And despite our military presence and these damnable no-bid contracts, it ain't fixed yet.
We must fix it. We owe it to the Iraqis. Our careless and unjust and otherwise hideous invasion was the start of a whole new world of problems for their people and their country. We can't leave until after we've repaired our own damage.
On the other hand, we're continuing to inflict damage every day that we stay there. How many Iraqis have died? At least 30 thousand by most estimates, and many of them died as a direct result of our continuing air strikes.
How many of our own US soldiers have died? As of Nov. 18, 2,085. How many wounded? It's approaching 16,000. Meanwhile, the current administration involuntarily extends their tours of duty and tries to cut their military benefits, not to mention the government's apparent inability to provide the troops with adequate equipment.
Is our need to clean up our own mess worth the price we pay? Is there a way to clean up the mess without paying that price? Will even a change of leadership in America at this point keep our troops and Iraqi civilians alive and out of mortal danger?
What is to be done?
If you're expecting an answer to that question and to the ones preceding it, I can't give them to you. Can we leave? Should we? I don't know. There is no easy answer.
Let me say that again, for the benefit of the diehard hawks and desperately committed doves. There is no easy answer. Will staying in Iraq fix its problems and ours? Will pulling out?
Again, I really don't know. And, respectfully, I don't think you do either.
Edited: nd
Article comments
1 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
Your problem, Mike, is that you don't know how to be a good imperialist. You have a conscience.
Imperialists destroy other people's countries and leave if they have to, leaving only self congratulatory notes for the world to read. The British did that in the Middle East, and not long ago, a British ambassasdor type referred to this nation as "that shitty little country."
No apologies for screwing up the destinies of Jews and Arabs and playing a significant role in the death of 6,000,000 Jews (the Brits kept Jews from entering the country from 1939 to 1948). Just self-righteous arrogance.
Right now your nation is in the place that Britain used to occupy. The United States is presently the premier super-power on the planet. Enjoy it while you can. It won't be long.
By the way, the piece was well written.
2 - Michael J. West
Thank you, Ruvy. I only wish a conscience was enough to answer all these questions...
3 - Temple Stark
A section editor pointed your way as a pick of the 11-19/11-25 week. Click HERE to find out why.
Cheers. Temple