A question for those that "supported the war"

[mdmc]

I know that there are not too many DU'ers that fit this category. However, elected Dems seem to have a great deal of support here on DU, so perhaps DU can help me understand something.

I opposed the Iraq war because I know that war is hell. I was sure that Saddam did not have nukes (I knew he had wmd, Rummy had the receipts); if he did have nukes then it would be immoral for Bush or Israel not to invade. I was sure that Saddam was contained and that there was a better, less violent solution to this 'crisis'. Of course, I knew that Saddam did not cause 9-11-01.

I opposed the war because I knew that it would not be easy. We were overthrowing a dictator and BUILDING a society from scratch. I knew this would take one, two, or perhaps three decades of occupation. I knew we would need to fight the Bathe loyalist, then fight the insurgence, then fight a civil war in support of the "new" (read = our) Iraqi Government.

My question is this - what makes you think we can 'cut and run' now? When we invaded, we really made a lifelong commitment - sure the neo-cons said it would take 3 weeks, 3 months, or three years, but it was always going to take about three decades at the shortest! Iraq will not be a stable, unified, pro-west democracy any time in the next quarter century.

So how could you at one time support this decision to use force, thus taking ownership of and responsibility for rebuilding Iraq, then turn your backs when the going gets rough?

Obviously, the war was a complete mistake in that it has made America and the freedom loving world less safe from violence. It was always a mistake. Why do we let those that took the easy way out (by supporting the war publicly, even if they opposed it privately) during the run up to the war, now take the easy way out by demanding that we 'cut and run'? The war has made us unsafe, and those that are responsible for this mistake should be required to pay for it by being marginalized by the voters. Really, if you ever believed that invading Iraq was a good idea for America, you really have no business in the White House (unless you are a military-industrial complex lobbyist. I mean, we expect this kind of shit from the GOP).

The war was strong, and wrong. (Strong reaction to 9-11, wrong cause it makes us less safe ). Those that were wrong, should continue to be held accountable.

[Dhalgren]

1. I think that anyone can be wrong, make mistakes, or be deluded.

Anyone can be. Once you have realized your error, then you should do everything within your power to correct it. But the truth is that most of the Democrats (that's who we are talking about) who supported this invasion and occupation did so for political reasons and not out of any errant conviction. Either way, if a politician's judgment is this bad or if a politician's support was for calculated, political reasons, he/she should never be elected to the Presidency - because either his/her judgment cannot be trusted when lives depend upon it or because he/she has proved that he/she will spend the lives of innocents to further political aims.

I have no problem with people admitting errors or poor judgment, but I can't trust them to do the right thing the next time they are called on. You don't get "do-overs" in matters of life and death...

[mdmc]

4. In for a penny, in for a pound

unless you take your opposition to the streets, you are part of the problem.
I think that Bush, Lieberman, and Hillary all think that America's interests are being furthered in Iraq.
I think that they have a noble position. I think they are wrong.

Worse, those they supported the war when it was popular, and then support cut and run now that the war is unpopular. I think this is dangerous.

[screembloodymurder]

2. I agree.

Those that were wrong, should continue to be held accountable and that means BUSH. Don't forget that many were misled (deliberate lies) into supporting this war. I was opposed because the war did not meet a single point of the Just War Doctrine. Those that want the Dems to come up with a solution to Bush's war need to realize - THERE IS NO GOOD SOLUTION. Staying the course is simply one of many bad alternatives.

[mdmc]

6. Who says that they were deliberately misled into supporting the war?

Who admits to being that naive?

Who has the courage to publicly admit that Bush cherrypicked evidence, and deliberately mislead and lied to America to get his war?

Does anyone say that Bush lied on purpose to get us to war?

They want it both ways - support Bush when he is popular, oppose Bush when he is not popular.

Anyone that is saying this stuff should never mention it without mentioning chIMPEACHMENT.

[Pharaoh]

3. Without allies it is hopeless

we are going bankrupt

[mdmc]

9. how about this

we offer to pay other countries to send their troops to Iraq.

[Lex]

5. I didn't support invading Iraq in the first place

and I don't support continuing to stay in a country that doesn't want to be occupied by our forces.

[NNN0LHI]

7. We are killing Iraqis to steal their oil

I wouldn't want someone doing that to us.

Don

[mdmc]

8. i hear ya