Vote in our Iraq anniversary poll

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Comments

[Dutch]

I agree with all you pro-war thugs... we need to bring freedom, democracy and apple pie to Iraq... even if we have to kill 'em to do it.

[Mike]

Hate to tell all you patriots that support this debacle, but Saddam Hussein was perhaps the best asset we had in Iraq to subdue Muslim extremists. His harsh secular rule had no room for any competing religious movements. Remove Saddam and the whole place erupts into chaos. Not to mention the fact that Osama Bin Laden hoped more than anything else for our invasion - this type of action does more to fill his ranks than anything else. This whole Iraq operation was lose-lose-lose. If we wanted to right a much bigger wrong and save millions of innocent victims, we would have intervened in Sudan, but we didn't - why is that? After all, according to the "Patriots" we have a duty to oppose brutal governments and police the world right?

[Ed]

All I can say is that when President Bush leaves office, the Terrorist will claim victory. I appreciate the fact that he did his job as he saw it, to protect us, an he did not care about his poll numbers. History should be kind to him, although, most historians are Liberals. I will say this, I think he was the most unlucky President. He has had to face some serious problems. Now if only the Congress would start drilling for Oil an building some refineries, open up research for alternative engry an stop blaming the President. An stop lying to the American folks to get votes.

[Andrew]

First and foremost, 9/11 has NOTHING to do with Iraq and/or Sadam, he never worked with "Al Qaeda" and was actually against them!! Yet the war in Iraq would not have been possible without 9/11 happening, the country was in a perpetual state of fear and the mind is weak and vulnerable in this state, they/we also wanted protecting from this “terror”.
As a side note, WE HAVE NOT found Bin Laden; he's still in a "Cave" on his dialysis machine. Also he’s on the FBI most wanted list but NOT for 9/11, they said there isn’t enough evidence linking him to it.

The fact of the matter is he DID NOT have WMD's the intelligence was false as per the "downing street memo". Blair even knew the intelligence was dodgy, Bush asked him if he wanted to drop out and he said he’d support him “no matter what”. Over 1 Million people marched against the war in Iraq prior to the invasion.

The Fact being, America planned to invade Iraq back in 1998 for its Oil, Dick Chainey had drawn up plans to divide up the oil to private companies and build a pipe line through Afghanistan, it’s all official documents for you to read online. This is partly shown in the "Project for a new American century" and information in regards to this in the "rebuilding America’s defenses".

Yes he had Chemical Weapons because the American's sold them some after Ronald Ragen election, they were to use against Iran.

Yes the Americans financed the Mujahedeen in Afghanistan (now Al Qaeda) to fight off the Soviet's in the 70's and 80's. Ronald Reagan praised Afghan mujahedeen as "freedom fighters", they financed them will millions of pounds, weapons and explosives.

Yes the Pentagon took part in "propaganda" in order to change the minds of the public to favor war, they done this via manipulation of the so called "military experts" that are on CNN, FOX etc, etc.

The "Trilateral Commission" and the "Council on Foreign Relations" are groups of people who lobbied for the War in Iraq even before going into Afghanistan.

Basically the ‘Military industrial complex’ needed a war and it got one, as requested.

If you found any of that interesting then you might want to read “Operation Northwoods”, “Operation WASHTUB” “The Cuban Project (Operation Mongoose)”, also check out “The Gulf of Tonkin Incident”, "Sinking of the USS Maine", “USS Cole bombing”, the “Sinking of the USS Liberty” and just look up on other “False Flag Government Sponsored Terrorism”.

Educate yourself, read history.

[ssg bell]

Well, when it's all said and done then who will be standing at the front gate-the enemy or you.

[Bobby]

As a Desert Storm veteran I was deeply saddened we did not finish the job then due to the UN resolution preventing us from doing so.

The Iraqi people needed to be set free from the rule of Saddam and even he knew it would be a long fight.

There was a quote by him during Desert Storm that the Americans would not come into Bagdahd because the American public did not have the stomach for that type of conflict. And so it appears he was right. We have had many soldiers injured, and have lost some as well. But our losses are way below what the Iraqi people have lost. We are still in the low thousands, they are in the millions. I hope that someday when we ourselves need help that some country will come to our aid as we have come forward to help them.

We knew going in that it would be a long battle, Syria, Iran, Turkey, and even Saudi Arabia all have a lot to gain if we do not succeed in this mission. And failure is not an option. Iraq was put in this position because of British and US tampering, it is up to us to help get them out of it.

So America, stand up and be proud that we have the ability to help other nations. And be happy that you can go to Starbucks without being blown up.

Quit complaining and be proud of what our great American military has accomplished.

[James Callahan]

Amanda is one of the biggest fools to post comments on this site - conspiracy and lies that few people with any brains would waste time listening to let alone repeating.

[Sigmond]

Brits - Thanks for standing up and fighting with the US in Iraq. War is never good but sometimes must be done.

[pcyl]

My wife's from Japan. When the Americans came and helped Japan to remove leaders who were extremists, bent on being hostile to America as well as the surrounding nations, sincere and honest Japanese did not view them as invaders. In fact, many were surprised by how America offered to rebuild the country of Japan and even let them control their own country. These are things that they couldn't imagine their own extremists leaders would do to another country if their extremist leaders defeated a country.
This is why they were so grateful and even honoured Gen. MacArthur. In time to come, honest and sincere Iraqis will view America as a good friend rather than invaders. Even now they can see how the extremists are bent on hatred to the extent that they are even willing to bomb sacred places whereas America will try to protect, respect and rebuild their sacred places.

[cp]

Terrorists like places conducive for them to set up their secret nests where they can train, can indoctrinate the young with ideology of hatred, can train the young with the art of killing, can recruit people who already have some basic common beliefs, can raise funds, can prepare and improve their world wide secret networking systems. Yes, disturbing a bee hive without any strategy is unwise. The bees will spread all over. Yet, it is never an easy thing to prepare a strategy to deal with terrorists which operate based on support from "semi governments" and "public" that lacks exposure to modern day information here and there. Not doing anything also will be to wait for another sept 11. It is therefore important to raise up the moderate muslims who sincerely believe in being friendly to non muslims so that they will no longer be intimidated by the extremists. For the terrorists, if someone is friendly to America, they are branded as puppets for America. They should know that America has never been interested in puppets. That is why even within America people are free to speak against their leaders. In fact, within countries where terrorism tactics are commonly used, people are puppets to the terrorists organizations and will be afraid to speak out against what they think is wrong. Each time a mosque is bombed or innocent children killed by the extremists, how many members within that organization dared to speak out against their leaders?

[Aaron]

My auto insurance: was it worth the money?

That kind of question begs another. Is it fair to ask such things using perfect 20/20 hindsight?

Faulty intelligence (or moving banned items to Syria) aside, does anyone believe Saddam truly had a change of heart and wasn't bent on dominating his people and being a threat to the world? The Israelis halted his nuclear ambitions once as they've just done again with the Syrians. He continually deceived UN weapons inspectors and had violated 16 UN Security Council resolutions.

History, if not poisoned by such nonsense polls, will remember Saddam as a murderous tyrant with dangerous global intentions and world leaders like Bush, Blair and Howard as men who did what they could with the information given them. Those brave men and women who sacrificed all will rest among their brethren who through time have defended peaceful people against those who had no desires for peace.

[george]

The Mahdi Army is doing what any American would do if a foreign military came to "liberate" us- fight the invaders until they leave. Thats what the Mahdi Army will do- fight until the US miltary leaves.

[Forking]

September 11th, the most pathetic excuse for a war since Helen of Troy.

The comparitive ratio of deaths in that incident compared to the civillian deaths in foreign countries is severly imbalanced.

If indeed 'terrorists are everywhere', then how would invading a country make a difference? It's a lack of tactical logic.

If anybody thinks that invading countries will stop potential terrorists then they simply don't understand politics, war and common sense.

A country has a govornment, a military and an economy to sustain. They're not going to risk going to war with a superpower unless demands are issued that would leave them vulnerable to a takeover, which are obviously unmeetable.

The often used argument that states that there are long term benefits to the war will of course be anchored in some form of media reports in the future that claim that the 'restoration to peace' was entirely down to the military intevention in Iraq.

The truth is, after war, things can only get better.

I don't see myself, my family or my way of life being constantly threatened, and I doubt that's down to our technologically superior armed forces doing exactly that to third world countries.

[pc]

How nice if all terrorists can teach what Jesus tried to teach. "Love you enemies." the spirit of Hatred in a hostile manner is no better than the spirit of murder. Finally, how nice if terrorists of today are willing to sacrifice their lives for their enemies without the intention of hurting anyone.

[Nicol]

Remember,Jesus Christ was a terrorist during that time and A super power was used to ensure his death.That is how scores are settled at that part of the world and a super power of the time is always dragged in to ensure that some one over there does not take responsibility.Remember Pontius Pilote.

[filterthatshit]

war rhetoric is over. if you want it.

[Douglas Miller]

What exactly is the 'it' your question refers to? I can think of two people who always mention democracy and evil when asked about 'it'. A wicked waste of life, as good a definition of evil as most, a Utopian ideal enforced with bombs and bullets, yeah that's my kind of democracy. What could be worse, well, mea culpa, I voted for one of them.

[Patriot]

It really is great to see all those people bashing this war so bad. Then again when have the liberals ever wanted America to win a war. Plain and simple Liberals = traitors, so get out of this country already

[Gordy]

History will show we did the right thing.
We need to support Democracies and take down terrorist totalitarian regimes who are committed to destruction.
Lets remember what happened when the carter administration abandoned Iran, starting this whole islamic terrorist revolution based on brutal and inhumane sharia law,
Had we not abandoned Iran we wouldn't be in this mess!
We should not make the same mistakes as carter, and we must maintain a presence in the middle east.

[p.chan]

I am not an american but I LOVE AMERICA! i admire President Bush for his courage and for sacrificing his popularity.

After America librate Japan so that the power is no longer in the hands of extremists, America did not occupy it. After liberating South Korea, America did not occupy it. After liberating France and Germany, America did not occupy it. After liberating Kuwait, America did not occupy it. After liberating Afghanistan, America did not occupy it. After liberating Iraq, America ....

What "occupation" is Sadr talking about?? Just an attempt to use hot words to provoke hatred.

Some say America should help Dafur, Sudan. But if America does that and Al Qaida starts to cause a prolonged war in Sudan then people will say all the killings would not have happened if America didn't initiated it. Who can predict what the Al Qaida criminals want to do. Should we stop helping the oppressed just because of fear about what the criminals might do. Next time when I see my neighbour torturing his children I better not do anything because I might be called the "occupier."

Who likes war! But that doesn't mean we should allow bullies to sponsor terrorism helping them to strengthen their network while reciting, "Death to America!" No, Lincoln was no "moron" when he decided on a war that would upgrade the integrity of the nation he loved!

[bill, USARMY RETIRED]

Im thanking all the military men and women for keeping the enemy on the defensive so they have been unable to plan or I should say carry out any more attacks. Believe me they will if we take our foot off their throats. Keep up the great work and it will payoff in the long run. God Bless.

[TommyT]

"Was"? It's not over yet. The last card hasn't been played. "Will" it be worth it? Yes, with a lot of 'ifs'....If the Iraqi's will find the will to fight their own war, if....if...fill in the blank. And stop the blame game. There is so much that we,civilians, just do not know. Your going to much on emotion and not reason.

[ron langevin]

We should have a vote by all those who have served in Iroc. It would be 10-1 that we did and are doing the right thing.

[ron langevin]

Pres. Bush did the right thing, he is trying to do the right thing now. History will remember him as a extraordinary president in many respects no matter what the un educated, un washed, and outright stupid welfare receivers say.

[Alan]

What short memories. Saddam was giving the middle finger to the UN and world community that was demanding the search for WMD's in Iraq. The inspectors were harassed and kicked out thereby throwing out the terms of surrender document signed by Saddam after Desert Storm. Sounds to me like what Hitler did with the German surrender treaty after WWI. Dozens of UN resolutions were passed condemning Saddam. The US and Britain acted to enforce the UN resolutions and obtained authorizations from their respective governments. Dozens of coalition countries joined the effort. Prewar intelligence since the mid nineties indicated that Saddam was rebuilding his WMD capability. He had used WMD’s (poison gas) prior to the war’s outbreak. Apparently he was also buying off many European high ups through the Oil for Food Program. Clinton, the EU, MI6, the UN, Leaders in the US who had access to intelligence reports all said Saddam had or was developing/reaquiring WMD's. He also had terrorist training camps within Iraq and was informally working with AlQueda and BinLaden. In addition, he was provoking terrorist attacks within Israel. President Bush in consultation with our allies made the bold decision to move against Iraq to preempt any WMD's from being used by Saddam’s regime and to provide a beachhead in the area from which to take on terrorists in that region rather than waiting for them to attack coalition countries again. He also wanted to protect the free trade of Oil necessary to world commerce. First, coalition troops have been very successful in taking the fight to the enemies of freedom. Casualties as compared to even the D-Day landings have been minimal compared to enemy losses. (I know this does not comfort those who have lost loved ones.) Secondly, countries such as Libya have renounced terrorism and their WMD programs. Pakistani nukes are now being secured by the US military. Saddam is now gone and Iraq has a freely elected parliament. Also Iraqi citizens are now turning on the insurgents. The allied powers could have used overwhelming force to secure their objectives but political considerations were made that have hindered operations in the region. Now 5 years later. People on both sides of the Atlantic seem to be forgetting why we fight. I would suggest you look at the Fitna movie and thank God that there are still bold leaders willing to draw a line in the sand. That populations can be so easily brain washed by their leftist leaders and the media is disconcerting and ultimately will lead to the destruction of their liberty. I salute the accomplishment of our coalition forces. Finally, Iran will be shortly dealt with.

[R Hungerford]

As an American I'm paying an awful lot of money for gas--I thought we attacked Iraq for all that oil. That's all I want to say. Let's all stick our heads back into the sand. Nothing bad will happen.

[SteveNYC]

Osama bin Laden once said, "we will do to the Americans what we did to the Russians, we will bankrupt them". The war in Afaganistan bankrupted the Russians and killed the morale of their army. They had no choice but to leave. Now this so called war or terror is bankrupting America and playing right in Al Quedas hands. If these continues, the Euro will be worth 2 dollars by end 2010. On a side note, oil was 28 dollars a barrel before the war, today its $118 a barrel.

[Joseph (USA)]

The war was good for Russia, China, any oil exporting country, Haliburton and almost any eneregy company; GREAT for Iran.

[cindy jones]

Your poll is for fools. No one will know the outcome of this war for many years to come. No true freedom has ever been won in such a blink of the eye of time.

[Red]

Why is it, that some people just don't deserve freedom? It would stand to reason then, that when the US invaded England, France and the rest of Europe, in WW11, it was a big waste of time and 1/2 million US lives right? How many Europeans speak German, today? And for all of you that oppose the Iraq war, NOBODY HATES WAR, MORE THAT THOSE THAT FIGHT THEM. A vet.

[Chris]

Regarding expats comments:
The question should be,
"Should we continue with our efforts and make sure that those Iraqi's, Americans, Brits and others, who have paid the utimate price did not do so in vain?"

This is the sick and twisted logic that sends our youth to their death rather than except that mistakes were made.

[Chris]

Regarding expats comments:
The question should be,
"Should we continue with our efforts and make sure that those Iraqi's, Americans, Brits and others, who have paid the utimate price did not do so in vain?"

This is the sick and twisted logic that sends our youth to their death rather than except that mistakes were made.

[kregan]

At the end of the day, your opinions do not matter. Unless you are running for Prime Minister or President. So sit there and stew in your hatred for Bush, Blair, and the war in Iraq. No one who matters on this issue cares.

[Carlton]

Since prices at the pump are going up, the answer has to be NO. If I were an ESSO/BP/(other) shareholder, I would say YES.

[carson stidom]

Bush's illegal and unecessary invasion of a non-agressor nation was absolutely not worth any of the costs or live's it has since incurred and taken. The right wing noise machine took advantage of a national tragedy and foisted this blood drenched quagmire on a grieving public; our so called new's media stood by silently while Bush and his corporate conspirators raked in their necrotic profits.
Five years later we are being asked if this invasion was necessary and I have no trouble saying no. Many times Bush has repainted his portrait of why he invaded iraq: they were a threat to American interests; they had WMD's; it was to topple a dictator; it was a humanitarian mission; lastly and most pathetically he tries to drag god into his colossal failure. Not a single one of Bush's justification's for invading Iraq has proven to hold any truth and still he clings to the hope that history will will remember his criminal act as something other than what it is: an on going international crime against humanity. I hope one day Bush, Cheney et al are tried in criminal court for the evil they have perpetrated against Iraq. I do not think history will be kind to this flawed and deeply incompetant man.

[Dean]

Its easy to say No. The press wants us to say No. What would life be like in Iraq today if the war had not happened. Would the Kurds now be murdered along with anyone that raised their voice against the mass murdering regime of Sadaam. The war cost alot of innocent lives. The problem is that its immpossible to estimate the amount that it saved.

[dave]

if we want to know the justification of the US invasion we should watch the oil contracts. If one were to look at Bush and his cabinet you see a family in politics simultaneously being made rich by the oil industry. Just as Cheney was made rich by Haliburton Even W whose businesses all failed was bought out each time with a substantial profit while his father was president. Look at the cabinet all have oil ties Condi even had an oil tanker named after her. The British call Blair BP Blair because of his oil ties. Now Since the Iranian revolution (which to them was like the US Revolution) the US oil companies, who in essense ran their own candidate in the 2 Bushes, has been trying to get back to the huge profits they enjoyed from Iranian oil when they controlled the country through the Shah. They also lost out on Iraqi oil in a similar way when Sadaam nationalized the oil (the same reason Mossadegh had been overthrown by CIA in Iran) Then despite being a US ally he contracted with Oil companies from France, Russia and China. US oil companies were left out of the 2 most profitable countries in the world. They are richer than the majority of nations so they used their power to get back in the game. One of the first things we did after taking over Iraq's government is throw out those contracts. Watch the pressure they put on their colonial leaders to get US British and Dutch companies (coincidence that these nations oil companies were left out and now they are joined to fight "Terrorism") to process the oil. Now these countries have spent billions (out of altruism) to kill hundreds of thousands of people. But they need to get their money back. The drive to stay in the war is not for the good of the people as we are killing the people. They now have to get the money from their investment. That's why they can't leave

[nosferatu_d2]

Hey MARCUS!
You didn't learn much about the Brits while you were over here trying to learn how to throw straight, did you.?
The Scottish Brits usually get into bed to make wee Scots. Likewise the Welsh Brits, when they leap into the sack, are more likely to make little Welsh persons. And don't get me started on the Irish (again!).

I will grant you though, that lots of British Muslims get into bed (at least, I assume they have beds, just like we do...) to make tiny British people.

You...AMERICAN (There, I said it!)

[nosferatu_d2]

Hey KEVIN! What did you do in the war, daddy?

Hey SAM! "a couple" is not exactly a quorum, is it? Of course they are going to say it's worth it. If it's not worth it, they got disabled for NOTHING!

Hey EDMUND! When did you last get threatened by a suicidal Iraqi baby?

Grow up son! Most people in this world want to live peacefully and prosper.
Surprise surprise!
But there are a few maniacs of every nationality who want to ruin it for everyone else. That doesn't mean you should feel contractually obliged automatically to side with the ones who carry your particular country's flag. You seem to think that you and your countrymen feel pain more acutely than people in other countries.

I've got to tell you, love, you don't.

Some people are facing life and death situations, real terror, actual physical and mental torment every single day.

The most you, and I, and most of the other people commenting here are likely to suffer in the near future is a bit of arse-ache and a sore wrist from sitting around writing to the Times Online.

I love a bit of drama, but do get a decent soliloquy if you're going to hog the limelight.

And finally...

Hey EVERYBODY! Please stop saying it's about oil. If it's about oil, how come we are paying nearly double at the pump what we were paying a year ago? If it's about oil, how come Saudi Arabia, apparently the original breeding ground for current world terrorism, is making millions every day.

Hands up who thinks George Bush, Tony Blair, Cheney, and all the usual suspects are actually poorer today than they were six months ago.

Because you know the rest of us are...

[nosferatu_d2]

It isn't about oil, there's lots of oil.
Sure, you can think it's that, but
Really! It's about something else
Entirely. Evidence is absolutely
All over the place. You're probably
Looking at it right now...

[A Normal Person]

I don't know of a single british person that I know who at the time, or even now wanted that war, and I don't know a single muslim who wants to become a terrorist, or even cares.

I believe there are good honest people who are being harmed by leaders who would use us to their goals.

we should stop taking sides and stop the fighting.

[jim matvia]

Why don't you no-sayers read a history book and put your dope away and come back to reality. I'm embarassed for your weakness because all you do is bring America down. I feel sad for you. Read some History!

Your American friend, Jim

[Steve]

I wounder if Eroupe will ever fight to defend its self again'Long live the memory of churchill

[Michael]

I'm an American and remember watching Lawrence of Arabia as a young boy. You Brits have great actors and directors. He couldn't stop the infighting amongst the primitive tribes after the conquest of Acaba and Damascus. Nothing's changed. Should've learned from that film or the actual history. You Brits should lightin up on Tony Blair tho, he was loyal to a fault with Bush. Tally Ho.

[David]

Asking the question "Was it worth it" is wrong. It assumes "it" is over.

If we leave Iraq in shambles and chaos, then answer is "No, it wasn't worth it".

If we stay and the Iraqi's are eventually successful unifying themselves enough to run their country, then it will have been worth it.

Another question is, "How long do we continue the effort for success?". Six months? One year? Five years? Until it succeeds regardless of the length of time?

Yet another question is, "If you disagree with the premise of the war, do you support the effort given that the decision to go to war was made 5 years ago? or do you undermine the effort to show that it was a mistake from the beginning?

[T Sullivan]

Was it worth it? Was saving England's & France's butts in the various 20th century wars worth it?

Maybe the United States should not have lost the lives of HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of their sons (& Daughter's) for the sake of EUROPE.

What would of happened if the US came over to help EUROPE in 1939 instead of 1942? How many millions of lives would that of saved?

People saying that this battle isn't worth it are worthless, spineless, and a discrace to live in a free nation.

It is wasn't for the United States preserving freedom, Germany would be a the spoken language of Europe.

[mhr]

Bin Ladin swore in a fatwa that he would drive the US out of Iraq and then the entire Middle East. Surrendering to the bin Ladin will do only harm to the West. That is why leftists are so devoted to the idea of withdrawal. They hate the West as well.

[One_American]

A word comes to mind for those who look down on America and the Bush Administration -

Ingrates.

A time will come in your lives that you will deeply regret your attacks on those who make the ultimate sacrifice to protect you.

Maybe sooner than you think.

[Barbie]

If the middle east belongs to the muslims then why are they moving to the west and other countries, is it to spread their beliefs or is it because we in the west believe in the freedom to live your own lifestyle in peace and freedom.

It was worth it all to free Iraq people from tyranny, suppression and bondage, rape and murder. The muslim men want to dominate and suppress the women there. Why can't they girls go to school. Why do they have to cover up their faces and only their eyes show or to peek thru holes. Why are they afraid that God will recognize them or the sandstorm will get in their eyes...

FIND OUT WHO WROTE THE REPORT THAT THERE ARE NO WMD'S IN IRAQ.
Its not about alqueda or terrorism but its about a belief system that they are better than the christians and others. And they will take over the world soon. Everyone who believes in the koran it is their duty to kill others who don't believe like them... how do you deal with this world?

[Mike]

"Gosh everyone who's posted saying the war was a good thing really are morons, aren't they."

This is the kind of incisive rational rhetoric we've come to expect from the left. Bravo.

Gosh everyone who's posted saying the war was a good thing really are morons, aren't they.

A little message for an annonymous person who posted the following:
Posted by: | 30 Mar 2008 05:10:09

It was not worth one single british life to bring about "regime change" in Iraq.

We have swapped a dictator who had little interest in us for (yet another) hotbed of islamic fanatacism filled with people who want us dead.

The sooner the middle east runs out of oil the better - then we can leave this backwards hole to it's sorry fate and not waste another drop of british blood on the place.

My reply to you is: well, since the war happened so the british would be able to top up their completely dwindling oil reserves, that might happen pretty soon - you guys go right in and kill billions of people, just so you can get oil and gas, so I wouldn't put it past the brits to go and kill more people, rape more women, cover it all up, come back with the oil, and let the rest of the world die in a shit heap. But remember one thing-those dead Iraqi's MIGHT forgive you, but God sure ain't gonna.

[philipc]

Many white (and black) american families lost their lives to abolish slavery in america. Was it worth it to create an america that can be a better nation than it would have been if slavery had continued until today? At that time, some whites (even some blacks) felt that perhaps the civil war should never have started. There were some who felt that slavery may not be perfect but at least there was some form of peace and definitely less bloodshed. For them, Lincoln must have been a fool.

After Sadam was removed, the people of Iraq had a choice to live together in mutual respect and prosperity or to destroy each other. Whether the removal of sadam becomes a blessing or a curse is dependant on the choice they made and will be making. No matter how much someone put the blame on this or that, it doesn't change the fact that extremists from the different sides plus the Al Qaida has spilled the most blood in Iraq.

Terrorism is a criminal organisation. How can we say they were not in Iraq. In fact, they are even in USA or England. Do you think they are so stupid as to openly announce where they have set up their offices in the states? How can we be 100% sure they were never in Iraq? In fact, with the level of terrorist activities we see, it is obvious that they had secret operation in Iraq all the while. Intelligence can try their best to discover their secret activities but intelligence is not almighty. It does not always know where Al Qaida are working.

[Cornelius Rathamana]

In the Islands it is not a suprise at all that that a drowining victim can over power the rescuer at the peak of his strugle to hold on to his last breath. Swimming towards the front is the most dangerous strategy.

[Expat]

Whether WMD ever existed and were a "just cause" for invading Iraq will be a topic of academic debate for many years to come.

Saddam Hussein was a poker player. We will never know what cards he had. His "hand" backfired when it came to calling the US's bluff....

I don't believe that the question "was it worth it?" is the right one. Rightly or wrongly, we are were we are. The arrogance of men brought us to this point.

The question should be,
"Should we continue with our efforts and make sure that those Iraqi's, Americans, Brits and others, who have paid the utimate price did not do so in vain?"

Talk of withdraw and Mr Brown's apparent policy of "withdraw by stealth" demonstrate our lack of resolve and weakness to the minority in Iraq that stand to gain the most, the insurgents and other despotic radicals.

Do we really understand the risks associated with withdrawing from Iraq? Can we be certain that parts of Iraq will not provide a platform for fundamentalism and radicalism in the future? Will Iran and Turkey try to fill the vacuum and further destabilise the region?

Many of toady's "hotspots" remain a hangover from the end of WW1. Maybe should go back to points V and XII of Presidents Wilsons XIV points and try to rectify some of the injustices of the last 90 years.

Why shouldn't the Kurds be able to negotiate the creation of a state that respects Turkey's sovereignty? Why shouldn't the Sunni and Shia populations decide their own fate? Why can't Iraq's new found politicians sort themselves and act in the best interests of the people they represent?

If these questions could be successfully resolved then maybe some good would have come out of this sad, chaotic chapter in our history.

[Don]

If alsadr wants all out war we should give it to him by puverizing sadr city till not one building is left standing.

[Kevin]

Not only is it not worth it, it has never been worth it and that is what a great deal of us said all along--even before President Bush started his (and Cheney's and Rumsfeld's and Wolfowitz's) war. And it is their war, we must never forget that. Some of us protested starting this war before it started. The Senior President H.W. Bush thought his son's actions, in his own campaign, would be a big mistake.

He was right, of course, and now we have to live with the tragic results.

Even the Pentagon Institute recognizes that this war has turned out to be a "debacle"--their word--and will now end badly. What more evidence does anyone need?

And now Muqtada-al-Sadr is threatening an "all out war".

Thanks, W. It's really going well, right?

[Sam]

The problem wiyh the people of this country they all want to stick their head in the sand and pretend all is well as long it does not directly effect them. It is total stupidity to think that if we pull out of IRAQ we eill become safer. In reality it will show the public does not have the intestinal fortatude to take it to the enemy where they are and not wait for another 9/11. Maybe you want to see your families and freinds blood runing in the streets of our cities or maybe that is what it will take to wake people up to the real world. Dream on if you think this can't or won't happen. Just pull out and sit back and watch. It will come and all of you weak knees will then cry why didn't someone do something sooner. We have to show them NOW what we are made of or the fight will be in our cities next.

[Karpy]

As an American, it has recently been my privilege to meet a couple of men who have served in the Army. Both wounded in Iraq and honorably discharged, they now work for the same employer as I. Each agree we should stay the course in Iraq, and that pulling out would embolden our murderous enemy and hand him an easy and lasting victory. This seems to be a pervasive opinion among the troops, as many have reenlisted for second and third tours. The thinking is opposed to our absurd politicians, who claim vast expertise of middle east affairs and promise to beat their equally ridiculous opponents in the race to cut and run from the fight.
No doubt those aspiring to be the next Commander in Chief view such thinking as quaint or simple. These people are part of the great unwashed after all, and clearly not qualified to think for themselves. Who can refute the awesome intellectual superiority of our arrogant and privileged elite? Still, one might ponder why those who have experienced their boots on the ground and lives on the line wish to go back and finish the job.

[Keith]

Iraq was not tied to al Qaeda, had nothing to do with 9/11, had no WMD, and was not a threat to anyone. The US and Britain wanted to control that part of the world--mainly for the oil and natural gas. Just look at the last 100 times the US and Britain have invaded and occupied another country. "Excellent reasons" are always given and they are always lies. The Downing Street Memo is unquestionably true.

[Dr Alan Marsh]

Virtually all the casualties have been caused by different Iraqi sects and tribes pursuing their own vendettas and struggles for territory. None of this would have been unleashed, however, without the invasion.

What many of us would like to see, far more urgently, is military action to liberate the poor people of Zimbabwe from their dictator and his party.

[yydelilah]

Now lets get this straight - the people who have really sacrificed are the unfortunate Iraqi people. Up to 100,000 innocent Iraqi men, women and children killed as a result of a crass decision by Blair & Bush. Servicemen and women have wasted their lives in a conflict that should never have been. This may be hard to swallow but true nevertheless.

[Marcus]

You Brits will eventually be 'screwed off the island' by the
the ever increasing Muslim population. So better run and get in bed and make more 'English' (there I said the forbidden word!)citizens in self defence.

Marcus
Colonel,USAF (Retired)
Thinking of the many good times
I had being taught darts in your lovely pubs.

[Cid Sinclair]

I thought the replies here were great. A lot of good points.
Have you ever considered the psychology here? Suppose a bunch of greedy guys from Texas were sitting around schemeing how they were going to make millions, when BAM! a terrorist attack, previously unimagineable, throws a huge monkey wrench into your plan.

"Dang Dubya...what are we going to do now?"
Hmmmm...we can't bomb anyone. We don't know who to bomb.
"But we gotta do something."
"I know! let's finish off Iraq. We can defend being attacked, bomb someone and get oil! It's a win, win, win situation. My Daddy will be proud!"
"Yeah, and the rest of them wackos wil think we're really badass for invading a whole country just to chase them. They'll think twice about doin that again"
"I bet we could make a buck or two off of this whole thing too...."

It's just a hypothetical conversation to consider. Who knows if it happened that way?

[pc]

When we rush in to save someone who is drowning, we do not do it with a business mind thinking about what the outcome will be. We might not get any personal gains and for all we know we might not even save the person in the water. Some people may even laugh at us and say that what we did was stupid. I am not an American but I learnt to have great respect for americans because of this kind of sacrifices. But if americans, themselves keep on seeing themselves in a negative light, it is natural that others will follow and do the same.

War is not to be compared to business but rather to a boxing match. I will be most happy if the oponent announces every moves he is going to make - like which round he intends to give up and so on.

[Edmund Burke]

A brilliant post by Jack on the "futile devastation of a country without moral justification or purpose". There was, however, a theoretical justification, which turned out to be false: at the close of the "first" Iraq War, which was authorised by the UN to evict Saddam from Kuwait, Saddam launched missiles against Israel - technically a non-combatant nation, but in his view the power behind the throne of the American war against him. The missiles carried conventional warheads, but theoretically the warheads could have been weapons of mass destruction. Some theorists even suggested they could deliver poison gas - not a fate that the Israelis would have welcomed, after the Nazi concentration camps. The protection of Israel was, in my opinion, the real reason behind the war launched by George Bush Jnr against the government of Saddam Hussein. Whether it was justified in terms of international law is an open question.

[tam]

yep, obviously the elites and politicians think its worth the sacrafice because its their bank account that have grown fat from it, but as for us, the people of the workd in general, this is effectively the "end war" IMO, after this there wont be another, lets just hope theres some of us left to see it!! thank you politicians, i would say "see you in hell", but i think the devil will have a special little corner just for you guys!!

[Emre Dalan]

Certainly, it is worth the sacrifice for corporatocracy. They like it, they want it. Having difficulties about role of corporatocracy in this matter, then read the books of John Perkins, "confessions of an economic hitman".

Emre, izmir

[pchan]

I admire President Bush. It is so much easier to do what is considered to be popular according to poll if you are only concern about getting people to like you. It takes great courage and sacrifice to do what is unpopular to help those who aere oppressed and bullied by someone like Sadam.

[pchan]

The extremist are killing more iraqis, blowing up more mosques than the coalition and some people are still not sure who their friends are. It is like the mafia threatening the people who love true peace and justice. They will say, "Don't you dare disturb us from our activities of bullying others and planning future attacks. If you do, we will create so much killings and then put all the blame on you. Weak minded people will also join us in blaming you for the "peace" they missed. So, just be satisfied with the type of "peace" we have to offer where we retain the power to bully anyone we want, how we want, and anytime we want" What Flawed reasonings!

[Munir]

No it was not worth the sacrifice of more than a million Iraqis dead, It was not worth the sacrifice of an unknown number of Iraqis injured or maimed loosing a limb or more...
It was not worth sacrificing the dreams of Iraqi children for a better future...or Iraqi women who lost their freedom to Mullas from Iran who are now the true rulers of Iraq through a quasi government, said to have been democraticaly elected, or to taliban like fighters who roam Iraq north and south, east and west.
Ask the 4000000Iraq displaced internally or externally, ask a mourning mother who just lost her son to a suicide bomber, or an american not so smart bomb if the war was worth the sacrifice.
It is said that those who have the right to speak are the ones who gave the ultimate sacrifice, who is going to poll more than one million out of the silence of death?

[philipcyl]

Was it because of "iraq" war 9-11 took place? At that time, there was no such thing as "iraq" war. Iraq war or not, they want to get you.

As long as there are people out there who are willing to go to the extend of planning and executing the madness of 9-11 attacks in the name of of certain religion, the argue ment of "safer before or safer after" makes no sense. It is more like "more alert before" or "more alert after."

[E Hans]

Posted by: mike | 12 Apr 2008 09:19:58

The first Gulf war denied Saddam the ability to capture and control the oil from his neighbors. The Iraq war denied him the ability to provide sanctuary for Al Quida driven out by the Afghan war. It also prevented him from developing, with the help of other contries, more sophisticated warheads and missiles to deliver them. It also rid the citizens of Iraq from the fear of living in a ruthless police state.

------------------------------------
All fine and dandy and if you say it enough some people will start to believe it I suppose. Saddam threw Al Quida out of Iraq and had already stop his weapons programs. If you want to use the ruthless police state argument, then we better get busy, there are alot of them that we don't seem to care about yet.
Afganastan was perfectly justified and bungled by the Neo Cons agenda to get into Iraq as a base against Iran for nothing more than thier own goofy ideology, not for the protection of America or the spreading of Democracy blah blah blah.
The whole spreading of Democracy argument shows a stunning lack of understand in history that is enough to really worry the average person into thinking, just who is leading us anyway?

[nancy]

Mr. Linger I hope your a better dentist than historian. It amazes me how 19% of people are still defending this charade! propaganda really must brainwash-how can you hear all the facts and come to any other conclusion?? Saddam did not mix politics and religion and he did not like extremists-he kept them in check-enter usa and POOF all blown to hell...shame on you if the suffering of women and children and families does nothing to you-you must be dead inside already...for any person who says they are religious and supports this massacre-shame on you-God will not forgive such blind faith-What are we becoming animals?? worse than animals they dont wage wars! If the roles were reversed you murderers would be the first ones crying for help for justice--fix your own supposeded democracy before you go shovin it down others throats...

[Romans Seja]

Blair developed 'Britain's special relationship' with the USA and got himself a global role (all ex-prime ministers earn more in the USA after leaving office!). He ran to Bush ignoring European Union leaders and the people who elected him in (thankfully I mistrusted him in 1997 and my conscience is clear). One day he will pay for his illness. I hope he never sleeps.

[Dave Mende]

The only real threat to the world, as we speak, is america.Israel has determined to use america to conquer all. Now we are only watching the drama unfold. You are the son of your father the Devil, there is no truth in you.

[frank mosad]

Cheney, Bush and Rumsfield, war criminals at the least, its a pity they will walk and leave the chaos and destruction to the next president and the American taxpayers and the spineless Democrats are letting it play out.

[MilitaryOfficer]

Elitists in Washington should put on a damn uniform and stand a post. We were lied to and now we're "bringing democracy" to a crap hole that doesn't want it or need it. They're too busy killing each other. Our grandchildren will still be paying for this. Thanks for nothing Bush.

[Joseph R. Schifino]

We should have been building synthetic fuel plants to turn coal into usable liquid fuel that we can burn in our on cars and trucks right now (see learnaboutcoal.com)as soon as the Shah was overrun back in the Carter years. We should have taken Canada up on its offer to build massive hydro-electricity turbines in the Bay Of Fundy back in 1989. We most certainly should have turned to liquid coal after 9/11. We win this war by becoming energy independent and not funding our enemies. They live in deserts and we provide much of their food. We win this war by siege, not by gunfire.

[pk]

Jack,
Learn to spell

[Philip Barton]

The largest problem in this military skirmish is the present lack of a clearly defined objective which can be measured, or for which "progress" is well-defined.

"Freedom" is not an objective. "Ending terrorism" is not an objective. "Securing a nation" is not an objective. Perhaps each is a perpetual mission statement, but there is never a finish line to be crossed.

"Regime change" can be measured: mission accomplished. Time will tell whether it was a good or worthy mission.

So why are our troops still there?

For those who claim the poll is biased because "No" appears above "Yes": the same argument can be used if "Yes" is above "No." Those claims discredit every person's ability to make their own decision. You presuppose people have no idea how they intend to respond until they see the options.

For those who feel a need to respond: Save yourselves the effort, I won't be back to read responses.

[dagored]

I am sick and tired of the above "big mouths" who reside as right-wingnuts who decry and belittle Democrats who are trying to stop Bush's war. What is this cut and run bullcrap?!? We SHOULD NOT even be in Iraq...our entry was heavy on numerous lies and mistatements and poor planning for the aftermath. You jerks who call Democrats cut and run folks make me sick...get a life or get a new brain!

[LLPete]

Emmanuel, I expect Kool Aid is the beverage of choice at your family get togethers.

[Sally Redstone]

Thank goodness for George Bush and Tony Blair in having the guts and moral conviction to intervene in Iraq. Matters are stabilising now, and soon Iraq will be prosperous, self governing, and free from the brutality of the vicious Saddam gang.

[JACK]

The Americans using these commentaries as propoganda should realise one thing.Iraq was one bridge too many for a country that has 737 US bases around the World on every continent except Antarctica.
This is an awful lot of democracy to bring to the world in the guise of the quest for oil at the same time as denying countries their elected leaders.
Most Americans seem to believe only people like Mugabe does that .
If I was an American I would be questioning very closely how they're being paid for AND WHY while it's economy and its morality slips down the gurgler.
Iraq is an unmitigated disaster of inhuman proportions brought on the Iraqis.
Not to mention the troops that have died and are still dieing for a three trillion US dollar occupation .
There is and never will be a justification of the Iraq holocaust.
This invasion was deliberated long before 9\11 and during the period when Bush was asking for exemptions from the International criminal
Ccourt for Crimes against humanity.
THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY !

[mike]

History shows America empowered Saddam's rule to fight the war against Iran, similarly they empowered the mujahadin and bin laden to push the russians out of Afgahnistan. Saddam was a typical arab dictator, he protected his own tribal religous interests,with little interest in the west, that is how the middle east is ruled.History also shows once huge oil reserves were discovered under the sands of Arabia, oil the west needed, the financial material wealth flowing from this industry corrupted arab leaders and slowly corrupted the traditions of the arab people, whoever held control would enjoy this wealth and all it could buy. All conflict since centres basically on the survival of 2 seperate philosophies, Western capitalist needs feeding self iterest, and muslim religous opposition to the corruption western values had on their people and traditions. Wealth buys power and power is sustained by military strength, America has that strength a by product of the cold war,they sold it to Saddam to feed his war against Iran. America lost its justification for holding this strength when communist rule collapsed in Russia, the industrialists and militarist leaders benefiting from the american war machine needed another cause if they were to retain there power - enter George Bush -enter 9/11 - enter the terrorist threat - enter the war against Saddam and Iraq - enter the death of brave soldiers and innocent civilians - enter the justification for revenge against the west, by those who have seen loved ones slaughtered by american ordance and the carnage created by the war spawned from the american invasion -enter the power struggle by self interest groups in Iraq to grab the control and power vacated by the removal of Saddam - enter the laws empowering intelligence agencies and military leaders in America to defend against the terrorist threat - enter a dawning emergence these factors were deliberately predicted beforehand and self generated as a result of calculated decisions taken within the corridors of power by faceless individuals who had one single objective - to guarantee the survival of there own power base to feed there own personal self interests, lifestyles and greed. The realisation that civilian and military casualties have been no more than pawns in a game of chess played out by the powerbrokers. A completely futile war, a futile loss of life, the futile devastation of a country without moral justification or purpose. Our governments can feed us all the propaganda they choose to instill their excuses upon us. The greatest tragedy of all is having to justify by false claim our soldiers did not die in vain, that our leaders did not sent them and others to the slaughter without good reason. history shall show to the contrary, history shall show our governments perpetuate false myths, driven by corrupt selfish interests within our society.

[J. N. Linger, D.D.S.]

The first Gulf war denied Saddam the ability to capture and control the oil from his neighbors. The Iraq war denied him the ability to provide sanctuary for Al Quida driven out by the Afghan war. It also prevented him from developing, with the help of other contries, more sophisticated warheads and missiles to deliver them. It also rid the citizens of Iraq from the fear of living in a ruthless police state.

[JustMe]

EMMANUEL | 10 Apr 2008 01:21:44, I couldn't have said it better myself.

[Julie Howell]

There have been a great many comments over the years about how WMDs were not found. What I want to know is this: if a small envelope with a teaspoon-sized amount of anthrax is enough to clear out an entire government building, why in the world do people think that WMDs came in 55 gallon-sized drums?! For heaven's sake, people, this isn't the time of cave men and we don't have to look for huge containers full of big, stone mallets. Saddam buried entire jets! Do you think he couldn't disposed of CHEMICALS?? How much have many of you even read about the Iraqi war? Do you remember reading, very early on, the interviews with some of Saddam's scientists who were ordered by the regime to take the chemicals they were working on home and bury them and their equipment in their back yards?

As for asking the Iraqi people if they wanted Saddam in power or not, I can't even believe anyone in the world is stupid enough to make that remark. Perhaps those who talk that way ought to volunteer to go to Iraq the next time a mass grave is found and help dig up all the people that Saddam put there.

Listen, folks, there are too many people in this world now for the kind of tyrannical leadership of Saddam Hussein to exist. Traditional muslims abhore violence which is probably why they don't 'rise up' against militant muslims. If you haven't figured out by now that the militant muslims are no different than Adolf Hitler's regime or that of the Japanese in WWII than you've entirely missed the boat. The biggest difference is that the militant muslims make Adolf Hitler look like an immature schoolboy!

Those of you who think that the coalition forces are fighting non-Iraqi militants, you don't know much about Muqtada al-Sadr, do you? He doesn't care what nationality his insurgent followers are, as long as they do his bidding. al-Sadar runs more 'hot and cold' than the water taps in my kitchen! By doing so he's reminding the world that, with a wave of his hand, he controls when his 'army' kills and when they don't. I, for one, would most certainly not want such a tyrant as an ally.

For those of you who seem to dislike America, Americans, the American military, etc. etc.: I'm sorry that you feel that way. The United States of America is the greatest country in the world. We've helped more people and countries out of difficulties than any other country on earth. We've given more monetary aid to others than anyone else. And, as much as some of you continue to complain about America, we will be there to help you in the future, if you need us. We are fiercely proud of our country and what it stands for. Don't be fooled by our quarreling amongst ourselves; when it's time for us to stand together, we're there. Like one of the Colonies' Revolutionary War flags said, "Don't tread on me."

God bless America!

[Peter Darlington]

Mr Bush is standing down soon. When he is gone the US and UK forces will retreat!
Are there any plans made how we are going to pay for our destruction of Iraq?
All taxpayers money spent on this illegal war will anybody be hold responsible for this waste of lives and money?

[Amanda]

Indeed, the majority (more than 80%) of suicide attacks in Iraq after the invasion, was done by Saudis (and other nationalities) and NOT by Iraqis. Wake up. The media is key here, working together with the gov., to make the lies seem plausible. Think for yourselves and dont buy everything the media tell you!!

btw. I believe the 600,000 dead civilians is an estimate, in reality it may be as much as ONE MILLION dead. Also, another reason for the war was the fact that Iraq switched its reserve currency from Dollars to Euros in 2000. This meant a great threat to the Dollar if others were to follow. Saddam was a CIA guy, but he stopped following their orders. He was doing his best for the country (in economic terms), now everything has been privatized, economy is in pieces, there is a civil war happening and Iraq has no longer any power in its region at all!!! Oh and dont forget the oil, but we all know that. Do read the book "The Grand Chessboard: American Primacy And Its Geostrategic Imperatives" by Zbigniew Brzezinski (Jimmy Carters National Security Advisor) and you will know better.

Good night and good luck.

[Mark Walker]

i think it is very sad for both us british (i cant say english because its now racist and politicaly incorrect) and americans alike because we believe we live in democratic society where the people believe they have a say on major decisions our goverments take. its sad because the goverment will do what it wants with out a care for what its people want, the war were in now for example it was as clear to the people of england then and america that it would be and is a war not for morality but of greed and power, our goverments took us into a war we didnt want and with out a thought for the after effects on iraq. However now that our are there our goverments need to stop talking jiberish and actually emerge with a plan and action it 100% rarther than fighting one skirmish after another claiming a death toll a victory.

[Charles Case]

It is easy enough for a country with the power of the US or Britian to seize a country, and by doing so take over the area of a civil war,and occupi it. That in no means, means they defeated the people or stoped the civil strife. Only that they are now policing a civil war. Neither the US nor Britian has the troops to police a war.Certainly the Iraqes have no reason to. Not to there way of thinking neither Suni or Shiat want anything but there own private hell.

[Tom Tucker]

Is there any doubt that the Iraq war has increased the number of angry radicalized "terrorists" in the world today? It only happened because Bush couldn't find Bin Laden in Afghanistan and needed to score political points with the US electorate after 9/11. It saddens me immensely that my tax money has gone to fund a bullet that has probably killed an innocent civilian. And now Blair wants to lecture us on faith? You couldn't make this stuff up...

[Graham J Marriott]

On 5 Dec 1956 Aneurin Bevan critized the government for invading Egypt in the Suez conflict.
He said a government changing it's reason for going to war is a very dodgy basis for going to war. Ring any bells re Iraq. First Weapons of Mass Destruction then getting rid of Sadam and then preventing terrorism. Perhaps Mr. Blair should have studied history and read Bevan's speech!!

[simon, london]

god rest saddam, slayer of terrorists, educator of women, bringer of peace.

[EMMANUEL]

If wishes were horses,the ghost of those that lost their lives on this macabre of lies,deceit ,incompetence may hunt every moron that planned this war and for those that said that the war Worth it ,may their love ones enjoy the benefit of 4000 American and 500000 of irag

[Steve B]

Sorry, Backlash, you missed this one. ;)

Musifir, when the dems pull us out and allow the development of a nuke, which will eventually light up an american city, that's when " we told you so" won't cut it.

Well, Marta, that translates into about one fifth of your friends and neighbors. They should all sign up for disability, I guess.

Gussmith, you're an idiot.

Chuck, when you lose a son, the price always seems too high, but nevertheless, I would suspect that the Mothers and Fathers of our lost soldiers would still support the values their sons gave their all for. I grieve with them.

Not a blunder, Mike. And how would you be able to speak for all of the rest of the world? Have you talked to everyone?

Okay, Chenyisadik, I guess our intervention in WWII was a big mistake then.

Colin Moon, some crimes are worth it. I'm hoping that someday people like you will grow testicles.

Frederick Major, I wish we had more politicians in America with Mr. Blairs sense of honor.

Charles, you're an idiot.

Holy Cow, Jilly! You mean you're not going to blame America for the attack on Pearl Harbor?! I'm truly astounded.

Ian Lowe, the worst blunder in history was when Saddam refused to allow inspectors to search for WMD, but instead transported them to Syria. It resulted in the destruction of his country, and his death.

And I would bet a pound or two that Stan has not been to Iraq.

This is a poll where 81% of those voting are wrong. You let emotion rule your mind, and the question this poll poses was design for that purpose. Perhaps we should ask, "Is it worth the cost to ensure the freedom of the 25 million Iraqi citizens who will eventually enjoy that wonderful gift?" And you women who posted here - does it not matter to you that under Islamic law you are chattel? As well as your daughters, who had no say in the outcome of their own lives?

I have seven children and eighteen grandchildren. Two of them have been in Iraq, and I have been fortunate enough to not lose either of them. But I can tell you this, I would spend them all as well as my own life to secure freedom for that nation. And I don't care what the price of oil is. That should be the least of our concerns.

[James Tober]

Fact is that Civilisation is at war with Islam and this is not a war we can afford to lose. President Bush may not be the smartest guy on the planet but the one thing he and his advisors realised after 9/11 is that to do nothing is not an option.
Afghanistan was the home of Al Quada and obviously, had to be attacked. It is a fact that Sadam Husain was a major sponsor of jihadist terror groups inc. Al Qaeda affiliates, he provided training, money and a safe have for such groups as the Abu Nidal organisation, Islamic Jihad, Hamas and the PLO.

Muslim terror has to be defeated. Muslim terrorists do not fight due to any injustice, they fight because they hate non muslims.
The world is now a more dangerous place I often hear people say, and that Iraq and Afghanistan has encouraged recruitment for Islamic terror. In other words do not fight back against the forces of evil because this will only make our enemies angry! Can you imagine if we had the same attitude during WWII? Lets not fight the Nazis it will only make them angry.
Unfortunatly the Anti War Brigade would much rather surrender to Islam and sacrifice all our freedoms rather than fight back.

[Terry]

Just sit down and make a list of the number of countries the US has bombed over the years, and think whether in each case it was worth it or not.

And latterly, what hard evidence was there of the threat to the US and the UK from Iraq?

[Jip]

I agree with you Karl completely!

[Zappy Corleone]

"What was Iraq? It was an impoverished desert" I suggest you read a History Book Felix.

[Ron Price]

I guess that if this war was "morally correct", then we will be off to Zimbabwe next!

[Rod Garr]

The deception by the politicians on both sides of the Atlantic was the biggest issue. The reason for the war was WMD. When no weapons were found it became a war to fight terrorism and rid Iraq of Al Qaida, who in fact were never in Iraq prior to the war; they hated Saddam and he hated them. Now Iraq is a breeding ground for terrorists. And now we have more deception; Bush is paying off the tribal Sunni's not to fight, while at the same time pretending his "troop surge" has worked. It's the "money surge" which has worked, not the troop surge. If these same politicians made such catastrophic blunders in say a private corporation they would be long gone!

[Hugh Croft]

I thought this poll was intended as a satirical joke.

[Brains not Brawn]

Dear Wrench:

You are completely misguided. Among other things, you are under the mistaken notion that all Muslims are terrorists. False - most of them are quite reasonable, you should get to know one or two. You think the war has made us safer. False, check the leaked NIE report (more terrorist recruitment *because* of the war). You think the current projection of US $3 trillion spent so far is worth it? False. Bin Laden himself wants to cripple our economy by drawing us into these quagmires.

I'm going to donate twice as much to the Democrats after reading your pathetic post, and I've got plenty to send. So congrats.

[Mark McVay]

Bush and his supporters are a disgrace to America. I'm a cobat veteran. My wife is a career USMC officer. We both opposed the invasion of Iraq and continue to oppose its occupation. The Bush presidency has been a disaster on so many fronts that it will take America decades to recover if, indeed, it can recover.

[DAn]

We face real threats in the world. Don't give me this 'blood for oil' thing. If America were trading blood for oil we would've already seized Iraq's oil fields and let the rest of the country go to hell. And don't give me this 'Bush Lied; People Died' crap either. If he were the liar you morons take him for, he could've easily had chemical weapons planted in Iraq so they could be 'discovered.' Instead, he owned up to the fact that the intelligence was faulty
Let me remind you that the rest of the world thought Saddam had the goods, same as me. Let me also remind you that regime change in Iraq was official US policy before Bush came into office. Some guy named ' Clinton ' established that policy. Bet you didn't know that, did you?

In Response to this post. Bobby you are very quick to briefly view the facts and insult others without critically analyzing the occurrences. When we entered into Baghdad, the only thing we did, besides nothing to stop the looting was secure the ministry of Oil. That is a clear indication of our purposes within the country. And planting WMDs is a bit trickier than you make it out to be. For example, every nuclear weapon can be traced back to the exact manufacterer. We supplied Iraq with many of the former WMDs, however this was years ago. It is not a small task to fraudulently show a WMD program, when one does not exist, particularly under the scrutiny of the world eye. You also mess up your facts that regime change started with Clinton. It started with the first Bush administration, who decided not to proceed into Iraq, because there was no exit strategy as members of the 1st Bush admin signed onto such as Paul Wolfawitz and Rumsfield. And the policy which was established was not regime change by war. Rather it was through internal rebellions, embargoes and so forth. So before you are so quick to criticize others, you need to re-analyze your own rationale.

All studies show that the world is more dangerous today and that jihadists are recruiting now more than ever. So even if the world is getting more dangerous, shouldn't it be allowed to do so, without further death of US citizens. By being against the war, I am supporting our country more than those saying to stay there. I am showing my love for the country to the extent, that I refuse to sit by and see the unwarranted death of more Americans.

[Keith]

Hate is terrorisms fuel. Has the Iraq war increased or diminished hate in the Middle East?

Of course that was a rhetorical question. The world is far worse off and the US in particular will be paying a hefty price for decades to come. I’m sure history will judge this Iraq War as the biggest blunder in the history of the world and the beginning of the end of the far right controlling America.

[david addison]

America ,greatest fighter of third world countries ever.

[Joyeb]

As soon as Saddam was gone,it was most evident the threat to USA also disapeared. The threat to US and allies was and also is at present from Pakistan,Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia. There is no threat from Iraq. The situation in Iraq cannot be solved by US which tries in vain.To win this war,US bribed Iraqis to get success in terror attacks and continued to ignore the majority interest. Simply put,Iraq can be easily handled by pulling in Iran which can control the majority
more easily than US or its puppet prime minister.Let Iran handle the situation making it much more easier for US to withdraw if at all US is sincere in withdrawing..Joyeb

[Karl]

What a stupid and loaded question!!! Was there not a more biased way to lure a war tired populace to show its weariness? This is not about the here and now folks; this whole war is about securing a more stable world for future generations.

I think the real question should be "Looking back in 20 or 30 years, do you think history will judge that the Iraq war was prudent and worth it?". There are still plenty of apathetic selfish head-in-the-sand naysayers that would answer no to that question as well but it is a much more fair question.

The worst part about all of this anti-war rhetoric is that it is nothing more than a thinly disguised effort, supported by an ultra liberal media, to gain political power. What a sham!

What a selfish society we have become. If we don’t wake-up and realize that we have to face this mammoth evil down now we will condemn our children and grandchildren to suffering unimaginable consequences because of our apathy. Don’t tell me we started this… how many times over the past 20 years have you heard these people say “death to America”? Do you think they didn’t mean it? Don’t tell me that fighting terrorism has nothing to do with invading the sovereign nation of Iraq. This has been two wars. The first to overthrow a tyrant that the world recognized would not live by the peace accord he signed at the end of the Gulf War and supported global terrorism with Iraq’s wealth and a second based on the insurgency “terrorists” and well armed sectarian militias formed from Sadam’s army melding into the general population when they realized that facing our overwhelming armed forces head-on was suicide.

[mohammed]

more than (3 TRILLION Dollars )spends . iraq is destroyed - more than 600,000 iraq's civilian are dead- civil war broken out - iraq economy is dead- iraqs oil stolen by western companies- iraqs future to come to one iraq again is amiracle - so many iraq's become a refuge.- so many iraq's families faces aburden by loosing one or more families memeber ....etc this is what the sacrifice worths

[jack dunlop]

most americans would just like to sit back and watch the world go by...good or bad its no matter util it comes to home and in their backyard and they say...what the hell happened...im a korean vet and we got the same treatment as the nam vets and now the iraq vets will be the new warmongers...some country we live in today that would stand by and watch some poor little guy get his face shoved in the dirt...as to the heroes that gave their lives in iraq god bless them and remember we lost over 50,000 service personnel in korea thats a far fling from 4000 in 5 years...my only problem with the last three or four wars is that we did not stay and win. we pulled out and thats a slap in the face to every service man and woman...if we are not going into the battle to win then it must be something else...could it be money for the businessmen that support the logistics...??????

[MM]

Has anyone read the lead up to Pearl Harbour? If you have you will know this invasion bears no relation to that of Japan. Iraq didn't have half it's forces sat in the middle of the Atlantic or Pacific. It is a cynical view but if the security of oil results and considering all countries to infact put a price on human life - then i'm sorry to say that yes it probably was worth it. To be naive enough to think this is the first time western nations have invaded a country for resources would mean you were 6 years old?

[Bigger Picture Seeker]

I was surprised at Edmund and Bobby(you two are same guy, right exact post).

looks like you don't even realize most 9/11 attacker come from Saudi and Iraq. Iraq has nothing to do with 9/11. American Chief UN weapon inspector stated that there are no WMD over there and American FBI chief interrogator of Saddam, Piro also stated that he found absolutely no relations between Al-Qaeda and Saddam. All these inspectors are American sent and yet somehow you can choose believe in what you like to believe, not what the real field persons over there have said. Does Saddam post a threat to US-may be. Does it post a thread to US domination of the world, may be. So our government decided to do a preemptive strike. May be justified, may be not depends where you stand. If other countries preemptive strike US, I bet you would say they are wrong. I guess 9/11 is an preemptive strike by Al Qaeda, so of course we(including me, say they are wrong and willfully hunt them down.) However, Iraq is not one of them. They were enemies with one another. When Saddam invade Kuwait and threatening the security of Saudi, Bin Laden offer Kuwait the service to take out Saddam. But Saudi's royal family decided to ask Bush Senior to kick Saddam's behind. This is history and well known fact, how can you forget this common knowledge?

[Mark]

I do not have or know all the "facts" regarding the decision to go to war in Iraq. By facts I mean being in the room with the people who discussed and charted this coarse in Iraq. I don't think all the facts are published (unedited) and on public display.
So I will refrain from stating as "fact" What I think and believe to be the case. (If anyone has the "all true facts" I, along with millions of others would like to see them.)

Is the invasion worth the sacrifice?
I believe only time will tell. It just does not seem right to say loss of life is worth it. Whenever there is a passionate unresolved conflict, the possibility for loss of life is always there. I would have a very difficult time telling parents that there son or daughter lost there life based on a decision I made. I think and believe are leaders think the same way. It isn't easy to be totally ruthless. It takes more strength then you might think. Very few people in this world are that way.

Is it worth the financial cost. Again I think only time will tell. Lets remember that most of are "bad" days here in America are still like living a dream in most other countries. From oil to heat are homes, cook are food, or drive our cars, to being able to openly and passionately voice and discuss our thoughts and beliefs.

I think the best way to reduce the cost is at the end of the day learn to forgive and forget so that we can move forward to solve this crisis.

[jim]

Mr. Wrench.

I don't criticize your point of view because clearly, it's all you know.

Your narrowness is quite striking and your ignorance of history even more so.

There'll be no checking back to get your response to this...so don't bother. Just take a few weeks and read some history. It would do you a world of good and save you a great deal of time.

[Greg]

Most of the press and media in the West tend to report the worst of non-western cultures and neglect positive events in these regions. It is inevitable that under such influence alot of Westerners are quick to belittle a foreign nation and raise arms to "change" them according to their own yardsticks.

The invasion of Iraq seems to be a result of such bias. Now more of the world feels animosity towards those who cannot fully appreciate their humanity.

I think real freedom is expressed by the ability to choose, but when the information needed to make choices is skewed, one's freedom becomes hampered.

[Stan Lippmann]

This debate is like the Hillary vs. Obama debate. Most people have figured out what is really going on by now and know that 9/11 was an inside job by Cheney/The Queen/ The Mossad/ the Al-Qaeda branch office of the CIA.

The rest was preplanned before 9/11.

It doesn't seem to have gone as planned. Now the British are desperately pushing phony stories to get the Iran war started before Bush leaves office. Britain is not the greatest friend to America, it is her greatest enemy. To the people of the world: Cut the Americans off from money, dump the dollar, fight them, defeat them. If the Americans have money for much longer, they may very well carry out the British Imperial plots further.

[ae2828]

If Bush and blair thought that it was worth it to go to Irak they should have send their kids there, Not the rest of us kids.

[Felix Turner]

What was Iraq? It was an impoverished desert. What was Afghanistan? An impoverished desert. Afghanistan has made amazing progess in the last few years and in Iraq it is not the fault of soldiers that it's all messed up but the fault of of Muslims killing Muslims

[Dennis K]

As an American who opposed both the election of Bush the Two'th AND this monstrous debacle which he and his minions created, I must speak out in defence of millions of us who are no longer being represented by our government, our news media or the institutions so carefully crafted over centuries to watch out for us. Through gross malfeasance of the corporate news media in cahoots with the hare-brained neo cons and the uber-arrogant oil cartels, I am afraid that America has already lost any meaningful semblance of democracy to which we might have once laid claim. This up coming election will show whether we have any chance of regaining it.

[zama]

it was morally right to invade Irag.millions perished under saddam.Politics that WMD were not found after invasion are misleading.Saddam USED THEM!!

[Edmund Burke]

The Iraq disaster puts the Conservative Party in a very difficult position. Two of the fundamental principles of Conservatism are a) the rule of law and b) the Atlantic alliance. However, the Anglo-American invasion of Iraq, without a UN mandate, and without any threat to either country on the part of Saddam Hussein, was a serious breach of international law, which threw these two principles into conflict with each other: the invasion was just plain illegal.

What it boils down to is that in launching the invasion, George Bush Jnr clearly considered that cowboy justice took precedence over international law, whilst Tony Blair, an Oxford graduate in Law, followed him like a lap-dog.

However, time moves on: Blair is no longer PM, and the Conservative Party, in formulating its potential future foreign policy, will have to look carefully at the two basic principles outlined above, and decide which to ditch in favour of the other. They have to face the fact that in terms of the rule-book of international law, George Bush Jnr, the conqueror of Iraq, is a criminal.

[Wrench]

If Iraq wasn't worth it, tell me what would be and I'll bet I can tell you what you care about most. I'd also be willing to bet that what you pick has something to do with yourself; I'd be amazed if it was truly altruistic.
We face real threats in the world. Don't give me this 'blood for oil' thing. If I were trading blood for oil America would've already seized Iraq's oil fields and let the rest of the country go to hell. And don't give me this 'Bush Lied; People Died' crap either. If Bush were the liar you take him for, he could've easily had chemical weapons planted in Iraq so they could be 'discovered.' Instead, he owned up to the fact that the intelligence was faulty
Let me remind you that the rest of the world thought Saddam had the goods, same as me. Let me also remind you that regime change in Iraq was official US policy before I came into office. Some guy named ' Clinton ' established that policy. Bet you didn't know that, did you?

You need to understand that we face a unique enemy. Back during the cold war, there were two major competing political and economic models squaring off. We won that war, but we did so because fundamentally, the Communists wanted to survive, just as we do. We were simply able to out spend and out-tech them.
That's not the case this time. The soldiers of our new enemy don't care if they survive. In fact, they want to die. That'd be fine, as long as they weren't also committed to taking as many of you with them as they can. But they are. They want to kill you, and they are all over the globe.

You should be grateful that they haven't gotten any more of us here in the United States since September 11. But you're not. That's because you've got no idea how hard a small number of intelligence, military, law enforcement, and homeland security people have worked to make sure of that When this whole mess started, I warned you that this would be a long and difficult fight. I'm disappointed how many of you people think a long and difficult fight amounts to a single season of 'Survivor.'
Instead, you've grown impatient. You're incapable of seeing things through the long lens of history, the way our enemies do. You think that wars should last a few months, a few years, tops.

Making matters worse, you actively support those who help the enemy. Every time you buy the New York Times, every time you send a donation to a cut-and-run Democrat's political campaign, well, dang it, you might just as well FedEx a grenade launcher to a Jihadist. It amounts to the same thing.

In this day and age, it's easy enough to find the truth. It's all over the Internet. It just isn't on the pages of the New York Times or on NBC News. But even if it were, I doubt you'd be any happier. Most of you would rather watch American Idol.

[Lawrence Hill]

We should have listened to France. They were right.

neo-con: just a catch-word for greedy bast