Some of the people looting told reporters they were going to sell the stuff they took. So while some stuff may be for personal use, other stuff no doubt is being taken as an exercise in private enterprise.

I don't pretend to have the answers, I only have personal opinions... just like the rest of you...

I have answers!!!

Hey you all...
Now that it seems like the big part of the war is over, What is going to happen to this thread?

I don't know...even well after this is over, and it still could be some time, there will likely be lot of things to still discuss.

» I have a feeling as time goes on, there will be many atrocities uncovered and worth mentioning...
» Or what France and Russia will do, now that Saddam's regime is over, where will they recoup the billions (between 7 and 8 to Russia) owed to them from that regime?
» Or the suicide vests marines are finding in Iraqi schools
» Or the possible WMD and Weapons grade plutonium being found.
» And lastly but likely not least, the stories of heroism on both sides.

I think a lot has been on Bush's mind at night, especially since the US was attacked by three planes and 3000 people died, because this happened on his watch. I think he feels that Hussein was in league with Osama Bin Laden. I think the alternative to doing nothing was too high a price, even though this war is also a high price. Who knows what he thinks at night, but that sure is a possibility.

Doreen: "they want the US out now another words "you got us our freedom now get the hell out)"
Did you expect anything else?

On this issue, i'm divided. On one hand, there needs to be a strong military presence that stays there for a while. A long while. Because the Shia revolution army is just waiting for the occasion to arise to overthrow the new governement and institute an Islamic government.
On the other hand, keeping a US military force in the country will only humumiate the Irakii and make them feel like they now are occupied and ruled by the US government.

Maybe what needs to be done is rebuild the all-Irakii army as soon as possible as well as a democratically elected government. The government and forces in place need to be able to defend itself against the civil war as well as against the possible foreign countries attacks (Syria, Turkey, Iran).

As for the humanitary aspect of the after war, most likely the U.N. will be given that mission.

"can't even patrol the US or feed the US or babysit the US"

I get so tired of statements like that. We are the fattest, laziest nation on Earth. People are *paid* not to work here, and even with that we only have around 5% unemployment. We have a national guard that dwarfs the military of most nations and a huge police population. Most of the world have no concept of 'minimum wage'.

My family has lived in Eastern Kentucky since the late 1700's, and for most of that time it has had the economic prosperity and political stability of a third world country. The "Oh, god, the economy is going to hell", "we just aren't safe anymore" bunch need to shot up; things ebb and flow, and this isn't even an ebb. What you should be saying is "The economy isn't swelling at the rate I want my standard of living to swell..." I can't drive for more than 5 minutes without being passed by a 30+ thousand dollar car. If we are seeing doom, it is because we don't remember what doom is.

People around the world who are really in need look at statements like that and have yet another reason to hate us.

I'm leaving for the rest of the weekend. No more messageboard foolishness.

Perhaps we can be thankful our schools don't have "suicide vests 101" as found in Iraqi schools:

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) U.S. marines have found an enormous cache of suicide bomb vests in an elementary school in central Baghdad. On the floor of the science classroom with a picture of Saddam Hussein on the green chalk board there lay nearly 50 black leather vests each packed with C4 explosives and ball bearings.

In a middle school less than 500 feet away Saturday, Marines displayed hundreds of crates filled with rocket propelled grenade launchers, surface to air missiles, shoulder launched rockets and ammunition.

In the first school, less than 20 feet from the nearest home, the suicide vests nearly covered the floor, sealed in plastic and still on hangers. Each powerful bomb weighed at least 20 pounds and was lined with long rectangular blocks of C4 explosives and hundreds of ball bearings. Wires ran through them.

More here:
http://www.boston.com/dailynews/102/world/Marines_discover_huge_cache_of:.shtml

And France too?

As for post #1594, well yes. Very sad.
I saw too in previous reports that he used schools to stock weapons; machine guns, amunitions, but also land mines and such. I guess the idea is that the US can't bomb schools. A good thing the schools were closed.

I mean Russia really wanted him in power so they couls get there billions of dollars.

Sorry, I don't get it. Why help him? i doubt it was offical help. Just a couple of guys who eat food with the guy and wanted to help there friend.



yes bakerstreet, I too, tire of the "we can't feed ourselves" comments. It is not so much that this is the richest country in the world, it is not because the government spands money elsewhere that people starve, it is because 1.5 percent of the people in America have most of the money.

We can't feed oursevles, have universal aid, and other things because of greed, not because the government spends money on other parts of the world.


People suffer in many places in this country, BUT keep in mind those same people have more of a chance to get help, care, jobs, and still for the most part live better than most people on the face of this planet.


Sooo I guess ignoring the plight of the world should go ignored, because there are hungry people here.

Ignore it until it finally comes to your front door, asking for help... or trying to take your life.


Yes it is ironic that war and billions of dollars are going to somewhere else instead of here. That is about all it has to stand on. It real basis is on humanity and greed and other wonderfully bad stuff as to why money is spent on bombs. Now that IS ironic.

Defending yourself because life is precious by killing the other person is Ironic. Being a right to life supporter and then being a capital punishment supporter is Ironic.

All of those things has to do with people and humanity, not government and countries. Ironicically, people make up those governments. Too bad when people get together the overall intellegence actually decreases and we become no better than animals or usually worst.

That is Ironic.

paxx, I didn't even click the links. I have heard those stories and then they just fade away. I find that while the air play of what is found gets attenion what doesn't is that they were proven false.

The school thing was something we knew about before we went in. No big deal there.

Russia? Who wasn't talking to Saddam? everybody had there time with Saddam at one time or another for what ever reasons. It would be embarrassing if it were true at this time that Russia was involved recently all the while protesting the resolution.


I wonder if they will find anything that America did while Bush was in office.... now that would be embarrassing...