Track this topic | Email this topic | Print this topic

I don't know, Afghanistan always seemed a legitimate cause to me. I mean, that IS where Al-Queda was located. And even though Canada took over, they are still the third largest force behind the U.S. and U.K. I'm not sure that constitues "cleaning up." While I can see that Canadians would be peeved over a war that they probably don't see as "theirs," I also read in a BBC article that public opinion is more or less favorable (last section). Of course, I'm not in Canada.

Besides that, I agree with points made by both Hamedo and Mertinatron. As far as public opinion goes, while it was low in most of the rest of the world a majority here supported the war at its outset. I think most of America has now come to the conclusion we went about this wrong, and I think that's had some effect. The question is now what? The Iraq study group seems to me a good group of people. James Baker, in particular, did a great job of rounding up international support for the Persian Gulf War. But Bush...I dunno, even today I heard on Fox News that if the Iraq study group supported a phased withdrawal that he would have none of it. The thing is, he's ultimately the one making the decisions and at some point he has to own up to the fact that the strategies of HIS people aren't working, and perhaps he should take some new advice.

I also think the opinions of vets should be given great weight, including those who were recently elected to Congress like Jim Webb (who has a kid over there). They are, after all, the ones actually fighting the battles, not us.

This post has been edited by MetroidMorphBall on 5th December 2006 05:28

I actually think public opinion counts above all else. That's what lost America Vietnam and it could happen again. Supposing the war continues for another 5 years - by then the people will be in complete uproar. MMB speaks the truth when he says that public opinion was for the war in the first place. Surely the same force that propelled us the war could pull us out.

--------------------

Scepticism, that dry rot of the intellect, had not left one entire idea in his mind.

Me on the Starcraft.