NationStates Jolt Archive


Address to Americans regarding the Iraq war:

Americai
24-08-2005, 06:24
Fellow American citizens,

Recently with the Iraqi war issue sprawling debate across the nation, I have decided to air a commentary thread pointing out that both sides have no real answer to our political problems, and that a majority of Americans seem to be easily swayed by both factions that are potentially going about this whole war issue the wrong way.

Thus, regardless if you are pro or anti-war, I hope most of you realize the biggest problem is not whether we keep our troops in Iraq or not, but whether we demand political change in this time of little compromise. A time of divisive political figures in the media and government, on both sides of the isle, have left Americans with few genuine leaders, thinkers, and ideas on this Iraq debate.

I say this with confidence because the biggest problem that leads to "military actions" such as Korea, Vietnam, and Iraq isn't even being addressed in the protests across the nation nor the media. One of my biggest ire's regarding hippies of the Vietnam era was that they left the job incomplete, and decided to become a notorius group of sex driven, drug using burnouts instead of using the political momentum they gained to demand political reform. Thus, no matter their causes and reasons, they left America's political situation of that time able to be repeatable in the future. In that regard, it was a highly pathetic and unenlightened movement.

And now, a few decades later, a new generation of Americans are in a event that could, depending on American's behavior, lead to another Vietnam. It is quite obvious that we will already be facing the same debt problem as Vietnam at the least. The reason why we confront another potential Vietnam is quite simple. The power of the President is being left unchecked in the office's ability to wage warfare by avoiding both Article 1 of the Constitution and the War Powers Act. Be you pro or anti-war, you are Americans, and it is time you consider demanding our politicians to uphold the Constitution and make the War Powers Act a less ignorable and avoidable document.

For some Americans you must believe this or not; whether we pull our soldiers out of Iraq immediately or not is a less minor issue. We honestly can not undo the actions that keep us there to this day. The biggest issue is the consequences that will transpire if America were to pull out now and leave Iraq to fend for itself. At this point at time is difficult to predict. It is however true that more analysis of the situation needs time to develop. It is a fog of war I'm afraid that we can't penetrate at this point of time so I hope both sides realize it for what it is.

Other Americans might also have to realize this problem, that there lies the possibility that the country was mislead about Iraq to allow for the Presidency to circumvent the Constitution to wage an unnecessary war. By far, this is the biggest issue, and both sides needn't swallow any pride to understand the grave seriousness of this problem. Even if you believe in the current President. The possibilty for another future President to involve more Americans in an embarrassing or money wasting conflict is still there.

I know there are American's that at the moment are naturally more concerned for their particular family members and current war handlings than the possibility of future family members being stuck in the same political and military situation because it is they that are currently at risk or being effected. The only solice I can give you is it could still be your own family put in the same situation as Vietnam in the future if this problem is left unchecked.

I shouldn't need to remind you that another embarrassing conflict that needn't have happened which could lead to MORE unnecessary deaths and wounded will always be possible in the future so long as Americans forget that the President was not intended to have the power to declare war on neighboring nations. He leads the war when Congress declares that a nation has become a military enemy to be rid of the political infighting that occures after a President recklessly engages in warefare.

The fact is, we are in Iraq. We can no longer erase present history even if we want to or not. But, we can however lay the foundation that there won't be another Vietnam. Thus, I believe it is in the best intrest of ALL Americans to put away the issue of military pull out of Iraq for the moment, and all Americans spread the idea that they should focus their demands their congressmen ammend the War Powers Act to make it more effective in preventing future quagmire conflicts.

Due to the nation being attacked already, it is certain that a war of sort (War on terror) was already technically instigated between terrorist entities and America and her allies. However, if one has already noticed, Iraq was never apart or a supporter of terrorist entities that directed their violence on the territories of the United States. Thus, the reality remains that the nation of America took a massive detor in our direct War against terrorism. Iraq had hostile relations with us, but none that had any concern with the war on terrorism. In fact, it probably just instigated more terrorism upon our homeland while dividing the public, and wasting our money.

It is true, that the President has clear justification to wage certain military actions in the war against terrorism, and the possibility still remains whether Iraq was in a different strategy for ideology changing purposes within the region. However, there also exists the possibility of falsified intelligence created on behalf of the Bush administration regarding Iraq to begin the war. The ability of the President to mislead his countrymen should in the future be considered unconstitutional actions and means to declare war. At the very least, this problem is left unclarified in appropriate or unappropriate actions for military deployment in regards to the War Powers Act.

Therefore, it is recommended that an ammendment to the War Powers Act also involve the direct threat of Presidential and Cabinet impeachment if Congressmen and Americans are believed to have been directly lied to to instigate war against a nation we also must need to occupy or send military branches for a period of time extending 60 days and if conflict becomes a large burden monetarily, diplomatically, and Constitutionally.
Evil Arch Conservative
24-08-2005, 07:00
Therefore, it is recommended that an ammendment to the War Powers Act also involve the direct threat of Presidential and Cabinet impeachment if Congressmen and Americans are believed to have been directly lied to to instigate war against a nation we also must need to occupy or send military branches for a period of time extending 60 days and if conflict becomes a large burden monetarily, diplomatically, and Constitutionally.

First, you're thinking of the War Powers Resolution, not the War Powers Act. They're two different things.

I think the italicized part is a bit redundant. If we suspect that we have been lied to in order to gain support for occupying a country we will already have a diplomatic burden on us, just as we do right now. All that part does is leave the ammendment open to interpretation.
Americai
25-08-2005, 08:47
Thanks. And a bump.
[NS]Markuk
25-08-2005, 08:58
An extremely well thought out post, and one I agree with quite a bit.

I oppose this war quite a bit, but I know that a unilateral pull-out would be the worst possible thing we could do for Iraq. But to play devil's advocate, what if things DON'T get better? What if ten years from now we still have 100,000 troops in Iraq, and are still taking casualties on a weekly basis? At what point do we say, "we give up?"
BackwoodsSquatches
25-08-2005, 09:44
I understand America will see continued envolvment in Iraq, for at least two years, or more.
However that does not mean, I, in any way, condone or support the actions taken by the White House.

The fact is, the we cannot simply pull up stakes and get out.
Iraq would devolve into civil war, and the result would be a breeding ground for all sorts of nefarious deeds, from drug trafficking to terrorism.

So yes, I do accept the fact that we will be in Iraq for the forseeable future, but I also would like to see the persons responsible for this travesty of sanity and war of aggression and profit, lose their jobs, or be brought up on charges, if applicable.

People in power who abuse the power given to them, must be held accountable for thier actions, and its time the entire world understands this again.
America was founded on some basic principles.
Principles that were designed to maintain certain freedoms and equalities, and while we prattle on endlessly about those principles today, we watch as our leaders take pieces of them away.

/rant
BackwoodsSquatches
25-08-2005, 09:45
Markuk']An extremely well thought out post, and one I agree with quite a bit.

I oppose this war quite a bit, but I know that a unilateral pull-out would be the worst possible thing we could do for Iraq. But to play devil's advocate, what if things DON'T get better? What if ten years from now we still have 100,000 troops in Iraq, and are still taking casualties on a weekly basis? At what point do we say, "we give up?"


Good question...

How long did Vietnam last?
Americai
25-08-2005, 10:22
Markuk']An extremely well thought out post, and one I agree with quite a bit.

I oppose this war quite a bit, but I know that a unilateral pull-out would be the worst possible thing we could do for Iraq. But to play devil's advocate, what if things DON'T get better? What if ten years from now we still have 100,000 troops in Iraq, and are still taking casualties on a weekly basis? At what point do we say, "we give up?"

We must take the issue in steps. This is a very difficult to answer issue and as mentioned by me in the "fog of war" point, one we might have to address at a later point of time. I do not believe making an immediate decision is wise at this point. We can however begin to get this whole situation in proper perspective and begin to address the biggest problems first. One being, that a Vietnam is still possible later despite staying or leaving Iraq. Getting political pressure to change from infighting to united reform is probably the best first real step for the average American.

The second issue, is allowing for Iraqi's at the least, the appropriate time to formulate a cearly well thought out Constitution. Leaving before that happens will probably have the worst consequences.

Also hearing a military assessment of appropriate levels of Iraqi forces that will be needed and achieving that goal would be the third step. And etc.

Most people have taught others that with difficult problems or work, you manage its bigger or more pressing issues first.
[NS]Markuk
26-08-2005, 09:06
Most people have taught others that with difficult problems or work, you manage its bigger or more pressing issues first.

Trouble with that is that the biggest problem in Iraq is centuries of ethnic and religious conflict and strife.
Earth Government
26-08-2005, 09:44
Good question...

How long did Vietnam last?

Well, Ike was sending in military advisors as early as the 1950's, so...
BackwoodsSquatches
26-08-2005, 09:53
Well, Ike was sending in military advisors as early as the 1950's, so...


I was thinking more along the lines of "Gulf of Tonkin".

Besides...the French were only there so Marty Sheen could find them, when he was hunting for Marlon Brando.
Earth Government
26-08-2005, 09:58
I was thinking more along the lines of "Gulf of Tonkin".

Besides...the French were only there so Marty Sheen could find them, when he was hunting for Marlon Brando.

I'm sure NAMBLA has had him confused enough since then, I don't think Sheen could find Brando even if someone put up a hot pink neon sign.
BackwoodsSquatches
26-08-2005, 10:01
I'm sure NAMBLA has had him confused enough since then, I don't think Sheen could find Brando even if someone put up a hot pink neon sign.


??

Martin Sheen is an advocate of NAMBLA????
[NS]Markuk
26-08-2005, 10:17
No way. Martin Sheen is awsome.
[NS]Amestria
26-08-2005, 10:20
http://www.markfiore.com/animation/victory.html
Anarcho-syndycalism
26-08-2005, 10:31
Americai, I suggest you send this to the congress, or get in politics, really.
Possibly you don't achieve anything, but you could give it a try
Americai
26-08-2005, 20:54
I have a better idea. Politics really don't help someone change the system. Business organizations are in better positions to make changes if they institute some strategies of charity, organization/communication, and philanthropy/public building.

I'm going to aim for that. One constantly needs money to change and help people. Politicans can't do much except fight other politicans and the ingrained system.