News Prompts Americans to Wonder What's Next (saddam's capture)

[radfringe]

News Prompts Americans to Wonder What's Next
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/15/national/15VOIC.html?ex=1072069200&en=25ef0a019b934915&ei=5062&partner=GOOGLE

Americans awoke yesterday to a surprise, a capture many had long since given up expecting, but one that also left them wondering, more than ever, what was next for the conflict in Iraq.

---snip---

"I would hope that this means the end to the deaths of our soldiers there," Carol Kamm said as she and three friends, wrapped in wool layers against a stiff wind, stopped to listen to President Bush's remarks about the capture of Saddam Hussein on a radio station's loudspeaker along Michigan Avenue in Chicago, the city's holiday shopping heaven.

"No, no, it will not stop now," countered Joan Utley, who, like her friend, is in her 50's and lives near Peoria, Ill. "Maybe this will diminish it, but I don't even know about that."

Across the nation, Mr. Hussein's capture seemed to change few peoples' minds about Iraq.

"Hopefully, the fact that Saddam is captured will dash the insurgents' morale and reduce the risks for our troops over there," said Andrew Nickel, 26, of Cleveland, as he ate lunch on Sunday. "This is a big score for President Bush."

But others were more anxious about the days ahead. Steve Kieffer, who said he supports Mr. Bush and believes the war in Iraq was necessary, said Mr. Hussein's capture will give more comfort to the Iraqi people than it does to Americans.

"The fact that we have one more old man in custody doesn't do a lot to keep our soldiers safe, if you ask me," said Mr. Kieffer, 28, of Wilmette, Ill.

---snip---

Much of the talk of the capture reminded Americans of another missing man, Osama bin Laden.

When Annette Luce, 50, of Lebanon, N.H., saw the news Sunday morning she thought: "That's a good thing. Now how about Osama?"

[Born Free]

1. I have doubts

The bush team supporters at work were jubilant yesterday as though the evil of this world has been removed and the mission a complete success. They were boasting the democrats would surely lose in 2004 now. I was amazed at how low their expectations were, they considered it a successful war now. One did approach me to rub it in, and I agreed it was good that they removed Hussain, but I did know if it was worth the 450 American lives lost. They have forgotten the original mission was to get the WMD the bush team claimed they knew Hussain had and exactly where they were located. Yes, Sadamm Hussain was a despot but the UN had him under control and personally I am not sure if was worth killing America's youth just to get him. Only time will tell if Iraq and the Middle East will be a better place without Saddam Hussain

[radfringe]

2. my concern

is that with the capture of Saddam, victory will be declared, our troops will be sent to invade Syria (the most likely next target) or Iran... leaving the job 1/2 done just like it's 1/2 done in Afghanistan

[soup]

3. Bob Graham's reaction

"We have great pride in our brave soldiers and the intelligence agents who assisted them in the capture of Saddam Hussein, and we hope this event will allow them to return home sooner. Also, we can now reach out and convince more nations to join the reconstruction effort in Iraq. Finally, we rejoice that this very significant day will hasten our renewed commitment to the real War on Terror." -- Sen. Bob Graham, D-Fla.
http://www.sptimes.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/APState.woa/wa/story?id=FL_Saddam_Florida_Reax

[radfringe]

4. ...convince more nations to join the reconstruction ...

after being BANNED in BAGHDAD - I doubt if more nations will join in as long as a Bush* remains planted in the oval orafice

[soup]

5. That was odd, wasn't it?

Guess I was taken in by the last sentence, and didn't really catch that the first time I read it.

-please excuse any typos, I have a very persistent cat vying for my attention and control of the keyboard-

[radfringe]

7. have a cat or two that likes the computer too

no flame or criticism to your post - i was just a commenting on how much we really do need international support - not only in Iraq but also in the so-called war on terror and how Baghdad-Bush has screwed the pooch on that account

meanwhile - I've been searching for the Bush* quote about Saddam not being a concern... I believe he said it in May or June, following the mission accomplished costume party

any DU'ers out there have it bookmarked? archived? etc?

[The Backlash Cometh]

8. The sad part is that this detour into Iraq has escalated the war on terror

and has made us weaker as a country. Our resources were diverted in order to avenge a family feud that had nothing to do with the rest of us. Saddaam's capture is anti-climatic, because we are being used by a very selfish, one-dimensional, arrogant president.

[DoYouEverWonder]

6. I think for the Iraqi people and our troops

that things will get worse before they get better. With Saddam out of the way, Iraq is ripe for civil war. Especially if we cut and run in June like the neocons are planning.