"Day of Reckoning"

[RickSp]

By the standards that we have slowly become deadened to - it appears that the Iraqi election may yet turn out at least to appear to be a success. So far "only" 44 Iraqis, 2 Americans and possibly 15 Brits have died in insurgent attacks and turnout in the non-Sunni provinces is high.

These elections may be as important for Americans as for the Iraqis. The NY Times today referred to it as the "Day of Reckoning." The elections may provide the only face saving exit strategy available to the King George. Even General John Abizaid of US Central Command admits that the US may never be able to defeat the insurgency.

American Forces in Iraq Brace for Their 'Day of Reckoning'

Soldiers on point do not debate evidence on Saddam Hussein's program of unconventional weapons. They do not argue exit strategies or disengagement. And the question of whether enough troops are committed to Iraq is answered by looking to their immediate left and right. They pass the Skittles and PowerBars, load their weapons and just want to get through the patrol, election day, their tour in Iraq, and then go home. "It's a funny thing: They don't want us here, and we don't want to be here," said First Sgt. Robert Wright of Company A, First Battalion, 24th Infantry.

Do you think the elections will provide a way out of the quagmire or lead to just more of the same?

[Scribbler1]

I think the problem is that we Americans have been lied to so often and for so long, even if the election IS a success there will be people who will not automatically believe the results because our government is involved with it. For me it's fool me once shame on you, fool me hundreds of times and you can go to hell.

More of the same.

[bishop]

if you look at this article, our officials are saying that we're going to be there much longer than a couple more months:

http://www.cnn.com/2005/ALLPOLITICS/...ops/index.html

the biggest problem they use to delay our withdrawal are that not enough iraqis are trained to protect themselves. that's definitely true, but i feel that it's hiding another agenda item - iran. bush and his people have said that they plan on making iran a key issue in their second term. not that we'd invade, but if there's any time for us to attack iran, it's when we control countries on both of its borders. and when it comes to war, bush doesn't strike me as a patient kind of guy. i don't think he's satisfied with his conquests.

[tinybear]

Hooray! Iraqi people support democracy even in the face of death threats!!!

[Iscariot]

It is interesting to see that you quoted that particular soldier. No one wants to be in the middle of a war. However, one is still able to believe in the efforts of the war.
There is a reason why US troops vote 4-1 in favour of Bush.
Your quote is misleading.

[bishop]

There is a reason why US troops vote 4-1 in favour of Bush.

yeah, bush gave them 2 pay raises and better benefits.

if you look at the reserves, it's a different story altogether.

http://www.moaa.org/Legislative/Rese...listSurvey.asp

[blibbka]

I believe these elections are a necessary first step towards getting out of the quagmire - however metaphorically speaking it's a big quagmire and there's still an awful lot of steps to be taken.

The insurgency will continue for years, I expect a farily high rate of killing to continue for a couple of years, but I expect a lower level of bombing will be present for 10+ years.

I think coalition troops will remain in Iraq for years, although they're involvement may decrease as Iraqi forces are allowed to take some more of the responsibility.

[bishop]

let's also not forget that the insurgents have been assassinating iraqi officials with ease. i'm glad to see that the iraqis voted, although i'm not about to delude myself into believing that that fixed ANYTHING on the ground. i read in the paper today that for the most part, the sunnis stuck to their pledge of boycotting the elections.

[RickSp]

I think it will increasingly dawn on people that the occupation may be the largest part of the problem. The insurgents are a mixed group who would normally hate each other if they were not united to fight the infidel occupier.

As it is, the US is incapable of providing reasonable security in Iraq. The insurents can travel freely and attack at will. The US forces are large enough to be formible but are perpetually tied down. They can always launch into another fiasco like Fallujah but otherwise cannot control the country, or even provide reliable electricity, water or fuel to large sections of the country.

The situation of our forces in Iraq reminds me of the advice given by Chief Hendrick to General Johnson in the French and Indian War. On asked about sending out a force to reinforce Fort Edward, Chief Hendrick commented, "If they are to fight they are too few; If they are to die they are too many."

It is time to declare victory and start the withdrawal.