Victor Davis Hanson: The Great Stampede. Conservatives are losing their nerve on Iraq

nationalreview.com ^ | March 10, 2006 | Victor Davis Hanson

[Tolik]

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[MACVSOG68]

Well said. But even more troubling should be the vote yesterday by Republicans in the Appropriations Committee. Holding hostage an appropriation for our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan for nothing more than a political statement is outrageous and disgusting. They are worse than Democrats because they (Republicans) know better.

[nuconvert]

Unless someone brings down the regime in Iran, this war is indeed unwinnable.

Forget the nukes. Get rid of the regime and the nukes won't be a problem. Get rid of the regime and the terrorist support starts to dry up. Get rid of the regime and al Sadr's support dries up. Get rid of the regime, and Syria's support dries up. Get rid of the regime and the Taliban support dries up. Get rid of the regime and Hezbollah's support dries up.

GET RID of the Iranian Regime NOW and we can get out of Iraq.

[maica]

Well said!

[Plymouth Sentinel]

I believe not only the points made here, but that the average American did have the stomach for this war, and was glad we fought it, but that the msm simply talked them out of it.

I believe the enterprise has been a clear, undeniable success, and I am deeply pleased with the policy.

[MattinNJ]

Once we ascertained that there were no WMD's (which we had every right-indeed a responsibility-to look for)we should have divided Iraq amongst the Kurds, Shii'as and Sunnis while maintaining bases in the newly created Kurdistan. To force these 3 to live in peace in lines drawn in the sand by the Wilsonians is an exercise in futility. I applaud the administrations and our troops efforts though.

[nuconvert]

I think they can live together without interference from Iran. Though they can choose to split up if they want.
But they will NEVER live peacefully as long as the current regime in Iran exists.

[chris1]

think one of the problems is that many Americans, having watched the Hsitory Channel, knows that WWI and WWII were each over within three or four years and conducted on a much larger scale.

Here, it seems like this thing will go on forever, with only a bunch of ungrateful and inept muslims left to run the place.

The bottom line is that as bad as the Germans and Japs were, they were far more suited for civilized society than appears those in the ME.

[kabar]

So here we are — close to victory abroad, closer to concession at home.

So very true. We are winning in Iraq as the transition to Iraqi forces to assume more and more control of their own security continues. Our casualties are declining for the sixth straight month.

October 05-- 96 (78 KIA; 18 non-hostile)

November 05-- 84 (70 KIA; 14 non-hostile)

December 05-- 68 (57 KIA; 11 non-hostile)

January 06-- 62 (42 KIA; 20 non-hostile)

February 06-- 55 (46 KIA; 9 non-hostile)

March 1-10, 2006-- 7 (7 KIA; 2 non-hostile)

[facedown]

The headline could be shortened considerably:

Conservatives are losing their nerve

[aculeus]

BTTT

[kellynla]

And everyone who has actually gone to Iraq and been in the field with the troops has reported that the morale of the American troops is EXCELLENT, the Iraqi soldiers are doing a very good job and that there is NO CIVIL WAR!
In fact, people are working, businesses are flourishing and the children are actually PLAYING IN THE STREETS!

I would wager that none of these naysayers has actually been to Iraq in the last year if at all!


Of course there are problems, but there are problems in L.A.,N.Y.C. and everywhere else in America for Pete's sakes!

[DoughtyOne]

I agree with your commments.

[petercooper]

exactly

[nuconvert]

Lol. funny tag line

[MattinNJ]

Agreed-and that's an a$$ kicking that's long overdue.

[petercooper]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1590290/posts

[robowombat]

It is very unfortunate that the administration has not thought it politic to through some channel, state a that there were really significant strategic US interests involved in the Iraq operation which far outstriped making the Iraqis happy gum chewing democrats.

After 9-11 the Suadis, who were already nervous about it, got really spooked about the growth of Al Quiada or AQ like subversive movements within the kingdom. Ever since the Khobar Towers bombing they had been politely suggesting US forces were becoming unwelcome guests and would we please plan to move on. Since the air fields in SA were key to the US keeping the embargo enforced on Saddam Clinton and Albright had pretended not to hear. After 9-11 the Suadis got really insistent that we start seriously planning to leave, sooner rather than later. Us military presence in the sacred sandpile and the launching of attacks on 'Brother Arabs' from that hallowed precinct by the infidels was seriously exercising the dim minds of the Muslim masses in the kingdom. Our military presence was becoming a clear negative to the maintenance of the pedophile dynasty.

If we packed up and moved out that would be the de facto end of enforcing the embargo on Saddam. The Gulf Arab states wouldn't be happy to host a big chunk of the USAF for bombing and patrolling the skies over Iraq even if there was really room enough on their air fields. Within a year or so the embargo regime would de facto collapse and in the midst of the 'Global War on Terrorism' Saddam could emerge from hiding and proclaim again "Brave Iraqis you (I) have won." Not the message we wanted to send. Just wait the infidels out and you will win. Plus having Iraq go right make into the atoms and bugs and gas business.

So we finished off Saddam and eliminated that possibility. The administration doesn't want to have this come out because it would hurt the 'honor' of the pedophile dynasty and we keep to the story we did it all to bring the blessing of liberty to Iraq.

[johnny7]

They are worse than Democrats because they (Republicans) know better.

Ain't it the truth. Their actions will guarantee Dem wins in 2006... and God forbid... Hillary in 2008.