? Japan.
Yes I do believe we take our democracy for granted. Even to the point that those freedoms have become overkill.{they're abused}. But they don't have a democracy other than what is allowed by us and whoever might eventually squelch the violence. Who by the way I think would have to rule with a very heavy hand, not quite unlike Saddam Hussein did but in a more democratic way. That's just to get started towards democracy. And I doubt they would agree on one such man. It would be in my opinion almost like everyone back in this country's beginnings deciding to be run by Judaism. We have to admit we screwed up very badly on this. And, yes this won't take overnight. But, I for one, would...

? Japan.
Yes I do believe we take our democracy for granted. Even to the point that those freedoms have become overkill.{they're abused}. But they don't have a democracy other than what is allowed by us and whoever might eventually squelch the violence. Who by the way I think would have to rule with a very heavy hand, not quite unlike Saddam Hussein did but in a more democratic way. That's just to get started towards democracy. And I doubt they would agree on one such man. It would be in my opinion almost like everyone back in this country's beginnings deciding to be run by Judaism. We have to admit we screwed up very badly on this. And, yes this won't take overnight. But, I for one, wouldn't be willing to wait 200 years for them to realize, that we're not the only ones to blame, by sticking around. This whole region and continent needs to get real and remove these dictators, and ' holy men'. It's not only Our Job. Or this really is, the end.

Well put, MyWorld... especially the last sentense... which certainly should pause anyone about the stakes there. Whether we blew it or not is for the history to judge. No question that the place is a mess. The article here isn't exactly profound, I don't know why this Marine is coming up with sentiments, sounds like he qualifies to be more as an adoption candidate for Kathy Sheehan than the Marines. I guess once you read bologna like 'illegal' war - the rest can be pretty much guessed without reading. All wars could be considered 'illegal' by these definitions. And the stuff about people wanting to 'defend' their country - what a bunch of crock... they kill their own, how can that qual...

Well put, MyWorld... especially the last sentense... which certainly should pause anyone about the stakes there. Whether we blew it or not is for the history to judge. No question that the place is a mess. The article here isn't exactly profound, I don't know why this Marine is coming up with sentiments, sounds like he qualifies to be more as an adoption candidate for Kathy Sheehan than the Marines. I guess once you read bologna like 'illegal' war - the rest can be pretty much guessed without reading. All wars could be considered 'illegal' by these definitions. And the stuff about people wanting to 'defend' their country - what a bunch of crock... they kill their own, how can that qualify for 'defending their country'.

I was for this war and still think that the reason behind it was sound. The threat that could've been is no longer there and these people clearly don't understand the concept of self-government in a civil manner, so if they want to go and kill each other - since they insist on it - I see no reason to try to stop them. Certainly the endeavor of improving their life isn't worth any more American lives.

hi...
I am Iraqi .... and I was working with the US army as an interpeter in the first six monthes (which I regreat ) of occupation.I realy tohught like almost all Iraqies Americans came to free us.

I remmember that many soldiers told me that if any army came to america all the people will firght against it.I used to say that Iraqi army didnt want to firhgt for Saddam therfore no one fought aganst you.Now Iraqies dont fight against US army for saddam.Some of them fight against US army to free Iraq others have there own agenda from the terrorist Bin ladin.One of the things that I found is that the soldier can not work with the civilians because he is trained to be rough so you can not put...

hi...
I am Iraqi .... and I was working with the US army as an interpeter in the first six monthes (which I regreat ) of occupation.I realy tohught like almost all Iraqies Americans came to free us.

I remmember that many soldiers told me that if any army came to america all the people will firght against it.I used to say that Iraqi army didnt want to firhgt for Saddam therfore no one fought aganst you.Now Iraqies dont fight against US army for saddam.Some of them fight against US army to free Iraq others have there own agenda from the terrorist Bin ladin.One of the things that I found is that the soldier can not work with the civilians because he is trained to be rough so you can not put a soldier as a police.Also there was many soldiers who cant accept others traditions so they react against it in away or an other.
Finaly I think that we should not blem the US army or Iraqies who fight against them we should only blem politicians who live in the White house and leaving US army and Iraqies in this miserable situatuion.
I just want to say that Bin laden is still free in afganistan and in Iraq we had never seen before this type of religious fighter who call themselv mojaheden.

RecordSage: "Whether we blew it or not is for the history to judge" - "he article here isn't exactly profound" - "And the stuff about people wanting to 'defend' their country" - "they kill their own, how can that qualify for 'defending their country" - "I was for this war and still think that the reason behind it was sound" - "so if they want to go and kill each other - since they insist on it - I see no reason to try to stop them" - "Certainly the endeavor of improving their life isn't worth any more American lives"

-You are a real fu**ing idiot! If you can't see it yourself, then I won't be the one trying to explain, but hey, don't go too far off from your country... And yeah, America "th...

RecordSage: "Whether we blew it or not is for the history to judge" - "he article here isn't exactly profound" - "And the stuff about people wanting to 'defend' their country" - "they kill their own, how can that qualify for 'defending their country" - "I was for this war and still think that the reason behind it was sound" - "so if they want to go and kill each other - since they insist on it - I see no reason to try to stop them" - "Certainly the endeavor of improving their life isn't worth any more American lives"

-You are a real fu**ing idiot! If you can't see it yourself, then I won't be the one trying to explain, but hey, don't go too far off from your country... And yeah, America "the free country", is exactly the same type of empty words like "the peoples republic of China". And if you don't see it (and I guess you don't), I'll once again speak your language: Go FU** yourself!

America, the world police with almost 50% of worlds weapon power, controlled by the fundamental christian redneck Texas leader, oil and weapons industry...the true voice of freedom indeed!

There is absolutely noone else to blaim but those idiots sitting behind their desks at the White house. Great power brings great responsibility. If you can't use it right you will fall! Rome didn't go down at one night. I'm so supremely shamed I was grown up with somehow similar points of views as republicans in America. Those who call themselves christians and go war for just because they think people with other customs and religion are nothing can burn in h*ll. Even if I don't believe in JC anymore I th...

America, the world police with almost 50% of worlds weapon power, controlled by the fundamental christian redneck Texas leader, oil and weapons industry...the true voice of freedom indeed!

There is absolutely noone else to blaim but those idiots sitting behind their desks at the White house. Great power brings great responsibility. If you can't use it right you will fall! Rome didn't go down at one night. I'm so supremely shamed I was grown up with somehow similar points of views as republicans in America. Those who call themselves christians and go war for just because they think people with other customs and religion are nothing can burn in h*ll. Even if I don't believe in JC anymore I think people should think what he said about caring and loving the others.

Bush is the Sadr of the western world! ; that's what I think.

The story might be complete bull for all I know, or might be extremely accurate. But I want to emphasize Viiltaja's point. I am Turkish and have been living in England for a couple of months now. Before that, I was living in the capital of Turkey, and believe me, the coverage of the situation in Iraq in here is just like a day in the park when compared to the actual coverage in Turkey. Even papers which are pretty rough with the government when it comes to the war, The Guardian for example, can seldom completely portray what is going on there. I would imagine the states has even a greater euphoria of war in its media.

First of all, we have to determine where we stand. If we are nationali...

The story might be complete bull for all I know, or might be extremely accurate. But I want to emphasize Viiltaja's point. I am Turkish and have been living in England for a couple of months now. Before that, I was living in the capital of Turkey, and believe me, the coverage of the situation in Iraq in here is just like a day in the park when compared to the actual coverage in Turkey. Even papers which are pretty rough with the government when it comes to the war, The Guardian for example, can seldom completely portray what is going on there. I would imagine the states has even a greater euphoria of war in its media.

First of all, we have to determine where we stand. If we are nationalist, if we support nation states (which I should say I am against), then no matter what the intentions are, no matter how democrat anybody thinks they are, in an average Iraqi's opinion, democracy is something that the invading part imposes upon them. It is subjugated upon the will of the people. The other implications are just side effects. The thing is, democracy was not a choice for them. And it came with a horrible war and civil disorder. What is beautiful about that, except Saddam being gone? He is just replaced by a voting system that is just as dysfunctional right now.

If people think of democracy and human rights more than they do of nations, then they screwed up even more. American soldier is no more of a person than an Iraqi, Chinese or Australian person. Hence, no more valuable. Therefore, making decisions about people who did not give their blessings to you as a governing power, who did not empower you, who did not form this power themselves, is simply tyranny. It does not matter if it can be approached as anything else, since apparently the human rights situation has not improved, but rather went worse with the addition of tyranny and an active war.

Middle East is a boiling kettle into which nobody should dip their fingers. Cooling should be an indirect proces

The story might be complete bull for all I know, or might be extremely accurate. But I want to emphasize Viiltaja's point. I am Turkish and have been living in England for a couple of months now. Before that, I was living in the capital of Turkey, and believe me, the coverage of the situation in Iraq in here is just like a day in the park when compared to the actual coverage in Turkey. Even papers which are pretty rough with the government when it comes to the war, The Guardian for example, can seldom completely portray what is going on there. I would imagine the states has even a greater euphoria of war in its media.

First of all, we have to determine where we stand. If we are nationali...

The story might be complete bull for all I know, or might be extremely accurate. But I want to emphasize Viiltaja's point. I am Turkish and have been living in England for a couple of months now. Before that, I was living in the capital of Turkey, and believe me, the coverage of the situation in Iraq in here is just like a day in the park when compared to the actual coverage in Turkey. Even papers which are pretty rough with the government when it comes to the war, The Guardian for example, can seldom completely portray what is going on there. I would imagine the states has even a greater euphoria of war in its media.

First of all, we have to determine where we stand. If we are nationalist, if we support nation states (which I should say I am against), then no matter what the intentions are, no matter how democrat anybody thinks they are, in an average Iraqi's opinion, democracy is something that the invading part imposes upon them. It is subjugated upon the will of the people. The other implications are just side effects. The thing is, democracy was not a choice for them. And it came with a horrible war and civil disorder. What is beautiful about that, except Saddam being gone? He is just replaced by a voting system that is just as dysfunctional right now.

If people think of democracy and human rights more than they do of nations, then they screwed up even more. American soldier is no more of a person than an Iraqi person. Hence, no more valuable. Therefore, making decisions about people who did not give their blessings to you as a governing power, who did not empower you, who did not form this power themselves, is simply tyranny. It does not matter if it can be approached as anything else, since apparently the human rights situation has not improved, but rather went worse with the addition of tyranny and an active war.

Middle East is a boiling kettle into which nobody should dip their fingers. Cooling should be an indirect process that actually involve

@anakha - it's nice to hear someone on the other side who actually makes rational sense, instead of the usual ideologs, anti-Bush zealots and the like. What you say certainly makes sense. Some countries (Japan for example) can adjust and change their ways (as history showed - for the better) and others can't. USA had its share of successes and failures in trying to bring democracy to other nations, not unlike USSR tried to bring communism to other nations, although with much more miserable end results for the populations of those nations. The Iraq war is a different story, it's not just about bringing democracy to the region, which has many obvious and hidden benefits... it's a post 9/11...

@anakha - it's nice to hear someone on the other side who actually makes rational sense, instead of the usual ideologs, anti-Bush zealots and the like. What you say certainly makes sense. Some countries (Japan for example) can adjust and change their ways (as history showed - for the better) and others can't. USA had its share of successes and failures in trying to bring democracy to other nations, not unlike USSR tried to bring communism to other nations, although with much more miserable end results for the populations of those nations. The Iraq war is a different story, it's not just about bringing democracy to the region, which has many obvious and hidden benefits... it's a post 9/11 situation where US has to deal with enemy regimes proactively, not reactively. Some Iraqis may not like the 'occupation' (although they should see the movie 'Pianist' and see what a real occupation is all about), but this isn't just about them. US is looking out for its interests and having sadam out of the picture was a worthy goal. Now that it's been achieved and the democratic approach there isn't happening as planned (read: hoped) - they can do whatever they want, provided the threat to US interests doesn't rematerialized.

Dipping fingers into the Middle East isn't anything desirable, I agree. Unfortunately, 9/11 was a wake up call (to some) that even if you don't dip - you still will get scolded.

It's a post-911 situation where the US has to deal with enemy regimes pro-actively, not reactivly

Here is my problem with the war in Iraq, Record. There is compelling evidence that our government participated in a hoax on the American people, the international community, and the United Nations Security Council regarding our reasons for the pre-emptive attack on Iraq. There are serious doubts that existed about the key evidence that was being used by the American government in the case to go to war in Iraq.
Some of this evidence may possibly result in President Bush's impeachment (although I have serious doubts at this point in time that Bush will be impeached)
[url=http://...

It's a post-911 situation where the US has to deal with enemy regimes pro-actively, not reactivly

Here is my problem with the war in Iraq, Record. There is compelling evidence that our government participated in a hoax on the American people, the international community, and the United Nations Security Council regarding our reasons for the pre-emptive attack on Iraq. There are serious doubts that existed about the key evidence that was being used by the American government in the case to go to war in Iraq.
Some of this evidence may possibly result in President Bush's impeachment (although I have serious doubts at this point in time that Bush will be impeached)
http://www.pbs.org/now/thisweek/index_020306.html