Why did we go into Iraq?

[Happy Monkey]

Originally Posted by mrnoodle

There has always been an "everyone does it" mentality in the middle east in regards to terrorism, and it's a shaky foundation. If even ONE country takes an official (and unofficial) stand against terrorism as a matter of policy, the rest have to follow suit. Why? For the same reason that the school bully loses his playground mojo after one person stands up to him.

I'm not sure where you get that, but even granting that, it is based on the assumption that the one country is perceived to be doing it on its own. Which is certainly not the case in Iraq.

[mrnoodle]

Originally Posted by Happy Monkey

I'm not sure where you get that, but even granting that, it is based on the assumption that the one country is perceived to be doing it on its own. Which is certainly not the case in Iraq.

It's only based on that perception if you're a coddled introspective Westerner like we are. Someone who has been oppressed for a long time who suddenly has access to basic freedoms and rights isn't going to split hairs over who thought of the idea. Their leadership might, and armchair diplomats might, but not the recipient. Of course, there's a big exception to that rule -- the segment of the population that believes the anti-US propaganda machine. But they think we're there to cook and eat their babies anyway, so no amount of 'splainin is going to convince them -- just results.

As far as the bully metaphor goes, I can't think of an example where that model doesn't work. Is anyone in Europe really concerned about the Nazis gaining a serious foothold again? Once they saw Hitler crushed, they realized they didn't have to put up with his ilk again, and...well, they don't put up with his ilk any more.