I don't have any factual data regarding the Iraqi police force, so untill I make some calls to guys who HAVE been deployed and give me some first hand info, I won't speculate. It is true that over there, religion is much more important or at least seemingly so, than over here. Admittedly, our cops shoot everyone all the time. If their police force is NOT ready to do the job yet, and/or are not getting it done currently, then I stress that pulling out now, would be the worst thing possible. Lives lost cannot be returned, which makes me very deliberate when I debate things like this. Regarding the hated status of the US, I always have to ask where that information is derived from. I hear misleading, almost untrue, and most def. shaped stories coming from our mass media everyday. Then I check other sources, and ultimately make the decision. The honest first thing that comes to mind, is if we are "disliked" already for taking the stand we have, commiting what we have, then let's call that a done deal. What would happen, or how would we be perceived, if, we pulled out now, and the local police did not handle the situation?? Mass murders would come back, the new government overthrown, various tribal warlords all biding for power, with the innocent used as pawns ??
It would seem to me, that to fail, would hurt us more in the eyes of the world, than any other possible action. It def. was NOT the easy road to go to war, and hell Bush has probalby had one of the hardest damn presidencies going for that matter. He also get's one hell of alot of non-stop bashing. I see it everyday. When he has a success, it is burried, when there is a screw up, it's front page news. It's a thankless job. I commend him for not trying to "keep everyone happy", or "settle for a plan", or "work the poll numbers to dictate military options", because ultimately he, will be blammed for everything, anything that happens. I don't care if it's a lowly misguided guard in Guantanimo, another US attack, the man's got quite a bit riding on this. As do all the citizens of not only the US, but across the world as well.
PuN
Well fanny it seems like you have your mind made up, just be sure your FIT both mentally and physically and ready to go because NCO's like Crush and I would wear you the f*ck out no doubt. The Corps is a force in readiness and most don't realize that. So why not do a weekend BootCamp thing and see where you heart lies cause remember what USMC means....
