Dear Mr. Obama

[Chubrock]

An armed service member's simple message to Obama. Even to those that have given up a lot, OIF isn't a mistake.

Video

[KingJustin]

I completely respect the service of all of our soldiers that put themselves in harms way, but I still don't see how this was not a mistake.

But, let me preface that by saying that the only reason you should debate whether it was or was not a mistake is to give the American people an idea of how you will lead our military in the future. If you don't think it was a mistake, then it seems like you would be much more willing to continue the world police deal where we run around trying to "spread democracy" at the cost of hundreds of billions of dollars, and the cost of thousands of good American lives.

I know my dad served with several of the Rangers that lost their lives when Clinton sent them into harms way in Somalia. I think just about everyone in the military thinks that operation was a total mistake, and I don't think that means they are disrespecting the lost lives of the Rangers.

I also don't really give two ****s about the Iraqi people at this point. I don't believe at all that they are just like us, and just about everyone I've (most of which you know) talked to think Iraqis are corrupt, too often extremist, and generally don't give a **** about democracy. And, most of the soldiers don't seem to be so involved with politics to have that strong of a position. They just want to do their job and serve the country however they are asked.

I also want to point out that we ALREADY WON THE WAR. It took us 3 days. Our military destroyed Saddam's. It was no contest. We are no longer fighting a war. We are playing police and putting our soldier's lives on the line for something that I do not believe is benefiting the US but rather the Iraqi people. Meanwhile, we are trillions of dollars in debt and our economy is struggling.

Again: we are not benefiting from this war. Iraq was never a threat to us, and attacking them only resulted in an influx of extremists and some tremendous costs to our country.

[Chubrock]

I don't believe at all that they are just like us, and just about everyone I've (most of which you know) talked to think Iraqis are corrupt, too often extremist, and generally don't give a **** about democracy.

Knowing the background of our mutual friends, I'd have to agree with the first two points. I can't say I've ever heard T talk about the last though. I can't say I know too many people that LIKE living under the oppression of another and don't mind the chance that they'll be gassed and thrown in a mass unmarked grave.

I thought the video provided an interesting view point. Most people we hear talking about how the war was a mistaken haven't been there. Most often they're politicians looking for a good talking point. If there is anybody that should staunchly oppose the warm, it should be a man that lost his leg and watched friends die.

[Spartan936]

I also want to point out that we ALREADY WON THE WAR. It took us 3 days. Our military destroyed Saddam's. It was no contest. We are no longer fighting a war. We are playing police and putting our soldier's lives on the line for something that I do not believe is benefiting the US but rather the Iraqi people. Meanwhile, we are trillions of dollars in debt and our economy is struggling.

Again: we are not benefiting from this war. Iraq was never a threat to us, and attacking them only resulted in an influx of extremists and some tremendous costs to our country.

In case anyone missed it, there's the best response in the thread.

As far as that video is concerned... I'm grateful that this man put his life on the line for his country. Unfortunately, it's very clear that he does not know what he's talking about. He's using vague, generalized statements that are little more than propaganda.

I have no respect for people who accuse others of being unpatriotic. They are the lowest of the low. Both McCain and Obama love their country, end of story.

What people forget is how much suffering this war has caused (hundreds of thousands dead, hundreds of billions of dollars, america's tattered image and future), and all the other ways in which the Iraqi people could have been helped without invading their country. I repeat: outright invasion was stupid and unnecessary. At this point, it is moronic

It's been stated several times already, but America cannot fight pre-emptive wars in every country that posses a tiny threat. America cannot expect every country to adopt American style democracy.

[BilltheButcher]

In case anyone missed it, there's the best response in the thread.

This may be the best response.

It's been stated several times already, but America cannot fight pre-emptive wars in every country that posses a tiny threat. America cannot expect every country to adopt American style democracy.

But this is the best statement.

[Spartan936]

lol. Thanks bill.

Even though we disagree on much, I think most of us want america to go in a good direction. And I know everyone is tired of an election that seems to be about everything but the issues.

[tuumi]

lol. Thanks bill.

Even though we disagree on much, I think most of us want america to go in a good direction. And I know everyone is tired of an election that seems to be about everything but the issues.

Agreed.

[blackboard]

2003 We must attack Iraq at once because they have WMDs and probably had something to do with 9/11. 2008 1 million dead civilians, over 4000 dead US Military,fathers, mothers, sons, wives, husband lives lost because of a lie. Trillions of US dollars down the drain, No WMDs,Iran now is a superpower in the region, US international credibility destroyed, countless young men who took the oath to sign up trusting the Govt were betrayed, But Because 1 military guy said it wasn't a mistake then it must not be............yeah ok.

[Chubrock]

2003 We must attack Iraq at once because they have WMDs and probably had something to do with 9/11. 2008 1 million dead civilians, over 4000 dead US Military,fathers, mothers, sons, wives, husband lives lost because of a lie. Trillions of US dollars down the drain, No WMDs,Iran now is a superpower in the region, US international credibility destroyed, countless young men who took the oath to sign up trusting the Govt were betrayed, But Because 1 military guy said it wasn't a mistake then it must not be............yeah ok.

I saw what you had posted before the edit. I'm glad you went back and watched the rest of the video.

[blackboard]

I saw what you had posted before the edit. I'm glad you went back and watched the rest of the video.

I meant what I said earlier, I just didn't want your thread to become offtopic so I deleted it. We already had enough debating about you know.

[Nik00117]

I feel it was a mistake, a mistake which needs to be fixed.

You break it you fix it, end of story

[Chubrock]

You break it you fix it, end of story

OIF is beginning to come to a close. The Anbar Province was transferred back to the Iraqi Civilian Authorities on the 1st of September. 11 of 18 provinces are now under Iraqi control. 2,500 Marines are reportedly be withdrawn mid tour. The 10th Mountain is slated to be deployed to Afghanistan in January. While it certainly isn't all our guys and girls home, it is the beginning of an end. At least in Iraq.

[Chubrock]

Haha I hear ya.

Edit to add: Did you watch until the end?

[Phenom]

I love when people twist any little thing they can to make the war seem like it hasn't been, for the most part, a big failure.

[Invain]

I love when people twist any little thing they can to make the war seem like it hasn't been, for the most part, a big failure.

You can believe what you want, but every person I've talked to that has been stationed in Iraq portray's pretty much the same image as in that video. A 20 something year old guy that is a member of my church back home came in a couple years ago after he had been in Iraq for some time and talked to a group of us about his experience. To put it simply, he said don't even waste your time watching the news, like usual, the media only shows us the very worst. There's a lot of good happening in Iraq, but our ****ed up media chooses not to show us.

[ectx]

You can believe what you want, but every person I've talked to that has been stationed in Iraq portray's pretty much the same image as in that video. A 20 something year old guy that is a member of my church back home came in a couple years ago after he had been in Iraq for some time and talked to a group of us about his experience. To put it simply, he said don't even waste your time watching the news, like usual, the media only shows us the very worst. There's a lot of good happening in Iraq, but our ****ed up media chooses not to show us.

That's interesting...I have talked to 3 close friends who have gone through several tours in iraq. They are army captains and majors and all say the opposite from what you say. While they initially saw a lot of good being done, the mood deteriorated and there was a lot of anit-american sentiment in the area. I guess it depends on who you talk to.

[Invain]

That's interesting...I have talked to 3 close friends who have gone through several tours in iraq. They are army captains and majors and all say the opposite from what you say. While they initially saw a lot of good being done, the mood deteriorated and there was a lot of anit-american sentiment in the area. I guess it depends on who you talk to.

Yeah, it was a couple years ago when I had really talked to anybody that had been over there as well, so I'm sure things have changed since then.

[Nik00117]

OIF is beginning to come to a close. The Anbar Province was transferred back to the Iraqi Civilian Authorities on the 1st of September. 11 of 18 provinces are now under Iraqi control. 2,500 Marines are reportedly be withdrawn mid tour. The 10th Mountain is slated to be deployed to Afghanistan in January. While it certainly isn't all our guys and girls home, it is the beginning of an end. At least in Iraq.

Your right, we are progressing. Fewer and fewer troops will be stationed in Iraq, of course they will be transfered to Afganistan but Afganistan is more of a interntional thing.

I love when people twist any little thing they can to make the war seem like it hasn't been, for the most part, a big failure.

Make the best out of a bad situation. Thats all you can do inlife get over it.

[KingJustin]

It doesn't seem like a failure to me. We successfully accomplished exactly what we planned to do in 3 days: destroy Saddam's military.

Additionally, it seems like we are doing pretty good at restoring peace/order as well. I'm not sure if that will remain once we leave.


Andrew: I wasn't talking only about Tony, but just about everyone I've talked to doesn't seem to think they understand democracy/freedom. It just isn't their culture. A couple of my cousins/second cousins have had a couple tours and really dislike the people they are saving. (that said, they are pretty big Republicans)

[Chubrock]

Andrew: I wasn't talking only about Tony, but just about everyone I've talked to doesn't seem to think they understand democracy/freedom. It just isn't their culture. A couple of my cousins/second cousins have had a couple tours and really dislike the people they are saving. (that said, they are pretty big Republicans)

I also think you have to consider what part of the country some people have been in. If you've done nothing but deal with ****heads since day one, than yeah you're probably going to hate the majority of the ****ers you come across. Now if you deal with more of the children or with more of the people that truly appreciate your prescense, then I'd imagine you'd have a bit different outlook. I suppose I can see both sides.

[WBBIRL]

"spreading Democracy" is the whole problem.... democracy and its liberal ways are leading this country into flat out communism and then to socialism which is even worse.

But it doesn't matter anyhow, the average joe schmoe only knows what they tell you. You never get all of the story, I would tend to think that liberal vs conservative views aside we can agree that the government is crooked and you hear what they want you to hear.

[Willie]

An armed service member's simple message to Obama......

By way of the McCain For President campaign.


EDIT:
Not saying I think Iraq is a failure, just pointing out the obvious.

[Chubrock]

[FONT="Garamond"][SIZE="4"]

By way of the McCain For President campaign.

I saw that too. If you sort through some of the comments, the creator of the video comes along and says that the official McCain campaign had nothing to do with the video. Apparently this was a grassroots video.

[Willie]

I saw that too. If you sort through some of the comments, the creator of the video comes along and says that the official McCain campaign had nothing to do with the video. Apparently this was a grassroots video.

Riiiiiiight.

Don't believe everything you hear, even if, (or maybe especially if) they are telling you stuff you already believe and want to hear.

[Chubrock]

Riiiiiiight.

Don't believe everything you hear, even if, (or maybe especially if) they are telling you stuff you already believe and want to hear.

Believe none of what you hear and only half of what you see. With that said, I could go about questioning absolutely everything but at some point I've got to take things at face value.