Say Anything Blog

The thoughtful person can not be happy with the decline of American influence in the world, a development exposed and energised by the misadventure in Iraq.

Mike, that statement summarizes so much of what is wrong with your outlook in Iraq.  We both agree that America is a positive force on the world stage and that continued American prominence is a good thing.

You feel, however, that staying in Iraq will result in the decline of American influence.  I think you’re dead wrong.  I think withdrawing from Iraq before that country is ready to stand on its own will result in the decline in American influence as it will make clear to the rest of the world that this country does not have the courage of its convictions.

Now you’re going to disagree with that, but before you do answer me this question: How is America’s influence in the world lessened if we stay in Iraq?  Even if we stay in for another five years, does that not show the world that we finish what we start?  Does that not show the terrorists that their daily attacks aimed at sapping our will are ultimately futile?

As I said in another post, there is no way America can be driven from Iraq militarily, and our losses in that country (in terms of blood and treasure) are not unsustainable.

You classify Iraq as a lose-lose situation, but you’re wrong.  If we stay we win because we cannot lose while committed to the mission.  If we end that commitment and leave we lose.

If you truly care about America’s standing in the world (and I think you do even if you are a filthy Canadian, wink wink) then I’d like to think that you’d recognize that we’re in Iraq now and that anything less then a withdrawal after completing our mission would be a terrible blow to that standing.  More terrible than staying in Iraq could ever be.

When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.

-- Thomas Jefferson

Rob’s recently listened-to songs:

Rob...perseverance is a quality to be admired in people and in nations. Taking action which is viewed as erroneous, compounding the error by mishandling the action then sticking to the action no matter what is not perseverance. How would staying in Iraq change the world’s opinion if my characterisation is correct? Remember that much of the world shares my view.

You could argue, as others at SA have, that the world’s opinion of America is irrelevant and then my point doesn’t matter but if you find world opinion relevant then you should be able to see why trying to finish the mission successfully won’t win America many points.

Don’t forget that the Grey Cup is this Sunday.

"The national budget must be balanced. The public debt must be reduced; the arrogance of the authorities must be moderated and controlled. Payments to foreign governments must be reduced if the nation doesn’t want to go bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance.”
Cicero, 55 BC