The US spent more money on education than Iraq in 2004 (John Stossal). Why isn't anyone saying that's a waste of money.
"Has Bush learned nothing from history and vietnam?"
Maybe he was paying more attention to WWII history. The Nazi's could have easily be wiped out and untold death and suffering avoided if Europe had acted in the 1930's. Winson Churchill was denounced as a warmonger who played up threats about a "phoney war" while appeasement was used to ensure "peace." In the time Europe waited, the Nazi's became stronger ultimately requiring more sacrifice to defeat. The 5th Harry Potter book parallels this.
The lesson of Vietnam was that it wasn't so much a military defeat as a moral one. We should have either made a full commitment to victory or not been there at all.
I think Bush nailed the importance of Iraq becoming a free democratic state in this speech to the UN on this past September 19.
"For decades, millions of men and women in the region had been trapped in oppression and hopelessness. And these conditions left a
generation disillusioned and made this region a breeding ground for extremism.
Imagine what it's like to be a young person living in a country that is not moving toward reform. You're 21 years old, and while your
peers in other parts of the world are casting their ballots for the first time, you are powerless to change the course of your government.
While your peers in other parts of the world have received educations that prepare them for the opportunities of a global economy, you
have been fed propaganda and conspiracy theories that blame others for your country's shortcomings.
And everywhere you turn, you hear extremists who tell you that you can escape your misery and regain your dignity through violence
and terror and martyrdom.
If Iraq becomes free, people around the Middle East will take notice and wonder why their country can't be like that too. And those brutal dictators will have a harder time blaming Israel.
And yes the Iraq war was about oil but NOT involving the US. Look up Oil for Food scandal. France and Germany WERE BRIBED! Instead of doing what they thought was right, they did what was easy.
I've posted this before but I think it needs to be shown again. Why isn't this being reported on?
"In the Name of God the Compassionate and Merciful.
To the Courageous Men and Women of the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment, who have changed the city of Tall' Afar from a ghost town, in which terrorists spread death and destruction, to a secure city flourishing with life.
To the lion-hearts who liberated our city from the grasp of terrorists who were beheading men, women and children in the streets for many months. To those who spread smiles on the faces of our children, and gave us restored hope, through their personal sacrifice and brave fighting, and gave new life to the city after hopelessness darkened our days, and stole our confidence in our ability to reestablish our city.
Our city was the main base of operations for Abu Mousab Al Zarqawi. The city was completely held hostage in the hands of his henchmen. Our schools, governmental services, businesses and offices were closed. Our streets were silent, and no one dared to walk them. Our people were barricaded in their homes out of fear; death awaited them around every corner. Terrorists occupied and controlled the only hospital in the city.
Their savagery reached such a level that they stuffed the corpses of children with explosives and tossed them into the streets in order to kill grieving parents attempting to retrieve the bodies of their young.
This was the situation of our city until God prepared and delivered unto them the courageous soldiers of the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment, who liberated this city, ridding it of Zarqawi's followers after harsh fighting, killing many terrorists, and forcing the remaining butchers to flee the city like rats to the surrounding areas, where the bravery of other 3d ACR soldiers in Sinjar, Rabiah, Zumar and Avgani finally destroyed them.
I have met many soldiers of the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment; they are not only courageous men and women, but avenging angels sent by The God Himself to fight the evil of terrorism.
The leaders of this Regiment; COL McMaster, COL Armstrong, LTC Hickey, LTC Gibson, and LTC Reilly embody courage, strength, vision and wisdom. Officers and soldiers alike bristle with the confidence and character of knights in a bygone era. The mission they have accomplished, by means of a unique military operation, stands among the finest military feats to date in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and truly deserves to be studied in military science. This military operation was clean, with little collateral damage, despite the ferocity of the enemy. With the skill and precision of surgeons they dealt with the terrorist cancers in the city without causing unnecessary damage. God bless this brave Regiment; God bless the families who dedicated these brave men and women. From the bottom of our hearts we thank the families. They have given us something we will never forget.
To the families of those who have given their holy blood for our land, we all bow to you in reverence and to the souls of your loved ones. Their sacrifice was not in vain. They are not dead, but alive, and their souls hovering around us every second of every minute. They will never be forgotten for giving their precious lives. They have sacrificed that which is most valuable. We see them in the smile of every child, and in every flower growing in this land.
Let America, their families, and the world be proud of their sacrifice for humanity and life. Finally, no matter how much I write or speak about this brave Regiment, I haven't the words to describe the courage of its officers and soldiers. I
pray to God to grant happiness and health to these legendary heroes and their brave families.
NAJIM ABDULLAH ABID
AL-JIBOURI
Mayor of Tall 'Afar,
Ninewa, Iraq