SI
SI
discoversearch

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor.  We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community.  If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.
Politics : Politics of Energy
 Public ReplyPrvt ReplyMark as Last ReadFilePrevious 10Next 10PreviousNext  
To: RetiredNow who wrote (866)7/23/2008 4:52:28 PM
From: Brumar89  Read Replies (1) of 86355
 
War is not an investment. And we didn't go to war because anyone thought it a promising investment - but to suppress a perceived threat.

As to whether the war was a mistake or not, we're not all going to agree on that. But personally I think its not real relevant now. We can't change the past. We can only decide what to do going forward.

Since you're using cost phraseology, I'll continue likewise - "Cutting the cord" and not "throwing good money after bad" in a war may well involve incurring new costs that are pretty steep. Letting hostile terrorist or terror supporting forces gain control of a country in the middle of a region of great strategic importance would itself be a new cost - one we shouldn't want to bear. I think that would be a case of jumping from the frying pan into the fire. At any rate, I think people should recognize there is a downside to ending a war badly and balance that against other courses of action as best we can.

At any rate, we've made enough progress that Iraq has evolved into a low-level conflict. I expect we'll be drawing down our force levels there over the next few years regardless of who is elected. Obama would do it regardless of conditions in Iraq - good or bad. McCain will do it as a result of success in Iraq. I think its worth pointing out here we won't withdraw completely regardless of who's elected. Even Obama has spoken repeatedly of a residual force to be left in Iraq indefinately. But as a conflict, Iraq is moving into our rear view mirror.
Report TOU ViolationShare This Post
 Public ReplyPrvt ReplyMark as Last ReadFilePrevious 10Next 10PreviousNext  

HomeMailHotSubjectMarksPeopleMarksKeepersSettings
Terms Of UseContact UsCopyright/IP PolicyPrivacy PolicyAbout UsFAQAdvertise on SI
© 2025 Knight Sac Media.  Data provided by Twelve Data, Alpha Vantage, and CityFALCON News