Reply #58: Two issues at stake....

[XemaSab]

I don't think there's a "difference of opinion" on going in. I think going in was a terrible idea, and most people I know think going in was a terrible idea. It was a gut reaction. Any politician who didn't have this same gut reaction.... I don't trust to represent our national interests.

On whether we should pull out immediately, I think that's something about which reasonable people can disagree. I personally think it's our baby now, and we have the responsibility to do everything we can to stabilize the place and move towards elections. I think pulling out right now would be a disaster, and would cause more harm to the Iraqi people than staying until elections are held. I think if we did that we'd see a bloody meltdown that would abolish all chances of democracy for this generation.

I think the immediate goal should be training Iraqis to be policemen. We can train contras to kill their countrymen at School of the Americas, why can't we train Iraqi police there?

Also, we need to stop being assholes. If we act like assholes, it's no wonder they hate us.