tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16594468.post116339573755444106..comments2023-10-24T04:29:23.693-06:00Comments on Atheist Ethicist: Democrat Call for Iraq Troop ReductionAlonzo Fyfehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05687777216426347054noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16594468.post-1163464546586484952006-11-13T17:35:00.000-07:002006-11-13T17:35:00.000-07:00Well, the reason why it was such a bad idea to go ...Well, the reason why it was such a bad idea to go there in the first place was that there was no good way to get back out. Now we are stuck. No easy answers, no good options, no way out. Of course the jihadists will claim victory, they won. We got our asses handed to us and there is nothing that we can do about it. We can only hope that the Iraqis get themselves together and work this out on their own.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16594468.post-1163436284572079032006-11-13T09:44:00.000-07:002006-11-13T09:44:00.000-07:00And based on what would that person, 'who knew wha...And based on what would that person, 'who knew what they were talking about', be chosen? The blind and back alleys, of historical facts concerning the West's encroachments in Iraq, are never presented much less discussed 'on the bus' so we make nonsensical judgements about preventing jihadist's from getting the better of us as if they had any legitimate currency.<BR/><BR/>Getting entangled in such unnuanced tripe as 'the war on terror', for instance, avoids addressing the only reason(s) the U.S. should simply get out of there - we had no business being there in the first place. <BR/><BR/>As for generating "a new fighting spirit", should we do so, whoever is left would be fully entitled. We bus riders allowed our hands to be extended into the fire then get righteous over getting burned.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16594468.post-1163433343449958392006-11-13T08:55:00.000-07:002006-11-13T08:55:00.000-07:00First, I am not saying, "Stay in Iraq until we mak...First, I am not saying, "Stay in Iraq until we make it stable." I am not saying "Leave." I am saying, "Let the decision be made by those who are experts in the field." And I do not know what solution may be.<BR/><BR/>JustinOther: Yes, the insurgents will claim victory no matter what - just as it was a foregone conclusion that Bush would claim that we are making important progress in Iraq. However, Bush did not have the luxury of deciding whether others would actually believe him. We still have the power to make the Jihadist claim of victory more or less believable.<BR/><BR/>Yes, some people will believe the Jihadist no matter what - just as some people believed Bush in spite of the evidence. However, the number of people who believe the Jihadists will be important - and it is to our advantage to keep that number low.<BR/><BR/>Chris: These same comments apply to your statements about insanity. We cannot keep insane people from doing insane things - but insanity comes in degrees. Perhaps we can keep more of the half-lucid people from doing insane things. It is an important variable to keep track of.<BR/><BR/>For example: one way to pull out of Iraq without giving Al-Quida a victory dance is to <I>increase</I> the resources involved in anti-jihadist efforts elsewhere in proportion to what we withdraw from Iraq. Say, in Afghanistan and Pakistan. A 'redeployment' that looks like a retreat is one thing. A 'redeployment' that is clearly a redepoloyment is another.<BR/><BR/>Is this actually the best plan?<BR/><BR/>How the heck would I know?<BR/><BR/>Like I said . . . what I want the Democrats to do is to assure me that they are getting their advice from people who know what they are talking about - and I am not comforted to hear that they are taking their advice from people - many of whom could not find Iraq on a map.Alonzo Fyfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05687777216426347054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16594468.post-1163430388804655042006-11-13T08:06:00.000-07:002006-11-13T08:06:00.000-07:00Exactly. Trying to keep an insane person from doi...Exactly. Trying to keep an insane person from doing insane things is, itself, insane. Don't get sucked into judging your every action by how fanatics will react to it.<BR/><BR/>The real, physical consequences of our actions need to be our primary concern. And one of those consequences, potentially, is getting thousands of Americans out of a line of fire they have no clear reason to be in in the first place.<BR/><BR/>It really isn't that irrational to take your hand off the burner *before* convening a panel of experts on what kind of burn treatment to apply.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com