What have we gained by invading Iraq?

[rjung]

*Originally posted by ccwaterback *
Just looking for some opinions here. I myself see nothing, nada, zip gained from invading Iraq.

I can think of one – Haliburton has an open-ended, $9-billion-a-year contract for doing unspecified(*) work in post-war Iraq.

(* = That’s unspecified as in “they get paid for whatever they do, even if it’s nothing,” not “we haven’t figured out what they need to do yet”)

I can probably come up with a pretty lengthy list of negatives, but NO positives, not a single one.

Speaks volumes, doesn’t it?

[ccwaterback]

*Originally posted by Dinsdale *
**If we so desire, we have a country in which we can place military bases on a (semi)-permanent basis.

We have some measure of control over a major producer’s production of oil.

Several large US corporations will enjoy large reconstruction contracts.

We were able to test out military weapons and tactics under live-fire conditions. **

All this sounds like is we are the biggest bully on the block. I’m not sure about the long term consequences of that type of behavior.

[mark24c]

Very prescient thread

[Omar_Little]

@ccwaterback

Just looking for some opinions here. I myself see nothing, nada, zip gained from invading Iraq. I can probably come up with a pretty lengthy list of negatives, but NO positives, not a single one.

@friedo

Though not of direct benefit to the US,

1. One of the most brutal and disgusting regimes in the world is now mostly gone.

2. If we’re lucky and handle things well, Iraq will become a prosperous and free democracy.

As for things that benefit us directly,

1. Iraq is not going to be invading any neighboring countries (which we would then have to defend) anymore, nor launching missiles at Israel.

2. Since Saddam’s government is now gone, Iraq will be able to engage in full international trade without sanctions again, which is good for everybody.

3. We scared the hell out of other dictatorial terrorist states.

It all certainly came at a high price though.

History will tell if the price was too high.

@ccwaterback

Thanks friedo, I have to agree with most of what you said there.

That’s a pretty quick about face on an issue someone was so passionate about…26 minutes…and Zombie no less!

[carnivorousplant]

We got the guy who tried to kill the President’s Dad!

[Zsofia]

@Walloon

If the country makes war on two of its neighbors, resulting in over a quarter million deaths, and if the country is known to have developed weapons of mass destruction (UN, 1991) and is developing a nuclear weapons program (UN, 1991), and if human rights organizations find that over 300,000 of the country’s own citizens have disappeared.

… so, North Korea?

[Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker]

@Zsofia

… so, North Korea?

I sure as heck hope he doesn’t answer!

[Lukeinva]

@ccwaterback

OK, that’s one I didn’t think of. Should be now seek out other countries where torture is prevalent and oust their leaders too?

And this would be bad why? Some think the US is not the ‘big brother’ for the world but isn’t it worse to stand idly by why a tyrant treats his own people horribly? Countries whose people cannot stand up for themselves?

[carnivorousplant]

@Lukeinva

And this would be bad why? Some think the US is not the ‘big brother’ for the world but isn’t it worse to stand idly by why a tyrant treats his own people horribly?

I am not being sarcastic, I am generally ignorant of the situation. Are people generally better off now in Iraq, or is a different group being harassed?

[Ryan_Liam]

The US talks to Iran alot more now than it did before the invasion. The US has gained insight that if you occupy a country, you don’t disband it’s army and you don’t do it half assed.