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An interesting op-ed from guys who are there fighting and dying.
Given the situation, it is important not to assess security from an American-centered perspective. The ability of, say, American observers to safely walk down the streets of formerly violent towns is not a resounding indicator of security. What matters is the experience of the local citizenry and the future of our counterinsurgency. When we take this view, we see that a vast majority of Iraqis feel increasingly insecure and view us as an occupation force that has failed to produce normalcy after four years and is increasingly unlikely to do so as we continue to arm each warring side.
Damned if we do, damned if we don’t. Makes getting out before we do more damage look pretty smart. We already smaked the hornet’s nest; question is, will we so it again, or will we run inside and let it calm down before we go looking for another to smack?
—bikepunk
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BP,
Thanks for posting this. This well written op ed piece was authored by those who know the situation best from being there without the need to spin for their own purposes. They are fighting for freedom and dieing for their friends…every day.
They deserve their due.
The Times is doing some great work talking to real live soldiers. Have y’all read the Homefire’s blog? Six vets, talking about their lives now that they’re back. Great work, but somehow not as important to the rest of the world as Paris Hilton’s latest escapades.
…check out the ‘Iraq Veterans Against the War’ site. These courageous young men & women have been there, done the jobs they were told would help the Iraqi situation & now have the benefit of informed perspective.
http://www.ivaw.org/faq
They have something to say. Having served their time for the ‘G’, & seen the truth first hand, they are willing to stand up & say it. My hats off to them.
Pretty stark contrast to the line of happy horseshit being peddled by BushCo’s talking heads.
…something to be said for “truth in advertising”…