What's Wrong With Cutting and Running?

[Qanisqineq]

What's Wrong With Cutting and Running?
by Gen. (ret.) William E. Odom

<sniip>

Here are some of the arguments against pulling out:

We would leave behind a civil war.
We would lose credibility on the world stage.
It would embolden the insurgency and cripple the move toward democracy.
Iraq would become a haven for terrorists.
Iranian influence in Iraq would increase.
Unrest might spread in the region and/or draw in Iraq's neighbors.
Shi'ite-Sunni clashes would worsen.
We haven't fully trained the Iraqi military and police forces yet.
Talk of deadlines would undercut the morale of our troops.

But consider this:

1. On civil war. Iraqis are already fighting Iraqis. Insurgents have killed far more Iraqis than Americans. That's civil war. We created the civil war when we invaded; we can't prevent a civil war by staying.

<snip>

2. On credibility. If we were Russia or some other insecure nation, we might have to worry about credibility. A hyperpower need not worry about credibility. That's one of the great advantages of being a hyperpower: When we have made a big strategic mistake, we can reverse it. And it may even enhance our credibility. Staying there damages our credibility more than leaving.

<snip>

3. On the insurgency and democracy. There is no question the insurgents and other anti-American parties will take over the government once we leave. But that will happen no matter how long we stay. Any government capable of holding power in Iraq will be anti-American because the Iraqi people are increasingly becoming anti-American.

<more>


Yeah, everything he said!

on edit: it usually helps if you post a link :)
http://www.antiwar.com/orig/odom.php?articleid=7487

[Demeter]

1. Bush Hasn't Got The Oil Yet

and that is the sole reason he went in, and the sole reason he's staying. He will destroy anyone and anything that stands in the way of his and his buddies getting the last drop of oil profits. He is beyond evil. We will have to crate new words to describe Busheviks and their crimes.

[rodeodance]

2. it is all about saving face at this point.

[Demeter]

6. As if there was any face left to save!

[aquart]

4. We will NEVER be allowed to take the oil. Never.

If we kill enough Iraqis to enjoy it in peace, China, India, Russia, and Europe will wait till we're exhausted and rush in to rescue the dead Iraqis and take the oil.

George shouldn't have slept thru the "sphere of influence" lesson.

[Demeter]

5. Bush Will Never Admit That, Though

Because he would be admitting to a mistake. Because he would be admitting other people who don't like him were right. Because he would be open to prosecution world-wide. He would sacrifice every other mother's son to prevent admitting that Babs' son was mistaken.

[barbaraann]

3. These people will have control.

http://www.thequran.com/Pictures/detail.asp?iData=56&iCat=714&iChannel=3&nChannel=Pictures

[roseBudd]

7. I quote General Odo in my antiwar flyer, download it and distribute it...

Download it here, then head to Kinkos:

http://bushcheated04.com/war2.pdf

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

8. Interesting that we...

...call it "cutting and running." Sounds cowardly. How 'bout "discontinuing an illegal occupation." Yeah, I think I like that better.