Originally posted by JaTo:

I've been more than just a bit disappointed about the ransackings and sites left unmonitored by the US, I'll give you that. ...Reconstruction is an iterative process; only a FOOL would pretend to precisely know what would be needed in terms of capital, resources and time! only a FOOL would pretend to precisely know what would be needed in terms of capital, resources and time!



No doubt. But this is just an example of how we could've benefited from taking more time to correctly plan for the issues. The direction of progress in Iraq is more difficult to change once it's started on the wrong path. We're now seeing just some of the repercussions of the shoot first ask questions later policy.

Originally posted by JaTo:

We are going to the UN for assistance (they'll pony up; it's just a matter of time). Other countries are lending assistance outside the UN charter, though as is typical, it's few and far between.



I suspect the assistance we're looking for will be much more difficult to come by due to the administrations effective finger to the rest of the world when we first went into Iraq without UN support even though their support didn't matter then, but it does now. As a result WE are having to pony up the money to keep things going in Iraq and how much will it balloon to!! Talk about investing in everyone else's future but your own.


Originally posted by JaTo:

LMAO! Nope, Afghanistan CERTAINLY wasn't involved in propping up Al-Qaeda! And as much as I hate to admit it, we are safer Stateside than before, as US troops in Iraq make for a much more promising and accessible target.




You must be joking. Do you think we've destroyed or severely handicapped terrorists organizations, their recruiting, or potential funding? Only a fool would believe that Al-Qaeda exists only in Afghanistan.

"...the questions still remain. Has the threat of attack by terrorists (which are affiliated with an organization and not a specific country or gov) really been reduced by the war?"

You cannot answer or speculate on this. It is yet to be seen.


Originally posted by JaTo:

We could go over the weapons issue till the cows come home.



The important point is THAT'S THE REASON WE WENT TO WAR!. And we still can't account for the wmds nor do we know where they are or who might have them now. Before we knew or had a very good inkling they were still in Iraq. Right?


btw...I think we're headed off on a tangent from the original topic of this thread.

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