Simple question.

The official reason kept changing - from what I remember, the following were the reasons from the invasion to the occupation, that were put forward by President Bush, the newspapers and TV personalities, both pro and anti war:

1) Iraq had Weapons of Mass Destruction, which was a threat to the USA?
2) We must make a democracy in the Middle East; exporting democracy?
3) We are liberating the Iraqis?
4) We are there to take their oil?
5) We are there to help Israel?
6) Iraq (supposedly) had a link to al Kaida?
7) War profiteering (making money off the war)?
8) Iraq supported terrorism?

Which one is it? Or is it a combination? Or perhaps some other reason that I missed?

I would like to know especially the opinion of Americans on this forum, what they think.

I served in Iraq for 18 months and I will be going back on the 18th of November...

why we are there is a bunch of political bull****... but at this point we cannot just pull out and walk away..

I do however agree that there should be a date set to have all of our troops out of there..

Because Saddam put a contract hit out on B. Sr. and W. couldn't resist taking him out with a convenient excuse. PERIOD!!!!!

I'm personally convinced that Iraq has become a pride issue. Conquering or changing Iraq, whichever you prefer, will only piss off that area of the world even more. It won't solve anything. The middle east culture and the western culture do not understand each other. That's why it's pointless to continue on. But as it's been said, can't really pull out now....probably because we want to minimize the level of the "we really f**ked up" label that history is going to plaster all over us.

That would be wonderful to pull our troops out, but do you truly beleive that now that our president and "his" advisors would let go of the toe hold he has there? I personaly think not, and now he is ratteling the saber at Iran. Talk about asking for trouble. I understand that we had to find those that terrorised our country for 911. But come on now, those satelites we have can see a blade of grass. Why havent they found Bin Laden? I feel that they have, they just want the war machine to keep going. Ahh, ok enough preaching for today.

truly we have the power and ability to turn the middle east into glass............ wouldnt be a bad idea

well just do your best to keep yourself safe when you go back.

Just like korea the day will come when we have to get out and nothing will be accomplished, except one awful loss of life on both sides. the only reason we are there GEORGE and his buddies in the pentagon are saying this is just one dirty little war, BE THANKFUL THIS IS THE ONLY WAR WE HAVE.

we are in iraq because... hey why the hell not, we were in the area demolishing afghanistan so i guess its ok... grrrr
;)

bush out!!!
:D

klc hit the nail on the head.

Personally, I think THEY think Bin Laden is more useful as the poster child for terrorism than he would be as a captured villain. This way, they can say stuff like "We have to be ever vigilant because this evil and extraordinarily tall Muslim guy who hates us is STILL OUT THERE and is planning to have planes crash into the Wisconsin Dells" or something -- scared people are easier to manipulate, and don't ask as many questions.

Interesting reactions to my question; thanks.

If you want to keep them coming...

If you dont stop them there, they will be here. End of discusion.

Right now I think we should be in, but slowly pulling out. Or at least it seems to me like if we suddenly left all at once, something would go bad. Or well, that's what I was thinking a year or two ago... And now I do wonder why we didn't start slowly pulling out... But, it seems to me like we should've just helped them get stable, then start leaving slowly.... bah.

Thanks to a baffoon of a president with his own agenda, we are there for his personal ideals and ambitions.

Because we can I say we turn it into America burn their flags and raise ours

Because we needed something like Vietnam for the eyes of America to focus on...

...as we help the Afghanistan people increase their opium production...

When the Taliban controlled Afghanistan, that country produced 45% of the world's opium... opium, as you might know, is the base natural resource in the production of heroin...

Now that Uncle Sam is in charge... (and the "war on drugs" is such a JOKE...) (according to The Washington Post) Afghanistan now produces NINETY PERCENT of the world's opium.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/01/AR2006120101654.html

Opium is also used as a base product in certain prescription pain killers...

Which makes me think the American Medical Association could (in conspiracy theory) have a nice big fat lobbyist hand in the reason why ... pharmaceutical companies needing the much-needed natural resource...

While they are waving the magic wand in front of our eyes concern Iraq and oil and the need for gas in our cars... let's not forget what the left hand is doing while the right hand waves the wand...

The left hand is looking the other way as opium production skyrockets...

Being a thinking man, I highly doubt the quote from the Washington Post from the Bush administration that they have "ongoing U.S.-sponsored eradication efforts"... more like the CIA is doing everything they can to INCREASE the production or opium...

Meanwhile Iraq is a convenient smoke-screen to the covert activities in Afghanistan...

The scary thing is... we went into Afghanistan after the events of September 11th... and now we control the opium...

I don't buy that they are trying to eradicate it... it is a natural resource used in pain killers...

And besides... doping up the inner city is what the CIA does isn't it? Keep the American brain chilled out and passive and addicted to some narcotic? A goverment wishing to control its population, or a portion of its population, would definitely be very interested in controlling Afghanistan, where the world's largest crop of opium exists...

Russia wanted it, and it took them ten years to figure out they couldn't have it... I can understand (from the capitalistic perspective) why Soviet Communist Russie would want to control their people...

But we live in such a false "Hollywood" world that people wouldn't dare to think this could go on in America... it has gone on here... and it does go on here...

America is not unlike any other world government...

Rome, Greece, Persia... all fell... and Soviet Russia fell...

Problem is... people here are easily lulled to sleep... like sheep... baaaaaaa... certain folks call them "sheeples"...

Why are we in Iraq?

Well, one of the reasons you missed on your list was:

- To give the American people something to think about while we increase opium production in Afghanistan.

I think you should add that one to your list...

The evidence is clear... opium production there has doubled since we took over... the Taliban isn't in charge anymore... we conquered that country long ago...

Methinks most likely fer its druggies.....

If not... then answer me...

Why are we still in Afghanistan?

I just love it!!! do some history and this will give you the answer you seek. I am with soldierforamerica. Just turn their ass to glass.

Hi barbiebs!

I am sorry but what history should i seek? Can you enlighten me, as I do not know exactly what you are talking about. What is the reason that you personally believe in that we should be in Iraq?

What I am asking you is to be a bit more specific please as Iraq has a, what, 2000 year history and it is hard for me to pick up the exact moment or age I should study?

"Talk about asking for trouble. I understand that we had to find those that terrorised our country for 911. But come on now, those satelites we have can see a blade of grass. Why havent they found Bin Laden?"



you know i have been saying that exact same thing.plus we only sent what,12-13 thousand to look for Bin Laden but we sent about 250,000 or so to get Saddam?kinda makes you wonder if they really wanted Bin Laden found or not