1 January 2008
I have trouble envisioning many changes in 2008. That sounds pessimistic but what I see as I watch the presidential debates makes me more aware of the problems that face our country and the people who want to lead our country. While health care, Social Security, the economy and immigration are large issues we still have the war to deal with and I notice that the war has taken a back seat recently. While many have declared that the “surge” was successful, was it really? Yes in a way, it did reduce deaths among our military even though 2007 was the deadliest year of the war but nothing much has changed with the Iraqi government and there are still suicide bombers killing Iraqis.
I believe that the “surge” actually helped raise the death toll among the troops. More troops were sent in and deployments of already drained troops were extended from 12 to 15 months. In Washington State alone, Fort Lewis’ 3rd Stryker Brigade lost 48 members in 2007, just a small number, which is part of a very large number for the U.S. 48 was not a small number for those at Fort Lewis. Deaths of troops from Washington set a record before casualties began to fall in the past three months. I don’t think that the lull in sectarian violence in Iraq is a victory for our forces. We at home didn’t get to see almost 1,000 flag draped coffins that returned home. I truly hope that the troop “surge” is helping lower the violence that has killed so many Iraqis since Bush declared “Mission Accomplished”. Only time will tell.
Iraqi refugees need to return to their country to rebuild their cities, schools and communities. What is needed is a cease-fire by top militia groups and for Iran to to stop the flow of weapons to Shiite insurgents. Because of Shiite desire for part of the country’s oil supply I can’t see that happening. But after all I’m only an old lady and what do I know about Middle Eastern thinking. I guess that I operate on feelings these days. I never have had good feelings about this mess that the Bush administration got us into. All I can do now is hope for a better 2008 and to continue letting my “feelings” flow onto this blog. Remember, we want our troops back from this ill-considered war.
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