Why Iraq WAS worth the Cost!

Now that the surge has worked and the United States military and diplomatic efforts are succeeding, the debate should shift toward whether or not it was worth the costs...IT WAS.


Saddam Hussein and his sons are dead. They will kill torture and torment the world no more. Since the invasion of Kuwait the United States foreign policy and military efforts have been forced to focus on Iraq and what this mad man might do. The current government of Iraq cannot muster an attack on Kuwait, Iran, or any of its neighbors. Whatever the Iraqi government becomes after we leave, they will be consumed with internal politics and power for quite some time.

After we defeated Saddam and his ilk, Al Qaeda decided Iraq is the battlefield they would fight us on. They felt that in Iraq, not Afghanistan or the United States, is where they would make their stand. They have lost that gamble. After sacrificing thousands of recruits and the entire Bush presidency to defeat our military, they are routed and headed back to the mountains between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Good. Hide there. We will see you soon. Since 9-11 we have not allowed a sanctuary around the world. This one too will come crashing down on these murderers.

We know that recently yellow cake uranium was removed from Iraq. This will never find its way to terrorist or be used by Saddam to create a bomb. While no link exists between Saddam and Al Qaeda, he did pay the families of suicide bombers in Israel. This was a man who WOULD use terror if it suited him. 9-11 showed dictators that maybe terror was a way you could strike the US. George Bush showed all dictators we can and will take action. As a result Libya volunteered it's nuclear program. The North Korean nuclear problem is also in a better state than pre-Iraq war. Neither was possible without the war.

Today in Iraq we have our largest base in the Middle East. Just miles from the border of Iran the mightiest military in the world makes a home. Children don't act up as much when their parents are near by. The Iranians are full of bluster and media shows. But they are well aware they cannot strike Israel or allow a terrorist attack to be planned on their soil. Either would result in their destruction. While many pundits talk about Iran's new strength, they have also been dealt a defeat in Iraq. Their economy is in shambles and their bad faith negotiations are about to lead to more sanctions. The Iranians are also stuck on internal problems.

The Iraqi people have voted once and just might be on their way to a Democracy. With luck, they may vote again before our elections in November. Do you remember the purple fingers from Iraq and Afghanistan as people cast their first real votes? I do. Today in Iraq there is a free press. Local muscle like Muqtada al-Sadr has been forced to put down their arms in order to maneuver for upcoming elections. Elections. ELECTIONS! Made possible by the war in Iraq.

Finally and least importantly, the Iraqi economy is showing signs of life. Their oil exports are becomings stable and exceeding pre-war levels. In the next ten years they could increase dramatically depending upon development. Markets are open. The people are returning. Unlike Afghanistan, Iraq is an advanced and civilized country. It's people will thrive. We will soon get out of their way. The Iraqi war has changed the Middle East and the world. Over the next ten years, we will see by how much. History will judge. But if the past is our guide, Democracy will be good for Iraq, the Iraqis and the world.

Wars take time. They cost lives. They cost treasure. This war is in an entire region with agents spread around the world. We currently fight it in Iraq, Afghanistan, in the Philippians, in Africa and at home. In Iraq and Afghanistan we have learned much about our enemy. We are winning in both. Our military is more experienced and capable than ever before. The technology for modern and counter-insurgency military operations has been dramatically improved.

For all these benefits we should be grateful. Our soldiers are heroes. Everyone who died should know they did not die in vain. They died with honor. Fighting for freedom. Fighting to keep the world safe. Someday I hope a monument will stand in Iraq honoring them. Not built by us, or requested by the US. Built by Iraqis, honoring their liberation. I salute every soldier and thank them for their service. It was worth it. You country is proud.

Republican Party, What is the US Role in the World?

This post idea comes from a commenter today about the main GOP platform on this site. The anonymous writer makes a good case for the conservative position of reducing our role in the world. Fundamentally, I agree that less meddling and financial aid spent abroad is better for US interests and national security. However I also believe that 9-11 changed the world. Because of that date AND escalating terrorism leading up to it; WE ARE CURRENTLY AT WAR WITH A GLOBAL ISLAMIC TERRORIST ideology. The ideology has spawned 100s of dangerous organizations. These organizations are active here, in Europe, and worldwide. They are headquartered and recruited from the sands of the Middle East. Part of the fight will take place there.

How do I put these two opposed items into my world view and a platform I could support for the Republican Party? I guess I have to start by recognizing where we are in history. It is the year 2007 and the US interests are interwoven in the Global economy. US troops are invested throughout the world in Iraq, Afghanistan, South Korea, Bosnia and elsewhere. Our bases in Europe are important to NATO and our long-term allies. None of these things are commitments that should end in 2008 with a new President. The platform can't be about isolationism anti-trade or anti-UN. It must be about actionable events.

That leads me to the first part of my proposal, victory in Iraq. Today, we have 130,000+ troops in Iraq who are part of a major war effort. Plus we have invested a large civilian effort towards the goal of Democracy. These efforts have cost lives, treasure, political capital and more. The surge is showing signs of success and the chance for victory. As a party we have to believe the United States is capable of winning. Then we need to choose the Presidential Candidate who will lead to a victory. You simply cannot allow any time lines when considering the long term interests of the US. Like it or not we are at war, we can win. So we must.

Secondly we must understand there are people who want to attack us throughout the world. These small groups can cause unbelievable damage to lives and economies. From Afghanistan to Pakistan to hot spots in Africa or the Philippines. Our troops that actively fight the war on terror must be supported. This is defended in the constitution as providing for a common defense. While our military fights on offense, homeland security must improve domestic intelligence and secure our borders.

Then we must get back to the conservative part of our world view and policies. I suggest starting by modernizing and reducing troop levels at long-term bases and deployments. This includes South Korea, Europe, Japan and anywhere else that reductions can be responsibly made. Simultaneously we must review our financial commitments internationally then re-allocate them domestically or cut spending on failing worldwide charities and programs.

This process must continue at home. US domestic base structure has become a victim of Pork Barrel Spending. Unnecessary bases should be closed or reassigns. Poor performing projects and projects that are no longer necessary need to be cut and funds re-allocated to active war efforts. We have to stop funding the war on short term requests as we recognize the full scope of the fight we have on our hands.

In short, win the wars on terrorism and in Iraq. Fight the war on terrorism throughout the world where it has strongholds and sanctuaries. Then reduce wasteful bureaucracy and spending in the military, state department, and other international organizations.





That is my take on our role for the next President. What do you believe?

Winning the War on Terror

The most important part of the Republican Platform in 2008 must be winning the war on terror. Clearly we are in a time of history when a very small number of people can do an increasing amount of damage. As a society we have to find a way to protect ourselves from one crazy nut or a culture of murder and intimidation. The radical Islamists seek to rule the Middle East and destroy Western society for our lack of morals. Yet in their moral judgment killing innocent people and stoning rape victims earns them the favor of their god.

To win the war on terror the Republican party must first define the struggle clearly for the American people. President Bush has tried and started this process, but the next President must accomplish the goal of explaining how big of a threat the entire civilized world faces. We must stand up and say that some cultures and ways of life are better than others. There is good and evil. They are embodied in the difference between western civilization and the theocracy of globalist jihad. We are on the right side and we must win.

Once we define the fight, we must defeat our enemy. First on the many battlefields in Iraq, Afghanistan, against Hezbollah in Lebanon, Al Qaeda in Western Pakistan, the mullahs of Iran, and even Hamas in Gaza. If you preach the destruction of Israel and a global Islamic nation, then you are no friend of ours and you cannot be a part of the global economy or community.

So the Republican Candidate should promise these actions (in no particular order)

- Deliver one final crushing blow to the insurgents and terrorists in Iraq. Once achieved, reduce our troops significantly leaving behind a significant strike force for combat missions plus enough support troops to make our Iraq base a major deterrent for Iran. This base (or bases) will give the Iraqi government the additional strength needed to establish their new government.

- Work with NATO allies and other middle east allies to implement a "surge" in Afghanistan. Finish off the Taliban and the poppy fields so that this government can stand up fully across their entire nation.

- Focus on the Pakistan crisis now unfolding. Safe havens have to be denied and right now that is Waziristan. Whatever government that emerges in Pakistan must deal with their tribal areas quickly, or understand that we will. Action in this part of the world would mean drones, special ops, air power, and casualties. But we are at war and we must fight it where the enemy rests it's head.

- Fight for the rights of women in the middle east. The women are the key. No man or woman desires a life of a subject or 2nd class citizen. This is one of the way our culture is superior to the Islamic culture in the year 2007. If the women are empowered and make a stand, the moderate men will stand with their sisters, mothers and wives.

- Aggressively pursue energy independence as quickly as possible. Start with the immediate by slowly using the strategic oil preserve. We are at war and our enemy is using oil against us. This is why we have the reserve. Move next to the fastest new drilling that can be online in US territories which may mean off coast, Alaska, but also more exploration within the 48 states. Continue with encouraging a national gasoline blend and more refineries to streamline the cost of unleaded gasoline. Next move to the long term solutions of new nuclear power plants, wind and solar power, advanced car technology, etc. Begin forcing energy costs down for the American people and maintaining a policy of low energy prices for the US consumer and economy.

These five things would go a long way towards winning the war on terror. We are in for a long fight, but we can win. We must win. And to win we must have a strategy and sell that strategy to the American people.



This post is one element of the Grassroots Conservative Republican Platform 2008. To contribute to this effort, please comment on this post and help shape this platform. Send the link to your friends and lets take our party back to the conservative principals that lead President Reagan and that were the key to President Bush's victory in the election of 2000.

Representative Pete Stark making an ass of himself.

Wow. "The truth is that Bush just likes to blow things up: in Iraq, in the United States, and in Congress." - Congressman Pete Stark (D - CA). No congressman, that is Al Qaeda. They blow things up in Iraq everyday including civilians. They killed over 3,000 people on 9/11 in the United States. And they tried to blow up Congress with an airplane. Here we are, in the middle of a war in Iraq and with terrorists, and a member of the "loyal opposition" calls The President a killer. How can a debate about defeating an enemy that blows up innocent people around the world degrade into cheap shots during a health care debate? The Democratic party is irresponsible on every front. They jeopardize a relationship with an ally in Turkey over a meaningless resolution, then yank it from the floor when criticized. The damage may have already be done as Turkey uses this as a pretense to stir up trouble in Iraq. Just what the Democrats wanted, if there isn't bad news coming from Iraq, they cannot win in 08. So they have to insure we leave with our tail between our legs. Just how they like to see the US Military.Simply irresponsible, childish, and disappointing.

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Of Mice or Men: The Great Iraq Debate Sept 2007

Listening to the President and the candidates today makes me think of this comparison.

The Democrats are like mice. They scurry from poll to poll and focus group to fund raiser just to get a bite. Then they come out with their opinion and shockingly they want to pin their hopes on the United Nations, talking to enemies, and diplomacy. News flash: You can't trust the word of dictators or despots.

The Republicans are like men. They are strong. They take unpopular positions. Try to convince people they are right. They understand that sacrifice and casualties are part of changing the world. Some talk about the failings of the Rumsfeld policies, others about trusting a general in war-time, still others about the hope of Democracy. Breaking news: War is hard and there are some mistakes.

The Democrats are like mice. They flee from a fight. Honor, sacrifice, courage are words they use, but don't feel have any correlation with victory. A soldier or competitor's honor and sacrifice and courage are rewarded by success. By winning! No more ties. A stable and Democratic Iraq would be a major blow to terrorists and jihadists around the world.

The Republicans are like men. They know the military can handle this fight. We can win. We must win. Battle and competition end with a winner and a loser. In this case everyone loses in a tie. Iraq is just one battle in the war with radical Islam. By winning it, Republicans know that Bin Laden is weaker and we gain intelligence and experience with each province cleared.

If you are on the fence in this debate, join us. The Republican Party is the party that can win the war against Jihad and this IS the issue of our time. Just listen to the President of Iran if you do not believe we are at the beginning of an important time in history.

The Iraq War: A Long Term Strategy

The "Pull Out Now" crowd is completely dishonest and politically motivated. Period. Any intelligent politician or citizen has to realize that in the long term having our troops in the Middle East is 100% necessary for United States national security. Looking five or ten years into the future who can believe that the threat of Jihad will be less than it is now?

It won't be. Iran, Syria, Saudi Arabia and parts of Pakistan teach hatred in their schools. Hate festers and grows with age. The Iraq campaign is our beach-head into the snakes nest that is the Middle East. Nobody likes war, soldiers dying or innocents being slaughtered. But pulling out our troops now to put them back in within the next ten years would be stupid, no other way to put it.

Hezbollah, Hamas, and Al Qaida will claim victory if we pull out. They will have earned it. Their manipulation of the media and Liberals has been impressive. The weakness we have shown in resolve has given these groups and the Iraqi insurgency incentive to maintain a drum beat of explosions and death. By themselves none of these attacks has ANY strategic value. But since American citizens and Democratic politicians have no concept of war, these attacks give the impression that we are fighting a never ending battle in Iraq.

It takes time to change the world. The Iraq War could change it. Historically, ten years is a blip in the grand scheme of civilizations. Bringing democracy to the Middle East is the only thing that can raise the standard of living, end oppression, and by result stop the tide of Jihadism. But short of that goal we need 150,000 troops in that region to destroy our enemies when they next are able to attack our home land.

"Pull out Now!" is equivalent to saying "I surrender" or more accurately "The United States of America surrenders to a band of rejects, killers, and thugs." You people make me sick.

Victory in IRAQ

Victory in Iraq needs to be a major part of any Republican platform in 2008. The United States of America's armed forces does not lose wars...politicians do. This war is being lost for two reasons. First, the Democratic party has undermined the President and our troops since the boots hit the ground with a constant drum beat of negativity giving our enemy hope that through attrition they can win. Second, our President and his party has not been strong enough to win the war in the face of this opposition. Rather than making the case for a larger war effort, tougher tactics or pointing out the lack of patriotism in the opposing party President Bush has instead "stayed the course", kept his "new tone" and has not fought the war tough enough since the first evening of "shock and awe".

So the new Presidential candidate for the Republican party in 2008 must achieve victory. With or without the Iraq government we must defeat our enemies in Iraq. Both the al Qaeda in Iraq and the Sunni insurgents must be brought to their knees and militarily crushed so that the rest of the Iraqi people have any chance to create a democratic nation. If military elements of these two groups still exist when our troops leave, then all their sacrifices will have been in vain. That is unacceptable.

The leftover Jihad-ists and insurgents will bide their time and attack any new government months or years after we leave. This would usher in a Taliban like regime that will fund terror, train suicide bombers and grow the militant Islamic nation. Together with Iran and Syria this nation could cause serious national security problems for the United States and the world. Pulling out of Iraq without victory is a waste of lives and money. Worse, it is the equivalent of kicking the can down the road for someone else to pick up.

Finally, victory in Iraq is possible. It is not only possible, it should be easy for the great nation that is the United States of America. There is no finer armed forces in the world an no nation has ever had the financial and political resources that we do in the 21st century. The challenge is to beat back the drum-beat of Peace-niks and globalists and the blame America first crowd. Then to inspire the American people to believe that we can achieve anything and most importantly achieve Victory in Iraq and ultimately against our global enemy in the War on Terror.


This post is one element of the Grassroots Conservative Republican Platform 2008. To contribute to this effort, please comment on this post and help shape this platform. Send the link to your friends and lets take our party back to the conservative principals that lead President Reagan and that were the key to President Bush's victory in the election of 2000.

Grassroots Conservative Republican Platform 2008: Version 1.0

Since I am the 1st contributor to this effort, this initial list is mine and mine only. Over the next four-five months I will update this site based on the news, debates, and most importantly the feedback I receive here at this blog. I am going to keep the list at ten items, however what ten items remain in the platform and their priority will most likely change. So without further delay..

Suggested GOP Platform for the 2008 Presidential Election

1. Victory in IRAQ - By any means necessary, the United States must win an unequivocal victory in the Middle East. This war moves to its next stage through a victory in the IRAQ campaign. Anything short of this will embolden Jihad-ists and increase the length of the overall war on terror. To achieve victory we must be willing to consider; eight more years, martial law in IRAQ, 100,000 additional troops or any other advantage that we can give to our troops. This war has taken too long because we fight wars today with padded gloves instead of brass knuckles.
   


2. Border Security Now - Not ten years from now, not as part of immigration reform, now. National security begins and ends with operational control of all four borders. (East, West, North, & South). The southern fence must be built and companies that hire illegals must be prosecuted. (Part of this platform is that "undocumented workers" do not exist, there is no such thing. They are illegal immigrates)


3. Winning the War On Terror - The culture of Islam has been on the March since its founding. The borders of the global Islamic nation are either expanding or contracting through murder and violence. This murderous sect of the Muslim religion is expanding and must be stopped. This means staying on the offensive in Iraq, Iran, Israel and the Palestinian territories.
   


4. Earmarks / Pork Barrel Spending - The GOP candidate needs to be clear on this issue. The era of congressional spending to get re-elected or hand out favors is over. If a bill contains any pork, it should be vetoed and the pork exposed to the papers. Also the most offensive pork in the previous four years should be re-examined and cut wherever and whenever possible. Finally the new President must pledge to never use pork spending to gain the votes needed on any bill. Bills are to be debated, not auctioned on eBay.
   


5. Education Change - Our nations schools are failing from coast to coast. They are indoctrinating young people with stories of eminent global destruction and not teaching them the Bill of Rights. The federal department of education should be eliminated and 85% of the funds distributed to the 50 states based on population size. Then the other 15% should produce 1 study per year ranking the fifty state education systems. Let the people decide where to live and how their kids are educated. The states will compete, try new ideas like vouchers, and less tax dollars will be wasted on bureaucratic nonsense.
   


6. Abortion - There is no right to abortion in the Constitution of the United States. There is also no absolute right of privacy that establishes a "law free zone" in a doctors office. This is why Euthanasia is still illegal and many other acts that a doctor could perform. Therefore Row vs Wade should be overturned as bad law and the states free to regulate abortion as they see fit. Again, let the people decide where to live and which state most closely resembles their beliefs.
   


7. Immigration Reform - Once we achieve operational border security, then and only then does it make sense to fix the immigration system. The reform should be based on faster paperwork and response to legitimate applications and simultaneously eliminating lengthy appeals and 2nd chances. Hard working immigrates are the foundation of our country, we should give many people chances to achieve the American Dream. Not the same people over and over again or unlimited people from any one nation.
   


8. Gay Marriage - Firstly, it is a valid and reasonable position for an individual to consider homosexuality immoral and a choice rather than a people group. This does not make them a homo-phobe or bigot. As a result, a society has every right to encourage certain types of relationships and discourage others. America was founded on the traditional family and should continue to honor and cherish the benefits of having both a father and mother. So there should be no gay marriage and no civil union recognition. There is no right to marry whatever you wish, the marriage laws are exclusively written for the the union of one man to one woman.
   


9. Political Speech - For years some religious groups and churches are permitted to support candidates, have them speak at services and to offer blatant endorsements. Meanwhile conservative churches and organizations have their tax exempt status threatened to keep them from informing their members of where they stand as an organization. At the same time Campaign Finance Reform has enabled more soft money and a decrease in accountability as to whom is funding what. McCain-Feingold should be repealed in its entirety and new Campaign Finance Reform should be debated based on the goal of 100% accountability and open and free speech.
   


10. Tax Rates - Lower taxes fuel the economy. Less taxes means more public sector spending which increases GDP and more importantly wealth. Wealth creates jobs and new businesses which feed back into the local, state, and federal tax systems. So the Bush tax cuts should be made permanent. Small business tax should be reduced to encourage job creation and competition. Finally, the estate tax should be abolished forever. No family should pay tax twice on their earnings nor have to be concerned with tax payments and loopholes when passing their life's work onto their children or other family.
    

Please give me your feedback on what should be in this platform and what should be removed. If you convince me or if enough valid opinions override my own, then I will update the platform and improve it. All comments will be used to form the consensus of this effort, but if you want your comment posted please read the rules.