Politics aside, there’s something to ponder if television gets boring, or the conversation hits a lull.
You might be surprised to learn it’s not an idle thought or just a political proposal by Democrat presidential candidates.
There are think tanks, academic symposiums, discussion groups and other thoughtful gatherings which can cope with such discussions without getting involved in emotions or political loyalties.
I heard it at an “intellectually stimulating” group meeting, from a respected expert, Dr. Robert Bunker, on terrorism and use of mercenaries. His work has appeared in military and security circles and publications. He thought the United States should pull out of Iraq before it selfdestructs militarily and economically.
Having been one who long felt that we shouldn’t have been there in the first place, I think that more discussion is needed, without emotion if that’s possible, taking a hard look at history and the future. From what I hear, the foremost reason to stay with the War in Iraq is one you might expect from the Chinese—we’d “lose face” by pulling out. We just can’t face admitting we may have made another big mistake like Vietnam, as more and more Americans are beginning to believe, according to the polls.
There is a feeling by those who want to keep on with the fight that it would be unpatriotic, if not counterproductive, to give it up. We would be letting our fighting sons and daughters down. They all volunteered for this and we must back them up. We must support parents and spouses who have already made the sacrifices.
Then there’s the matter of oil. If we give up in Iraq we will possibly lose control of major oil sources in the Middle East, having done nothing since the fighting started to reduce our dependence on it. At the least, the price of our gasoline will shoot up some more, affecting our whole economy.
But haven’t we already hurt ourselves by pouring trillions down the drain over there while we flounder in a debate as to whether we should raise taxes or cut spending at home?
What will other countries think about us, particularly our allies such as Great Britain, Germany, Turkey and Israel, who hope we will keep things stable in their neck of the woods? Or should we become isolationists again, like before World War I and II?
Of course, many countries already are sore because we forged ahead of the pack to get rid of Saddam Hussein, his weapons of mass destruction and his terrorist connections. That we kind of misread those things didn’t help. We also misread who would be the enemy in Iraq after Saddam was toppled.
But what will happen to our mission of spreading democracy throughout the world? Isn’t that the real reason we’re there, as the president suggested when other reasons turn hollow? Or are we putting the cart before the horse in assuming that’s what people of vast disparities and cultural backgrounds want for themselves? Don’t forget we often choose to support dictators and autocrats in many countries because they represent stability.
How about the terrorists? Won’t we unleash a world siege of terrorism if we pull out of Iraq now?
But wasn’t Iraq a hotbed of terrorism under Saddam Hussein when we brought him down? Or did we just succeed inremoving him as a counter force to neighboring Iran, which is now tweaking our whiskers in a big way?
Other issues involved are our support of Israel, and to the traditional values, rights and traditions that made us strong and great.
This is the 21st century and we’re a welleducated, financially well off civilized nation devoted to helping people improve themselves. We’re in a global economy where national boundaries don’t mean so much any more, facing nations that have been learning our economic system all too well. Even China and Russia are coming to realize that there’s more at stake for the future than can be accomplished by rattling sabers and threatening nukes.
Got some feelings about this? Draw up a balance sheet of pros and cons. Then write the Forum at Forum08[at]ChampionNewspapers.com with "Letters" in the subject line.
Copyright 2008 Champion Newspapers - Published May 17, 2008
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