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Old 03-03-2008, 09:20 PM   #13 (permalink)
nuttyjoe
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pensacola_niceman View Post
To leave Iraq, and then come back at a later time, would essentially amount to reinvading the country and starting from scratch. You probably have no idea how much infrastructure is here now that the Coalition forces created. I am here an I DO know. I can't even guess how many billions of dollars have been poured into Camp Victory where I am now. This base is far from a collection of tents that you could just "pick up and leave." I'm the chief engineer for 3 major power plant projects at military bases in Iraq. We're not putting this in under the assumption that the US will leave Iraq inside a year.

I think that all the things we are doing to recontruct Iraq - not just military bases, but schools and hospital too, would be totally lost if the coalition were to leave right now. I don't believe the Iraqi army is strong enough to prevent total mayhem and civil war right now. I envision leaving all the positive work we've accomplished to the Iraqi people when it is indeed time to leave.

Were we right in invading Iraq in the first place? No, I don't think so. However, the fact remains that we are here now. To suddenly pull would be devasting on many levels. I think the Iraqi people would suffer the most.

I am absolutely convinced that if America were to pull out now, the average (and innocent) Iraqis will suffer a hell worse than death.
And this is exactly why I think Obama will win. As PN stated, we have poured billions and billions of dollars into Iraq. Is is starting to make a difference for the better? I am not in any position to make that judgment; so I'll take PN at his word that he sees improvent.
Now for the $64,000 question-could we have accomplished this without war? Isn't this what our politicians are supposed to do?
I think McCain's slip of the tongue last week is quite telling. Yes, if loses his bid for the Presidency, it will be because of Iraq; and our folly of invading in the first place. Hillary will be the first to really taste the poison of this foolish decision on Tuesday.