Iraqi War: What is it Good For?

Iraqmire — the gift that keeps on giving. Thanks to our soldiers’ long tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan — and too short a rest period between tours — America’s military readiness has been jeopardized. Our military forces are now less prepared to respond to a new crisis.

The Pentagon wants to improve this situation by forging new partnerships overseas. Aye, there's the rub. Defense Secretary Robert Gates is trying to persuade our European allies (if they can even still be called that) to help us in Afghanistan by sending some of their troops over there. And for some odd reason, they aren't too enthusiastic about that idea.

They’ve already seen what a total disaster Iraq has turned into, and now they won't touch us with a ten foot pole. Even if these European leaders are confusing the Iraqi and Afghanistan wars — as Gates says they are — our credibility is shot. Toast. Finito. Thank you Boozo the Clown.

Let's see, what other gifts has Iraqmire given us? Ah yes, the recession. Yup, the R word — nearly two thirds of us think we’re in one right now. And 68% think the surest way to fix the economy is to pull out of Iraq. (48% said pulling out of Iraq would help “a great deal,” and 20% said it would help “at least somewhat.”)

The idea that pulling out of Iraq, and plugging up that trillion dollar rupture in our treasury, would help the economy — this should fall under the “DUUUHHH” category. But surprisingly (or maybe it isn't surprising), most Republicans think that pulling out of Iraq would not help the economy.

[sigh] where to begin…

cross-posted at Bring It On!