Some questions that need to be answered.

myself | today | Stavka2

[Stavka2]

I don't write vanities, not normally not ever, but there's a first for everything. Here's a list of questions I want answered and most Americans should too.

1. Why hasn't the upcoming Iraqi war been publically debated?
2. Why hasn't Congress done it's job on the war?
3. What are the actual costs going to be to the taxpayers of this war, and I don't been some ball park figures but detailed cost estimates? Best/worst case scenarios?
4. Where is the money coming from?
5. How much largeness will the US oil companies and defense industries receive from this war?
6. What happens if the Iraqi oil fields are destroyed and what will be the cost of reopenning them?
7. What will be the cost of rebuilding Iraq and what is/if there is the plan for this?
8. What exact form of government will replace Iraqi Saddam/Batha rule?
9. Why is the US negotiating with Iranian mullahs for the government, members of the very organization it opposes in Iran?
10. Why is the US negotiating with exiled Iraqi generals who have human rights records worse then Saddam, to include "The Chemist"?
11. What happens if Kurdistan declares independence...will this be supported?
12. What happens if Turkey invades Kurdistan and begins a whole sale slaughter?
13. What happens if Iran invades southern Iraq?
14. Since Saddam is such a mad dog and has had chemical weapons for over twenty years, why hasn't he launched them on Israel?
15. How will taking out Saddam, a socialist, make the US safer from Islamic terrorists financed by Saudi Arabia and various other emerites?
16. Why have the Saudies been allowed to amass WMD and over 100 missiles?
17. What is the end state in Afghanistan?
18. What happens if Taliban launches offensives during Iraqi war? Where will reinforcements come from since all three participating divisions will also be in Iraq?
19. How much is the US willing to spend to rebuild Afghanistan?
20. What happens if Pakistan goes rouge and has nukes?
21. Why have oil prices been allowed to climb up to the highest point in 2 years and retail had its worst season in 30 years.
22. Why are foreign software engineers still being hired and imported at autrocious rates while domestic workers sit in unemployement?
23. Why are Mexicans still being supported as illegals in the US?
24. Why is the federal government still pushing for billingual services to these illegals?
25. Why was NATO enlargement not even debated seriously, when this causes the US to willingly go to nuclear war for countries such as Romania. When this will cost the tax payer twice as much as last time, to the tune of $65 billion dollars, to subsidize the US military industry in selling systems to poor countries.
26. Why are US troops still in the Balkins and the US is still backing the KLA?
27. Why is the US still giving money to Arafat?
28. Why is the US still spending globs of money, around $10 billion/year, defending Saudi Arabia when it refuses to cooperate with the US?
29. Why are anti Chavez, pro democracy demonstrators not receiving any help?
30. Why is the Zimbabwean anti Communist opposition not receiving any help?
31. Why did the Rumsfield inquiry into waste, fraud and abuse in the US military and National Guard come to such a sudden halt?
32. Why is air safety in US airports just as much of a joke still as it was before?

Just a few questions that no one is seeming to ask since it's a Republican run show and not democRats.

[goorala]

Because that's not how the US government works. We already elected them to represent our interests, not come running to us every time there is a decision to make. They are supposed to understand the situation better than we do, and make the right choices. That is why we elect them.

As for "public debate". I hear this asked a lot, but how is this supposed to happen? On the sunday morning talk shows? Most on the peacenik side seem incapable of little more than rhetoric, much less debate

[fnord]

It is a common error of the small mind to mistake dumb (or obtuse, irrelevant, nonsensical, meaningless, etc.) questions for tough ones; however, it does feed their egos ...

[riversarewet]

Why hasn't the upcoming Iraqi war been publically debated?

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I do not understand what you mean by publically debated, but it seems to me that it has been the topic of conversation where I am, and it has certainly been in the news, and it seems to me congress gave President the go ahead to do something, so just where do you want this debate to take place, and between whom?

As far as your question on cost goes, just when in the history of the world, let alone the United States any government has been able to determine the cost of a military action.

Your question, if I had never read any of your other post and I have, gives away your point of view. You disagree with the pending action. Ok.

As someone else pointed out, many of your questions have been asked and answered, even if you do not agree with the answers (and I am not going to do your work for you, look up the answers yourself). Also, once again, we have a republic form of government, that is we elect people to represent us and to make decisions. If we do not like what they do, we have two choices, wait until the next election to vote them out of office or to impeach them.

As this administration continues to have a high approval rate from the citizens, it would appear we are overall happy with the decisions being made.

Lots of luck in getting your questions answered.

[riversarewet]

That is the only way to form an opinion. The hyperbole without reason just increases the confusion of the attacker. It seems there are few valid arguments that the warhawks can mount in the debate.

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Ok, you answer the questions.

[snippy_about_it]

...and for Christmas I'd like to start deciding who, what, when, where and why my tax dollars go where they go.

[Smokin' Joe]

No matter. No plan survives contact with the enemy.

[riversarewet]

the duty of the government to provide the voters and paying public with answers to questions that it is avoiding giving.

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I have never heard of such a duty, just where is it written that it is the duty of the government to provide voters and paying (are you descriminating against the poor) public with answers.

Is it in the Consitution?

How many press conferences did George Washington have?

[roderick]

Have we forgotten that Al Queda, Iraq, Iranian mullahs, and the PLO have publicly declared war on the US?

Only hardcore leftists or harder core libertarians would get flustered over a foreign policy that hopes to eradicate central asia of these threats to the western world.

[fnord]

Excuse me if I was a little short with you. Everybody is entitled to their opinion, and their hobby.

One of the constants of America is that there will always be those who are willing to defend her against the evils of the world. Luckily we have a leader now who recognizes the need for such action.

There is a coming battle in the desert. There are 2 ways to be blinded by the sand: head up and eyes open as we face the forces of evil, or eyes shut and head buried in the sand. You seem to have made your choice.

But do not fear so, little one. There will always be brave men and women willing to make the ultimate sacrifice so others can debate in safety.

[ricpic]

G. Washington admonished us to avoid foreign entanglements. Every question on your list, relates in one way or another, to our failure to heed that advice.
Was it inevitable that America would move from a republic jealously guarding it's liberty, to an empire (albeit one still retaining republican traits) entangled in all kinds of unsavory situations? Probably. Now that we ARE an empire, we have to live with the problems that come with empire.
Sometimes there is no way out of a dilemma, other than to face it, head on. The nature (and fanaticism) of our enemies is such, that we must aggresively confront and defeat them. Will this be messy? Of course. But what is the alternative?

[BigStick]

Have we forgotten that Al Queda, Iraq, Iranian mullahs, and the PLO have publicly declared war on the US?

I don't forget anything, unfortunately. I also recall that the US invested in all of these political entities/regimes in some fashion over the years enabling them to become what they are now. And given cause and effect, what is your point then now? Maybe that we were misguided from the get go?

Only hardcore leftists or harder core libertarians would get flustered over a foreign policy that hopes to eradicate central asia of these threats to the western world.

Nice try. I'm not flustered. There are no seals on my eyes. So, given your failure to pigeon hole me "politically," what's your next best shot? HINT: I'm not partial to terrorism of any stripe.

[meenie]

You've just answered my statement. Don't you think there are any issues besides Iraq____I-R-A-Q_____IIIIIIII_RRRRRRRRR_AAAAAAAAA_QQQQQQQQ ?????.......

[Stavka2]

Well, as far as ratings, the Klintoon administration also enjoyed high degrees of public support to the tune of two elections...and that proves what?

For the most part, I wouldn't call this debate and I wouldn't exactly say that the President has done much of a job to sell this war to the public. Congress, outside of what it did is unconstitutional, gave the go ahead for Afghanistan, this is something new. As far as being in the news, yes it has, along with polls showing most Americans are not happy with the sales pitch.

This is getting about as much discussion as Bosnia, Yugoslavia and a number of other endless processes we are in.

[Stavka2]

Paying public is every American who pays taxes. So you consider it the right of the government to spend without input from the public? Just take the money and do what it pleases with it? How is that different from the liberal/democrats...oh that's right, it's compassionate conservatism.

[Stavka2]

No, actually, Iraq never declared war on the US, nor have the Palistinians. Hamas, Saudi Arabia (through it's funding and actions) have declared war. Yet who does the US protect? The fanatics.

[Stavka2]

Oh thanks a lot great savior, I happened to have spent 10 years in the US military. I've seen my fill of BS in the Balkans and other deployments. Yes, there is evil, yes it's in the desert, except everyone is looking in the opposite direction while that evil keeps dropping lots and lots of petro dollars into the pockets of US politicians and their election funds.

[1rudeboy]

George Washington admonished us to avoid a foreign entanglement with England, since he had just signed a treaty with France.

[1rudeboy]

Thanks for posting this list, and your replys that follow. Christmas is a time for friends and relativism.

[Gore_ War_ Vet]

Over here! I think I found a friend for you. ;-)

Hope you and yours are having a great Christmas and that all is well. JVb

J
Merry Christmas to you too!

We buried my dad on Thursday, he is at home with the Father now. Thank you for flagging me to this thread as you know I too, question our inevitable attack on Iraq. I fear that, aside from being wrong, our preemtive strike is misdirection and quite possibly counter-productive.

Mom taught me that just because Joey punched me in the eye, that doesn't give me the right to break into Tommy's house and smash all his toys. I watched Tom Clancy last night and he said he didn't think Iraq or North Korea were a credible threat to the US because:

These tyrants enjoy what they do, they like to be in charge and have demonstrated they would do anything to stay in power. They realize that to attack the US would result in thier immediate deaths which would make it difficult for them to stay in power.

I'm a big fan. #;o)

PS: I stole all this stuff here on FR from people much more talented than me.

Click the Pic

Special Christmas Greeting

MERRY CHRISTMAS

[Gore_ War_ Vet]

Oooops! See above.

I feel your pain. #;o)