Recently, Conservative Pundits (O'Reilly, for one) have been asking people if they want America to win in Iraq? People like Dave Letterman or Rosie O'Donnell who have not immediately said 'YES!!!' are then called anti-American by these pundits (or idiots as I like to call them).
It got me thinking how would I answer.
A little background first, and then my rant...
I love the American Ideal, the Dream, and the Founding. I love how Americans help others in need.
I have read many, many books on the American Revolution and the players of that time. More than read, though, I have spent time thinking about it. I think what they accomplished was a gift for all of us in this world, not just for Americans.
I knew before we went into Iraq that it was for lies, and oil, and money, and for one man's ego (well, maybe two men's egos). I never believed it would be easy or quick.
OK, so how would I answer that question...
I want the soldiers who are there to win by being safe and coming home. I want our children and future generations to win by not having to cover the huge financial burdens that are being created by us being there. I want America's prestige and reputation to win by having us stand up and admit that we were wrong to go there.
In all those ways, America wins.
What Bush and these conservatives want is for us to say 'Yes, I want America to win' so they can say, then we have to stay there until Victory is secured.
What the hell does victory, or success, mean?!?! Does that mean when a hugely successful business person invests millions of dollars in a company that flops that he should continue to invest more money until some future time the company turns a meger profit, but still bankrupts the investor? Or does the business person at some point cut his losses and sell that company and salvage what he can? I think most, especially conservatives, would think the latter is more successful.
Or these idiots want us to say 'No, I want America to lose in Iraq.' Then they can say we hate America which is, of course, far from the truth. And what does losing mean? If we pull out tomorrow, does that mean that the Iraqis get to have our country? What exactly do we lose?
These same people would probably still be happy if we were spending blood and money in Vietnam. We 'lost' there, but look how it turned out. Bush went there recently (for the first time) and marveled how far they had come. Does any sane person believe they would be at this point now if we had decided not to 'lose' there and stayed for decades more?
By the way, we were fighting the Communists then. There were many more of them and they were way better funded and organized than the terrorist are today. Where are the communists today? Not quite the threat we imagined (much like the boogey-men of today probably aren't).
A couple final thoughts...
I think we have already won in Iraq. We went in and took over the country rather quickly. We got rid of those pesky WMD (wink, wink). Saddam is gone, as his party. We created a some level of a democracy. And the terrorists are fighting each other over there. Let's declare victory tomorrow, pull out quickly, and let that country rule itself. Let the chips fall where they may. As Bush saw, it didn't turn out too bad the last time we did that.
Secondly, why is it so wrong for a citizen to decide that his country was wrong and then to hope his country is proved wrong. For those German's living in Nazi Germany who were opposed to Hitler and his ambitions, would we consider them to be 'hating their country?' I certainly wouldn't. I would consider them patriots for the common good of humankind. (and please no nasty comments about me comparing Bush/America to Hitler/Germany; it is just an example used to ask the question).
So, I love my country. I hate the current administration and its authoritarian ambitions. I have the highest respect for those who are fighting in my name while I hate the cause they fight for (they had no choice in the cause and are therefore blameless for the reasons). I wish them nothing but safety, same as I wish those in their gun-sights nothing but safety.
Hopefully, history will correctly judge George W Bush harshly the same way it correctly has judged our Founders with praise.