STORM2K

I say as long as it takes to reorganize what kind of goverment will govern there and that will take time.

:? I say as long as it takes too, but I really don't want to see them in there past a year. I'm really afraid thatit goes longer than that I we still have a lot of military over there then it will be constured as an occupation. It's already a very tenuous situation over there to begin with.

Yes Stephanie that is true more longer the US presence there more problems with the population that has various factions that want a piece of the pie.

Yes, BUT...the more secure Iraq and Afghanistan become through the rule of law (and boots-on-the-ground), the more willing the Iranians will be to oust their Ayatollah-dominated clique and start their own way down the path to democratic reforms (which, in turn, defangs Hezbollah, Al Aqsa and a host of smaller, but no less lethal terror groups who have depended on the Iranian theocaracy's good graces).

Imagine...three constitutional republics in a row, cutting the "10-40 window" in half; might just give some other Islamic people "ideas"?

I wish it could be just another 6 months...but understandably it'll be longer than that.

There's going to be a tough road ahead. We will have to stay longer than the rest of the Muslim world wants. If we don't stay and really establish a solid democracy then the radical factions will take over and we'll get blamed for the mess that ensues.

I voted for as long as it takes.

Which..brings me to this observation....what is up with all the Activist groups, and a good number of the Dems out there that want to know when we are going to get the government set up, rebuild the country, make sure everybody is well fed, etc...etc..

The thing is...they expect it to happen like yesterday. They forget we occupied Japan for ..what was it?? 7 years following the war? Its been like 2 months since this War STARTED and they are screaming when are we going to get out???

j wrote:I voted for as long as it takes.

Which..brings me to this observation....what is up with all the Activist groups, and a good number of the Dems out there that want to know when we are going to get the government set up, rebuild the country, make sure everybody is well fed, etc...etc..

The thing is...they expect it to happen like yesterday. They forget we occupied Japan for ..what was it?? 7 years following the war? Its been like 2 months since this War STARTED and they are screaming when are we going to get out???

I think alot of it has to do with the perception of what the Americans are doing there, even though we are re-building their country. As Bill said, it will make for a more secure Iraq, but if THEY don't feel that way, then no matter what we do, we're screwed.

within two years we better have most of it put together. I know some people should still stay back after that, but anything more than a small US presence would be best.