Rachel Maddow: War's real effects

[Green_Lantern]

Run time: 09:18 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeLPg4o6v7o   Posted on YouTube: September 01, 2010 By YouTube Member: StartLoving3 Views on YouTube: 161   Posted on DU: September 01, 2010 By DU Member: Green_Lantern Views on DU: 637

 
NBCs Richard Engel joins Rachel to discuss how the war effected the Iraqi people.

They explain that the President's address didn't mention how the war has made us safer or if it hasn't made us safer.

The President also didn't mention how Iraqi security and political environment still is dependent on the US.

Also of course Obama didn't mention how the Iraq war has perhaps strengthened Iran's place in the region.

The 50,000 troops left in Iraq are basically in a defensive position and the insurgents may see that as a victory, but regardless it was inevitable.

Maddow and Engel both agreed that insurgent activity will pick up in between the end of US offense and the beginning of Iraq's govt. implementing security.

I'm not sure Iraqi insurgents who number probably less than a few thousand will be able to withstand the Iraqi security forces who number almost 300,000.

These security forces won't be like US troops who just want to get back home in one piece, they'll be fighting for their own family's safety.

Hopefully this drives them to be willing to defend and serve a stable Iraq.

[ProfessorPlum]

1. I don't understand Engel's initial complaint about

Obama not making a bunch of happy talk about "democracy" in Iraq. Because Engel then goes on to call Iraq a "basket case". So, why all the butt hurt for not trying to make our troops feel falsely good about something that didn't actually achieve much for us (because it was so flawed to begin with).

[Green_Lantern]

4. I don't think he was complaining but making a statement of fact..

That Obama didn't mention Iraqi democracy. I don't think Engel believes Iraq is a shining democracy.

[izquierdista]

2. Richard "Still shilling" Engel

Got to get those "BOO! Be afraid, be very afraid of Iran!" talking points out there. :eyes:


As far as Wolfowitz, this is one area where North Korea can show the way. I suggest he get the Pak Nam Gi award (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pak_Nam-gi) for meritorious service.

[Green_Lantern]

3. I think you severely misunderstand what he was trying to say...

He is far from being neo-con or glorifying the "mission in Iraq".

I don't think he was trying to say "Be afraid of Iran we must stay in Iraq" he was saying that the idea that we went into Iraq to stop the spread of WMDs ended up creating the opposite situation.