Here Goes Nothing ...

I have a question for anyone to answer:

So a lot of people think it is almost comical that the Bush administration has failed to recognize that Iraq is in the midst of a full-blown civil war. I certainly agree that Iraq is in a full-blown civil war (albeit one international actors on both sides). Iraq's civil war consists of ethnic cleansing on highest scale - Shia killing Sunni, Sunni killing Shia, neighborhoods being "cleansed," etc. However, isn't this the same kind of civil war that many wanted us to get involved in in Rwanda, Bosnia, and Kosovo? If so, what accounts for saying that we should get out of Iraq because they are in a civil war and saying that we should get involved in those other places?

To my knowledge Rwanda, Bosnia, and Kosova neither had the desire nor the wherewithal to cleanse the planet of infidels, starting with the USA. Obviously, factions in this current action have demonstrated differently. Our own survival as we know it, may in some ways hinge on what the outcome is in Iraq

To my knowledge Rwanda, Bosnia, and Kosova neither had the desire nor the wherewithal to cleanse the planet of infidels, starting with the USA. Obviously, factions in this current action have demonstrated differently. Our own survival as we know it, may in some ways hinge on what the outcome is in Iraq

actually, it probably won't. after the invasion, the various middle-eastern states and factions didn't unify against america, they starting infighting amongst themselves. That doesn't mean it's a good idea to pull out and just hope everything works itself out, cause that's just not likely, but it's probably not entirely fire and brimstone for the world either way.

I know it's really cynical, but after 9/11 when the Iraq crisis was heating up, I thought we should have told Saddam, "Let's let bygones be bygones and cooperate. You don't like the Islamic radicals and neither do we. Maybe we can do business again." He was a really bad guy, but the Islamic militants are worse.

actually, it probably won't. after the invasion, the various middle-eastern states and factions didn't unify against america, they starting infighting amongst themselves. That doesn't mean it's a good idea to pull out and just hope everything works itself out, cause that's just not likely, but it's probably not entirely fire and brimstone for the world either way.

While I realize they did not unify against the US.
It is generally, if not universally accepted that the countries in question, harbor, if not support those groups that have, and are targeting the US, and it's allies. These groups make no attempt to disguise their intentions as a whole.
From that standpoint, it benefits us to maintain a presence in the region, and thus a force in an outcome, that we can............"live" with. If we adopt a wait and see, non-interference policy, we may well be inviting a host of 9-11 style incidents

I have the key to peace in the Middle East. The key gentlemen is so simple, yet so beautiful. The key will bring the Jews, Muslims and Christians all together as one. The key will certainly make all of radical Islam realize that, at least some of what they have been taught, is wrong. Yes gentlemen, the key to peace in our lifetime is.......BACON. If we could just get the radical Islamists and Jews to try a wonderful few pieces of thick cut bacon, then they would realize that we all do have something in common. BACON=PEACE. Think about it.

Bacon..................hmmm. Is there anything it cannot fix???????

I have the key to peace in the Middle East. The key gentlemen is so simple, yet so beautiful. The key will bring the Jews, Muslims and Christians all together as one. The key will certainly make all of radical Islam realize that, at least some of what they have been taught, is wrong. Yes gentlemen, the key to peace in our lifetime is.......BACON. If we could just get the radical Islamists and Jews to try a wonderful few pieces of thick cut bacon, then they would realize that we all do have something in common. BACON=PEACE. Think about it.But isn't the fact that neither Jews nor Muslims actually eat bacon mean that they have at least something in common?

If you had said pie, I think we'd all be in agreement.

I know it's really cynical, but after 9/11 when the Iraq crisis was heating up, I thought we should have told Saddam, "Let's let bygones be bygones and cooperate. You don't like the Islamic radicals and neither do we. Maybe we can do business again." He was a really bad guy, but the Islamic militants are worse.

That would be nice in a perfect world, but can you imagine the diplomatic crises that would ensue from nations like Kuwait and Saudi Arabia?

Plus, I got the feeling that Bush wasn't the biggest Saddam fan out there.

Although, I do understand what you are saying SGG. It seems like most Iraqis, even those who were borderline fanatical, were so afraid of Saddam's secret police that they would have never dared to meet up to plan out bombing campaigns or kidnappings.

So I think it would be safe to say that we have emboldened the insurgence mainly because we don't employ tactics used by dictators like him (at least out in the open).