NationStates Jolt Archive

1. Would you have been more/less supportive of the war had nations like Britain and Italy not supported America as well?

2. Did the war significently influence the way you voted in the Presidental elections?

3. What was/is your opinion on your international allies and there decision to help you?

4. Equally, what is your opinion on your international opponents such as France and Germany who opposed the war?

5. Is there a way in which you feel the war could have been better carried out (short of it not happening at all)?

6. How comparable is the Second Gulf War to Vietnam?

(Please lets not turn this into a debate about the rights and wrongs of the war itself, lets just have some discussion)

1. Would you have been more/less supportive of the war had nations like Britain and Italy not supported America as well?


Neither. I'm in complete opposition to the invasion of Iraq.


2. Did the war significently influence the way you voted in the Presidental elections?


Nope. I voted Libertarian because both candidates from the two big parties still want to control my life in some fashion. The Dems want my money to support useless programs, and the Republicans want to tell me what my morals are to be.


3. What was/is your opinion on your international allies and there decision to help you?


We're supposed to have trading partners--nothing more. We're supposed to be neutral in global politics.


4. Equally, what is your opinion on your international opponents such as France and Germany who opposed the war?


See answer to #3.


5. Is there a way in which you feel the war could have been better carried out (short of it not happening at all)?


No. There was no reason for the US to invade anyone. We're not supposed to be a global cop.


6. How comparable is the Second Gulf War to Vietnam?


Quite--we had no business being in Vietnam, either.

1. Would you have been more/less supportive of the war had nations like Britain and Italy not supported America as well?I wasn't supportive of the war at all.


2. Did the war significently influence the way you voted in the Presidental elections?No, it was one of many reasons to vote the way I did.


3. What was/is your opinion on your international allies and there decision to help you?Well, the ones who did help us got the most foreign aid, so it's not surprising.


4. Equally, what is your opinion on your international opponents such as France and Germany who opposed the war?Some people say that France and Germany didn't support the war because they would lose money if Saddam was overthrown. That reason wasn't enough to not support the war, however I'm sure there were others.


5. Is there a way in which you feel the war could have been better carried out (short of it not happening at all)?More troops could have been deployed initially, or it could've waited until after Afghanistan was secured completely and we were out of there.


6. How comparable is the Second Gulf War to Vietnam?Well, aside from neither being justified, there hasn't been any kind of exit date set, so we could be there a long time, just like Vietnam. I'm not sure, however, if the government deliberately misled us to get us into the war the way they did Vietnam (Gulf of Tonkin affair).

1. Yes, I would have been less supportive. Allies are not important, they are vital.

2. No. I would have voted the same way based on my stances on other isssues.

3. Troubled but of fairly high opinion. I'm worried that they joined the allied forces for the wrong reasons, but hopeful that they weighed their descision carefully.

4. No change in opinion. Again, perhaps they stayed out of the war for the wrong reasons...but I believe that they weighed their options and made a careful choice.

5. Yes, fundementally. I am writing a book detailing just how and why.

6. Somewhat. The similarity comes and goes. The terminology used is identical though..which is quite eerie. I believe much of this has to do with the history of the civilian planners in charge of the Second gulf war; some were also involved with planning in the Veitnam war.

1. Would you have been more/less supportive of the war had nations like Britain and Italy not supported America as well?
At the beginning, I was completely against it; now I still think that it was wrong, but I would have supported it even less if we were going it completely alone.

2. Did the war significently influence the way you voted in the Presidental elections?
I am under 18. But I would have voted for Kerry (because we need some remedial help right now, and anything would do to stop this man). It would not affect my decision.


3. What was/is your opinion on your international allies and there decision to help you?
Their decision to help you. Sorry. It's odd; I was grateful that they were there, but I thought that they were being stupid nevertheless.

4. Equally, what is your opinion on your international opponents such as France and Germany who opposed the war?
Well, I thought that they were being rational. I thought that demonizing them was not the right thing to do, especially our overall treatment of France. I apologize for that.

5. Is there a way in which you feel the war could have been better carried out (short of it not happening at all)?
First: give our troops adequate armor and weaponry. Second: Educate the soldiers on how to treat POWs. (Abu Ghraib) Third: Get a bigger army.


6. How comparable is the Second Gulf War to Vietnam?
The government did not lie as much in Vietnam (I believe). There was a lot more mistreatment of civilians in Vietnam. But in Vietnam, there was a threat that the government actually believed present, not this thing today where there turned out not to be any WMD at all and the intelligence was nonsensical.

1. Would you have been more/less supportive of the war had nations like Britain and Italy not supported America as well?

It makes no difference to me what the rest of the world thinks. That's not to say that I really care what my own nation “thinks” either. What I do care about is other nations' actions, and my own nation's actions. As for this war, we chose to fight it and I honestly could care less if any other nations choose to fight it with us. That is their business.

2. Did the war significently influence the way you voted in the Presidental elections?

If I had voted, it would have. However I could never find the time to write that absentee ballot in time.

3. What was/is your opinion on your international allies and there decision to help you?

Again, if a nation chooses to help us in any of our endeavors, so be it. If it does not, that is peachy too. It is irrelevant.

4. Equally, what is your opinion on your international opponents such as France and Germany who opposed the war?

See answer to no. 3

5. Is there a way in which you feel the war could have been better carried out (short of it not happening at all)?

Since I don't live in Iraq I honestly can say that I have no idea how this war is progressing. My general position is that we should be leaving Iraq to its own designs, and soon.

6. How comparable is the Second Gulf War to Vietnam?

In my mind they are very similar. This is of course because I am not fighting the war, my reality is what some refer to as “the home front.” Thus my experience of this war is almost entirely nothing but listening to people bitch about it. Vietnam was (and perhaps rightly so) the most bitched about war in history, so to me the wars are very similar. If what I have heard about the war from reliable (sic) sources is true, however, the war as it is experienced by those directly involved in it (American soldiers, Iraqis) is very different from Vietnam.

1. No change.

2. No, I would have voted for the guy I voted for regardless.

3. Good on them. We know who our friends are.

4. "They are a dying people. We should let them pass."

5. Detour through France.

6. Not even remotely. Those who say otherwise are those who have embraced their own inferiority and now project it on to others.

*cough*third Gulf War*cough*

Pretty close to First of Two:
1. More
2. Yes - pro Bush
3. Good
4. France and Germany put together aren't good enough to lick the cow pies off W's boots.
5. Nuke Iraq on 9/11
6. Not at all.

1. Would you have been more/less supportive of the war had nations like Britain and Italy not supported America as well?

Outside support has no bearing on my own support.

2. Did the war significently influence the way you voted in the Presidental elections?

Yes

3. What was/is your opinion on your international allies and there decision to help you?

It has not changed my opinions about them at all.

4. Equally, what is your opinion on your international opponents such as France and Germany who opposed the war?

My opinion of them has not changed and did not change.

5. Is there a way in which you feel the war could have been better carried out (short of it not happening at all)?

The complete destruction of all known strongholds.

6. How comparable is the Second Gulf War to Vietnam?

It isn't.Different theatre and different objectives.

(Please lets not turn this into a debate about the rights and wrongs of the war itself, lets just have some discussion)

War is always both right and wrong.The important thing is to make a decision and stay the course.

1. Would you have been more/less supportive of the war had nations like Britain and Italy not supported America as well?

Wouldn't have changed a thing. I was still against having started it and still don't feel we should pull out now that we did.

2. Did the war significently influence the way you voted in the Presidental elections?

Nah. I wouldn't have voted for Bush no matter what.

3. What was/is your opinion on your international allies and there decision to help you?

Not too supportive. They seemed like little USA suck ups to me. Especially Poland. They just joined the EU and promptly went against it in return.

4. Equally, what is your opinion on your international opponents such as France and Germany who opposed the war?

France didn't seem to have morally sound reasons for staying out, but Germany was fine.

5. Is there a way in which you feel the war could have been better carried out (short of it not happening at all)?

A more realistic approach to the guerrilla war and none of that "making the world a safer place" bullshit.

6. How comparable is the Second Gulf War to Vietnam?

Not much. The insurgents don't have the backing of a superpower like Vietnam did and the terrain certainly changes the entire situation. There's also no draft and a heck of a lot more support for the troops.
[/QUOTE]

War is always both right and wrong.The important thing is to make a decision and stay the course.
Are you saying you voted for Bush? If so, why did you think Kerry was going to pull out?

4. France and Germany put together aren't good enough to lick the cow pies off W's boots.

Well... good to know. We love you too. Not. :mad:

1. Would you have been more/less supportive of the war had nations like Britain and Italy not supported America as well?

The war is a shame. It is just the president completeing the job his father did not get to finish.

2. Did the war significently influence the way you voted in the Presidental elections?

The war was the biggest reason I did not vote this time around. And both candates where equally intolerable. Bush because he is an evil man. And Kerry well because he is... well Kerry.

3. What was/is your opinion on your international allies and there decision to help you?

I dont think we should of asked any of our allies to aid us. Bush wanted this most of all. Then let Bush handle it. But of course nothing is ever so simple.

4. Equally, what is your opinion on your international opponents such as France and Germany who opposed the war?[?QUOTE]

Im in full agreement with them. We had no reason to invade Iraq. Though weapons should not be sold to him. He should have been left alone until there was actual proof that he had such weapons. Or that he has become a threat to near by countries.

[QUOTE=Neo Cannen]5. Is there a way in which you feel the war could have been better carried out (short of it not happening at all)?

Like I have been saying. There should of never have been a war.

6. How comparable is the Second Gulf War to Vietnam?

Countless lives are being lost, No reason to be there (or a stupid half assed reason). So its alomst to much like Vietnam for comfort.

1. Would you have been more/less supportive of the war had nations like Britain and Italy not supported America as well?

I don't think that Britain and Italy being supportive, makes any difference as to whether I was supportive of the war or not.

2. Did the war significently influence the way you voted in the Presidental elections?

It did not influence my vote significantly, however it was another on a long list of reasons of why I voted the way I did.

3. What was/is your opinion on your international allies and there decision to help you?

"Help you?"

I think they felt pressure to support the United States, probably because the U.S. used its economic status as leverage. I don't really have negative opinions of this, because they were in a no win situation no matter which stance they took

4. Equally, what is your opinion on your international opponents such as France and Germany who opposed the war?

Honestly, I am not sure how I feel about France and Germany. I think that they had a right to be opposed to a U.S. led coalition that pretty much declared itself above international law. I however also find the ideas that they were economically involved with Saddam's Iraqi Government to be disturbing. Oh and the Anti-French sentiment such as the "freedom" fries, instead of "french" fries was just plain stupid.


5. Is there a way in which you feel the war could have been better carried out (short of it not happening at all)?

The U.S. should have continued with the diplomatic process through the U.N. until it could have gotten their support for the war.


6. How comparable is the Second Gulf War to Vietnam?

(Please lets not turn this into a debate about the rights and wrongs of the war itself, lets just have some discussion)

Similar script, different cast. There are echoes of Vietnam that permeate this war, but the underlying issues are certainly different enough that one can see the differences.

1. I was already against the war to begin with. If we didn't have any allies, then I would be pissed.

2. I cannot vote, but if it were the case I'd say yes, so we could get out of this quagmire.

3. I know that the British citizens were pissed off at Blair for quite some time. Other than that knowledge, I have no real opinion.

4. Again, I have no opinion. The are sovriegn nations, they may do as they wish.

5. I would have really wished it were used as a last resort. Bush completely jumped the gun, ignoring all the reports.

6. Let's look at the similarities:

-It's a quagmire like Vietnam.
-No one wants to go there.
-Public opinion is relatively low.

1. Would you have been more/less supportive of the war had nations like Britain and Italy not supported America as well?

1. Yes!

2. Did the war significently influence the way you voted in the Presidental elections?

2. Nope!

3. What was/is your opinion on your international allies and there decision to help you?

3. They know what freedom is and is willing to help us bring freedom to those that are oppressed.

4. Equally, what is your opinion on your international opponents such as France and Germany who opposed the war?

France is no longer an ally in my book because they backstabbed their long time ally, the USA. Germany? Germany is trying to patch things back up but France isn't.

5. Is there a way in which you feel the war could have been better carried out (short of it not happening at all)?

5. Nope!

6. How comparable is the Second Gulf War to Vietnam?

It isn't comparable whatsoever.

(Please lets not turn this into a debate about the rights and wrongs of the war itself, lets just have some discussion)

I won't.

1. Would you have been more/less supportive of the war had nations like Britain and Italy not supported America as well?

2. Did the war significently influence the way you voted in the Presidental elections?

3. What was/is your opinion on your international allies and there decision to help you?

4. Equally, what is your opinion on your international opponents such as France and Germany who opposed the war?

5. Is there a way in which you feel the war could have been better carried out (short of it not happening at all)?

6. How comparable is the Second Gulf War to Vietnam?

(Please lets not turn this into a debate about the rights and wrongs of the war itself, lets just have some discussion)

Do you want this as a thesis or in 500 words or less? The latter will take longer to write. :D

If I had voted, it would have. However I could never find the time to write that absentee ballot in time.

That's a pretty lame excuse. It only takes about 5 or 10 minutes to fill one out and you have a couple of weeks to do it. :(

Countless lives are being lost, No reason to be there (or a stupid half assed reason). So its alomst to much like Vietnam for comfort.

Not nearly as many have died in the Second Gulf War as died in Viet Nam.

Not nearly as many have died in the Second Gulf War as died in Viet Nam.

Actually alot less have died in Iraq than died in Vietnam in BOTH categories.

1. Would you have been more/less supportive of the war had nations like Britain and Italy not supported America as well?

2. Did the war significently influence the way you voted in the Presidental elections?

3. What was/is your opinion on your international allies and there decision to help you?

4. Equally, what is your opinion on your international opponents such as France and Germany who opposed the war?

5. Is there a way in which you feel the war could have been better carried out (short of it not happening at all)?

6. How comparable is the Second Gulf War to Vietnam?

(Please lets not turn this into a debate about the rights and wrongs of the war itself, lets just have some discussion)


1 No effect either way.

2 Yes. I originally supported the war, but the terrible execution, and the relevations re the bad intel on the WMDs (the reason for the war) and the administration's influance on it, turned me against Bush.

3 Good. Even though the war turned out to be based on bogus intel, some nations are still helping out.

4 That was their perogative.

5 Abso-fucking-lutely!!!! Aside from either having decent intel not influanced by the policy makers towards the war, we should have done more on the diplomatic front. And Rummy should have listened to the generals who reccomended much larger forces for the invasion and occupation.

6 Not at all. Different war, different environment, different everything.

5. Is there a way in which you feel the war could have been better carried out (short of it not happening at all)?

5. Nope!


I can understand your support for thewar, but surely you agree that it was poorly executed? The US troops were ill-trained and ill-equipped (my uncle in the British army was sent to the US for 'desert training', and said they were teaching outdated and ill-advised methods, and doing so rather poorly - also, the standard and availablity of US equipment in Iraq was "piss-poor"(his words)), and there was a serious problem with post-combat welfare and aid distribution. Poor logistics on all fronts.

I can understand your support for thewar, but surely you agree that it was poorly executed? The US troops were ill-trained and ill-equipped (my uncle in the British army was sent to the US for 'desert training', and said they were teaching outdated and ill-advised methods, and doing so rather poorly - also, the standard and availablity of US equipment in Iraq was "piss-poor"(his words)), and there was a serious problem with post-combat welfare and aid distribution. Poor logistics on all fronts.

You want my opinion? The UN Dropped the ball. The only thing that could've made this better was if France and Germany would stop thinking about the almighty pocket book and remember who helped liberate their countries.

As for training, the training was adequate enough. The war lasted roughly for 3 and half weeks. April 9 it ended when the statue of Saddam fell. This is an insurgency, a new phase in Iraq. I really wish people would understand that but apparenly, I'm about the only one to realize this fact.

You want my opinion? The UN Dropped the ball. The only thing that could've made this better was if France and Germany would stop thinking about the almighty pocket book and remember who helped liberate their countries.

As for training, the training was adequate enough. The war lasted roughly for 3 and half weeks. April 9 it ended when the statue of Saddam fell. This is an insurgency, a new phase in Iraq. I really wish people would understand that but apparenly, I'm about the only one to realize this fact.

War, insurgency, it really doesn't matter what you call it. People are still dying. Actually, faster than while the real war was going.

You want my opinion? The US dropped the ball.

Even if the war is for the right reasons (which I wholeheartedly disagree with) it was carried out extremely poorly. For anyone to not see that is a mark on their credibility.

It makes me think you're obsessed with GWB, such that everything he does is right.

1. Would you have been more/less supportive of the war had nations like Britain and Italy not supported America as well?

2. Did the war significently influence the way you voted in the Presidental elections?

3. What was/is your opinion on your international allies and there decision to help you?

4. Equally, what is your opinion on your international opponents such as France and Germany who opposed the war?

5. Is there a way in which you feel the war could have been better carried out (short of it not happening at all)?

6. How comparable is the Second Gulf War to Vietnam?

(Please lets not turn this into a debate about the rights and wrongs of the war itself, lets just have some discussion)
1. Equally supportive regardless.

2. Yes.

3. Appreciative. At least we learned who our real friends are.

4. Disgusted. At least we learned who our supposed friends weren't.

5. Perhaps, but I'm not priviy to all the information and decision-making.

6. Not at all.

1. Would you have been more/less supportive of the war had nations like Britain and Italy not supported America as well?


-Same support. I was in Gulf War I, we should have done this back then.

2. Did the war significently influence the way you voted in the Presidental
elections?

-Yes, I will always vote the candidate with balls

3. What was/is your opinion on your international allies and there decision to help you?

-It was a help. Cant deny the sacrifice they made.

4. Equally, what is your opinion on your international opponents such as France and Germany who opposed the war?

-Screw them. They are insignificant anyway.

5. Is there a way in which you feel the war could have been better carried out (short of it not happening at all)?

-Better planning for after the initial invasion. But mistakes are made in every war

6. How comparable is the Second Gulf War to Vietnam?

-No comparison

Originally Posted by Neo Cannen
1. Would you have been more/less supportive of the war had nations like Britain and Italy not supported America as well?

2. Did the war significently influence the way you voted in the Presidental elections?

3. What was/is your opinion on your international allies and there decision to help you?

4. Equally, what is your opinion on your international opponents such as France and Germany who opposed the war?

5. Is there a way in which you feel the war could have been better carried out (short of it not happening at all)?

6. How comparable is the Second Gulf War to Vietnam?

(Please lets not turn this into a debate about the rights and wrongs of the war itself, lets just have some discussion)

-----------

1) My country right or wrong...with or without allies I'd still support the war.

2) No, it just tempered my opinion further.

3) The nations that participated are nations I hold in high regard - most people didn't agree, but these times are ones where you really see who stands with you. If Britain was in trouble, I'd have no problem taking up arms for her...they've been a steadfast ally for a very long time.

4) This really made me hate the French government...not the people mind you. France had plenty of outside interests and it's turning out that a few higher ups made a pretty penny off of oil-for-food. France really wants to be a world power again, and I know if the EU thing keeps progressing France will try to domineer the thing so it can magnify its power. It just seems to me that the past few decades France has been a group of backstabbers...ever since the French revolution they've really gone downhill. Even during the second world war, Allied higher-ups had low opinions of them. I get this feeling that they're being antagonistic to be the cool guy so they can make their delusions of grandeur more real.

I still like Germany 'cuz it has good beer. :)

5) This is a learning experience for the world because no war had ever been concluded so quickly, and afterwards fighting such a unique kind of guerilla force. Terrorism is going to become more common 'round the world, and the knowledge we'll come away with will aid us in future struggles. We now have one of the largest, if not THE largest, militaries WITH combat experience.

6) Not very...this is more of an internal domestic struggle than all-out conflict, and the insurgents are not operating as a single force which makes things much different tactically.