I Am Sick of the Political Divisions

I thought that Tracy's post was doing just that about being happy that the Iraqi war is over, and all of a sudden, people were talking like she had said all wars. I don't get it. Sometimes I misread, but I think it was more than that. And I don't blame her for getting upset.

I'm watching MASH right now, and Hawkeye is saying "I'd do anything to get out of here." (He's talking about the war.) Boy, does he have good timing while I'm writing this post.

I guess I am guilty of thinking about the American families before thinking of the Iraqi families. But like I said in another post, we can't fix all the problems in the world. We've been there a very long time - time to let them handle themselves.

Dawn

My brother served 27 months in Iraq. He said the people there are SO thankful for what they are/were doing. He came home from his last tour a year ago next month...and he is forever changed because of it. He has picture of him with the little kids there after he had given them a piece of candy, a teddy bear, a hug. He said that families fed them when they had gone days without food. In general, most of the people over there are VERY thankful for what our soldiers have done for them.

What is seen on the news and what the people are saying is very different. Just like here. Just like anywhere. The people of Iraq are grateful for what we have done for them.

And I'm glad. Because that means the pain my brother will be in for the rest of his life from his injuries over there are not in vain.

My understanding is that the majority of Iraqi people have wanted us out for a long time now.

Either way, yes, I send prayers.

I've never been a mother in a war zone. I hope I never find out what that feels like, as even empathizing brings a great sadness to my heart.

I completely agree with you J.. I feel for them. I can only imagine. I think we as Americans take our freedoms for granted too much, that we live in this bubble, a false sense of security. We think we have it hard here, but in reality we have it a h*** of a lot easier than others do in other countries such as Iraq. So yes, they do need us to keep them in our prayers.

Cheryl ... I gave ya a flower even though you said that the left wants to make this about Obama and not the troops. That's not true, at least in my case (see my post on Tracy's thread). I also don't see this as a victory. Occupying Iraq has been a boondoggle from day one, IMO. I'm VERY glad our troops are coming home and may the rest come home soon, too.

I don't really know how the Iraqis feel. I'm sure some are counting the days until we leave and I'm sure some are down right scared of the Taliban rising again. I don't have the answers, but we need to get out of there. We DON'T belong there. And they need to begin standing on their own two feet and I think that they want to, as well.

The stories of the soldiers and the children are very heart-warming, though, and I love to hear them.

I have considered how "those people feel" for the last 10 years. I sat in front of my TV, crying, as the "shock & awe" operation started dropping bombs on the civilians of Baghdad. Did some of you forget the facts about what our tax money and the blood of our fellow Americans paid for?
The nation of Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11
Sadam had no WMD and was not a direct threat to the US
Millions of civilians are dying right now in conflicts all over the world, we do not intervene, we do not invade their country and "liberate" them.

I don't care what party you're in, the blood of hundreds of thousands of civilians are on all our hands.
It seems America is just so sure we know what's right for the rest of the world. I think it's time we looked in the mirror and started working on our own dire situation.
Peace to the troops and the citizens of Iraq.

There are many facets. It's hard to say, but we aren't over there just to help families. If that was true, we would also be in the Congo, and many other places where genocide and hate is rampant.

I know of 3 or 4 us soldiers (family men) who are pissed their Iraq deployments got canceled, b/c they were looking forward to earning the deployment points which = pay scale and rankings going up.

*I am not for or against Obama by the way.

Yes, I agree. I am not quiet about my disapproval of our president, but at the heart of it I just want life to be better for everyone. I doubt life for Iraqi citizens will be better without our troops there, and for that I will pray. They are a broken country, too. In ways much worse and inconceivable then then ours. I'm not sure any of us could understand how they feel now.

I think Iraqis will more or less celebrate invaders leaving their country (even though we liberated them - it's a point of view thing).
No doubt Afghans will celebrate when ever we get around to leaving there, too.
People have got to stand on their own two feet.
Their future is up to them and it can be very bright for them if they want it to be.

Our troops are coming home!
How can that piss anyone off?
I keep humming "I'll be home for Christmas" and I'm too happy to worry about anyone who isn't.

Beautifully put! Thank you!

I agree with you totally. I see them as thinly veiled political discussions which is not what we are here for. This in no way shares the wisdom of moms!

I think all humanity should consider the feelings of the plight of other human beings, whether in our country or not. However, while I am the 1st in line to wave a flag and show my appreciation for our soldiers and military family, my country and all its citizens, whether average or not, come first.

Military families are at the top of my list.