After listening to the numerous opinions on the Iraq War, it has become quite obvious that something is happening in that country. The current state of affairs will most certainly be detrimental to the Middle East’s future unless it is beneficial or of no effect whatsoever. This goes doubly for Iraqis themselves. And I can say that with great certainty as it the opinion of the numerous pundits who have been to Iraq or read a book on Iraq or saw numerous news stories on Iraq as well as the numerous pundits who have listened to those pundits. While some (or many) may argue that some (or many) of those opinions are based more on biases than facts, it is important to remember that that doesn’t mean those opinions are wrong. Unless they are wrong… but they may not be. So keep that in mind.
So how did Iraq end up it’s current state? This is quite directly attributable to the success or failure of the Bush Administration… unless of course things happened that were completely out of their hands. The consensus of opinion, though, is that the blame lies somewhere unless it was no one’s fault. It’s hard to argue with that… but some will anyway. Obviously, Rumsfeld underestimated the number of troops needed unless he got the number right or possibly sent too many. This caused the Iraq War to be a front or distraction to the War on Terror, which we all agree is an important fight or a blunder that never should have been started. According to those in the know, and those not in the know, and those who don’t know what they know, this should all have some or no effect on the future.
So, is it worth the cost in the lives of our soldiers? This is a good question unless it’s missing the point. According to some and many and some of those many, the current number of American lives lost in the war is unacceptably high or very low or about what’s expected. This is quite obvious if you look to other American wars which are good measures or misleading, as the battles in them were quite similar to today except for the differences. All agree, though, that the sacrifice of our soldiers should or should not be respected as they are dying for our freedom or for no reason whatsoever. Certainly no one would celebrate those deaths other than those who do. And that’s a good/bad thing (or vice versa).
And what about the Iraqis who died? This is important to consider unless it is irrelevant. Everyone agrees that tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands have died as a result or regardless of this war… except for those who put the number in the millions or much less. Obviously, this is a number different or the same as those who would have died under Saddam… though those number could have been exaggerated or underestimated. But life is certainly better or worse for Iraqis now if you discount those for who things have remained the same. That’s why many Iraqis are angry or happy or ambivalent, and can expect a bright or bitter future or more of the same. What experts and expert-sounding people do agree on (for the most part) is that there will be a future of some sort.
What is important or pointless is establishing a stable democracy in Iraq. This easily attainable to impossible, but requires us to stay the course or do a completely different strategy– unless it’s more prudent to just give up. What everyone agrees on, though, is that a stable democracy is what will bring peace to region unless a friendly dictator would be more practical or we should just get out of there and not care either way.
The Iraq War certainly is something. All agree that there is an Iraq and that stuff is happening there. Also, it is quite certain that some sort of action/inaction is required by the U.S. Less certain is whether out of the thousands of people commenting on Iraq, if any of them actually know anything. What I do know for sure, though, is that I’m hungry… unless I’m misinterpreting a feeling of nausea, that is.
Frank J. is a syndicated columnist whose columns appear worldwide on IMAO.us. He is also the author of such books as “Victorious Quagmire: Yet Another Book About Iraq from Someone Clamining to Know What’s He’s Talking About” and “Bacon Calms the Mind: A Look at the Root Causes of Islamic Terror”.
I love your essay.
Amusing…but there’s an important truth behind it. Unless there’s not. Or it doesn’t matter.
In any case, well worth the wait.
I could or possibly could not agree with you more or less.
Outrageous!
Outstanding!
Out there!
That was very funny. I should not have read this in my cubical.
Some of my CowOrkers are staring at me funny for the laughter, the more prudent ones are running away. Unless of course the more prudent course of action is to keep a close eye on the nut, rather than run away and expose ones back.
What a great essay except fot the parts that sucked, and the parts that were just okay.
A great read. You have mastered the Rumsfeld method of explanation.
FRANKJ FOR PRESS SECRETARY!
Oh, I think I finally understand the complex simplicity of this issue, along with its simple complexities. Probably very enlightening at some point, but I’m still absorbing this insightfully vague missive.
I’m hungry. Waffles, anyone?
Waffles are good, unless your answering or don’t have syrup, unless you prefer jam.
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm…bacon…
Why does or doesn’t my name come up everytime waffles are mentioned?
This may or may not be the best analysis of the War In Iraq that I may or may not have ever seen. Frank you hit a bulls eye on this issue, or have completely missed the mark. Indecision may or may not be your biggest problem. As for me, I am comfortable with my position, except that I am uncertain at this time what that position may or may not be. What do you think, or not think.
Bacon goes great with waffles, unless you’re religiously opposed to pork products, or simply find bacon too salty. But waffles, while boring on their own, are great vehicles for flavor enhancers like maple syrup or liquid smoke. Plus I favor the eye-pleasing grids, althought the graceful arcs of a well made pancake have their own appeal. What does this have to do with Frank wordy essay? Plenty, my friends. What remains clear to me, though, is that I should have eaten breakfast before coming to work.
So’s there’s actually a war going on Iraq right now? Why do I never hear about these things?
That was brilliant Frank.
You comprehensively covered all the primary issues in the most completely irrelevant way possible.
You disserve a cookie for that. Now have your just dessert before I change my mind.
I want that book about Bacon…
Woah, are you sure your name isn’t Kerry? You sound so much like Johnny-Boy my head is spinning. Wee-hee-hee-hee! Feeling dizzy,giddy,dizzy,giddy……
Lots of good insight here, Frank. One minor point, that I hate to even mention, but I’d hate to see such a penetrating analysis marred by error: you misspoke on “All agree that there is an Iraq.”
It should be clear that “Iraq” is really just an arbitrary line drawn by the British over a territorial possession, that doesn’t really reflect a historical nation-state.
So, more properly, you should have said: “All agree that there is an Iraq, except those who don’t.”
a4g,
I don’t care to entertain the viewpoint of those who deny there is an Iraq.
I think this is a non-blog. you never said anything at all except that there IS an Iraq. And i guess even that is debatable now too.
You certainly covered all the bases. Or goalposts. Or nets.
Whatever.
HOW DARE YOU, SIR?
Your shameless sentiments reveal you to be no true patriot.
(thus proving that even hiding behind meaningless platitudes is no defense)
Frank,
David Broder called: he wants his draft column back.
Or doesn’t.
Cordially…
Cows.
Everything seems to be up in the air at this time
Everything seems to be up in the air at this time
One day soon, it’ll all settle down
Everything seems to be up in the air at this time
All across the nation, people are gettin’ together
From many ideas they form a single goal
Some people are gonna benefit
And others gotta sacrifice
But everything seems to seems to be up in the air at this time
I got some certain special feelings for you
I got some certain special feelings for you
I don’t know if they’re good or bad
But I just might give you a call
Everything seems to be up in the air at this time
– Camper Van Beethoven
“No one i think is in my tree…i mean it must be high or low…
I mean oh can’t you see ur yes but its all wrong…that is I think I disagree…”
As long as we all agree that there is a Frank J…
I’ll give you this, Frank–you really nailed that one down, unless it didn’t need to be nailed down or if nailing it down is a bad thing–unless it’s a good thing–anyway I was wondering if you are somehow setting yourself up for the number 2 slot on the 08 Kerry campaign–he ran for President before he didn’t run–
Congrats also for not mentioning the “buggering” of teenage pages in DC!
But there might not be!
I’m sure this could have been wonderful writing except for all the parts that weren’t.
Between the essay and comments, I suppose that says it all. Or not.
Did someone mention waffles?
I agree with everything you wrote that is correct and wise and popular, but vehemently disagree with everything you wrote that is wrong, bad and unpopular. You’re a genius, except for when you’re an idiot.
I feel much better now, or not.
Nevermind.
after reading this, for more enlightenent, you should also read:
http://thisismycomputerblog.blogspot.com/
I agree with every word, except for the ones I disagree with, or have no opinion on.
Good work! Except for the parts that were not good.
I agree with your possible or unattainable assertions, though probably not on your impossible or attainable assertions. Or I could be wrong on both points.
Bravo!
“Reports that say that something hasn’t happened are always interesting to me, because as we know, there are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns — the ones we don’t know we don’t know.”
IMEO, all of us who haven’t been there feel the way you do.
Cassandra
“thus proving that even hiding behind meaningless platitudes is no defense”
Meaningless, Yes! I’m not sure is rises to level of a platitude. To have a meaningless platitude your need a hollow assertion. Frank so boldly avoids asserting anything, accept at the end where he states that Iraq exists, and I think that’s just a goof. What we have is sub-platitudes. That is, abortive reasoning devoid of content. Sort of like listening to teenagers, but without all the hostility.
In the editorials favor, I could easily follow his lack of reasoning. That always helps. Which makes it much better than that incoherent interview that Spacemonkey did with Wild Bill. I think brain damage is somehow involved there.
After reading both Frank’s column and the comments, I feel somewhat in doubt. In a lot of doubt actually.
You’re on to something with the bacon.
Wasn’t this already published in the Dacron Republican-Democrat?
The School of Journalism and Politics called and wants to award you an honorary Doctorate. Or have you arrested for stealing the answers to their senior-year finals exam.
This editorial reminds me of a conversation I had once with a school district official, who up until now was the only person I knew of who could make an entire conversation out of the law of the excluded middle.
I asked her, “Would it be possible for my daughter to be admitted to first grade instead of kindergarten?” She replied, “Well, it might be, or it might not be.” Has it ever been done before? “Well, it might have been done, or it might not have.” Who could tell me whether it could be done? “The principal might, but the principal might not.” Grrrr….. it went on like that for 15 minutes.
I think it’s still too early for a wait and see attitude…
Priceless…
Nice one, Frankie Goes to Baghdad boy. Something like this could only be written by a brave man who, rather than sit at home opining about a war they haven’t seen like Glenn Reynolds and his merry band, actually went to the front lines in Iraq and did reporting for a year. Unless, of course, you didn’t. Sadly, after declaring, “Helmets are for liberal weenies,” you got hit in the head with shrapnel from an IED attack and lost much of your brain. Unless, of course, that didn’t happen and you were already like that. Either way, the results are the same. Unless they aren’t. In which case, who knows what the bleep you are say. You sure don’t.
“Euphemism, question begging and shear cloudy vagueness fall on the facts like soft snow, blurring the outlines and covering all the details.” –George Orwell, 1984
I doubt that I agree with you, but then again I may or may not be a Solipsist.
Will you do the Dr. Seuss book on the Iraq war next? I think it’s necessary for our library.
hln
tell my wife, hello.
To Frank Editorialist and all the commentators: Greetings and salutations from Mr. Dooley who sends his very best wishes from the beginning of the twentieth century to all you kindred souls floating around at the beginning of the twenty-first!!! Thank you for a delightful “reading” of the political world. “Plus c’a change…..”