*** I'm all for people living in a safer environment to grow and prosper. ***
For all people except those in the Middle East? Scew 'em, eh Dan?
*** We are not going to invade and occupy Iraq to liberate a people. ***
No, this is not the only reason but it will be another positive result in this mission. If Iraq even allowed a poll to take place I'm assuming 95% of all Iraqi's would welcome any type of liberation from Saddam and his sons. Let's check back in in a couple of weeks when the first US tanks roll into Baghdad. I'll bet you'll see thousand of cheering Iraqi's waving little American flags. If I'm wrong I'll be the first to come on this board with my head hung low and admit I was wrong and I will accept every sling and arrow you all fire my way.
*** We are invading and occupying Iraq to create a physical American presence in the Middle East. ***
Not a bad idea either. The region could use some stability. Picture it as the USA are the police finally coming into a bad neighborhood after 12 years of murders, rapes and torture. Their presence will (hopefully) persuade the leaders in the area to get there shit together and try and get along with their neighbors.
*** let's take a look at Turkey. Here's a country (a Muslim sorta-democracy) where an overwhelming majority of the population strongly oppose military action against Iraq - yet we waltz in with fat wallets and promises of even fatter wallets if we could just bend that will a little bit. ***
Correct me if I'm wrong but the US asked Turkey for permission to use their bases for missions in Iraq. It was the Turkish government that asked/demanded that money in exchange for permission to use these bases.
(Bonehead) *** yet it's ok if we do the same thing, because we don't "need permission"? ....but what are we doing when we ignore our peers? ***
The UN Security Council unanimously passed Resoulution 1441 in Nov 2002. There's our permission. In my opinion our peers have been ignoring their responsibilities.
Now if you'll excuse me I have to go buy some Charlie Daniels Band cd's.
