Chrintium
14-12-2006, 04:54
I've seen a lot of threads that turn to the Iraq War.
I'm a new member, but I don't doubt that there have been Iraq War posts numerous times before, and were likely locked due to the flamefest nature of the War on Terror...
So even though I'm not a moderator, and have no authority to impose rules, I strongly urge that we follow a few protocols before engaging in a very very old debate.
1) Stop and think before you post. The :upyours: smiley gets attention, but it won't persuade anybody. Neither does the headbang smiley. Try to be as respectful as possible.
2) Evidence. If you make some claim (WMDs as prime example), cite a source. Not Wikipedia. Not Fox News. The most credible international source in my mind is BBC. International Herald Tribune's also great.
3) Quoting people and then saying "wow, clearly an idiot" may make you feel good about yourself, but it doesn't actually make any kind of logical point. Avoid if you can.
Having said that, I'll state my brief opinions on the War.
When we first invaded, I was very naieve and believed the Bush Administration. Saddam must have had WMDs, I thought. Go America! After being on the Debate team and getting shot down in numerous internet forums over the last 3 years, I've realized how...naieve....I was. In hindsight, I'm very much against the premise of going in.
I don't believe the US should "stay the course." I don't believe we should be gone by tomorrow. I believe in a conditional timeline, where as time goes on, the conditions for retreat become more and more simple. ie: If, by December 1, 2007, Iraq is 90 percent secure with 300,000 police, we pull out. If by December 1, 2008 it is 80 percent secure with 250,000 police, we pull out, etc. We've gotta get out, but we DID make this mess and ought to give ourselves a little bit more time to help before we leave.
Having said that, I ask for respect to keep this from being locked. There's potential for a real debate here, and there's no need for flaming. Do I disagree with people who are pro-war? You bet. Am I going to quote them and say cute things? No. I'll argue with sources, which I feel are on my side.
I'm a new member, but I don't doubt that there have been Iraq War posts numerous times before, and were likely locked due to the flamefest nature of the War on Terror...
So even though I'm not a moderator, and have no authority to impose rules, I strongly urge that we follow a few protocols before engaging in a very very old debate.
1) Stop and think before you post. The :upyours: smiley gets attention, but it won't persuade anybody. Neither does the headbang smiley. Try to be as respectful as possible.
2) Evidence. If you make some claim (WMDs as prime example), cite a source. Not Wikipedia. Not Fox News. The most credible international source in my mind is BBC. International Herald Tribune's also great.
3) Quoting people and then saying "wow, clearly an idiot" may make you feel good about yourself, but it doesn't actually make any kind of logical point. Avoid if you can.
Having said that, I'll state my brief opinions on the War.
When we first invaded, I was very naieve and believed the Bush Administration. Saddam must have had WMDs, I thought. Go America! After being on the Debate team and getting shot down in numerous internet forums over the last 3 years, I've realized how...naieve....I was. In hindsight, I'm very much against the premise of going in.
I don't believe the US should "stay the course." I don't believe we should be gone by tomorrow. I believe in a conditional timeline, where as time goes on, the conditions for retreat become more and more simple. ie: If, by December 1, 2007, Iraq is 90 percent secure with 300,000 police, we pull out. If by December 1, 2008 it is 80 percent secure with 250,000 police, we pull out, etc. We've gotta get out, but we DID make this mess and ought to give ourselves a little bit more time to help before we leave.
Having said that, I ask for respect to keep this from being locked. There's potential for a real debate here, and there's no need for flaming. Do I disagree with people who are pro-war? You bet. Am I going to quote them and say cute things? No. I'll argue with sources, which I feel are on my side.