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How Freedom for Iraq Pains the Left
by mpress | July 24, 2008 at 12:00 pm | 592 views | 50 comments
Op-Ed -- Ever since the start of the Iraq war the leftists have done nothing but throw monkey wrenches and hatred towards the American men and women who have volunteered to put their lives on the line to fight the savage enemy of radical Islam. The Left called American soldiers mercenaries, murderers, stupid, terrorists, you name it and the Left insulted it. They covered the carnage by the radical Islamic terror masters with a sick glee with network anchors salivating about the impending Bush defeat in Iraq. Now that the left has failed to deliver America a defeat in Iraq they are all worried about Afghanistan.
Barack Obama still can not come to grips that Iraq is turning out to be a great victory for America over the radicals who were trying to take power away from the Iraqi people. He still says he would have been against the surge! How can that make sense? What is it about Iraq that has the Left so pained? The fact that it has taken the Americans 4 years to train 500,000 Iraqi soldiers to defend themselves is amazing, but more amazing is the sabotage perpetrated by those on the left during this whole period desperate for Bush to be declared a failure. It proves that the Left was more interested in the defeat of Bush than the lives of the Iraqi people who were dying along with Americans to defeat the scum that was infesting the streets of Iraq. If Obama does win the election it will be so much fun to see the same people who trashed Americas military all of a sudden become hawks and back Obama on the use of American power...mpress
You think the Iraq war was bad? It could have been worse. In fact, let’s look at how much was accomplished before the surge.
- Saddam’s regime was ousted in about one month, with relatively few US fatalities and limited Iraqi civilian fatalities. Since April of 2003, the operation has been one of countering the ruthless insurgents, often foreign and al-qaida, while assisting the greater Iraqi population to be self-governing.
- Israel, Saudi Arabia and other countries were not drawn into the conflict. The war did not spread throughout the region. In fact, the conflict was largely confined to five provinces within Iraq.
- The two months of highest US troop fatalities occurred in 2004 and the rate appeared to be falling until about 2006 (an election year — coincidence?).
- Multiple Iraqi elections were held by the end of 2005. The transitional authority was replaced with an Iraqi-run government elected by the Iraqi people under an Iraqi-written constitution.
- Iraq’s GDP grew from $20.5B (US dollars) in 2002 to $34.5B in 2005, an increase of 68% in those first three years of US presence, despite the setback of the initial war itself.
- Crude oil production was back above 2 million barrels per day by October 2003, or at least 80% of the pre-war peak, and would remain at or above that level for most months thereafter.
- Electricity generation exceeded pre-war levels by 2004. Nationwide, the average hours of electricity available per day would be higher than the pre-war level by early 2004.
- The number of registered cars more than doubled from pre-war to October 2005. Telephone subscribers went from 833,000 pre-war to over 4 million in 2005. Internet subscribers went from 4,500 pre-war to over 147,000 by March 2005.
- Commercial TV, radio and independent newspapers and magazines went from zero pre-war to 44, 91, and 294, respectively, by December 2005.
- The number of children enrolled in middle and high schools increased by 27% from 2002 to 2005.
- The number of Iraqi security troops went from under 9,000 in May 2003 to over 200,000 by the end of 2005, and in increasing states of readiness. source
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July 24, 2008 at 12:00 pm by mpress, 592 views, 50 comments
Author
Crowd Power
mpress
Miami Beach, Florida, United States
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Comments (50)
at 12:52 on July 24th, 2008
mpress, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 20:35 on July 24th, 2008
Freedom at what cost?
http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/iraq/iraqdeaths.html
Mpress: Iraq is turning out to be a great victory for America over the radicals...
If 5% of the entire American population were dead would you still call it a "great victory"?
at 20:54 on July 24th, 2008
Thanks for the numbers you pulled out of the sky which are only 1,210,000 off..close but no ribbon..
at 22:42 on July 24th, 2008
Actually that number is correct mpress, you can find it on the UN site even on the Pentagon info!
at 22:48 on July 24th, 2008
yes the UN is so reliable isn't it?
at 03:36 on July 25th, 2008
Would you say the same about the Pentagon? Why I gave you both to look up since I knew your anther would be as above! Be well!
at 16:09 on July 24th, 2008
Ah, those darn leftist. Recent poll in Marine Times finds that 36% of military members associate as Democrat, 48% as Republican, and the rest as other or independent. This poll, which has tipped toward Republicans in greater numbers in the past, reveals a shift in dynamics. So if you use that number, you can say that you have somewhere around 400,000 members of the military who are Democratic. Some of which have lost their lives in the name of their country and defending its honor. Are you calling them cowards? Do you think they are appeasing? What about the Democratic veterans in congress, or the Fighting Dems, or the IAVA (not the Iraq Veterans Against War), or other numerous organizations headed by Democrats who have opposed the war in Iraq? Have you served in uniform, have you had to carry a rifle in 120 degree blazing sun, have you seen the streets of Baghdad, Fallujah, Kabul, or Kandahar? I want to put partisan stuff aside here, and break it down to you. It's not a left or right position. Walter Jones, Republican representative of North Carolina, who represents the largest Marine Corps base on the east coast has switched his position on the war. Former generals have voiced their opposition to the war. Are these people cowards? I want you to give me an answer on this. Were the soldiers in 2004 who cast their vote for John Kerry cowards or anti-American, how about the ones who sent in their absentee ballot, and died three months later, were they un-American? Is Senator Webb, who's son was in Iraq when he was campaigning, anti-American? This isn't a left or right position, this an argument of ideology and opinion. It is Americans like you that make me not want to serve any more. It is Americans like you that make me feel like all Democrats should get out of the military, so we can live up to your idea of what the "left" really is. But if that happened you would surely be overran by that same hateful ideology that you speak out against. You think about that next time you hear about a U.S. casualty or KIA, you ask yourself if he was a Democrat, Republican, left, or right, and then you judge him according to your preconceived notions and misperceptions.
at 16:19 on July 24th, 2008
Careful V-rod you're using facts rather than raw emotions and vacuous insults!
Bravo, I couldn't have said it better myself! It is so good to hear from someone over in Kandahar, in the thick of it, rather than the arm chair generals sitting with a beer in front of the TV, safe at home, screaming KILL, KILL at the screen. Your facts and logic completely destroys the pretentious posturing of those who mindlessly bash those who are on the left of the political spectrum. I have great admiration and respect for you!
You are an example of what I consider a real American to be, and restore some of my faith in the future for your once great country, and thus the potential for the future of humanity.
at 16:26 on July 24th, 2008
V Rod The leftists in America have done nothing but sabotage the mission. If you think otherwise we disagree..
at 22:48 on July 24th, 2008
The irony is that every one gets called a lefty that can not agree with you! Some what very narrow minded, don't you think so?
at 16:40 on July 24th, 2008
mpress,
"sabotage: a secret operation or act, esp. one carried out by an insider, to damage property, obstruct operations, undermine negotiations, or the like."
Nothing secret or insider about the leftists opposition to the wars. They are totally out front with it which is in keeping with their rights and responsibilities under the Constitution of the USA and the Bill of Rights.
at 16:43 on July 24th, 2008
So you are calling the a great portion of troops and veterans cowards? That is where we disagree.
There are MANY who believe Iraq was a pointless war, and without it, we would be better off. That is something you may disagree with. Have you any clue the infrastructure damage done? I was extended in Iraq due to elections.........and can tell you turnout was very low. I can go on and debunk or dispute much of what you said. You wanna talk about the last six months of the surge and not the last five years. That is a little ironic, considering General Shinseki said it would take many more troops, Bush I didn't invade Iraq because it would have taken too much, military doctrine stressed the need for more troops in the beginning. So it was the right that bungled the war in the beginning.
I don't appreciate you call my fallen brothers and sisters cowards, and saying they "sabotaged the mission." That is un-American.
at 16:48 on July 24th, 2008
Whether you agree with the mission or not your job is to follow orders. So if your are really in the military like you say then you should know that there is and has been sabotage of your own mission in America by Americans. Maybe you suffer from the fog of war and haven't realized it..
at 17:00 on July 24th, 2008
mpress,
"Maybe you suffer from the fog of war and haven't realized it.."
That is an "ad hominem" attack and directly against the flaming policy that Amy doubtless directed you to read again.
at 05:40 on July 25th, 2008
And I believed the USA was still a democracy! I must have been wrong all those Years! Fallow Orders? You got to be kidding!
at 16:52 on July 24th, 2008
I do have a petition to reinstate the draft, would you sign it? I'd like all you makeshift "patriots" to volunteer yourselves for the worthy cause you defend. How cool would it be to hear rockets wizz by at night, or worry about being shot on a daily basis?!
And thank you, moon. I am truly an American patriot. I believe in helping other nations, but not intervening in their business. I believe in supporting humanitarian causes and striking back only when necessary. I am against colonial imperialism and puppet Democracies.
at 17:02 on July 24th, 2008
V_rod,
"I am truly an American patriot. I believe in helping other nations, but not intervening in their business. I believe in supporting humanitarian causes and striking back only when necessary. I am against colonial imperialism and puppet Democracies."
Do you think you could go back home and run for Federal office soon?
at 16:59 on July 24th, 2008
Once again, rambling from an anti-American person. This is so great, anybody that doesn't agree with you just call them anti-American. Now I know why the right loves to use this.
I follow orders well, as I have really good career, and have served in Iraq. I will follow orders as I am told.
at 17:13 on July 24th, 2008
It's kinda like the way "anti-semite" gets misused isn't it?
at 17:14 on July 24th, 2008
Calling me Anti American is proof to me you may not be what you claim to be..It would not be the first time an Anti American posed on the net as an American soldier...
at 17:25 on July 24th, 2008
mpress,
To clarify:
What V_rod said was:
"I don't appreciate you call my fallen brothers and sisters cowards, and saying they "sabotaged the mission." That is un-American." So he did not say you were anti-American. He said that anyone accusing troops in the field who have their lives on the line of sabotaging the mission, simply because they are lefties and Democrats is un-American.
And you are conducting another "ad hominem" attack on this contributor, which is, by definition, flaming.
at 17:36 on July 24th, 2008
You are a disturbance moonwolf to debate. please take your accusations to a different post and kindly stop filler busting my posts thanks..
at 18:33 on July 24th, 2008
Actually debates are about facts and all I did was re-state them with a direct quote from you.
Tell me. How does this statement (below) by you constitute any part of, or contribute to a debate? What facts or refutation did you share, what opinions or new information focused on your original story?
"Calling me Anti American is proof to me you may not be what you claim to be..It would not be the first time an Anti American posed on the net as an American soldier..."
I am sorry if you disagree but it is you who interferes with real debate.
And as for being here I have every right to be. If you post an article you put it out there for comment. That is the format of this site.
By the way, the term is spelled filibuster, or as applied to you sentence the intransitive verb filibustering is correct.
at 17:02 on July 24th, 2008
I do hope to achieve that goal one day. Thank you. Do you think he will sign my petition? Haha.
at 17:05 on July 24th, 2008
When you do, I have many American friends, and providing I am still alive, and you have not been corrupted by the process, I will "rally the troops". Count on it.
He is over the age of the draft so probably would sign! (:D)
at 17:40 on July 24th, 2008
moonwolf please if you wish to carry out a private conversation with VRod do it in private out of respect to me and those who wish to comment thanks...
at 18:19 on July 24th, 2008
Point taken, thanks.
at 17:07 on July 24th, 2008
I will never be corrupted, as I continue to educate myself beyond Fox News and American propoganda television.
at 17:15 on July 24th, 2008
mpress, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 18:37 on July 24th, 2008
mpress, please add opinion to this story's headline, as you did with your previous story today.