Obama was careful not to declare victory, but he should have borrowed from his predecessor and announced that the mission had been accomplished. When the U.S. invaded Iraq, its goal was to depose the dictator Saddam Hussein and end any threat that he might use weapons of mass destruction, make the country inhospitable for terrorists seeking to attack the United States, and give Iraqis a chance to establish a democratic form of government.
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The cost, however, has been substantial — and a compelling argument can be made that the price has been too high.
More than 4,400 American troops have been killed in Iraq, a number that can only go up as 50,000 soldiers remain in non-combat roles and some will inevitably be caught in the crossfire. Twenty-two thousand more have been wounded, many of them suffering horrific and life-altering injuries. And this country spent almost $800 billion on the war, less than last year’s stimulus, but dollars that have dug us deeper into debt.
The seven-and-a-half-year Iraq War was often compared to Vietnam, with critics saying America was bogged down, there was no way to declare victory, and there was no exit strategy. In the end, however, they were wrong because Iraq today — while still not a safe place — is no longer shackled by tyranny and its people have a chance at self-government.
If Iraqis can manage that and democracy eventually spreads in the Middle East, then it can be said that the war was won. Frustratingly, it will be generations before any conclusions can be made with certainty.
There is no question that war-weary Americans are glad to see our role in Iraq coming to an end. That was a collective cheer you heard Tuesday night when Obama said it was time for this country to turn its focus inward, and begin working to remedy perhaps the biggest threat to our national security, a wobbly economy that has us borrowing against our children’s future.
First for this apologist President we have, it is disgusting and indeed as Percy says we are the laughing stock. It will change in a couple of years, but the big question is will that be too late for this country?
Percy my friend, do you know of ANY conflict that does not kill (funeral home remark) or make money for military contractors (the armed forces don't manufacture their own arms and ammo, etc, the last time I checked)? If you do, please let me know? Even the Revolutionary War (which I hope you would agree was a just war) did so. This is always the fall out. War is dirty, evil, and brutal, and will continue to be so until the end of mankind. That's why its so important for us to put up a strong defense.
Its really simple if you get right down to it. Remember your school days? Were you the bully, or did you get bullied? You (everyone) were either one or the other (there are no neutral Switzerlands on the playground). If you managed to overcome the bully, how did you do it? You did it by beating his tail, and making him afraid of messing with you, didn't you? That's what we have to do to the brutal muslim (so called peace lovers) world - they will continue to hate us, but at least stay behind their lines.
Did we win? We won't be able to truly answer that question for a long time. Hopefully this sorry excuse of a President and Congress we have won't waste the blood that has been spilled. That would be the ultimate treason.