Do the members here not consist of male and female. Don't think this a politically biased forum. Are we not random in age and nationality?

How is this a poor sample?

 

Seems quite obvious that there is a preponderance of conservatives on this site.. like taking a survey of rash limbo or shrill o'really fans. Even some conservatives are against this invasion & occupation of Iraq.

 

No I think it is quite the opposite. There are more males than females and generally speaking (digging myself a hole here) HHR buyers are of a higher age bracket than the average age in the American population (I in no way mean that in a bad way, so don't take offense to it). There you go, now you have a biased (piss poor) sample.

EDIT: I'd also be willing to be that there are far more Caucasian males than any other race/sex on this board, but I could be wrong (and have been before).

 

Sample? Some members joined this site to discuss HHR's!
I dident join here to discuss politics but do not mind a side distraction/discussion every now and then.

 

I just finished up an interesting book about the situation in Afghanistan. The book is "Ghost Wars" by Steve Coll. It documents the U.S. political policies and covert operations from the late 70's during the Russian - Afghanistan War until Sept. 10, 2001. I recommend it to anybody who wants to try and figure out how we got to where we are.

 

I just voted. This post was rehashed by Airborne's post on 3-25 so I'll give my opinion. Saddam was the modern day Hitler. He commited genocide, supported terrorists, and tested new bio weaponry on the same people he comitted geoncide on. Ask yourself if you think we did the right thing in WW2 when we fought Hitler. Then ask youself if the people Saddam had in his sights needed the same protection we afforded the people of Jewish faith during WW2. The answer is yes in my opinion. Many people will say, "But its different. Times have changed."
I say that if someone is being mugged and you witness it and do nothing to help, your as guilty as the person commiting the crime. We as a nation have an obligation to help those less fortunate then we are...... BUT we should have taken care of this during the first Gulf war. Sept 11 gave the Pres a great excuse to take care of the things that Bush 1 didnt get a chance to.

I served during Desert Storm. My wife served in Afganastan during Enduring Freedom. I Fully and whole heartedly support the brave men and women of this country who put their lives on the line every day to ensure the freedoms we take for granted.

I'm amazed when I look around sometimes. Our country is still at war and its as if nothing is happening outside our safe little boxes. This is the exact reason that we need to be in Iraq right now. To ensure that the people of that country can live as we do today. We gain an ally, and show the other countrys with leaders like Saddam that we are ever vigiliant against the evils that have and will be performed.

I'm sorry about the rant but this is a VERY touchy subject with me.

hope my opinions can change some of your minds. But if not thats alright too..... its of the many freedoms we enjoy in our fine country.

 

You need to do some WW2 research. There is a huge difference between WW2 and this BS in Iraq. The difference is like night and day and it has nothing to do with times changing. Our entering WW2 had nothing to do with Hitler’s treatment of the Jews. If you look back at all the reasons for WW2 Hitler’s treatment of the Jews isn't even on the list. We didn't fight WW2 to save Germany's people from themselves. Really bad comparison. Saddam and Hitler are nowhere near the same league. Saddam committed genocide but he doesn't even hold a candle to Hitler. How much of Europe did Saddam conquer? I don't think you'll change anyone’s mind giving illogical comparisons like that.

 

I started to write a reply that turned into a book - so I erased it and started again.

The war in Iraq was a mistake. Yes, the US convinced Tony Blair of the merits of the mission, but UN approval should have been sought. You know, that same UN who approved of Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan). Why is it that Canadian troops are fighting in Afghanistan against the Taliban, but did not join in the invasions of Iraq? The Canadian Forces have played key roles in every major conflict from WW1 to the present day. Korea, Cyprus, Yugoslavia, you name it and Canadian troops were there. What makes Iraq so unique?

Iraq has always been the counterpoint to Iran. A secular president in an area dominated by religion. A country oppressed - that is for sure - but one that in some sick way added some stability to the region. So with the FUD of WMD hanging in the air the Anglo-American force smashed through the border and decimated the Iraqi Army. Now what? Sunnis and Shiites (with a smattering of Christians) are now free to try to establish their own control of the region. Does this sound familiar? Josip Tito ring a bell? Iraq was destined to become just like Yugoslavia, but far worse. In Yugo, there were old alliances that were leveraged to obtain peace (Croatia/Germany, Serbia/Russia, Bosnian Muslims/Turkey). For those keeping track, UN involvement started in 1992 and NATO troops are STILL peacekeeping there! Yep a nice round 15-year anniversary was celebrated in February 2007.

Perhaps taken in that light one should look at the war as if it were two parts. The removal of Saddam was step 1, now we have the harder step. If Yugoslavia has taken 15 years WITH cooperation from surrounding nations, how long will step 2 in Iraq take? And why didn’t the UK/US realize this BEFORE the invasion? Now they get to stay and try to mop up the mess that caused, and who gets to pay for it? Regular Americans and Brits just like you and me who volunteered to serve their country. Countries run by idiots who didn’t want to pick up a history book and who never have to pay for their actions. That payment is being made by Private Bloggins.

I can only think of one thing:

“Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”

For the record – this is WAY shorter than the post I was going to make.

 

Sorry, I didn't have time to read all the prior posts but there's been an ongoing debate in our local paper on whether you can support the troops without supporting the war. They also question how long it will take for the terrorists to attack on US soil if we leave the middle east too soon.

I support the troops and my coworkers wholeheartedly. If and when they say it's a lost cause, I will support a pull out. Yes, many mistakes were made during this administration and those prior regarding the middle east. But does anyone have a real solution? I doubt it!

 

This is very simple....just where do you want to fight this war? Yes we, and the rest of the world, are in a war. Do you want to take it to them where they live, or, would you rather them take it to where we live? They started it...I only hope we have the courage to finish it!! THAT'S ALL I GOT TO SAY. GOOD BYE!!!

Pat