why are we still in iraq if the war is over ?
548555
why are we still in iraq?  Im not there.  Im here in california drinking beer and answering dumb questions like this!
947306
according to the wisdom of rush limbaugh, that is no big deal, iraq is in almost as good as shape as california where there are muggings and murders also.  According to george w's theory, we cant leave iraq now cause there are americans being killed over there, and if we did leave the whole country would fall into chaos and violence.  The only thing to do, is vote in someone who doesnt have ties to the oil and power and military industries, declare victory over there again, let sadaam loose since they all love him so much, and leave.
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!!
1099006
Because a failure in Iraq is  failure to America and our standing in the world will go down.  If we leave prematurely the entire world will see America doesn't stick it out to the end.  That is a position we as a country cannot have if we expect our allies to stand by us.\n\nBesides, we lucked up and got the moth to the flame effect there.  The terrorist have gone to Iraq to run us out.  They are now there for us to fight and kill, and it is better to fight them there than fight them here.  They have shown they have no intention of leaving us alone.
989058
That sounds about right. You all know we are still in Afganistan right? We are also still in Kosovo. Did you know that? I don't hear any news from that any more. Except through our military chanells.\nIt takes time to do it right, train their soldiers and police. We have built power plants and water facilities. These facilities were not bombed by us. We made darn sure we kept the infrastructure intact. We gave back what Saddam took away with his 30+ palaces and grand life style for his people the Sunnis (who aren't too happy they don't have a friend running the country anymore). I'm not talking about all the Sunnis though.\nThe big thing is we have to make sure the Government of Iraq has a good enough security force to make Iraq safe and secure. Then we'll leave.\nThe war WITH Iraq was over in spring of 2003. We are fighting insurgants and terrorists now.
927117
Because of all the WMDs that Saddam had.\nNo, wait a minute, because we wanted to spread democracy.\nOn second thought, it was to pursue the War of Terrorism.\nWait, it was because we went in and we have to stay the course.\nHang on, gimme a sec... \n\nI don't really know.
1077149
when the war is not stopped then that means our troops are doing their job and killing the terrorists.What are whiners like you going to do when these terrorists blow something up over here again and kill a bunch of innocent Americans... AGAIN.You'll just blame the government and say they never did there jobs.Our troops (HERO'S) cant win with you people so if you dont love this country and our freedoms then go live in iraq if you think it's so great over there......
182012
When President George HW Bush was in office, it was a defensive war fought to liberate Kuwait from Iraq. The goal of the war was only the freedom of Kuwait, not to move into Iraq, although a number of US generals were pushing for it. Bush, Powell and other leaders decided it was not in the best interest to go in at that time - this wasn't an "unfinished war" despite what people want to say to demean the current President. The Kurds, thinking we were going to help them free themselves from Hussein, started an uprising. When we didn't come into Iraq, Hussein's army easily suppressed the rebellion and then proceeded to torture and kill entire villiages and towns, including through the use of WMDs (sarin gas), and then openly attempted to assassinate Bush after he was out of office.\n\nAs part of Hussein's surrender, they had to comply by UN laws and treaties. They did not for 12 years. Why would you fault Bush for taking a murderous dictator for task? And name one war that we "got out right away?" We still have troops stationed overseas from WWII, Korea and Vietnam. For some reason, Americans decided that wars can be fought during commercial breaks during sitcoms. Wars are drawn out processes that result in many lives lost, but for the hopefully greater good of society.\n\nGod bless your son, but don't trivalize what he is fighting for.
751527
Arcane are you  crazy?  Their are a lot more modernized middle eastern countries that Iraq.  I have been to a couple different countries and I saw nothing that even Iraq.  You need to know what you are talking about before you start saying stuff like that.  One other thing I want to tell you about.  If the Iraqis didn't want us there all they had to do is run us out,  but they are going through what we did  in our civil war, Losing life's, homes, family and what not they know that it is a necessary evil but most of them are ready for a change.  There have been more business open up in the last year than any other year in their history.  Soon as they can show that their military is able and willing we will be out but no sooner.  It would be a disgrace to the US and its people if we left now and let total hell rain down upon them.
525034
our troops will stop dying for that particular cause and Iraq will probably revert to a war torn arena that is governed by warlords and/or different religious factions until the most powerful one is able to take control, which will probably/definitely be another Saddam.... then you will have another situation unlike the previous and we can start all over, probably with a US leader that will not invade but will allow a military buildup and then we can just let them invade us..... after all, the only thing most (not all but most) of the governments in that part of the world want is the complete destruction of the west.... which includes us and anyone that is on our side................. so while no one wants what we have there now.... the choice is finish it and get out or get out and let them finish us............... our choice.
1139307
First of all we did not take over Iraq.  Iraq has its own government (Thanks to the USA) and they make their own rules and laws. We are their to keep the county from falling apart.  You are right about it not being about 9/11, it is for other reasons.  Iraq is the country the took over another country when it invaded Kuwit in the early 90's.  After we kicked them out they have broken over 20 UN resolutions which were put on them by the whole wrold not just the USA.  They consistaly shot missiles at our planes which were patroling their airspace (if thats not an act of war then I dont know what is).  They have used WMD's and would refuse to let weapons inspector into there country. Us going into Iraq was voted on by our congress and by the UN secerity counsle, both of which agreed that Saddam needed to go.  And for your "Bush is a oil hungry Mad-man" comment.  We have not taken one drop of oil from the Iraqi people that oil belongs to them. If you want proof of that just look at the gas prices.
1027392
even if we stop driving, oil will still be used.  we wont leave Iraq.  and right now, its better that way.  if we leave Iraq without a government, the dead soldiers will have died in vain, and we don't want that.
12052
it will never end. as long as there is Iraqis all over the place, then that war wont be over. They not allow any foreigners rule over them... just put yourself on their shoes, would you allow bin ladden rule over america? :P
1038941
I recently received an email from a friend in Iraq who said that it's a completely different atmosphere where "70% of people want us here and know we need to be here, 5% don't want us here (the insurgents), and 20% are rich enough they don't have to care.  The US is crying for us to leave and push the Iraqi's to "run" when they're hardly able to crawl on their own..."\n\nI think regardless of elections, etc we need to be there at least another 3 years.  \n\nHow long do I THINK we'll be there?  I dunno, the "War" in Iraq is technically over, but the "War on Terrorism" should never cease...
566409
because the country isn't stable.  When the Iraqi government and military are able to sufficiently rule and control the country, then the US military will leave.
383961
No, our nation is currently building several permanent bases in Iraq.  We won't be out of there for a long time
1071851
i think its a difficult issue. i think that we are in the war for the wrong reasons, but i think the war is necessary. the us being on a different continent than most major wars has always been torn between getting involved and isolationism. we dont always make the right call. i think that the people in iraq and the surrounding regions needed help. needed military assistance. not to make way for democracy or any of that crap. but because of massive human rights violations. thats not why we got into the war of course, but its certainly a beneficial side effect. the us didnt get into WWII to liberate the concentration camps, and stop the slaughter of innocent people all over europe, but again, a positive side effect. so maybe it doesnt matter what reason we go in for, as long as the right thing gets done. the civilian casualties are appalling. but they are mostly due to the iraqi insurgency. of course the iraqi insurgency would not have happened if we hadnt gotten involved, because their aims were being accomplished by saddam hussein. and they'll be there when we leave. i dont know that the middle east is actually a good place for democracy. they evolved differently than america and europe. they may require a different form of government. in the end i dont care. the people will decide, and it will be bloody and violent, as it always is. most really important decisions are. but i think its probably time we got out. but as long as we helped people who needed it, maybe its not such a bad thing we got involved. and before you ask, yes i believe that our next stop should be darfour, and the other places in africa where appalling genocide is taking place. it seems we cant win. some countries tell us to mind our own business. others ask us where the hell we were when they were in trouble. like i said. its complex. i dont think theres a right answer.