General Zod said:
While I see your point, and can understand where you're coming from, it's hard to be positive, even for a second, about this war. For starters, I think we can all agree, we shouldn't be there. Certainly not for the reasons we gave (WMDs, al-Queda connection).
I wholeheartedly disagree with the argument that we shouldn't be there - but at the same time I certainly understand the disillusionment based on the justifications for the war to begin with. I absolutely do not want to dwell on this particular point as it's an endless debate.
General Zod said:
Second, you and I, and every American alive, will be paying for this war for the rest of our lives.
Not if the ultimate effect is a free, democratic and stable Iraq. Granted it's been an extremely difficult war - but events like today can indeed be a spark in the right direction. Believe me though, I know that it's still a clusterfuck in every sense of the word.
General Zod said:
The whole planet now hates us.
A harsh generalization. I disagree, but am also realistic enough to acknowledge the vast amount of anti-American sentiment around the world. Much of it understandable, some of it force fed to people who do not have access to a free exchange of information.
General Zod said:
But more importantly, there are 2,489 American soldiers dead There are somewhere between 38,000 and 42,000 innocent Iraqi civilians dead. And obviously, both numbers are steadily climbing. And as I said earlier, as the situation in Haditha snowballs, the violence will only escalate.
If you believe in what the troops are accomplishing you have to take the bad with the good. I'm of the belief that thousands more Iraqi lives can be saved in the future if the mission in Iraq is accomplished. Again, I'm under no illusion and acknowledge how difficult that's going to be.
General Zod said:
The argument can actually be made, that the war in Iraq has weakened, not strengthened, our bargaining position with Iran. Both they and we recognize, we lack the troops to even consider going into Iran. So any sabre rattling we do, is merely that.
But we're doing much more than "sabre rattling". We're working with the UN, acknowledging that face to face talks with Iran are possible, and crippling a terror network in Iraq that (both you and I know) has received plenty of support from Iran, who do not want a democratic Iraq as it will greatly weaken their position of strength.
Another important point - Zarqawi has come out strong against the Shiite Muslims in Iraq recently in an effort to continue the chaos and try to bring about a formal Civil War. This strategy has angered enough Sunni Muslims (who see the U.S. as the real infidels) to actually become disinfranchised with his tactics, enough so that some of them actually ratted him out to Iraqi and Jordanian authorities, who helped the U.S. take him down. How does this relate to the Iran situation? The more united Iraq becomes, the less influence Iran will have - a situation that will back them into a corner more than ever. I personally see Iran moderating their position more and more in the future.
General Zod said:
To bring up the price of gas, as some sort of positive, in relation to the war, is a little crazy. Gas was $1.32 a gallon in 2002, and is averaging $2.68 through 2006.
Certainly a valid point - however, I'm taking the half glass full approach in that as far as right now is concerned, if gas costs less today than it did yesterday, I'm happy in the short term. In addition, it's been stated that the Iraqi oil pipeline network is safer today than it was yesterday, as Zarqawi and his network of thugs have been responsible for much of the fires set to the network in the past few years. A more stable pipeline network in Iraq will help ease the market fears. We're not talking $1.32 a gallon, but it's a start.
General Zod said:
As for Zarqawi, he was merely fighting for what he believes in. Obviously, we don't agree with him or his methods, but we've killed way more innocent people than Zarqawi or Bin Laden. As I heard it recently said, war is terrorism with a bigger budget.
Of course you're certainly entitled to your opinion, but I can't think of Zarqawi as someone "merely" fighting for what he believed in. To me, he didn't care who he killed as long as it kept enough fear in people to follow him. His methods and tactics made him a subhuman animal and in the end even some of his strongest supporters turned on him.
General Zod said:
No problem... you know I respect your opinion.
And I of course, respect yours as well. I only wish there were a way to work towards resolving all the issues facing the world in a way that unites us all. I seriously hate how polarized we've all become. At the end of the day, you, me, JK, Lizard, cthulufhagn, NAD and everyone else can at least celebrate what we do have in common by sharing a few drinks over some great music, comparing notes on the hot waitress in the process.
Concentrating on the little things that we do have in common, is indeed a step in the right direction.
Jason
