This month marks the fourth anniversary of the United States' invasion of Iraq. It's a milestone, no matter if you support or oppose the war. And, as such, we plan to cover it. We have our own ideas on how to do that ... what interests you, where the conversation is now, what questions are out there, who people want to talk to, and what they want to talk about. And, we want your ideas ... what do you want to hear on the fourth anniversary of the war in Iraq? Is there an angle or story or person we've missed? What do you want to talk about, four years on? (And if you're not familiar with the show, maybe take a few minutes to listen or to look at the TOTN page and see what kinds of topics we do, and what kind of topics we don't do. As with all our shows, what we need is engaging conversation, not dissertations or diatribes.) So, let us know...
Blog of the Nation
I listen often daily to NPR. Some topics make me aware, some make me boil, some I just shake my head, and some I am thrilled with the information. Agreeing or not isn't the value, it's the exposure that counts. The sum of all parts make good reporting and good interaction so vital to us all. I just hope we can get more interaction from IRAQ. I suggest a topic of "neighborhood watch in Iraq". Why don't we hear about teaching the citizens to stand up to insurgents? Do they have a 911 or similar system? Who uses it and if not, WHY? How can more people be shown it is the answer to so many killings?
Since none of the stated reason for invading Iraq turned out to be true. Perhaps now is a good time to look at some of the real reasons for going in? What was the grand geo-political plan for reshaping the Middle East? How much of the invasion was based on achieving favorable terms for oil companies? Is the oil deal that has been hammered with the current government the reason the Bush Administration wants to stay?
How much is the interest in Afghanistan about making the area safe to for the delivery of Russian oil? Is oil really the elephant in the room that nobody wants to talk about?
Now could be the time.
Thanks for the ideas, we'll keep collecting them for another several days and give consideration to every pitch that's reasonable. So, keep them coming.
I would like the war to end before the draft starts up and our young men start getting killed over there for oil that we will never get.
During Monday evening's (3-12-07) broadcast with several Iraq War vets and wounded vets, a comment was made offhandedly but never elaborated upon. This comment could become a series of shows. The vet mentioned how many of the troops currently deployed in Iraq are becoming not discouraged but rather disgusted with the manner that this war has become a political football. I would have to agree and further state that since the media is no longer imbedded and an enthusiastic and willing participant in the war they have instead turned against it by supporting and promoting its unpopularity. The 60 minutes show several weeks showcasing vets speaking out against the war is an example of this new imbalance.
I want to know how they troops in the field think about this. Not just the troops vocally against but those who confidently support the war.
I do not see President Bush's surge as an escalation of the war but rather an escalation of the peace. We are not there to make a ruin of Iraq but rather restore it to the community of nations and secure the peace within its borders.
We broke it; we have a responsibility to fix it; especially given the magnitude of lie that was accepted to put us there. Everybody knew it was a lie but now those who are opposed have plausible deniability.
I was never for the invasion of Iraq, but I really can't support retreating from Iranian and Syrian terrorists either.
On the day the bombing began in Iraq, my wife and I were on the left bank of Paris on the streets in front of the Sorbonne. Ten thousand Parisians turned out that day to protest the war. Caught up in the moment, we joined at the rear of one of the marches and chanted in English, "We are Americans. Go, George Bush!"
Who would proclaim that today? For all our vilifying of the French as notorious retreaters, the fact is that they have never changed their tone about the war. It is we, the American people, who have. Are we the new world class flip-floppers?
Should an elected official be allowed to vote in favor of sending American troups into armed conflict if they are unwilling to send their own children (or grandchildren) ? I believe that we would see something enlightening, if only those whos own children were in harm's way, were allowed to cast a vote. An empty chamber.
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