Why do nice, rational Americans think we have to stay in Iraq? In March 2003, 68% of all Americans supported invading Iraq. In September 2003, that number has dropped to 50%. Why the change? Why are more people beginning to disapprove of the war?
Furthermore, people want troops to come home. 49% of all Americans wants troop levels to decrease. Why is it that we are not bringing them home?
Troop levels will not decrease
In fact, the number of troops in the region will increase. Recently, we have asked other nations to contribute troops to the region. This is a shell game. For example, we want South Korea to contribute troops. How silly is that? We have 38,000 troops in South Korea! It makes more sense to redeploy those troops to Iraq.
The truth is that the White House wants to make it look like troop levels are decreasing, while they increase the total number of troops. Watch your local news, they often show footage when a handful of troops come home. Where is the story about the Pentagon calling up more reserves?
No threat
We now see that there are no weapons of mass destruction, yet this was one of the major reasons for invading Iraq. The war hawks claimed that Iraq had defied the UN and created terrible weapons like the ones that Americans have.
No terrorists links
Even though Bush implied that Iraq had ties to 9/11, he finally came clean. You might recall that I pointed out that terrorist links were a sham reason for war.
The people don’t want us there
Even though the US government likes to say that the attacks on American troops in Iraq are either foreign terrorists or Saddam supporters, the truth is that many of the attacks come from Iraqi citizens with no ties to Saddam. They may not have wanted Saddam, but they certainly don’t want a foreign power controlling their lives.
Obliged to stay
Col. Mike Turner wrote “And suddenly I realized, as angry as I was with the Bush Administration’s obsession with ‘getting Saddam,’ the real reason for the invasion, it is now too late to turn back.” I think this is a typical statement.
Many people feel that we are obliged to stay. Nonsense!
Immoral actions
If a crooked police officer broke into your house pretending to investigate a crime, would you feel that he was obligated to stay and help you fix the damage he caused? No way; you would tell him to get out. You would want him to pay for the damage, but you wouldn’t ask him to stay and have tea!
The American invasion of Iraq was an immoral act. We are not obligated to follow our immoral act with occupation. In fact, we are obligated to leave.
Incompetent Iraqis
Some people think we have to stay because the Iraqi citizens would starve or kill each other without us. Nonsense! The average Iraqi is not better off with the Americans occupying their house. The average Iraqi would not be worse off if we left.
No respect
Most Americans (including President Bush) claim to have respect for the average Iraqi citizen. Where is the respect in saying that Iraqis cannot govern themselves?
Will Saddam return?
Who cares?! The biggest killer in Iraq was never Saddam Hussein, it was the American government. Sanctions and two wars killed many more people than Saddam ever could.
Choose peace
Violence and hate are not paths to peace and security. On the other hand, leaving Iraq will not end violence there or in America. However, it will be one peaceful action in a world gone mad.
