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Iraq scorecard

Lets go to the Iraq Scorecard for a quick update: Prevented distribution of WMDs to terrorists. Achieved? No. Stockpiles not found, nor has evidence of any significant ties between Iraq and al Qaeda, though Bush continues to insist there were. It appears that the primary informant (Chalabi) was misleading us to achieve his own ends, and was working with Iran. Reduce terrorist threats to US. Achieved? No. Arguably, terrorist threats have increased. Iraq itself is now becoming a terrorist battleground and recruiting area. U.S. actions in Iraq have contributed to Arab hostility towards U.S. And resources diverted from more effective attacks and security measures at home and elsewhere. Repeated terrorist warnings from Homeland Security. Some people like to point to Libya as a ray of hope, but Libya is only an example of a country wanting desperately to become part of international trade again. Help the Iraqi people. Achieved? Inconclusive. While a brutal dictator was removed, and some of the destroyed infrastructure rebuilt, the future of the Iraqi government, and its people, remains uncertain. Many Iraqis have been killed in the war and aftermath. Increasing terrorist presence endangers citizens. Long periods of civil and religious strife, as well as economic instability and infrastructure recovery, will likely follow. And while helping the Iraqi people is a good goal, there are plenty of people in the world who need help, and there were plenty of other ways to help the Iraqis. Iraqi oil will cover costs. Achieved? No. The American taxpayers are covering the cost. Coalition of the willing. Achieved? In name only. The "coalition" support did not include significant manpower on the ground in Iraq, forcing American troops to bear the majority of the cost in lives lost. American taxpayers are bearing the economic costs. Worldwide protests broke records. And "volunteer" soldiers in our Army of the "willing" are being forced to serve past their military terms. Go Bush. Respond to this posting

Posted by Randy Henderson at June 18, 2004 04:56 PM