The Iraqi Army Our Nation Is Financing Is Killing Our Troops
Posted: Thursday, November 13, 2008
by Roschelle Nelson
Millions of Americans thought the war in Iraq would be easy. U.S. and other coalition troops raced across the desert toward Baghdad as America watched (thanks to embedded journalists) with little to no resistance. The country's dictator, Saddam Hussein, was captured in a make shift rat hole in 2003. The Iraq War seemed to be viewed as a success or at least a conflict that seemed to be going well.
An Iraqi democracy which to this day is still ineffective and dysfunctional. We've poured billions of dollars into Iraq in an effort to enable this country to one day be a stand alone self-sufficient nation governed by the people of the region.
The road hasn't been easy. Our troops have fought terrorist, insurgents and citizen militias since this war's inception. However, much of the funds invested in Iraq have helped established the Iraqi Army - trained by Americans and supplied with military weaponry by our government which makes the news of 2 U.S. troops being killed by an Iraqi soldier even more painful.
An Iraqi soldier armed with an AK-47 assault rifle rigged with an extra large magazine opened fire Wednesday on U.S. soldiers in the northern city of Mosul, killing two and wounding six, U.S. military officials said. American soldiers returned fire, killing the Iraqi soldier.
The Iraqi soldier walked into the courtyard, said something to another soldier, and shot an American soldier at close range in the head, said Maj. Gen. Mark P. Hertling, commander of U.S. forces in northern Iraq. The Iraqi soldier then shot a second American soldier in the stomach, the general added.
Surprisingly enough, this isn't the first time American soldiers have been killed by the very people they've trained. Basically, American troops are dying from weapons we've paid for and supplied!
Recently I took part in a discussion about what would happen if U.S troops pull out of Iraq sooner rather than later. One young woman said it would only be a matter of time before they attacked America again. After informing her that Iraq never attacked America, I assured her that whether we pull out today or in 1000 years...the outcome is going to be the same. The nation will crumble, civil war will occur and the next Saddam Hussein will emerge to rule this group of people who only seem to understand that style of governance.
Her thoughts are shared by many who think that our presence in Iraq in some way has prevented another terrorist attack against America. Excuse me but does anyone honestly think an American military occupation of Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan or any other country with terrorist affiliations keeps us safe.
Well let me burst your bubble - it does not. The people who carried out those horrible acts of terrorism on 9/11 were right here in the good ole USA.
More importantly, we haven't been attacked because they (terrorists) are not ready to attack. Our borders are no more secure than they were on 9/11. Our colored coded terror alert system is a joke and the actual alleged mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks, Osama bin Laden isn't even on the radar. We are no closer to finding him than we were 8 years ago.
War isn't pretty and collateral damage certainly must always be expected. However, emerging as a victor without having a clear opponent is virtually impossible.
John McCain often spoke of this war on the campaign trail. He would often make the claim that he would win the war in Iraq and bring our troops home victorious - not waving the white flag of surrender. Victors over what or who?
I imagine when these two brave American soldiers saw the Iraqi soldier approaching them they had no idea someone they had participated in training and outfitting with weapons, ammo and other necessities was the enemy.
The reality of the situation is there is no clear resolution on how to end this war. We might as well have been burning the billions we've invested in this country in the fireplace at the White House.
George W. told the American people we would be viewed as liberators and that it was imperative that we find and secure those "weapon of mass destructions" from the "evil-doers".
The whole fiasco gives meaning to the phrase "Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive". We were misinformed and frightened into thinking this war was necessary and now over 4000 American lives and nearly 100,000 Iraqi lives later the web is becoming more tangled by the minute.
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More commentsThe enemy of my enemy is my friend. Vietnam all over again. I am sad that many evidently find it had to understand the real roots of this conflict. Good job.Please log in to respond to this comment.
Great article, Roschelle. One would think that or leaders would have learned their lesson from Korea, Viet Nam, and so on; but I guess that will never happen. When will our leaders stop using war to further their own conquests and stop pretending to be the 'world's police'?????Thanks for sharing.SandraPlease log in to respond to this comment.
Roschelle,I found it mystifying that the war as an issue got put on the shelf during this election. The loss of lives and money is staggering and for what? I also think it is interesting that when some brothers and sisters in Christ bring up the issue of the sanctity of life, the issue of the war and the maiming and killing of civilians and military personnel is missing from the conversation. We must get out sooner than later! Thanks for another good one.Please log in to respond to this comment.
Hi Roschelle.I generally stay away from articles on this topic because they usually upset me. I'm not anti-American and consider myself to be very patriotic, but I was against the war in Iraq and I still am.I read your article because it was in the Readers Club queue. I am glad that I did.DiannePlease log in to respond to this comment.
Roschelle, do you remember the saying: "If you can't tell it like it is, don't tell it at all?" You are not guilty of not telling it like it is. We can and must support our troops but we can want them home, too. I'm with Dianne. I typically stay away from these types of articles but since it is on the homepage, I read it. I, too, am glad I did. Thank you for a well-written article and information I was unaware of, as well.Please log in to respond to this comment.
Roschelle, this is a well thought out and well written article. This ill conceived war has cost America not just money but the lives of many brave men and woman. It’s a true tragedy any way one sees it.I however have concerns with statements like 1) a democracy style government on a people who couldn't even conceive such a thing. 2) the next Saddam Hussein will emerge to rule this group of people who only seem to understand that style of governance.I wonder what an Iragi person who believes in democracy and wants to see a peaceful Iraq would feel reading statements like that. As a black person, I am sure you know what it feels like being talked about as a “people who can’t even conceive such a thing” and a “group of people who only seem to understand...”.I personally know many Iraqis and the Iraqi people en masse understand and appreciate a democracy style government. Many of them just don’t think the American version takes into account their unique cultural and religious set-up. Many of them don’t believe there will be another Saddam Hussein. It's a rough road trying to figure out how exactly demoracy will work for them, but they are confident that they will figure out what is best for them -- with help from the international community. That’s how it should be.Please log in to respond to this comment.
hi Roschelle,i read your very first article, and i knew it was good, but you have gotten even better. this, i think, is your best. where did you get so smart? my heart aches for what our government wrongly, in my opinion, got us into.my son is 21, didn't go to college, can't find a decent paying job, so he is enlisting in the airforce. because the government played games, i may lose my son. maybe i'll try to be a spokesperson to get those troops out!thanks for sharing,best regards,suei'd like to play games with them, i tell ya!Please log in to respond to this comment.
You are not well informed about the Iraqi Army. Attacks by Iraqi army soldiers against other Iraqi Army, Iraqi Police or MNF-I are very rare. Your insinuation that the Iraqi Army is disloyal is offensive.Less Americans soldiers inside Iraq have been killed by the Iraqi Army than by other Americans soldiers inside Iraq. Because the Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police outnumber US troops by 4 to 1, there should be four times as many American soldiers killed by Iraqi security forces, as Americans soldiers killed by other American soldiers. Instead there are less.The Iraqi Army regards American soldiers as guests and allies, and take great offense to anyone shooting at them.You really should not comment about the Iraqi Army unless you have some interest in learning about them. If you want to learn about the Iraqi Army, read here:Remember that the Iraqis are fighting on the side of angels against Al Qaeda linked scum. It is strongly in our interests and the world's interests that the Iraqis win. If the Iraqis lose, there is no doubt that Al Qaeda will attack many other countries around the world. Hopefully the Iraqis can defeat Al Qaeda scum with as little help from us as possible.Please log in to respond to this comment.
I am not allowed to include URLs. So please do a google search on the following and open the top link:"dj elliott November"Please log in to respond to this comment.
I believe diplomacy is the only way to win the war. Like Mother Teresa said "If you want peace don't talk to your friends talk to you enemies" I hope Obama has the courage to talk to our enemyPlease log in to respond to this comment.
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