Global Politics, U.S. Elections
The End Debate On Iraq War
It was a major news event on BBC last night when the three remaining U.S. presidential election hopefuls attended and participated in the Senate Committee Foreign Relations hearing on the war in Iraq, centering on the progress and status of the military campaign being waged by America over there.
Senator John McCain, the Republican’s official nominee courageously contended against any form of troops withdrawal, citing extreme sectarian tensions that could boil over towards a bloody civil war if America lets go of control over Iraq. A ‘precipitous withdrawal’, as they term it nowadays, by U.S. troops would endanger not only the Iraqis but also open up hazards for America.
Both Senator Barack Obama and Senator Hillary Clinton of the Democratic Party maintained their call for gradual troops withdrawal despite the plea of Gen. David Petraius, the top U.S. military commander in Iraq, to have a moratorium in troops withdrawal at the soonest time possible.
Senator Obama is batting for a form or level of “success” in the U.S. campaign in Iraq where troops withdrawal could be well justified but he and General Petraeus could not seem to agree on this.
Senator Clinton’s approval of the war in Iraq, when it was put for affirmation by U.S. President George W, Bush years ago, had become once ominous, thanks to Senator Obama’s rhetoric, and for that, she could possibly take a middle ground as to whether or not there should be troops reduction in the soonest possible time.
Of major note is the so-called recent “surge” in U.S. military operations where it is shown through recent data that the military campaign in Iraq had gained some progress as violence have abated somehow, as compared to last year. This is the “surge” that General Petraeus wants to sustain that he now calls for a temporary stop in troops withdrawal for the moment.
To be sure, if either of Senator Obama or Senator Clinton wins this November, he or she would be in direct confrontation with the present military officials handling Iraq where a McCain presidency would be in the opposite direction.
This now becomes a very grave concern for the U.S. electorate. A lot of Americans want the war in Iraq to end. But the generals want to pursue it to the very end, even if the end means 20 years or 50 years from now, even if everyone agrees that U.S. military resource, as well as the economic whole, is “finite” and not “infinite”. And somehow, John McCain makes sense when he says that a pullout now would throw Iraq into bloody disarray. And to complicate the matter, the Democrats may actually win the presidency.
To stay the course or not to stay the course?
This is one of the main questions that the American people have to consider in their decision as to the next president of America this coming November.
On the ballot sheet, it would be the simple question of whether to choose the Republican way or the Democratic way. But in the whole of things, the fate of the Iraq War as well as that of the Iraqi people (and global stability for that matter), becomes a very complicated question that no amount of hearings could resolve.
Sidney Says —
I’m fed up to the ears with old men dreaming up wars for young men to die in.
-George McGovern-
Made on April 9, 2008 @ 2:27 pm
Tom Says —
SEE VIDEO and Help the antiwar efforts of Tomas Young and others, pas it on to others.
Promoting this film helps the antiwar movement. I interviewed Phil Donahue in this Representative Press Video, please help amplify his efforts and my efforts, get this video to others. It is important that good crowds show up at the theaters. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9 the movie is showing in NY and Donahue and the co-director will be there. Spread the word.
See VIDEO: See Body of War, Hear Body of War * Part 2
I want Phil Donahue’s appearance in my video to have been productive so I am really trying to get this video maximum exposure.
Made on April 9, 2008 @ 3:55 pm
spliceanddice Says —
Hillary is dazed and confused. The failure of her mind to recall things and not to exaggerate situations are both taking their toll on her political positions. It’s a stringent situation, though. But of course, the issue is as wide open as Monica Lewinsky’s legs as to the delight of Bill Clinton.
Made on April 9, 2008 @ 5:20 pm
Toe Says —
My goodness… do they really want to stick it out with the war even 20, 30, 40, 50 years hence? This would never end. And even after 50 years, do they think that they would leave Iraq in less than a bloody disarray?
Made on April 10, 2008 @ 1:58 pm
Major Tom Says —
To Sidney: Very eloquent quote. True and wise. I wished I have quoted it first.
Made on April 10, 2008 @ 10:28 pm
Major Tom Says —
To Tom: Body of War is a good collection of music and artists. I recommend it therefore.
Made on April 10, 2008 @ 10:30 pm
Major Tom Says —
To spliceanddice: That’s a bit tragic about her–she seem to have lose focus most recently…
Made on April 10, 2008 @ 10:31 pm
Major Tom Says —
To Toe: That seem to be the Republican view and Senator Obama is cashing on it very well, almost creating a fact out of non-fact. Senator MacCain actually sees a Japan example or a Philippine example were U.S. presence have continued even if actual conflict had long been resolved.
Made on April 10, 2008 @ 10:34 pm
spliceanddice Says —
I wonder how Obama will really address the Iraq situation once he’s elected into position. As of this day, I still believe that all of the political poetry and prose of the candidates are meant to attract the votes of the Americans with respect to the political affiliation of the candidate. Obama, I believe, is one of them.
Made on April 10, 2008 @ 10:51 pm
Major Tom Says —
To spliceanddice: He’s got that sharpness in words and even in thought but as you said, being a President is so much diffecrent than being just a nominee. Everything changes there. But I hope someone would do away from the thread, and put real action to their words.
Made on April 11, 2008 @ 7:22 am
bw Says —
THe CNN broadcasts portray Iraqi soldiers fighting it out with the insurgents, as if the Iraqi army is well on its way on becoming a power to reckon with
With Sunnis and Shiites being in the same army, has anyone ever thought about divided loyalties?
BTW many people are kinda scared when McCain talks about the US occupation forces staying in Iraq for possibly 100 years -sounds too crazy to me
Made on April 11, 2008 @ 11:24 am
Did You Know? Says —
very nice blog… can we exchange links??? pls reply to my blog.. thanks!!!
Made on May 14, 2008 @ 10:42 pm