We're Back At War In Iraq, Says General

[CVX]

I think the question now is, do the Iraqi's want freedom? If they do, they need to fight for it. Otherwise, the coalition forces are wasting their time.


By Sean Rayment
Defence Correspondent
The Telegraph - UK
9-18-4

Gen Sir Mike Jackson, the head of the Army, has admitted that British troops in Iraq are "back at war". He is the first authoritative figure to concede that war is still being waged in Iraq, 16 months after President George W Bush declared that combat operations were over.

In an interview with The Telegraph, the Chief of the General Staff said that August had been a difficult month for soldiers serving in southern Iraq.

"Soldiers are now fighting a counter-insurgency war," said Sir Mike. "August was a very busy month and British soldiers were involved in war fighting."

[Tombstone]

What's the answer to this? The Press spends so much time on the PRO's vs. CON's of this war that there is very little attention paid to the people in Iraq.

What is the sentiment? What are their choices? Are they clamoring for a Theocracy? A Democracy? Heck if I know.

[Clint]

I hate to sound crude but things have gone so far that what the people of Iraq want, or for that matter, what the people of the US want doesn’t matter anymore.

Iraq must become a stronghold for freedom in that part of the world. It doesn’t matter if there were WMD or not. It doesn’t matter if they pump oil or hot air.

There are hundreds of thousands of Islamic extremists in that part of the world that are committed to seeing us dead. They want us dead because of our way of life for sure but more than that, they want us dead because we are not Muslim (Atheists, Pantheists and Agnostics included). Not all Muslims want to kill off all other beliefs or non beliefs. There are just so many of them in that part of the world that do, that they can no longer be ignored. Let 9-11 testify to that fact. We did not start this war.

Iraq is as strategically important today as it has been since it was in the heart of ancient Babylon. It is where we must be. It is a beachhead we must hold. If we don’t we will be fighting those who want to murder us in our own streets.

The extremists interpret Mohammad’s teachings to be that we are their greatest enemy but that they must deal with the nearest enemy first. In Iraq we are their nearest enemy and their greatest enemy. By following their theology they will be more likely to fight us in Iraq than here. I can’t remember the Yale professor’s name who said that Iraq has become like flypaper, drawing in and capturing the terrorists.

Those who want to murder us don’t care if we are kind to them or not. They don’t care if we give them gifts, feed their children or pave their streets. They simply want us dead or converted to Islam. We must understand that what they understand is overwhelming power.

[Warsai]

Originally Posted by Clint

I hate to sound crude but things have gone so far that what the people of Iraq want, or for that matter, what the people of the US want doesn’t matter anymore.

Iraq must become a stronghold for freedom in that part of the world. It doesn’t matter if there were WMD or not. It doesn’t matter if they pump oil or hot air.

There are hundreds of thousands of Islamic extremists in that part of the world that are committed to seeing us dead. They want us dead because of our way of life for sure but more than that, they want us dead because we are not Muslim (Atheists, Pantheists and Agnostics included). Not all Muslims want to kill off all other beliefs or non beliefs. There are just so many of them in that part of the world that do, that they can no longer be ignored. Let 9-11 testify to that fact. We did not start this war.

Iraq is as strategically important today as it has been since it was in the heart of ancient Babylon. It is where we must be. It is a beachhead we must hold. If we don’t we will be fighting those who want to murder us in our own streets.

The extremists interpret Mohammad’s teachings to be that we are their greatest enemy but that they must deal with the nearest enemy first. In Iraq we are their nearest enemy and their greatest enemy. By following their theology they will be more likely to fight us in Iraq than here. I can’t remember the Yale professor’s name who said that Iraq has become like flypaper, drawing in and capturing the terrorists.

Those who want to murder us don’t care if we are kind to them or not. They don’t care if we give them gifts, feed their children or pave their streets. They simply want us dead or converted to Islam. We must understand that what they understand is overwhelming power.

We've invaded Iraq, we've cost the lives of thousands of people, and yet terrorism is still a large threat. Iraq was not going to harm us and had no intention of harming us. We don't have to invade innocent countries to stop the people who want to murder us on our own streets, as you put it. There's no justification for what we did, what, did we go over there because Saddam wasn't agreeing with UN sanctions and resolutions? We give Israel the weapons and money to violate UN resolutions, and they have.

[Clint]

You say we have cost the lives of thousands of Iraqis. I would dare to say that we have killed fewer Iraqis by far than Sadam did.

I haven't heard it said that the war against terrorism is over. On the contrary, I have heard it said that we have just begun. This is a huge problem that has been festering for decades.

Israel isn’t responsible for everything. Radical Muslims are at war with their neighbors in about 15 different places around the world. Would you say that Israel has something to do with Muslims killing “infidels” in the Philippines? This thing went global before we stepped out to defend ourselves by mounting a good offense.

[gmc]

I haven't heard it said that the war against terrorism is over. On the contrary, I have heard it said that we have just begun. This is a huge problem that has been festering for decades.

You need to look back at the reasons for the present situation and then considerif what you are doing is the best way to deal with it. Part of the problem is weseem to have fundamentalist christians as well as fundamentalist muslims spoiling for a fight because they think it's foretold in the bible. I don't grudge them their beliefs I just don't wanrt to be dragged in to it.

Who are you defending against and what does invading Iraq have to do with it? What is worrying is now it looks as if the US wants to pick a war with Iran all you do is justify the fundamentalists.

If you really believe the majority of people in the middle east want to destroy america you can hardly be surprised if they believe america wants to destroy their way of life. Out of such blind prejudice comes warfare. Sooner or later you have to sit down and talk and look at the causes of terrorism. You can't reason with some people just don't give the reasonable people reason to give up.

[Clint]

I didn't say the majority of people in the Middle East want war. It is only about 2% but that is enough. That 2% is willing to hijack airplanes and fly them into buildings. I'm afraid too many people don't understand the mentality we are dealing with. They will not reason. They don't care if they kill Christians, Jews or Agnostics, as long as they kill "infidels" or those who are not Muslim. It is one thing to want to evangilize it is another to want to kill until the only ones left are the ones who believe like you do.

[Peg]

Basically, it's murder in the name of religion.

[gmc]

It is only about 2% but that is enough. That 2% is willing to hijack airplanes and fly them into buildings

So how to defeat them without adding to their support? hate begets hate there are many who would like to see the US going in heavy handed because they know it willl gain them support. You cannot defeat terrorists with conventional armies.

[Serenity]

Originally Posted by gmc

So how to defeat them without adding to their support? hate begets hate there are many who would like to see the US going in heavy handed because they know it willl gain them support. You cannot defeat terrorists with conventional armies.

you know...that's a funny point you bring up..... perhaps adding to their support is all part of a big plan.

The whole thing's ****in pathetic.

If hiroshima was found to be expendible enough to justify dropping "da bomb", why not iraq? sounds good to me....not that i'm an advocate of war, but if you're goin to do something, do it right and get it done.

The law of nature has proven that the strong rule the weak and majority rules. Technology is the majority of one...and america's got it.

If it's about oil...well, decreasing popluations decreases demans, so that might not be in the interest of capitalists....personally, i think it goes further then that....it is a religious battle between the catholic/roman ideoligy and the muslim.
World war 3 has already begun.