I'm working on book #4. This one is about politics. I am looking for some perspectives on the Iraq war from supporters of the war. I'd like supporters to answer these questions, if willing. Thanks

1. What did you believe to be the government's primary objective(s) of the Iraq war before the war began? If more than one, please rank in order of importance, most important to least.

2. What do you believe to be the primary objective(s) of the Iraq war today? If more than one, please rank in order of importance, most important to least.

3. What did you believe to be the primary objectives of postwar occupation before the war?

4. What did you believe to be the primary objectives of postwar occupation today?

5. How long did you expect US troops to be in Iraq before the war. Did you approve of this. Has your expectation changed from before the war. Do you approve of the change?

Thank you

I will give my own answers here:

1. What did you believe to be the government's primary objective(s) of the Iraq war before the war began? If more than one, please rank in order of importance, most important to least.

Remove US troops from Saudi Arabia, end Iraq embargo, install friendly government in Iraq.

2. What do you believe to be the primary objective(s) of the Iraq war today? If more than one, please rank in order of importance, most important to least.

Install friendly government in Iraq, end Iraq embargo, remove US troops from Saudi Arabia,

3. What did you believe to be the primary objectives of postwar occupation before the war?

Install Ahmed Chalabi as Iraqi leader like we did with Karzai in Afghanistan.

4. What did you believe to be the primary objectives of postwar occupation today?

Keep large numbers of US troops in Iraq until the killing of US and allied personal stops.

5. How long did you expect US troops to be in Iraq before the war. Did you approve of this. Has your expectation changed from before the war. Do you approve of the change?

Before: I thought troops would be in Iraq for a long time before the war. My expectation hasn't changed.

My answers:

1. What did you believe to be the primary objective(s) of the Iraq war before the war began? If more than one, please rank in order of importance, most important to least.

Strike at the roots of terrorism. Better that folks are buying McDonald's cheeseburgers than falling under the spell of a radical Islam nut like Osama (compare to how Motown became a billion dollar industry and ended any real threat of a Race War being fought in America). Remove US troops from Saudi Arabia, end Iraq embargo, install friendly government in Iraq.

2. What do you believe to be the primary objective(s) of the Iraq war today? If more than one, please rank in order of importance, most important to least.

Strike at the roots of terrorism. Better we fight them there than here. Install friendly government in Iraq, end Iraq embargo, remove US troops from Saudi Arabia,

3. What did you believe to be the primary objectives of postwar occupation before the war?

Install Democracy and lots of Burger Kings.

4. What did you believe to be the primary objectives of postwar occupation today?

Install Democracy and lots of Burger Kings.

5. How long did you expect US troops to be in Iraq before the war. Did you approve of this. Has your expectation changed from before the war. Do you approve of the change?

Before: I thought troops would be in Iraq for a long time before the war. My expectation hasn't changed.

p.s. I think there are only about 3 or 4 folks posting at this that supported this "quagmire" in waiting.

1. What did you believe to be the primary objective(s) of the Iraq war before the war began? If more than one, please rank in order of importance, most important to least.
- Remove Saddam, find/destroy WMDs, Liberate Iraqis, get us out of Saudi Arabia.

2. What do you believe to be the primary objective(s) of the Iraq war today? If more than one, please rank in order of importance, most important to least.
- Remove Saddam, finish what we started in 1991, get out of Saudi Arabia, Liberate Iraqis, find/destroy WMDs.

3. What did you believe to be the primary objectives of postwar occupation before the war?
- Install democratic government, install leader, restore rights.

4. What did you believe to be the primary objectives of postwar occupation today?
- Restore order, install government

5. How long did you expect US troops to be in Iraq before the war. Did you approve of this. Has your expectation changed from before the war. Do you approve of the change?
Before, I knew we would have a prescense there for a long time, but I only expected large numbers of troops to be there about a year. Now, I'm thinking more like a year from now. I approve of but dislike the change.[/i]

Originally Posted by Mike Alexander '59

I'm working on book #4. This one is about politics. I am looking for some perspectives on the Iraq war from supporters of the war. I'd like supporters to answer these questions, if willing. Thanks

1. What did you believe to be the primary objective(s) of the Iraq war before the war began? If more than one, please rank in order of importance, most important to least.

2. What do you believe to be the primary objective(s) of the Iraq war today? If more than one, please rank in order of importance, most important to least.

3. What did you believe to be the primary objectives of postwar occupation before the war?

4. What did you believe to be the primary objectives of postwar occupation today?

5. How long did you expect US troops to be in Iraq before the war. Did you approve of this. Has your expectation changed from before the war. Do you approve of the change?

Thank you

Are you asking what I believe to be the Bush Administration's motivations, or what my own motivations for supporting it are?

Originally Posted by HopefulCynic68

Are you asking what I believe to be the Bush Administration's motivations, or what my own motivations for supporting it are?

By the tone of Michael's question your own motivations.

Originally Posted by Mike Alexander '59

I'm working on book #4. This one is about politics. I am looking for some perspectives on the Iraq war from supporters of the war. I'd like supporters to answer these questions, if willing. Thanks

1. What did you believe to be the primary objective(s) of the Iraq war before the war began? If more than one, please rank in order of importance, most important to least.

Overthrowing Saddam Hussein and his vile regime and sending a warning to other nations like Iran and North Korea who are a threat to world peace. It was more than likely that Saddam has involved with Al Qeada.

2. What do you believe to be the primary objective(s) of the Iraq war today? If more than one, please rank in order of importance, most important to least.

Same as above.

3. What did you believe to be the primary objectives of postwar occupation before the war?

Establishing Iraq into a stable democratic nation or at least a having pro-western government.

4. What did you believe to be the primary objectives of postwar occupation today?

Getting Iraq back to some sense of normlacy. Establishing a secular pro-western government, that will be an US ally.

5. How long did you expect US troops to be in Iraq before the war. Did you approve of this. Has your expectation chlaanged from before the war. Do you approve of the change?

Several years mininum for the occupation forces, there is a good chance permanment military bases will be established in Iraq, there are permanment US military bases in Germany and Japan despite WW2 ended in 1945!

Originally Posted by HopefulCynic68

Originally Posted by Mike Alexander '59

I'm working on book #4. This one is about politics. I am looking for some perspectives on the Iraq war from supporters of the war. I'd like supporters to answer these questions, if willing. Thanks

1. What did you believe to be the primary objective(s) of the Iraq war before the war began? If more than one, please rank in order of importance, most important to least.

2. What do you believe to be the primary objective(s) of the Iraq war today? If more than one, please rank in order of importance, most important to least.

3. What did you believe to be the primary objectives of postwar occupation before the war?

4. What did you believe to be the primary objectives of postwar occupation today?

5. How long did you expect US troops to be in Iraq before the war. Did you approve of this. Has your expectation changed from before the war. Do you approve of the change?

Thank you

Are you asking what I believe to be the Bush Administration's motivations, or what my own motivations for supporting it are?

What you believe are the government's motivations. If your own reasons are different please mention them too, and point out differences and how you feel about them.

Originally Posted by Tristan Jones

Originally Posted by HopefulCynic68

Are you asking what I believe to be the Bush Administration's motivations, or what my own motivations for supporting it are?

By the tone of Michael's question your own motivations.

No. The government's reasons for the war, not your own. As private citizens we don't formulate policy so I don't think we can have objectives for foreign policy. The forces that went into Iraq have a purpose for being there. That purpose is not my purpose or your purpose, because we didn't send them. The Bush administration sent them, so it is their purpose. We can disagree on what we believe is that purpose, but our own preferences are irrelevant to the question.

1. Stop terrorism, end any connections or plans or plans for connections between Al-Qaeda and Saddam.

2. Continuing war against terrorism, acting as decoy: attack Americans in Iraq rather than in America, establish some sort of liberal (19th century sense) government

3. Same

5. As long as it takes

Mike,

If you're looking for people's opinions of the government's motivations, why limit your input to "supporters only"? It would seem more relevent to gather data where it exists, and parse it into pro and con later.

I'm certain that everyone would be happy to declare his or her position if there is any likelihood that the answers alone aren't sufficient.

My $0.02

Originally Posted by David '47

Mike,

If you're looking for people's opinions of the government's motivations, why limit your input to "supporters only"?

At this point in time, I'm interested in what supporters of the policy have to say.

Originally Posted by Mike Alexander '59

Originally Posted by David '47

Mike,

If you're looking for people's opinions of the government's motivations, why limit your input to "supporters only"?

At this point in time, I'm interested in what supporters of the policy have to say.

Fair enough.

Mike, FYI--

In today's Seattle Times there is evidence that rural Washingtonians, once firm supporters of this war, now are showing cracks in their great wall of patriotism.

--Croaker

Originally Posted by Croaker'39

Mike, FYI--

In today's Seattle Times there is evidence that rural Washingtonians, once firm supporters of this war, now are showing cracks in their great wall of patriotism.

--Croaker

Well, this impatience and lack of long-term attention is just what I've been afraid of all along, not just on this issue. Rumsfeld took Jim Lehrer apart last week on the PBS news for implying that things ought to be perfect "after 4 months". Funny to watch, and sad at the same time.

Fast-food society wants everything fixed fast: if this keeps up, watch out, no politician will ever be able to satisfy them.

**** duplicate ****

Originally Posted by Stephen Pulaski

Originally Posted by Croaker'39

Mike, FYI--

In today's Seattle Times there is evidence that rural Washingtonians, once firm supporters of this war, now are showing cracks in their great wall of patriotism.

--Croaker

Well, this impatience and lack of long-term attention is just what I've been afraid of all along, not just on this issue. Rumsfeld took Jim Lehrer apart last week on the PBS news for implying that things ought to be perfect "after 4 months". Funny to watch, and sad at the same time.

Fast-food society wants everything fixed fast: if this keeps up, watch out, no politician will ever be able to satisfy them.

Considering the intent of the thread, this should be taken elsewhere. If it is, I'll be more than happy to argue the point.

Originally Posted by Tristan Jones

Originally Posted by Mike Alexander '59

I'm working on book #4. This one is about politics. I am looking for some perspectives on the Iraq war from supporters of the war. I'd like supporters to answer these questions, if willing. Thanks

1. What did you believe to be the primary objective(s) of the Iraq war before the war began? If more than one, please rank in order of importance, most important to least.

Overthrowing Saddam Hussein and his vile regime and sending a warning to other nations like Iran and North Korea who are a threat to world peace. It was more than likely that Saddam has involved with Al Qeada.

2. What do you believe to be the primary objective(s) of the Iraq war today? If more than one, please rank in order of importance, most important to least.

Same as above.

3. What did you believe to be the primary objectives of postwar occupation before the war?

Establishing Iraq into a stable democratic nation or at least a having pro-western government.

4. What did you believe to be the primary objectives of postwar occupation today?

Getting Iraq back to some sense of normlacy. Establishing a secular pro-western government, that will be an US ally.

5. How long did you expect US troops to be in Iraq before the war. Did you approve of this. Has your expectation chlaanged from before the war. Do you approve of the change?

Several years mininum for the occupation forces, there is a good chance permanment military bases will be established in Iraq, there still are permanment US military bases in Germany and Japan despite WW2 ended in 1945!

Originally Posted by Mike Alexander '59

I'm working on book #4. This one is about politics. I am looking for some perspectives on the Iraq war from supporters of the war. I'd like supporters to answer these questions, if willing. Thanks

Well, I was not a supporter of the war when they started it. I believed and still believe that secular dictators have been contained in the past, and ought to be contained in the future. Still, now that we are there, there is a 'you broke it, you gotta fix it' obligation...

Originally Posted by Mike Alexander '59

1. What did you believe to be the government's primary objective(s) of the Iraq war before the war began? If more than one, please rank in order of importance, most important to least.

There was a genuine (though with hindsight, misguided) fear of terror. There was a hidden agenda regarding assuring oil supplies, and making sure American companies redeveloped Iraq rather than the French and Russian companies that were negotiating with Saddam. We were wearing out our welcome in Saudi Arabia. The New American Century report did speak of a need for bases in the region. I believed it was hoped that a friendly government could be installed which would lease such bases.

Originally Posted by Mike Alexander '59

2. What do you believe to be the primary objective(s) of the Iraq war today? If more than one, please rank in order of importance, most important to least.

While there are many many ways that Iraq is not Vietnam, the primary objective at this point would be peace with honor. Get the troops out. Leave behind a semi stable semi prosperous country. The hidden agenda is still there. US companies (which contribute to the Republicans) are still quietly getting the bulk of the contracts. There is much less enthusiasm about war profiteering than there used to be. Making a profit during a guerilla war is a pain. I also sense far less enthusiasm for launching future preemptive unilateral attacks into, say, Iran or Syria. While the neocons may not agree, the priority is less to have bases to secure our influence in that region of the world, and more to get the troops home.

Originally Posted by Mike Alexander '59

3. What did you believe to be the primary objectives of postwar occupation before the war?

4. What did you believe to be the primary objectives of postwar occupation today?

At the high political level, when we are setting objectives, this is all one war. The conventional conflict and the occupation are one and the same. I don't think the important lessons learned and the resultant shift in objectives came until well after the conventional war was over.

The tactics on the ground have of course changed. I don't think the US anticipated the resistance. Thus, the US is bringing some Baathists into the new government, has been fielding more troops longer, spending more on security, less on rebuilding, as it seems stupid to rebuild while bombs are still going off. Still, for the strategic level political objectives, see the answers to 1 and 2, above.

Originally Posted by Mike Alexander '59

5. How long did you expect US troops to be in Iraq before the war. Did you approve of this. Has your expectation changed from before the war. Do you approve of the change?

My wild guess was 3 years. I'm still thinking 3 years feels right. I could see it going either way... shorter if someone decides that the presence of Yankees is only inflaming the situation, longer if the neocon objectives of controlling oil fields and being positioned to strike other nations in the region are actively pursued.

As I'm not sure whether the change will be shorter or longer, or what the given and hidden reasons for the change might be, I will no venture approval or disapproval.

Originally Posted by Mike Alexander '59

I'm working on book #4. This one is about politics. I am looking for some perspectives on the Iraq war from supporters of the war. I'd like supporters to answer these questions, if willing. Thanks

1. What did you believe to be the government's primary objective(s) of the Iraq war before the war began? If more than one, please rank in order of importance, most important to least.

I can't rank them, because I don't know which was first to them, they interconnect. The numbers are thus only for convenience.

1. Remove Hussein, thus enabling the freeing of troops from Saudi Arabia.

2. Setting a clear example that it's dangerous to be on America's bad side (this last would be aimed primarily at Iran and North Korea, though others could profit from the lesson).

3. Removing a growing WMD threat.

4. Take some pressue off Israel.

5. Removing a likely collaborator with al Queda.

6. Establish the example of at least a semi-civilized government in the Middle East.

7. End a thug's reign of terror (this was a much lower priority, but I don't doubt that the nastiness of the regime helped the decision along).

2. What do you believe to be the primary objective(s) of the Iraq war today? If more than one, please rank in order of importance, most important to least.

Again, these can't really be ranked, they interconnect.

1. Establish that America can not be forced to back off by terror bombings, threats, or any other means (i.e. disprove the widespread notion that America is fundamentally weak psychologically). Also, establish that America is not helpless when the will of Europe goes against us.

2. Establish a functional, and at least semi-civilized, state in the Middle East, both to serve as an example of an alternative possibility to the current regimes, and to create an additional ally in a dangerous place.

3. Continue (or renew) the sense of threat that the other trouble-making states felt in the immediate aftermath of Gulf Round II. (Note that Iran agreed to various limits on their nuclear research programs a few months ago, then backtracked more recently, leaving the EU scratching their heads about what went wrong with their diplomacy. )

4. Ideally, get the oil supplies flowing again, to provide money to rebuild the country, get its economy off the ground, and provide an additional source in the event of something going badly sour in Saudi Arabia.

5. Establish a situation in which American troops and equipment can conveniently be positioned near the borders of either Syria or Iran.

6. Use the information gained from Hussein's records to track down other sources of trouble.

5. How long did you expect US troops to be in Iraq before the war?

Five years minimum. That didn't necessarily mean every soldier staying, of course, but I suspected it would take at least that long to finish the job.

Did you approve of this.

I don't know what 'approve' means in this context. I didn't see any better choices then, and I don't now. I certainly wish it wasn't necessary.

Has your expectation changed from before the war.

Not a lot.

Originally Posted by Mike Alexander '59

I'm working on book #4. This one is about politics. I am looking for some perspectives on the Iraq war from supporters of the war. I'd like supporters to answer these questions, if willing. Thanks

1. What did you believe to be the government's primary objective(s) of the Iraq war before the war began? If more than one, please rank in order of importance, most important to least.

2. What do you believe to be the primary objective(s) of the Iraq war today? If more than one, please rank in order of importance, most important to least.

3. What did you believe to be the primary objectives of postwar occupation before the war?

4. What did you believe to be the primary objectives of postwar occupation today?

5. How long did you expect US troops to be in Iraq before the war. Did you approve of this. Has your expectation changed from before the war. Do you approve of the change?

Thank you

What if . . .

A. You were in support of it in the beginning.

B. You now think it was a bad idea and that Bush should be impeached.

C. But you still think we need to continue and even expand our intervention because it's too late to do anything else and too much is at stake?

Would you still want a response?

Originally Posted by William Jennings Bryan

Originally Posted by Mike Alexander '59

I'm working on book #4. This one is about politics. I am looking for some perspectives on the Iraq war from supporters of the war. I'd like supporters to answer these questions, if willing. Thanks

1. What did you believe to be the government's primary objective(s) of the Iraq war before the war began? If more than one, please rank in order of importance, most important to least.

2. What do you believe to be the primary objective(s) of the Iraq war today? If more than one, please rank in order of importance, most important to least.

3. What did you believe to be the primary objectives of postwar occupation before the war?

4. What did you believe to be the primary objectives of postwar occupation today?

5. How long did you expect US troops to be in Iraq before the war. Did you approve of this. Has your expectation changed from before the war. Do you approve of the change?

Thank you

What if . . .

A. You were in support of it in the beginning.

B. You now think it was a bad idea and that Bush should be impeached.

C. But you still think we need to continue and even expand our intervention because it's too late to do anything else and too much is at stake?

Would you still want a response?

I don't need it now. I finished the book and got the galleys back today. I never went anywhere with this angle. I can't even remember what I was looking for.

1. What did you believe to be the government's primary objective(s) of the Iraq war before the war began? If more than one, please rank in order of importance, most important to least.

Stabilizing the oil supply. Fear that Saudi Arabia was going south or had gone south, and the need to find a territory where we could mobilize forces (and maybe use as an oil backup) to intimidate oil producing states.

2. What do you believe to be the primary objective(s) of the Iraq war today? If more than one, please rank in order of importance, most important to least.

Survival, it's become a bit of a "quagmire" and we are just trying to somehow pull it together. Subdue the opposition and run back home with our tail between our legs.

3. What did you believe to be the primary objectives of postwar occupation before the war?

Before the war? Go in like Kuwait, get in charge, put Chalabi in faux charge, get the oil wells producing so they can pay our expenses, intimidate nearby oil states. And if it all went really really well, maybe invade Syria and then Iran if that went well. Grandiose, narcissistic Boomer delusional thinking.

4. What did you believe to be the primary objectives of postwar occupation today?

Continue to hope that we can stabilize the place, give the illusion of democracy, and minimize the mess. And of course pass out bennies to our buddies like Halliburton.

5. How long did you expect US troops to be in Iraq before the war. Did you approve of this. Has your expectation changed from before the war. Do you approve of the change?

Until we transferred power to a government over which we had sufficient influence and trusted to maintain order, or until we developed a viable alternative to oil.

I accepted this (though I would have preferred that we a) commit ourselves to a national initiative to develop an alternative to oil before we invaded, b) go in with allies, not alone, c) reinstitute the draft so we could have some success in spending the next x years subduing the middle east, and d) prepare for a surtax to pay for the expenses we would encounter.

Yes, I am now convinced of the total incompetence of this administration and feel we have shown ourselves to be a paper tiger to the Arabs. I feel we are far more vulnerable at home and abroad.

No, I do not approve. I really have not a clue as to why they really went in. I know it was not wmd, but why on earth would they do this at a billion dollars a week if they did not hope to make us more secure. Getting rid of Saddam makes us more secure??? Give me a break. Did they think we had to hit the bully Arabs in the nose to make them back off? Did they just want to make more money for oil companies???

At least when this whole farce began I thought that Chaney had a brain and was being practical. Now I think they are all fools.

(PS I never expected the oil-producing republicans to commit themselves to developing an alternative to oil... but I supported the war because I believed we needed to stabilize the oil markets until we did have an alternative. )

Originally Posted by jadams

I really have not a clue as to why they really went in. I know it was not wmd,

No, you don't know that.

No, you don't know that.


If they wanted to hit a country with wmd, why not North Korea. They were threatening to sell them on the internet. If your administration really went in because of wmd then they are even dumber than I ever dreamed. At a billion dollars a month... come on give them a little credit. They went in because 75% of the world's oil supply sits under the middle east and Iraq looked like an easy target. I am not faulting them for this, I supported it.