Progress in Iraq
The question has arisen: "Are we making progress in Iraq?"
http://www.defenselink.mil/home/dodupdate/iraq-update/Handovers/index.html
Looks like progress to me.
I think the main problem is that the American public believed going in to this war that "victory" was achieved when Iraq ended up with an American style democracy, a chicken in every pot, and a Beemer in every garage.
Unrealistic expectations.
We eliminated Iraq's military as a regional threat, we removed Saddam from power, installed a new, democratically elected government, made sure that Saddam's weapons of mass destruction were gone (something the UN was unable to do), and are well on the way to leaving Iraq with a trained and competent military and police force. We did all this while losing, so far, under 3000 KIA. Vietnam we lost almost 60,000, Korea 35,000, WWII over 400,000, WWI over 100,000, and even in the Gulf War (where we kicked some serious "you know what" in a very short amount of time with only 100 hours of ground war) we lost 500.
We have done a fine job and need to get some perspective.
I was watching part of "The Day After" last night. There are many scenes before the mushrooms start sprouting where people discuss various aspects of war. Many of those scenes include people wondering "why we are even over there." How little times change.
Aloha.
posted by Dan G. @ 10:01 AM
0 comments
