Are we coming or going?

Submitted by Pat (United States), May 2, 2006 at 12:47

This essay seems to validate the opinions of those who believe that we never should have gone into Iraq in the first place. What future does democracy have in the Middle East if merely being seen as pro-Western renders a leader illegitimate? It suggests the US might be better off if we forget that area of the world even exists.

Muslims have an aversion to non-Muslims interfering in their sovereignty, but they also complain when we DON"T get involved. What do they want? Saudis didn't want US soldiers on their territory, but they had no problem when they were threatened by Saddam. Today Iraqis are offended by the presence of American soldiers, but they oppose a blanket pullout. Now the UN is trying to get America involved in the Darfur region of Sudan. Expect such a foolhardy decision to result in Muslim press once again claiming that the infidel West in engaged in a war on Islam..

The "hugs obscure the fact that Baghdad has made important decisions directly at odds with the wishes of the Bush administration". Shouldn't this be good? If they do things we don't like, doesn't that give them more credibility? It may sound like a childish argument, but that word seems to define Muslim politics.

"America is setting itself up to be held accountable for the consequences of poor Iraqi decisions" We were set up for this the moment our ambassador told Saddam the US had no position on his border disputes with Kuwait. The first President Bush was quickly blamed for giving Iraq "the green light" to invade Kuwait. Throughout the inspections of the nineties, we were accused of giving Saddam the WMD. That lie still persists.

British journalist Gavin Esler has pointed out that the Iraq war was a no-win situation for the United States, since if Americans "do nothing about the world's problems ...they are ignorant and isolationist, selfish and gutless", while if they do try to act, "they are arrogant and naive, greedy and bullying".

Whether we go or stay we'll be blamed for what happens, so why not go? If we offend them so much, then let them be. As we leave, we should ask the world what type of US it wants. Do they want us to help where we can or turn a blind eye to every injustice and just deal with whatever regime is in place, as long as we ourselves are not threatened? That's what we did in Afghanistan, but they still weren't satisfied. Enough is enough! They can't have it both ways.

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