I do want us out on a reasonable time table but I don't want to just leave half-finished. This ploy is something to at least consider even though I doubt the veracity of the claims.
Do you feel as if we are half finished now? Most importantly do you feel that continuing with more of the same we are making prgoress toward finishing the second half?
People tend to be so literal. I don't mean the job is exatly 50% finished. By half-finished I mean it's just not done. To answer your second question, yes I do feel we are making way toward finishing the job.
Getting the job done to what though? If our goal is a peaceful Iraq and most of the insurgents are willing to lay down their arms then wouldn't us leaving advance that goal?
What signs on the ground indicate to you that progress is being made? As far as I can tell it seems to be the same ol' situation it was before. There seem to be as many kidnappings, suicide bombings, IED's sectarian violence, lack of infrastructure, general instability etc. Sure there was a government formed, and that is good if people buy into it. So far it doesn't seem like anyone other than the politicians has really noticed. There haven't been any cease fires to wait and see if the govt. can work things out etc. Militias still control much of the territory, and haven't shown any sign of that coming to an end. I'm not trying to argue, or say that you are wrong. I seriously want to know what you have seen that leads you to believe this. I am also asking because I know that as a civilian here in the U.S. there is a ton of stuff going on over there that I don't know about. I accept that I might be ignorant of progresses. You are a thoughtful poster who doesn't just swallow everything fed to you, and so I was curioius as to what leads to your conclusion.
The military has helped prepare independent status Iraqi forces. More and more Iraqi units become closer to that status of independent operations daily, and this is key to the Bush strategy for gradually pulling out. There are so much more Iraqi brigades capable of handling missions with greater and greater responsibility. Iraq has also had two elections and a constitution, which terrorists wanted to stop, but couldn't. Add to that the killing of Zarqawi...Please don't make light of a governmental framework that is key towards a stable nation...A stable nation that will no longer encourage terroristic deeds, terroristic killings...A broad scope of the war on terror is a part of the measurable progress we are seeing...
Plenty. Right-wing lifetime Federal judge appointees, assaults on the Fourth Estate and our civil liberties, the ongoing destruction of the seperation of powers between Congress and the Executive branch, record budget deficits, record trade deficits, record growth of the Federal government, record influence by lobbyists, and their corporate clients, on Congress and the Executive branch, spying on Americans in violation of our Constitution, a foreign policy that has alienated our allies of decades standing, and increased terrorism around the world, stretching our military to the breaking point, raising taxes for the wealthy and the big corporations during a war. Heck, I could go on, but my fingers are getting tired typing this stuff. Keep D&D Civil.
I'm not making light of anything. As far as the status of independent Iraqi troops, isn't the test of their readiness their ability to cut down on the violence, kidnappings, militias, and attacks?
It sure is,...and due to the recent and complete fulfillment of key positions with ties to the Iraqi military, it is only prudent and reasonable to allow the military to continue to show progress...
