I think we have to capture the war on words on Iraq... it's an occupation, not a war

[dpbrown]

I have to remember all the time to correct people when they call it a "war." It's not a war. We are illegally occupying a country.

If the people of other countries were smart they would start working on United Nations resolutions against the United States continuing occupation of Iraq.

I resolve in 2008 to never refer to Bush's catastrophe in Iraq as a "war" but to refer to it as what it really is - an illegal invasion and occupation that precipitated a disastrous civil war and destabilized a country and potentially the entire world.

Sign on to the resolution by adding your name below and keeping this at the forefront of conversation.

[rwenos]

1. Words are Things

I like your suggestion. "The Iraq Occupation." "The unsuccessful occupation of Iraq." "The failed occupation of Iraq." "The American Armed Forces have been given an impossible task -- an occupation without sufficient means, equipment, tactics or strategy."

I start using "Occupation" immediately.

[dpbrown]

3. I think you've captured the idea perfectly

The failed occupation of Iraq is dragging this nation and the world in a morass of destruction, destability, and economic chaos.

[EFerrari]

7. I call it the sacking of Iraq because occupation seems so neutral.

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. I call it the war ON Iraq

It isn't the war IN Iraq.

[madokie]

4. its occupation what bushco is doing

its war what the Iraqi feel

[sandnsea]

5. Occupied Iraq

That's what we called Japan when we occupied it.

[mwb970]

6. You are exactly right.

We can't "win" or "lose" an occupation. We can only stay forever or eventually leave. I say let's leave!

[Perry Logan]

8. It's an occupation, an ongoing war crime, a pillaging, an atrocity, an outrage, a rape, etc.

[Bjorn Against]

9. I have been trying to stop using the word war, but I still slip sometimes

I prefer the term massacre, because I think that is a much more accurate description of what is happening.

[dpbrown]

15. It sure is

I think people will begin to withdraw their support even more from an occupation.

[Echo In Light]

10. War OF Terror, War ON Iraq, War ON Liberty...and really, doesn't a "war" require 2 armies?

[dpbrown]

17. DIng, ding, ding!!!

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner here!

[lonestarnot]

11. Iraq, Occupation Station.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

12. It's a war crime, one big, long war crime

:cry:

An unprovoked invasion, destruction of civilian infrastructure even before the invasion, killings of civilians, detention without trial, torture, destruction of historical and cultural monuments.

Our country has unleashed some horrific karma.

[Clanfear]

13. Technically...

The U.S. has legal authority for the occupation from the U.N.. It was just renewed for another year on Dec. 18th.

UNITED NATIONS, Dec 18 (Reuters) - The U.N. Security Council voted on Tuesday to extend the mandate of U.S.-led foreign forces in Iraq for one year, as requested by Iraq for what Baghdad said was the last time.

U.S. troops are expected to remain in Iraq after the end of 2008, when the U.N. mandate will expire, but Baghdad wants to change the terms of their presence so that it will be based on bilateral agreements under discussion with Washington.

Iraq has said this is the last time it will request an extension of the U.N. mandate for foreign forces and it may ask for the mandate to be ended even sooner than the end of 2008.

Ambassador Hamid al-Bayati said Iraq was grateful to friendly countries who helped get rid of Saddam Hussein but "no Iraqi government official, indeed no Iraqi citizen, wants the presence of foreign forces on Iraqi soil one day longer than they are needed."


http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N18526637.htm

[dpbrown]

16. "Authorized" or not, it's still an occupation

Changing public opinion is the way to go.

[NNN0LHI]

19. Technically my ass

These are US puppets in Iraq asking for a retroactive UN mandate to allow our forces to keep slaughtering Iraqis.

Its bullshit.

Don

[tbyg52]

14. I'm in - have been for some time, actually. nt

[NNN0LHI]

18. Odious occupation n/t