what can we sacrifice in order to end this war in Iraq and Afghanistan quicker? how can we help our troops?
437188
We can sacrifice our time and energy to become more politically involved and become more informed. As citizens, we have political power but many of us do not use it. If you want to end our involvement there, then communicate with your representative. If your representatives do not act, then next time don't vote for them or start protesting.\n\nOtherwise, we can sacrifice our freedom and join the military. The military needs more boots on the ground; it also needs highly intelligent people who are skilled in various work. People knowing a foreign language and experts in other cultures are desperately needed by both the military and the intelligence agencies. This conflict is not so much a physical fight as it is a battle of information.\n\nTo help the troops, what we need to do is again, become informed. That means doing your own research, asking questions (ask those who are actually doing the fighting if you can), then taking action to get the troops what they need. Send care packages filled with goodies that they ask for. Help their families. Fight the bureaucracy if you find out that a certain policy isn't right. Start campaigns to fund money or get politicians to help procure certain equipment for the troops. The possibilities are endless.
994324
When I was in Basic, my drill sergeant asked us this same question.  When I said that I would..  he berated me, and then instructed the right answer was that our job isn't to "sacrifice our lives", but to make sure we make the a**hole on the other side sacrifice theirs.  I liked that, and it's stuck with me.  I was in Iraq during the first Gulf War, I've been shot at.  If I had died, then that was how things were supposed to be.  Support our troops, recognize the politicians and media outlets that help put them in harms way for what they are, self serving, greedy arshholes, and remember the cost of Freedom is Eternal Vigilance.
572330
Don't be angry with the president. Even John Kerry said in his campaign that he would have attacked Iraq and pursued the same basic course as W. You should hate the mother f***ers who enjoy greasing Americans. They are evil. They would be over here killing you if they weren't busy trying to kill Americans in Iraq. \n\nThe best thing you can do is honor the sacrifice of the one you loved. Your hurt and anger are understandable. As your loved one understood, the sacrifice was worth it. I wish the world was a nicer place. It isn't a nice place. America is a nice place. Those brave soldiers who put it on the line every day for you and me understand this. Honor the sacrifice. Don't dishonor the noble life that was given by besmirching the commander in chief. That Sheehan moron has already done more dishonoring than we can tolerate.
450748
The only realistic option you have is raising money for a private mercenary army.\n\nYou won't be able to protest or convince government officials to take military action because our army is already too spread out - we just don't have the man power right now.  I'm still confused why nothing was done by international government agencies in the 1990's.  Probably don't want to re-live the Somalia mistakes just yet.\n\nProviding humanity aid is also ineffective because, just like in Somalia, the military is stealing the supplies to feed their troops.\n\nI'm not convinced that Americans don't care, I bet they just don't know what the facts are.  News agencies don't report it because it's not as sexy as Iraq.  As with all things retarded in America, people won't listen unless a famous person champions the cause.  Why haven't any celebrity activists done this yet?\n\nER seems to be doing their share of advertising the problem, let's see who else gets on board.
546186
US army must move out from IraQ,not Iraq only but Afghanistan also.So Iraq leaders or politicial can "making " strong government.I mean "Iraq government style".
200210
Stand firm on getting Iraq self sufficient.  Don't back down just because people are bellyaching.  Finish what was started and just take the critisism.  Future generations will appreciate GWB for his tenacity even though our generation is blinded by the trees and can't see the forest.
200846
Wait to US is finished with Iraq and make it a true democracy then maybe we will do the same for your country, what ever it is, God bless and good luck
726972
Close to the entire army and Marine Corp is involved in the yearly cycling of troops to Iraq and Afghanistan. I'm not even too sure where they dig up the extra troops they did manage to find after I left the Army a couple of years ago except by screwing troops out of much need rest from duty in Iraq. In other words, the situation can't be maintained indefinitely. \n\nEven if we did have our military up to a point where it could continue indefinite combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, we still don't have the money to do what we're doing for an extended period, especially with the lack of accountability for the funds that have been given to Iraq.
154050
if you want to support them directly, adopt a soldier.  all it means is just send them some letters and care packages.  it means the world to them.  \n\nif you have kids, see if your kid's class wanted to have some as a pen pal.  its helps everyone.  \n\nyou could help at a uso.\n\nif you know someone who has been called up, offer support to their families.  \n\nall the money from those $0.99 yellow rubber band bracelets go directly to uso's\n\nthere's a million ways to show your support.  some take as little as a hand shake and a thank to a returning troop.  thank you for supporting the men and women who serve now and  who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
1103616
Ironically enough, we should continue with the war now, for the same exact reason we had for ending the war without taking out Saddam Hussein during Operation Desert Storm. It would create a power vaccuum in the country destabilizing the entire region, because every surrounding nation, and every billionaire sheik with delusions of grandeur would make a play to rule a country without a solid government and a means to defend itself. If we were to leave now, the entire region would be thrown into utter chaos. I'm a Marine. I am NOT pro war. But I do support the war. There is a difference. There are hard decisions to be made. And one of those hard decisions is to finish what we start. No matter how unpleasant it may be. And yes, "unpleasant" may well be the understatement of the century. But it is what it is. And we can't just up and leave millions of people ungoverned and undefended, no matter how badly terrorist organizations would like us too. And here's another thing to chew on. Terrorist organizations the world over are throwing resources and manpower at us in Iraq. This is true. But really, isn't it better for the U.S. to wage the war there, rather than on the streets of New York, or Chicago, or Charlotte?\n\nI will pray for the souls of those we lost so horribly, and for their families who have to live with the loss. I ask anyone who reads this post to take a few seconds of your day, to pray to your God as well.
1129750
Honestly I can only see one way.  To deploy a massive force in Iraq.  We would have to triple (at the very least) the troops and equipment already there.  We would have to establish a very unpopular Marshall law, having a huge presence on EVERY street corner.   Once the "insurgent" attacks subside, we would have to put the government on a fast track to developing the massive infrastructure needed to protect itself from domestic threats.\nI don't any way shape or form condon this war but we started it now we must finish it and try to "make things right".
793412
I would involve Iran and Syria in all talks about Iraq's future.  Because if we pull out too early, or if their government just crumbles anyway those two countries will most likely be involved anyway.  Syria is mostly Sunni and Iran is mostly Shiite.  If we can get those two countries to work together to make a better Iraq, then we may be able to put an end to the sectarian violence.  As for our active roll, I'm torn.  As a member of the US Army I don't like the idea of just giving up.  Our biggest problem right now is that we don't have enough troops in Iraq to do the job correctly.  A lot of people know this but it is political suicide to send more troops to an unpopular war.  If we keep the current troop levels in Iraq, we will never win this thing, the sectarian violence will turn into an all out civil war, and more innocent people will die.  I think if we're not going to send more troops, then we should just pull everyone out now.  Because if we're not win this war, there's no point in dragging it out only to pull out 5 years from now and have everything go wrong.  In the mean time more Americans will die and for nothing.  We need to either do it right, or leave because in the mean time we're just sending more of our soldiers into harms way.  And I'd hate to see more people die for nothing.  It's unsettling to me.  All or nothing.
946087
take our poor troops out of iraq and the middle east
853166
I agree with staying until Iraq and Afghanistan have solid governments and the factions have quit butchering each other to gain power. I don't know if enough Americans can stand the length of time that may be needed to get it done.
724969
I'm leaning in this direction too.  I think we should become more deadly and finish the fight before we rebuild Iraq's infrastructure.  Maybe build and fight was a useful tactic before the beehive burst.  We should let the Iraqi's rebuild and kill the fanatics first.  If we use our resources correctly, then cannot another country train the Iraqi army while we rampage?
362550
No. We are spread pretty thin right now. How many wars or peace keeping missions do you think that we can handle at one time? Let us try to to do all we can to try to prevent any more wars with other nations. We need to clean up our messes in Afghanistan and Iraq before we can get involved with another country.
121980
I served in the Air Force the 1st time we went to war with Iraq. That war was never officially over. For a war to be over, there must be a signed letter of surrender or a peace treaty. The only thing that we argeed to was a ceasefire. A ceasefire does not end a war, but put it on hold until there is a declaration of surrender or one of peace. I am glad that we finally have the chance to finish the war in that region. My prayers are with you and your family. You have a OOOH RAAH from Mississippi!!