Exploring the opposition mind on the War in Iraq.

[Pindar]

I oppose the war in Iraq because...

Which of the above identify your feelings most closely? Multiple selections are available if someone feels strongly about several options.

[CrossLOPER]

Where's my free oil?

[econ21]

I'm not sure there is a war in Iraq. Are you referring to the initial invasion? Or the continued presence of Coalition troops?

The issues are somewhat different. You could say one is about breaking and entering, the other about squatting.

[Lemur]

An awful lot of people are going to fall into the "originally supported it" category. Pindar, I don't know if you're a poll-smoker, but here's some info that might be of interest to you.

I voted "wrong focus," since that most closely matches my misgivings. I'm not going to bother elaborating, since I have done so elsewhere, and since positions seem to be rather hardened at this late state of the game.

The Onion, as usual, has a rather brilliant comment on the President's conduct of the campaign.

[Pindar]

I'm not sure there is a war in Iraq. Are you referring to the initial invasion? Or the continued presence of Coalition troops?

I'm referring to the use of arms from the initial invasion through to the present.

[Pindar]

An awful lot of people are going to fall into the "originally supported it" category. Pindar, I don't know if you're a poll-smoker, but here's some info that might be of interest to you.

That is interesting. Those Mormons are a tricky bunch. But, given South Park proclaimed them the ones going to Heaven, looks like Bush is in trouble.

[CountArach]

Illegal and Impractical - Can't succeed.

[Louis VI the Fat]

Why are all polls anonymous nowadays? I like to see who voted what.

I voted:
It is an impractical war: cannot succeed.
It is an impractical war: wrong focus.

[CrossLOPER]

Am I the only one who wants the oil?

[Lemur]

Am I the only one who wants the oil?

I've got bad news for you ...

Despite claims by some critics that the Bush administration invaded Iraq to take control of its oil, the first contracts with major oil firms from Iraq's new government are likely to go not to U.S. companies, but rather to companies from China, India, Vietnam, and Indonesia.

While Iraqi lawmakers struggle to pass an agreement on exactly who will award the contracts and how the revenue will be shared, experts say a draft version that passed the cabinet earlier this year will likely uphold agreements previously signed by those countries under Saddam Hussein's government.

[CrossLOPER]

I've got bad news for you ...

Well, "to take control" does not necessarily mean "to take control and actually do more than pocket some of the profits". See?

[Tribesman]

I vote for all options to varying degrees apart from .....I originally supported the war

[Odin]

Am I the only one who wants the oil?

Nope.

We should have had tankers lined up in the persian gulf and shipped as much as possible to the U.S.

These ideological wars Mr Bush has gotten us into really have me scrathing my head, you cant export a theory unless you have a willing customer.

I much prefer war for profit, clearly we need the oil anyway, it would defer some of the cost of the war and if we sucked enough out minimalize the value of that commodity in that part of the world.

But oh no, we want to ensure they are no longer repressed and have the right of self determination Bush is an idiot, the only person who can ensure self determination is the individual, so once he screwed up and went to war at a minimum we should have taken the treasure.

what would have been the worst that could have happened? Iraq civil war and universal condemnation from the rest of the world?

[Major Robert Dump]

Wrong focus, with a nice trail of breadcrumbs to lead to that wrong focus.

Pwnt. Better luck next time.

[macsen rufus]

Illegal & immoral; I thought so before it started, throughout its prosecution, and still do today. At least most of the lies* and hypocrisy** have now been thoroughly exposed, but they were clear from the beginning, as was the Orwellian doublethink of Blair and Bush. I thought the way the media curled up and swallowed the government line was spineless, and as ever, any outpouring of bellicose flagwaving always creates an uneasing feeling for me. The country turned into a mindless, bloodthirsty mob incapable of analysing the facts of the situation.

* WMD and Saddam-Al Qaeda links, faked intelligence etc
** Saddam was a bad man who had to be removed, even though he was just as bad when we were supporting him, oh and all the poison gas he ever had we sold to him in the first place

[CrossLOPER]

But oh no, we want to ensure they are no longer repressed and have the right of self determination Bush is an idiot, the only person who can ensure self determination is the individual, so once he screwed up and went to war at a minimum we should have taken the treasure.

You honestly think that Bush has or ever had the welfare of the Iraqi people at heart? Are you serious?

[Odin]

You honestly think that Bush has or ever had the welfare of the Iraqi people at heart? Are you serious?

To be blunt yes, I think he truly believed that he was rescuing them from a tyrant.

Yes i am serious, why wouldnt i be?

these guys are radical ideological nuts, yep no doubt in my mind he believed and still does believe the bullshit that comes out of his mouth.

[Tribesman]

We should have had tankers lined up in the persian gulf and shipped as much as possible to the U.S.

They did have the tankers lined up , the problem was that they had them waiting in line for a hell of a long time . All the time they was waiting it was just costing more money , since they were waiting and waiting and waiting in a dangerous area the insurance and wages premiums cost even more money .

Another case of bad planning eh

[Odin]

They did have the tankers lined up , the problem was that they had them waiting in line for a hell of a long time . All the time they was waiting it was just costing more money , since they were waiting and waiting and waiting in a dangerous area the insurance and wages premiums cost even more money .

Another case of bad planning eh

Bah, the wait would have been half as long if Turkey had taken the payoff and let us invade from the north.

[Agent Miles]

Now that this has been explored, the Hitler's of the world thank you.

[Tribesman]

Bah, the wait would have been half as long if Turkey had taken the payoff and let us invade from the north.

Nah , wouldn't have made much difference , the hundreds of attacks on pipelines and refineries which caused delays happened after "victory" . Since those that occur in the North , which would be the only facilities were Turkish help would have had any impact occur in those errrr.....quiet , fine areas where the Pershmerga have been in control for the past decade anyhow .

Now that this has been explored, the Hitler's of the world thank you.

Thats wierd , I could have sworn that it was the Hitlers of the world that went round invading countries and spreading their form of government among others .
Perhaps I got my history wrong and this is a good exampe that you can learn something new everyday

[Odin]

Nah , wouldn't have made much difference , the hundreds of attacks on pipelines and refineries which caused delays happened after "victory" . Since those that occur in the North , which would be the only facilities were Turkish help would have had any impact occur in those errrr.....quiet , fine areas where the Pershmerga have been in control for the past decade anyhow .

That assumes the same strategy that was used applies if the goal was different. Lets see a "surge" of 30k troops to secure oil lines to a port and tankers. forget urban centers, classic death trap for professional armies.

Nah, secure the oil, ship it home and allow Iraqi's the true meaning of the term "self determination".

[Tribesman]

Slight problem there Odin ,apart from the Syrian pipeline going through Anbar province all the others go through urban areas , and the ports are urban areas too , good thought though.
Hey perhaps secure the Anbar pipeline and invade Syria so we can use the pipeline . After all they do actually have lots of WMDs , and WMDs are a good reason for an invasion

[Pindar]

Why are all polls anonymous nowadays? I like to see who voted what.

Sorry, I thought the many shy members of the Backroom would be more apt to participate if they could choose from the shadows.

[Odin]

Slight problem there Odin ,apart from the Syrian pipeline going through Anbar province all the others go through urban areas , and the ports are urban areas too , good thought though.
Hey perhaps secure the Anbar pipeline and invade Syria so we can use the pipeline . After all they do actually have lots of WMDs , and WMDs are a good reason for an invasion

I knew you would come around ! Ever live in Texas by chance?

[HoreTore]

One vote for the pacifist. I'm european, and I spend most of my free time smelling flowers and decorating.

[Adrian II]

Now that this has been explored, the Hitler's of the world thank you.

You are taking your self-criticism too far lately.

[Blodrast]

One vote for the pacifist. I'm european, and I spend most of my free time smelling flowers and decorating.

ROFL! Excellent put, my friend!

I voted it is an immoral and illegal war.
Illegal because the US has no business in how another independent country runs its internal business.
Immoral - well, where do I begin ?... Hypocrisy, lies, making a mess out of those people's lives...

As for the practicality of the war, I don't care. A war should have nothing to do with practicality, imo.
I'm somewhat of a pacifist, but I didn't put that down as a reason - I believe that sometimes wars are inevitable, and I'll support them in those cases, despite my convictions. I can't smell flowers, though, I'm allergic.

Pindar: re anonymity: I don't think you needed to worry too much about that. In all honesty, we prolly all pretty much know what the others think about this - remember the "your predefined Backroom stance" thread ? It's ok, either way - most people seem to say what they chose.

[Brenus]

Others: It was and is counter-productive… And Stupid, ill prepared, doom to fail…
Same vote than Luigi...

[ICantSpellDawg]

i voted for beef as my favorite dinner meat