I think most Americans need to realize that they don't know anything about the Iraq War. We, because of our own ignorance and lack of understanding know nothing about Iraq, it's history and whats going on right now. The media has been ridiculously guilty of not educating the American people on what is going on there (the news knows we don't have the patience to want to know). All we know is that we are there, killing lots of insurgents, it costs billions of dollars a week and that Sunni's and Shiites don't like eachother.I hear on the local news, the reactions of people with more troops going...and it's obvious these people have no idea what they are talking about...but they have have a big opinion on the war. I'm including myself with this, why don't we just admit we don't know whats going on? I know I don't really know. I just know the generals.This is what I do know.I don't like George Bush, I didn't like going to war in the middleeast for oil, I don't like all the money we are spending there. But I'm not going to claim to know enough about the situation to know if more troops going there is a good idea or not, and more people need to fess up.
Well I Think if the media had the information, we would be getting it - I think it's the government that isn't giving the media the necessary details about this war. Also, I'm sure many of the details like casualties are details the government holds back on purpose. This war will hold its place in history as something ranking with Vietnam - just a senseless, money squandering, solider and civilian killing war. This war has started civil, and religious unrest that has been absent in Iraq for decades and was thought to be gone forever. I also admit that I am not educated about this war - but no one really is. The thing about me is, I get to see both sides of this war. My parents keep the Arabic news channels on all day, and the things they report are totally different from the things CNN reports - so I guess I can say I have seen more of this war than an average American - but all that aside, I am still forced to be ignorant about this war. The sad thing is - we will never know about this war when it really matters, we will probably find out the full details like 30 years from now when Bush and his supporters are dead or something.
We don't know anything about the Iraqi President, anything about the goverment, anything about what the elections were for, whats happening with the goverment, where in Iraq it's peacefull...I don't really care that much about the casulty reports...just basic information about whats going on there besides the bombings and killings...because thats all thats reported anymore...
Very good thread, I've tried to educate myself on the war, the region, and the people the best I can, but I must admit there is a lot I do not know. I agree that the media is spinning stuff, not just the American Media but all the media. both sides will report more or less number of causalties than there actually are for a variety of reasons. the Military does hold back info, as it should. just because we live in a society of Free speech doesn't mean we have to know the details of on going military operations.I do not however agree that this is a war for oil. if the Bush administration wanted oil there is much easier, and cost effective ways of getting the oil than attacking Iraq. This war is most likely the results of an egotist who thought he would go down in history if he conquered the middle east, there is also some elements of a family vendetta in there. however, removing Saddam Hussien from power is a good thing, just this country went about it the wrong way.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ReppinTheD @ Jan 16 2007, 09:33 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Well I Think if the media had the information, we would be getting it - I think it's the government that isn't giving the media the necessary details about this war.This war will hold its place in history as something ranking with Vietnam - just a senseless, money squandering, solider and civilian killing war. This war has started civil, and religious unrest that has been absent in Iraq for decades and was thought to be gone forever.</div>The media more then has enough information to present a balanced report on the situation in Iraq but they constantly ignore the positive aspects of what has happened over there since Saddam was removed from power in favor of their "it bleeds, it leads" reporting tactics. Ever since the television became the most common source of information regarding US military affairs every war we have been in has been looked down upon as wrong or unjust. It makes me wonder if this negative stance people have taken on these wars/conflicts in recent history is due more to actually seeing what takes place on the battlefield rather then the reasons why we were involved. You didn't see the opposition when we got involved with the Spanish civil war shortly before WW2 w/o reason or Theodore Roosevelt's "Speak Softly and Carry a Big Stick" agressive policy when it came to European powers and Latin America.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Diawsome @ Jan 19 2007, 08:52 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>The media more then has enough information to present a balanced report on the situation in Iraq but they constantly ignore the positive aspects of what has happened over there since Saddam was removed from power in favor of their "it bleeds, it leads" reporting tactics. Ever since the television became the most common source of information regarding US military affairs every war we have been in has been looked down upon as wrong or unjust. It makes me wonder if this negative stance people have taken on these wars/conflicts in recent history is due more to actually seeing what takes place on the battlefield rather then the reasons why we were involved. You didn't see the opposition when we got involved with the Spanish civil war shortly before WW2 w/o reason or Theodore Roosevelt's "Speak Softly and Carry a Big Stick" agressive policy when it came to European powers and Latin America.</div> Wow, that was a great point. Never thought about it like that. Now that you bring it up, seems pretty accurate. I would also like to add that in our previous wars, we were personally affected. With Vietnam and Iraq there was no huge issue for us to rally around like Pearl Harbor...etc..
