How long should the US stay in Iraq?

#1 Postby **cycloneye** » Sun Apr 27, 2003 12:23 pm

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

#2 Postby **Stephanie** » Sun Apr 27, 2003 7:54 pm

:? 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.

#3 Postby **cycloneye** » Sun Apr 27, 2003 8:26 pm

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.

#4 Postby **streetsoldier** » Sun Apr 27, 2003 9:26 pm

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"?

Skywatch_NC · #5 Postby **Skywatch_NC** » Mon Apr 28, 2003 7:24 am

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

mf_dolphin · #6 Postby **mf_dolphin** » Mon Apr 28, 2003 8:39 am

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.

j · #7 Postby j » Mon Apr 28, 2003 10:25 am

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???

#8 Postby **Stephanie** » Mon Apr 28, 2003 11:27 am

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.

JQ Public · #9 Postby **JQ Public** » Mon Apr 28, 2003 1:55 pm

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.