RE: Feelings about War to Begin

[whitestar505]

 
As you all are aware we my be going to war. Do any of you have some thoughts about this? Myself, I hope the country will stay behide our troops and not have this like Vietnam.[]

[AustinBoston]

 whitestar505
This might be a bit more political than PUT would like to see.
 
 Having said that, I have yet to see a justifiable reason to put our troops in harm s way.
 
 Austin

[rednekrubbrduck]

 whitestar505
I also don t think there s really been any real " smoking gun"  on this one yet.  All the evidence seems to be circumstantial.  It seems to me the more the economy goes down the tubes...the more Bush does his sabre rattling.  Is it me...or does all the Worldcom, Enron, etc scandles..and the ties to politicians seem to have gone the wayside?  As far as supporting the troops...I think everyone is going to suport them.  They aren t the ones calling the shots.  They re just following orders, doing their duty.

[Giffster]

 whitestar505
Seems to me that this all started on 11 Sept.  Hope we all haven t forgot about that.
 
 Cheers

[Dust64]

 whitestar505
In my mind it s unfinished business. Should have been taken care of in 1991. When our troops are finished in Iraq I m all for inserting them in Libya...earl

[gnsmith]

 whitestar505
I don t want to upset anyone , but like Dust64 said it unfinished business if we don t keep this under control That nut over there could make 9-11 look like a picnic if he is not keep under control.If  he is able to find a way to deliver his chemical weapons or if he can get his hands on nuciear weapons he has already proved he well use it. and it only a matter of time he will have a delivery system. And when he does do you think he well worn us.[] And as for are troops and are alliance God bless you and Thank You.

[mike4947]

 whitestar505
Let s see we ve worrying about Iraq that might be able to produce in several years, nuclear or chemical missles that still wouldn t get here, but everyone forgets about North Korea that HAS nuclear bombs and missles to deliver them to northwestern US.
 Seems double U thinks Iraq saved if popa s butt that it ll save him from the economy. If we re lucky he ll be a one termer like his old man and we can get the economy going again.

[whitestar505]

 mike4947
I think you hit the nail on the head. North Korea is the one we should be dealing with right now.

[bikolee]

 whitestar505
I agree that Iraq is unfinished business, BUT, Bin Laden is more unfinished and more important than Saddam IMHO.  I personally believe this whole thing with IRAQ stems from  Daddy Bush s"  inability to finish the job.  And I don t believe  Sonny Bush  will get it done either.  The focus should still be on Bin Laden with N. Korea following a close 2nd.

[gnsmith]

 whitestar505
I agree bikolee if we would have finished this in 91 we would not be doing this now . and we could focus on North Korea. But if we do go to war with Iraq we need to finish it this time. and not stop short. IMHO if we did finish the job the first time would we have had 9-11 at all. and as for North Korea they might not be a problem now. North Korea knows we are focused on Iraq and Bin Laden and can t focus on them 100%. If we could give North Korea 100% they might not even try to flex there muscle. that what happens when you don t finish the job the first time.

[bikolee]

 whitestar505
Greg, Yes I believe 9-11 would have still happened.  Mainly because the two, Saddam and Bin Laden, are not really alies.  This whole " war"  on terrorism is, in reality, a Vietnam in itself. It is an impossible war to win.  We have factions/people in our own country that fall under the veil of terrorists.

[Dayton Dave]

 whitestar505
My turn to vent? Soapbox ON
 
 I am amazed at all the " arm chair"  generals, military analysts and peaceniks that view the world thru rose colored glasses with blinders on.  
 
 Bush #1 did all that was allowed by United Nations resolutions.  If he had done more than he did or sent troops one step closer to Baghdad, he would have violated the resolutions and people would have legitimate issues.  In my mind, there are no issues or un-resolved tasks that need to be discussed.
 
 It is wonderful conversation provoking fodder that since Bush #2 was in office when 9-11 happened and as a result he is now making up for what his dad could not finish? Huh? Who is making up this junk?   And unless I have missed something, we are again working under UN resolutions in this situation.  Why make claims that one man has all the rights, rules and authority to wage war without rhyme or reason.  It does not happen in our type of democracy.  
 
 I do not think that anyone in right mind ever would want to go to war.  It is my opinion that those who believe that the ?war talk? is a cover-up for economy reasons, are far out in left field.   Economy cycles are many times longer than presidential terms, and people are too quick to assign blame or credit for changes that happen on their favorite/non-favorite  president?s watch.
 
 I for one believe that military trained individuals know how to win battles better than those who have not received the special training.  That there are indeed intelligence gathering organizations that have more information that I need to know.  And while I am grateful for the first amendment, I believe that most news agencies are so biased that we in fact do not receive information that is truthful.  
 
 For/against arguments will always follow political lines.  Personally, I am tired of the arguments.  Our world is different that when WW1 or WW2 or Vietnam or Korea or Gulf Wars took place.  Why try to compare the tactics or efforts to resolve each different engagement and make value judgments based upon the differences.  Our military and its tactics need to adapt to the individual situations.  War tactics change, our responses should change to meet the challenges that we face.  Sometimes the response needs to be military actions, and unfortunately we (America) have the might and responsibility to take action.
 
 So, final thoughts?
 
 One ? We should support our troops.
 Two ? Second guessing our leaders decisions without having all the facts is pointless.
 Three ? Democracy allows us to make changes at pre-determined times.
 Four ? Everyone will not be happy with the decisions that will be made.
 Five ? Value judgments are very similar to opinions.
 Six ? Emotional rhetoric without substance is a waste of time for all involved.
 
 
 Soapbox OFF
 
 
 

[gnsmith]

 whitestar505
I agree. How do you fight a war and win if you don,t know who is the enemy is .or how deep the roots go. Terrorism is fueled by many differant beliefs. from religion, politics, to personal gain. But I just can t help thinking how deep do the roots go between Bin Lalden and Saddam . They have a common goal and hate .

[wiininkwe]

 whitestar505
Someone said that they hoped that this wouldn t become another Viet Nam, but I think it s already too late for that.   It seems like there are too many similiarities already.   We have to hold our own in a country that supplies us with a large amount of the fuel we consume,  our economy is in the crapper and something has to take our minds off that, defeating Osama Bin Laden hasn t been mentioned in ages and a Republican run Administration is preparing to stab us in the back with cuts and changes to vital programs and double talk.  Not to mention that our  manly man  President has to make sure that we all know how tuff he is by taking up his Daddy s slack.  How much worse can it get?   Lot s worse, unfortunately, and no one seems to be listening to any voice of reason.
 T

[bikolee]

 whitestar505
Dave, Didn t you just join the ranks of all the other " arm chair"  generals, etc?
 
  I for one DO NOT wear rose colored glasses or blinders. I cannot think of one political analyst who thinks turning the sights towards Saddam instead of finishing  the task that had been started is a smart move. Bush #2 is going to have the same legacy as Bush #1.
 
 A one timer
 Economic downfall
 Defecit city
 Can t finish what he started
 
 But hey.  He didn t do much for us here in TX as gov. either.