Despite Hardships, Iraq Families Want U.S. Troops to Stay
Saturday, July 14, 2007 at 04:09PM Bottom Line Up Front: Most Iraqis still want a U.S. presence until greater stability is achieved in Iraq.
In this CNN report on Thursday’s Morning America, Baghdad citizens are asked whether U.S. troops should stay or leave Iraq. (transcript)
Analysis: The majority of violence in Iraq comes from within Baghdad. Al-Sadr supporters, estimated at 1 million, are in southern Baghdad. All respondents are grateful for the end of Saddam’s regime. Majority say troops should stay. The 2 respondents cast as “wanting U.S. troops to go” were not identified in any context (al-Sadr supporter, Sunni, Shia, etc.) and cited a lack of security as their reason, although they were not specifically quoted as saying they wanted U.S. troops to leave. All express frustration at the security issues.
That noted, considering that Baghdad bears the brunt of the violence, it’s understandable that Iraqis are frustrated over the lack of security and violence. However, human nature being what it is, their frustration should not be aimed at American forces but those causing the instability and insecurity: al-Qaeda, insurgents, Iran, thugs and bigots bent on sectarian hatred.
The two families have it right; that U.S. forces leaving now will provide an opportunity for militias and foreign fighters (including al-Qaeda) to come in and murder anyone in their way, since the U. S. would not be there to protect them.
And don’t think Iraqis don’t hear the political debate at home; a never ending drum beat from Washington blaming Iraqis for their condition, while they face hardships and history that those sitting in plush Congressional offices are unable to empathize with.
The small sampling from this CNN piece, while it does have a representative component to Iraqi sentiment, doesn’t capture the remarkable spirit of this people. There is hope and determiniation as Iraqis turn in the bad guys and cooperate with Coalition Forces to expel the enemy from their neighborhoods. And it is that cooperation that is clearly turning the tide throughout Iraq.
If I don’t see U.S. forces in front of me, I feel scared; honestly, I feel scared, because the terrorists are afraid of U.S. forces along with Iraqi forces, so I would prefer for them to stay. – Munthar Nader, Baghdad Resident
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Reader Comments (6)
Of course the average Iraqi wants our troops to stay. If I lived there, so would I! I really feel sorry for these people if the Democrats get their way. The ensuing murder and mayhem will be horrible, and won't the "bring our soldiers home" crowd have so much to be proud of! Dang, it is so frustrating that we have so many pessimists in this country, and what's worse, people who just want us to back out of Iraq because they hate President Bush. What a bunch of losers!
Sorry I haven't been around much. I've had a stomach virus and have been rather out of touch the last couple of days.
Democrats are further scared of having to face the real concerns in the Middle East and the world; notably, where are all these weapons and ammunition coming from that allow the terrorists to keep doing their terrorizing? Reporting lately, troops in Iraq continuously point out Iranian and Chinese arsenal ( of IDs on these weapons), during disclosure to their superiors – when they find weapons in the field – these soldiers are feeling bad about seeing the truth. The killing will not stop until this vital issue has been addressed and solved.
The smart thing would be to blow up the weapon factories in Iraq, but this is not where the weapons are coming from, obviously.
China has a growing population, all of them need plenty of oil in the future to live like we do, and doing business with Chavez is not of their liking, so they look to the future and possible the terrorist have made a deal with them – if they get into power, the Chinese get a huge cut into the Oil Fields.
Iran, they just want Iraq out of existence; and if the Shi’i are victorious, the shi’ite government of Iraq will take control of the Fertile Crescent, they will be realizing some long-hoped goals of dominating this part of the region.
However, human nature being what it is, their frustration should not be aimed at American forces but those causing the instability and insecurity: al-Qaeda, insurgents, Iran, thugs and bigots bent on sectarian hatred.
I thought that was the whole "flypaper" strategy - attract the terrorists and insurgents into Iraq so we could fight them with our awesome force? "Bring 'em on," right?
So now that we brought all of these guerillas into the Iraqis' backyard, the citizenry should resent them, and not us. Got it.
I agree with Gayle, if I was in their position I'd want help and fast!
Vetibule,
They just don't get it. These warmongers would have US troops on the ground in Iraq forever...ooops...that WAS THE PLAN all along, though.
The Project for the New American Century calls for simultaneous middle eastern wars and permanent bases in Islamic countries.
Why should we be surprised?
--Cobra
Warmongers? Oh, please. That's what ingrates spoiled by the freedom bought with the blood of others always say. I suppose the Union during the Civil War were warmongers as well? Oh, of course not; those warmongers benefitted you.