did we think he had an inter-continental delivery system? Does the current objective consist of staying there until we find these weapons?

Shawnee123 · 02-28-2007, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glatt

If your question is "why are we still there?" I think the answer has more to do with Bush's psychology.

Yep, he's a megalomaniac who can't admit when he's wrong (see: new-cue-lar)

Flint · 02-28-2007, 12:55 PM

I don't want this to turn into a Bush-bashing thread. I'm asking a serious question here. People don't spend billions of dollars, and send their sons and daughters off to die, for no reason whatsoever. So, there has to be a reason. I don't know what it is so I'm seriously asking. Why are we in Iraq and what is our objective? There has to be one.

Shawnee123 · 02-28-2007, 01:00 PM

Sorry, shouldn't bash, I know. I just don't get the answer either...and from everything I've seen no one can enlighten you. So I had to look at what I perceive to be the common denominator.

Certainly someone can give a better answer, and I would love to learn from that too.

I do apologize about the bashing...that gets us nowhere.

Undertoad · 02-28-2007, 01:05 PM

It's not just one single objective.

The big one: this was (and probably still is) an attempt to create a lawful, productive, pro-western nation containing US military bases, in the center of the middle east and directly bordering several "problem countries", without seeming in any way to declare war on Islam specifically in any way.

Happy Monkey · 02-28-2007, 01:09 PM

See the Project for the New American Century page.

02-28-2007, 11:14 AM	#1
Flint Snowflake Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dystopia Posts: 13,136	What are we doing in Iraq? I'm not asking this to be smart-ass, but I've serisouly lost the plot on this one. Without getting into an involved back-story of political debates, can someone please just explain to me in simple terms: What are we doing in Iraq? Why are we in Iraq? That simple question should have an answer that can be clearly stated and clearly understood. If someone could explain it to me, I would appreciate it. Thanks. __________________ **************** There's a level of facility that everyone needs to accomplish, and from there it's a matter of deciding for yourself how important ultra-facility is to your expression. ... I found, like Joseph Campbell said, if you just follow whatever gives you a little joy or excitement or awe, then you're on the right track. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Bozzio**

02-28-2007, 11:36 AM	#4
Pie Gone and done Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 4,808	Babysitting a civil war. __________________ per·son \ˈpər-sən\ (noun) - an ephemeral collection of small, irrational decisions The fun thing about evolution (and science in general) is that it happens whether you believe in it or not.

02-28-2007, 11:36 AM	#5
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	Diversion from Osama The Domino Theory Some kind of profit for Bush The world may never know. __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

02-28-2007, 11:41 AM	#6
Happy Monkey I think this line's mostly filler. Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: DC Posts: 13,575	Because as long as we stay, we won't have lost yet. __________________ _________________ \|...............\| We live in the nick of times. \| Len 17, Wid 3 \| \|_______________\| [pics]

02-28-2007, 12:09 PM	#8
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	So I can spend billions trying to fill up my gas tank? __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

02-28-2007, 11:20 AM	#2
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	Because Saddam was an imminent threat to the USA with his bountiful WMDs. No, Wait. It was because we wanted his oil. No, wait. It's the flypaper. We wanted all the terrorists to come to Iraq so we could 'bring it on' in one convenient location. No, wait. It was because we needed to get our troops out of Saudi Arabia, and Iraq is a nice central location in the region to base them. No, wait. It's because Bush always wanted to finish his father's job. Take your pick. I'm sure there are other possible reasons too. I don't think anyone knows.

02-28-2007, 11:33 AM	#3
elSicomoro Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 12,486	You want the official answer, right Flint? The one that the government is using? To topple a brutal dictator that was a serious threat to the United States and to give Iraqis freedom from said dictator. The real answer...pffft! We'll never really know...

02-28-2007, 12:55 PM	#12
Flint Snowflake Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dystopia Posts: 13,136	I don't want this to turn into a Bush-bashing thread. I'm asking a serious question here. People don't spend billions of dollars, and send their sons and daughters off to die, for no reason whatsoever. So, there has to be a reason. I don't know what it is so I'm seriously asking. Why are we in Iraq and what is our objective? There has to be one. __________________ **************** There's a level of facility that everyone needs to accomplish, and from there it's a matter of deciding for yourself how important ultra-facility is to your expression. ... I found, like Joseph Campbell said, if you just follow whatever gives you a little joy or excitement or awe, then you're on the right track. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Bozzio**

02-28-2007, 01:00 PM	#13
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	Sorry, shouldn't bash, I know. I just don't get the answer either...and from everything I've seen no one can enlighten you. So I had to look at what I perceive to be the common denominator. Certainly someone can give a better answer, and I would love to learn from that too. I do apologize about the bashing...that gets us nowhere. __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

02-28-2007, 01:05 PM	#14
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	It's not just one single objective. The big one: this was (and probably still is) an attempt to create a lawful, productive, pro-western nation containing US military bases, in the center of the middle east and directly bordering several "problem countries", without seeming in any way to declare war on Islam specifically in any way.

02-28-2007, 01:09 PM	#15
Happy Monkey I think this line's mostly filler. Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: DC Posts: 13,575	See the Project for the New American Century page. __________________ _________________ \|...............\| We live in the nick of times. \| Len 17, Wid 3 \| \|_______________\| [pics]

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