041908 TFOT SHOW
TOPIC: The climate in Iraq before 2003 and now.
Guests: Raid Bahouda - an Iraqi man who risked his own life to serve the U.S. military as a translator working under Gen. Petraeus in 2003; and Mark Walter who is the Commander of Public Affairs for the Iowa Army Reserve and served in Iraq in 2005. Mark gives educational presentations of Iraq's Biblical history and the social, military, and economic climates before 2003 and today.
From two different worlds with different backgrounds, these men like many others have connected for one goal - security and freedom for the Iraqi people and thus, all people who would be targets of terroristic violence.
During the show, they gave examples of the terror and fear the Iraqi people were subjected to by Sadam's regime. Both men agree that while the climate is unstable, it is better for Iraqi people to have America's intervention and America needs to complete the task of bringing stability to Iraq.
The men confirmed what we in America already knew. The American media continually sensationalizes the angst, unrest, and violence of war rather than a historical tribal meeting with leaders working toward peace, Iraqi men training at the new police academy, a school opening, or even the digging of a new well with fresh and safe water. In search for Hollywood style drama, those who are to bring nothing more than factual news often bring more risk for American troops.
Equally shameful are the presidential candidates and politicians who would gamble on the future of Iraq risking the lives of our sons and daughters for purpose of political posturing through campaign rhetoric and even committee hearings.
For more information on this topic and related topics:
Michael Yon, independent journalist who wrote the book
MOMENT OF TRUTH IN IRAQJon Christian Ryter's article
WHEN THE PHONE RINGS AT 3AM War is horrible, but I am thankful for men and women who are willing to sacrifice and fight on our behalf to stop injustice and evils that are far greater than war.
Blessed to be free in America - so far,
let's not take it for granted.
Tamara
If the argument is that war is being undertaken to rape Iraqi reserves, flood the market with oil, bust the OPEC cartel, and provide cheap energy to western consumers, then war would be a dagger pointed at the heart of the "Big Oil." That's because low prices = low profits. Moreover, it would wipe out "Little Oil" -- the small-time producers in Texas, Oklahoma, and the American Southwest that President Bush has long considered his best political friends. Accordingly, it's impossible to square this story with the allegations.
In sum, the argument that the impending war with Iraq is fundamentally about oil doesn't add up. While everyone loves a nice, tidy political morality play, I doubt there is one to be found here.
These comments were written by Jerry Taylor of the CATO Institute, see their website for complete article.