I'm unusually proud to be an American today...

[Golfer]

Because we helped bring about the first free elections in Iraq in over 50 years.  I am honestly pleased to hear of relatively minor, and mostly unsuccessful suicide attacks.  This is partly due to the restriction placed on no vehicle use for today, which was to impede the use of car bombs.

Whether or not we should have gone in is no longer relevant, there is also no question that we will be going out just as soon as some stability comes to the area brought forth by the freely elected government.

I am very optimistic about the future of Iraq and I am proud to be an American today.  I am proud of the boys and girls who gave their lives for this day.  I am proud of the boys and girls still over there ensuring the safety of the Iraqi people as best they can.







I am glowing on the inside now, and today I will walk a little taller because this is a major step in bringing freedom and democracy to a region that has known only war for entirely too long.

[JB88]

a nicely done tribute for the troops

no matter what our thoughts on the war...its they who have to face it.

[mechanic]

America and Allies, maybe not the best methods but the results seem more than satisfactory.

for now...


LMAO at that old woman in your pics

[beet1e]

As someone from the country who stood shoulder to shoulder with America, and sent in the second largest  deployment of military forces, my feelings are mixed.

Yes, I think it was right to go in - based on what we were told by the CIA/MI6 beforehand. Unfortunately, the inability to find WMD is at best embarrassing, and at worst has far reaching repercussions.

What would have been better is if the job were to have been finished in 1991. There's no doubt Saddam had WMD - these were used against the Kurds in 1988.

But the somewhat glaring disparity between what weapons W claimed Iraq had and the actual findings from 2003 to the present means that  next time we're in a situation where a country poses a threat to western security, the pres./PM/CIA/MI6 are going to have an uphill struggle to convince the public of the need to go to war.

Originally posted by Golfer
Whether or not we should have gone in is no longer relevant

I don't agree that the mere passage of time renders a monumental decision to launch a major war campaign "irrelevant".

[JB88]

well said.

[Jackal1]

Originally posted by beet1e
As someone from the country who stood shoulder to shoulder with America, and sent in the second largest  deployment of military forces, my feelings are mixed.

Yes, I think it was right to go in - based on what we were told by the CIA/MI6 beforehand. Unfortunately, the inability to find WMD is at best embarrassing, and at worst has far reaching repercussions.

What would have been better is if the job were to have been finished in 1991. There's no doubt Saddam had WMD - these were used against the Kurds in 1988.

But the somewhat glaring disparity between what weapons W claimed Iraq had and the actual findings from 2003 to the present means that  next time we're in a situation where a country poses a threat to western security, the pres./PM/CIA/MI6 are going to have an uphill struggle to convince the public of the need to go to war.  I don't agree that the mere passage of time renders a monumental decision to launch a major war campaign "irrelevant".

   The WMD thingy has been run completely in the ground. It nears the point of hilarity to me every time this is brought up. The WMDs were and probably some still are. Like was stated they have been used by this country before.
  You think the chemical warhead containers were for the purpose of delivering candy, pinata style to the kids? Geez.
  What about the "Big Gun" laucher that was disasembled? It wasn`t for a huge fireworks display as a present for  surrounding countries.
 If you wanna get into "the next time" type scenario I think maybe if this becomes a factor in the future it would be wise not to do everything but send UPS deliveries door to door stating our exact plans including times, method and locations that are going to be covered. CNN and others should be limited to the press room, especialy in the early portion of any new campaign.

  I`m proud of the action taken by our military leaders despite the sniveling and whimpering of the "Don`t upset our gravy train" countries and the panty waist leaders of such.
  I am proud to see the U.S. get back on tracks and to see a leader of our country show some nads again and do something other than "assume the position" that has become the trend recently. Waiting to see what the next move is and waiting for the fight to be brought to our homeland is not the American way. I think JFK and others  would be very proud.

  I am proud of our troops.
  I am proud of our accomplishments.
  I am proud of our military leaders.
  By God I am proud to be an American.

[Lazerus]

Originally posted by beet1e
As someone from the country who stood shoulder to shoulder with America, and sent in the second largest  deployment of military forces, my feelings are mixed.

Yes, I think it was right to go in - based on what we were told by the CIA/MI6 beforehand. Unfortunately, the inability to find WMD is at best embarrassing, and at worst has far reaching repercussions.

Gained a little respect from me for that passage.

What would have been better is if the job were to have been finished in 1991. There's no doubt Saddam had WMD - these were used against the Kurds in 1988.

Lost a little of it there.

But the somewhat glaring disparity between what weapons W claimed Iraq had

OK, all gone again.

[JB88]

thats too bad.  its a good point.  and one of the fundemental arguements against this type of maneuver.  it aint over yet friend.  sadly.

but then.  we are sheep.  i forgot.

sigh.

[Lazerus]

First point was good.

Second point was valid, but it wasn't authorized. Maybe I'm a little sensative, but I assumed the fault was being placed on G.H.W. Bush.

Third point was an attack. Singular and without mention of the rest of the world that believed the same thing. Or said they did at least. Just more of the same.

[Martlet]

Originally posted by beet1e
As someone from the country who stood shoulder to shoulder with America, and sent in the second largest  deployment of military forces, my feelings are mixed.

Yes, I think it was right to go in - based on what we were told by the CIA/MI6 beforehand. Unfortunately, the inability to find WMD is at best embarrassing, and at worst has far reaching repercussions.

What would have been better is if the job were to have been finished in 1991. There's no doubt Saddam had WMD - these were used against the Kurds in 1988.

But the somewhat glaring disparity between what weapons W claimed Iraq had and the actual findings from 2003 to the present means that  next time we're in a situation where a country poses a threat to western security, the pres./PM/CIA/MI6 are going to have an uphill struggle to convince the public of the need to go to war.  I don't agree that the mere passage of time renders a monumental decision to launch a major war campaign "irrelevant".

One of the few times I'll probably agree with you.  

Given the information we had at the time, we weren't only justified to go in, we were obligated.  However, our justification for being there ended when we decided there were no WMD and stopped looking.

At this point we're just nation builders.  Whether that's right or wrong is another discussion.

[JB88]

Originally posted by Lazerus
First point was good.

Second point was valid, but it wasn't authorized. Maybe I'm a little sensative, but I assumed the fault was being placed on G.H.W. Bush.

Third point was an attack. Singular and without mention of the rest of the world that believed the same thing. Or said they did at least. Just more of the same.

the rest of the world did'nt join us did they?

marlette hit it right on the head.  it is nation building and that was the plan all along.

thats what bothers me most.

[Martlet]

Originally posted by JB88
the rest of the world did'nt join us did they?

marlette hit it right on the head.  it is nation building and that was the plan all along.

thats what bothers me most.

Um, no.  That wasn't the plan all along and I never suggested it was.

[JB88]

i did.

i was suggesting that you were right "now"

i was suggesting that you would have been right had you said it then as well.

[Saurdaukar]

The usual suspects wont be able to drag this thread down, try as they might.

ALL involved.

[Martlet]

Originally posted by Saurdaukar
The usual suspects wont be able to drag this thread down, try as they might.

ALL involved.

Amen.  The pictures are incredible.  What a turnout.