What Obama Should Say On Iraq

Did Mr Zakaria support or not support the invasion of Iraq? I honestly don't recall.

Mr. Zakaria,
You are basically saying that Mr. Obama will NOT be able to pull out US forces either. Where's the 'change'?
We adults realize that for real change in the world to take place, hard work and sometimes unpleasant tasks have to be done. There is no simple solution as Obama would have you think. Be honest!

He is a politician, not a statesman. He will say and do whatever is necessary to get elected. He has demonstrated this over and over again. Hillary recognizes him for what he is, and has no respect for him. Hopefully, he will help pay off her debt, though Hillary Democrats will vote their conscience.

Mr. Zakaria, why did you have to make a column out of this? You should have just given it straight to Senator Obama yourself! Your columns are brilliant, and I look forward to reading your next one.

The arguments today about us finally now stabilizing Iraq remind me of the argument that Cheney made about flowers for our soldiers and leaving in three months from taking Baghdad. Don't say that he didn't say it. It still plays on TV once in a while. It ought to be played every hour on the hour on every station in the country to remind us how stupid this war is. He said it. Still smirks today the same way he did then when he said it. Get us out of there.

The flaw in the argument that we need to stay in Iraq now to avert chaos is that staying there maintains the chaos. We keep it stirred up. They need their dictator back. As soon as we leave, they will work their way back to another one about like the one that we took from them. Then they can generate their own chaos. It will be the kind that finally brings them the relative peace that they had before we came.
They have no idea what democracy is. It is not compatible with their religions and the power structures that go with their religions. What we call a dictator they call a big fat Mullah. They need one to settle down and go back to their old familiar arguments. Get us out of there.

Fareed Zakaria is right regarding the need for Obama to declare his intentions about the Iraqi problem. He is also right about the basic underlying moral principle his scenario for Obama advocates. And what is that? Although the U.S. was duped by George W. Bush and his advisors to willfully attack Iraq, our nation is responsible for their behavior--for the consequences of their behavior. We are as a country responsible for cleaning up the mess in as judicious manner as possible. Zakaria's theme follows this principle. Yes, we need to cut our continuing losses of troops and money. We must do it sooner than later but we can't leave the middle east in chaos. Morally we are obliged to mobilize all the positive forces for a peaceful resolution as possible. More of our financial commitment to the military effort should go toward defusing the hatred our presence there has generated.

What Obama should say about Iraq?

Bush was Right.
I was Wrong.
Attacks against the United States will not be tolerated.

There are 4 new democracies in the region now because of Mr. Bush. Nepal, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq. That is 1000 American lives and 250 Billion for each democracy. Not cheap but when I have see how the US government wastes money and how Americans waste time, I wonder if this was not money and time well spent. Once Iraq's oil industry comes online and the world economy recovers, Bush will look like a genius but by then Obama will be president and take all the credit.

P.S. I voted against Bush twice but when you are right you are right. Bush was right about making an example of Iraq. History will be kind to him.

Don't forget Bush is the most unpopular president since Truman who bombed Japan and left US troops in Japan and Germany after WW II.

ONLY A CHEERLEADER WOULD DISPUTE MY ARGUMENT

Posted By: eddiewhere @ 06/24/2008 11:15:12 AM
Comment: There is this argument out there that I hear our troops repeating over and over agian. WE CANNOT LEAVE UNTIL THE JOB IS DONE WE CANNOT LET OUR BROTHERS DIE IN VAIN.

NOW THAT IS REAL BUL****. THAT STATEMENT IS GOVERNMENT IDEOLOGY AND NOT MILITARY IDEOLOGY.

COLIN POWELL SAID IT BEST. DEFINE YOUR MISSION CLEARLY SET YOUR OBJECTIVES AND USE OVERWHELMING FORCE AKA SHOCK AND AWE to accomplish your mission.

WE HAVE NO CLEAR AGENDA and NO CLEAR OBJECTIVES. WE ARE NOT SURE. SO HOW ON EARTH CAN WE JUSTIFY THE LOSS OF MORE AMERICAN LIVES. AS LONG AS WE STAY IN IRAQ YOUNG AMERICANS WILL CONTINUE TO DIE IN VAIN. WE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAVE MADE OUR POINT VERY CLEAR. WE ARE SICK OF IRAQ AND WE ARE SICK OF OUR DEPENDENCY ON MIDDLE EASTERN OIL.

OBAMA WILL BE THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

THE LAST FALLACY I WANT TO ADDRESS IS THAT THE SURGE IS WORKING.

THIS ARGUMENT IS SO CRAZY THAT IT IS HARD TO EXPLAIN.

SURGE means temporary. OUR TROOPS PRESENCE IN THAT COUNTRY OF IRAQ IS THE MAIN REASON FUNDAMENTALIST HAVE FOR ATTACKING US.

WE NEED A PRESIDENT THAT WILL DO WHAT IS BEST FOR AMERICA NOT WHAT IS BEST FOR IRAQ.
IF McCain chooses Bobby Jindal he will not be able to play the race card. McCain HAS to play the race card to win. ON the upside JINDAL is very articulated but his parties agenda is misguided. THE INDIAN LOBBY IS VERY WEALTHY and INDIANS ARE PROSPERING ALL OVER AMERICA especially in the technology sector. IF JINDAL IS chosen every INDIAN in AMERICA will support McCAIN.

ZAKARIA, YOU MUST FEEL SO PROUD THAT THE SECOND GENERATION OF INDIANS, THOSE BORN IN AMERICA ARE ACHIEVING GREAT THINGS. IF McCAIN DIES AFTER THE ELECTION IT IS POSSIBLE THAT JINDAL WOULD BECOME PRESIDENT. WHAT IS YOUR OPINION ABOUT YOUR BROTHER JINDAL ZACH.

What happens to Iraq is secondary to our interests in the region. We are in Iraq largely because of Israel and we will want to keep large number of troops there until the Mid-East changes its attitude towards our special friend. Our original mission in Iraq is a failure because it made Iran stronger, and more resistant to Us/Israel interest. But discussing our real reasons for invading Iraq is a taboo subject..

Why isn't Fareed Zakaria running for president? Oh, wait a minute, I almost forgot. Plato told us in "The Republic" that those who are best qualified to govern are also the most reluctant to do so. They have a much greater vision that makes them see that it's not anything they would want. Thanks very much Fareed, as always. While scanning thru these comments, I noticed one that said you should be Secretary of State. Indeed you should, if you could stand it!

The Iraqi people have an argument that they need to settle amongst themselves. It involves something that we do not understand. It is a family matter. They have kept track of their genealogy for a thousand years and are still trying to settle a family dispute which arose a thousand years ago. They are mad enough to kill each other over it and they do this daily. They started the killing with knives until the gun was invented and then killed each other with guns, until the bomb was invented. Now they kill each other with all three. We are involved in their misery only because we bombed them and then invaded their country for reasons which turned out to be false, uttered by our own president. We don't deserve this in our country and we need to quit it. They don't deserve this either. Sooner or later they will solve this dispute without us. Democracy's got nothing to do with it. They don't know what it is and won't be ready for it until they settle their family dispute.
Finally we have a candidate for president who offers to remove us from there, safely, of course, not precipitously. I intend to vote for him mainly for this reason, though there are plenty more good ones.

NO AMERICAN LIFE IS WORTH IRAQI FREEDOM.
"ANYONE WHO DISAGREES IS NOT A REAL AMERICAN eddiewhere 2008

We need to get out of Iraq and transfer responsibility and management of that country to the IRAQ's themselves. THEY SHOULD be backed by a multinational force led by Middle Eastern countries until they are able to fight extremist on their own.
Our unilateral approach in the MIDDLE EAST has to come to an end. ECONOMICALLY, IRAQ IS KILLING the average tax payer and making a few private contractors and oil firms rich.

We need Oil. WE NEED OIL. Therefore, getting rid of the Iranian regime is at the top of our agenda.
The majority in Iran want change but not under and American led invasion. It has to be done from within. We lost the support of moderate Arabs and Muslims over the last six years. Hopefully, PRESIDENT OBAMA can empower this group and encourage them to meet with their counterparts.

Inotherwords there should be an alliance between all moderates in the Middle East, JEWS, ARABs, MUSLIMS, ect... These forces must be self motivated by a common cause, Peace. IF this group can be strengthened they themselves will defeat or at least contain the force of extremism.
WE must strengthen the forces behind peace and weaken those against peace on both sides.

THE UNITED STATES CANNOT SOLVE THE CONFLICT IN THE MIDDLE EAST. WE CAN ONLY STRENGHTEN AND SUPPORT THE PEOPLE OF THE MIDDLE EAST TO SOLVE THEIR OWN PROBLEMS.

IN THE SHORT RUN WE NEED MIDDLE EASTERN OIL. THIS COMPLICATES OUR ROLE OVER THERE.
WE Should have had an ENERGY SUMMIT TEN YEARS AGO. WE NEED TO COME UP WITH A TWENTY YEAR PLAN to RID OURSELVES of OIL DEPENDENCY IN THE MIDDLE EAST. TWENTY YEARS WILL GO BY LIKE NOTHING. WE HAVE TO START NOW.

THE most dangerous threats are the ones you do not see coming. LIKE CHINA, RUSSIA, EASTERN EUROPEAN organized crime. Monitoring these entities will be our great challenge.
ARE WE READY FOR CYBER WAR. I DON't THINK SO.

We need to get out of Iraq and transfer responsibility and management of that country to the IRAQ's themselves. THEY SHOULD be backed by a multinational force led by Middle Eastern countries until they are able to fight extremist on their own.
Our unilateral approach in the MIDDLE EAST has to come to an end. ECONOMICALLY, IRAQ IS KILLING the average tax payer and making a few private contractors and oil firms rich.

We need Oil. WE NEED OIL. Therefore, getting rid of the Iranian regime is at the top of our agenda.
The majority in Iran want change but not under and American led invasion. It has to be done from within. We lost the support of moderate Arabs and Muslims over the last six years. Hopefully, PRESIDENT OBAMA can empower this group and encourage them to meet with their counterparts.

Inotherwords there should be an alliance between all moderates in the Middle East, JEWS, ARABs, MUSLIMS, ect... These forces must be self motivated by a common cause, Peace. IF this group can be strengthened they themselves will defeat or at least contain the force of extremism.
WE must strengthen the forces behind peace and weaken those against peace on both sides.

THE UNITED STATES CANNOT SOLVE THE CONFLICT IN THE MIDDLE EAST. WE CAN ONLY STRENGHTEN AND SUPPORT THE PEOPLE OF THE MIDDLE EAST TO SOLVE THEIR OWN PROBLEMS.

IN THE SHORT RUN WE NEED MIDDLE EASTERN OIL. THIS COMPLICATES OUR ROLE OVER THERE.
WE Should have had an ENERGY SUMMIT TEN YEARS AGO. WE NEED TO COME UP WITH A TWENTY YEAR PLAN to RID OURSELVES of OIL DEPENDENCY IN THE MIDDLE EAST. TWENTY YEARS WILL GO BY LIKE NOTHING. WE HAVE TO START NOW.

THE most dangerous threats are the ones you do not see coming. LIKE CHINA, RUSSIA, EASTERN EUROPEAN organized crime. Monitoring these entities will be our great challenge.
ARE WE READY FOR CYBER WAR. I DON't THINK SO.

We need to get out of Iraq and transfer responsibility and management of that country to a multinational force led by Middle Eastern countries. Our unilateral approach in the MIDDLE EAST has to come to an end. ECONOMICALLY, IRAQ IS KILLING the average tax payer and making a few private contractors and oil firms rich.

We need Oil. WE NEED OIL. Therefore, getting rid of the Iranian regime is at the top of our agenda.
The majority in Iran want change but not under and American led invasion. It has to be done from within. We lost the support of moderate Arabs and Muslims over the last six years. Hopefully, Obama can empower this group and encourage them to meet with their counterparts.

Inotherwords there should be an alliance between all moderates in the Middle East, JEWS, ARABs, MUSLIMS, ect... These forces must be self motivated by a common cause, Peace. IF this group can be strengthened they themselves will defeat or at least contain the force of extremism.
WE must strengthen the forces behind peace and weaken those against peace on both sides.

THE UNITED STATES CANNOT SOLVE THE CONFLICT IN THE MIDDLE EAST. WE CAN ONLY STRENGHTEN AND SUPPORT THE PEOPLE OF THE MIDDLE EAST TO SOLVE THEIR OWN PROBLEMS.

IN THE SHORT RUN WE NEED MIDDLE EASTERN OIL. THIS COMPLICATES OUR ROLE OVER THERE.
WE Should have had an ENERGY SUMMIT TEN YEARS AGO. WE NEED TO COME UP WITH A TWENTY YEAR PLAN to RID OURSELVES of OIL DEPENDENCY IN THE MIDDLE EAST. TWENTY YEARS WILL GO BY LIKE NOTHING. WE HAVE TO START NOW.

THE most dangerous threats are the ones you do not see coming. LIKE CHINA, RUSSIA, EASTERN EUROPEAN organized crime. Monitoring these entities will be our great challenge.
ARE WE READY FOR CYBER WAR. I DON't THINK SO.

We need to get out of Iraq and transfer responsibility and management of that country to a multinational force led by Middle Eastern countries. Our unilateral approach in the MIDDLE EAST has to come to an end. ECONOMICALLY, IRAQ IS KILLING the average tax payer and making a few private contractors and oil firms rich.

We need Oil. WE NEED OIL. Therefore, getting rid of the Iranian regime is at the top of our agenda.
The majority in Iran want change but not under and American led invasion. It has to be done frome within. We lost the support of moderate Arabs and Muslims over the last year. Hopefully, Obama can empower this group and encourage them to meet with their counterparts.

Inotherwords there should be an alliance between all moderates in the Middle East, JEWS, ARABs, MUSLIMS, ect... These forces must be self motivated by Peace. IF this group can be strengthened they themselves will defeat or at least contain the force of extremism.
WE must strengthen the forces behind peace and weaken those against peace on both sides.

THE UNITED STATES CANNOT SOLVE THE CONFLICT IN THE MIDDLE EAST. WE CAN ONLY STRENGHTEN AND SUPPORT THE PEOPLE OF THE MIDDLE EAST TO SOLVE THEIR OWN PROBLEMS.

IN THE SHORT RUN WE NEED MIDDLE EASTERN OIL. THIS COMPLICATES OUR ROLE OVER THERE.
WE Should have had an ENERGY SUMMIT TEN YEARS AGO. WE NEED TO COME UP WITH A TWENTY YEAR PLAN to RID OURSELVES of OIL DEPENDENCY IN THE MIDDLE EAST. TWENTY YEARS WILL GO BY LIKE NOTHING. WE HAVE TO START NOW.

THE most dangerous threats are the ones you do not see coming. LIKE CHINA, RUSSIA, EASTERN EUROPEAN organized crime. Monitoring these entities will be our great challenge.
ARE WE READY FOR CYBER WAR. I DON't THINK SO.

We need to get out of Iraq and transfer responsibility and mahenagement of that country to a multinational force led by Middle Eastern countries. Our unilateral approach in the MIDDLE EAST has to come to an end. ECONOMICALLY, IRAQ IS KILLING the average tax payer and making a few private contractors and oil firms rich.

We need Oil. WE NEED OIL. Therefore, getting rid of the Iranian regime is at the top of our agenda.
The majority in Iran want change but not under and American led invasion. It has to be done frome within. We lost the support of moderate Arabs and Muslims over the last year. Hopefully, Obama can empower this group and encourage them to meet with their counterparts.

Inotherwords there should be an alliance between all moderates in the Middle East, JEWS, ARABs, MUSLIMS, ect... These forces must be self motivated by Peace. IF this group can be strengthened they themselves will defeat or at least contain the force of extremism.
WE must strengthen the forces behind peace and weaken those against peace on both sides.

THE UNITED STATES CANNOT SOLVE THE CONFLICT IN THE MIDDLE EAST. WE CAN ONLY STRENGHTEN AND SUPPORT THE PEOPLE OF THE MIDDLE EAST TO SOLVE THEIR OWN PROBLEMS.

IN THE SHORT RUN WE NEED MIDDLE EASTERN OIL. THIS COMPLICATES OUR ROLE OVER THERE.
WE Should have had an ENERGY SUMMIT TEN YEARS AGO. WE NEED TO COME UP WITH A TWENTY YEAR PLAN to RID OURSELVES of OIL DEPENDENCY IN THE MIDDLE EAST. TWENTY YEARS WILL GO BY LIKE NOTHING. WE HAVE TO START NOW.

THE most dangerous threats are the ones you do not see coming. LIKE CHINA, RUSSIA, EASTERN EUROPEAN organized crime. Monitoring these entities will be our great challenge.
ARE WE READY FOR CYBER WAR. I DON't THINK SO.

WE NEED TO WAKE UP.
"EVERY PROBLEM HAS A SOLUTION YOU JUST HAVE TO BE COURAGEOUS, SMART, and PATIENT ENOUGH TO UNCOVER IT. eddiewhere 2008"

For the most part, an excellent piece.

One important part I would add is the fact that companies have been allowed to become war profiteers. Our Iraqi invasion has created a new class of millionaires and, even billionaires.

I would come up with a policy that outlaws war profiteering, and that also eliminates no-bid contracts, while also agressively implementing oversight that currently does not exist.

For the most part, an excellent piece.

One important part I would add is the fact that companies have been allowed to become war profiteers. Our Iraqi invasion has created a new class of millionaires and, even billionaires.

I would come up with a policy that outlaws war profiteering, and that also eliminates no-bid contracts, while also agressively implementing oversight that currently does not exist.