The Consequences of Pulling Out of Iraq in 2011

Less than one week ago, the last remaining United States troops in Iraq crossed the border into Kuwait. I am neutral in whether it was the right time to pull out our troops mainly because I do not know what else we could have accomplished while remaining there (without seriously changing our role), however, Iraq is not ready to govern itself.

As we left, Iraq has no standing Air Force meaning anyone can cross over their skies such as Iran or even Israel. In fact, one of the top Iraqi military leaders, Lieutenant General Babaker Zebari, said Iraq would not be ready to defend its own borders and air space until 2020. Eight years is more than enough time for Iran to turn Iraq into another Lebanon or Syria, essentially another puppet state for the radical regime. I believe the main reason we entered Iraq was to contain Iran (Iraq to the west, Afghanistan to the east) just like Iran is doing to Israel with Syria, Lebanon, Gaza Strip, and now maybe even in Egypt.

To make matters worse, the day after the United States military presence was non existent, the Iraqi government started making moves to possibly reignite sectarian violence. Shiite Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki, issued an arrest warrant for Vice President, Tariq al-Hasemi, who is Sunni. The Vice President is now in hiding from Iraqi officials in the northern semiautonomous Kurdistan region of Iraq and al-Maliki is now ordering Kurdistan officials to turn over the Vice President. Surely the coalition government is bound to collapse over this incident and who knows whats in store for the government. All we can do is hope this does not turn into another dictatorship. 


Lastly, as reported today, deadly bombings are now starting to happen as over 50 people have been killed in the most recent attack. No matter what day, month, or year we pulled out, this was bound to happen. While it is not a coincidence, all we can do is hope the Iraqis can find the strength to pull through these terrorist attacks and not revert to another civil war. If that happens, it will not stop until a dictator is once again in power or the nation is divided up into three regions which I don't see happening.


The United States did remove an extremely evil man from power, Saddam Hussein, and did an amazing job with the "troop surge" ordered in 2007. Pulling out of Iraq in 2011 was premature if we wanted the Iraq experiment to succeed so they could have liberty and be able to defend it. While the 2020 mark was way too long into the future, it was not ideal to pull out now, especially because their defense forces are not ready. If Iraq goes back to its historical ways, history could blame President Obama because of his failure to secure a proper deal for the United States military to remain in Iraq for a couple more years. President Bush was constantly in contact with the Iraqi government to secure deals, but, Obama did not show the same due diligence. All we can do now, is hope Iraq can get the proper resources to secure itself quickly and not have the coalition government based on religious factions, collapse.


-Christian N.


Sources:

• http://articles.latimes.com/2011/dec/18/world/la-fg-iraq-last-convoy-20111219
• http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iYV48140VGP9NW1ILBsXkgWVsE4g?docId=CNG.df3ecb21e974d96be42ce539d582b290.3c1
• http://www.theblaze.com/stories/iraq-issues-arrest-warrant-for-sunni-vp-on-terrorism-charges/
• http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/12/22/explosions-rock-baghdad-7-killed-3-injured/?test=latestnews

Pledge to Read

A conservative group, called Let Freedom Ring, from Delaware and Pennsylvania have created a pledge and sent it to every member of congress about healthcare reform.

The Pledge simply states:

I, ________________________________, pledge to my constituents and to the American people that I will not vote to enact any healthcare reform package 

that: 

 

1)   I have not read, personally, in its entirety; and,  

 

2)   Has not been available, in its entirety, to the American people on the Internet for at least 72 hours, so that they can read it too. 

 

 

________________________________

Member, United States House of Representatives 

Another version with US Senator at the bottom for a signature is available too. At first the pledge started with 4 signers on their website Let Freedom Ring and the website solely dedicated to the healthcare pledge by Let Freedom Ring, PledgetoRead.com.

The Four (which are confirmed) are Senators DeMint (SC) and Inhofe (OK) and Representatives Jerry Moran and Todd Tiahrt, both from Kansas.

Recently the names have been pulled from the website as they announced all signatures will be released on July 20, along with a list of Senators and Representatives who have refused to sign the pledge. There are rumors (cannot be confirmed) that the minority leader in Congress, John Boehner has signed the pledge and is strongly advising fellow republicans to sign the pledge too. It is a fact too (after calling Let Freedom Ring) that pledge signers have reached double digits, which is more then the  the "half dozen" Colin Hanna stated on this interview with Fox News.

Steny Hoyer laughed when he heard about Pledge to Read according to The Politico even stating the bill would GET VERY FEW VOTES if LEGISLATORS READ THE BILL and Nancy Pelosi was confronted by a reporter asking about the pledge too. 

The best moment happened today when Megyn Kelley at the end of the interview, confronted Representative Allyson Schwartz about the pledge who wouldn't say yes but "had it on her desk." 

After personally calling the office of the representative, as a citizen, they would not tell me if in fact the pledge was on her desk, or even if a staff member saw the pledge.

I think everyone should go to PledgeToRead.com and download the pledge and send it to your Two Senators and Representative, also mention you're a constituent of that lawmaker and tell them why you want them to sign it. The best way is by fax, and talk to a staff member in thier office and e-mail the pledge to them.

Tell them to send a fax of the signed pledge to 1-888-462-6891 (or if you receive a signed copy send it there) so Let Freedom Ring, Inc. can see the pledge and know that particular Senator or Representative has signed the pledge.

CREN