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Iraq war .vs. Iraq occupation

 
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brian-hansen
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Joined: 17 Mar 2006
Posts: 712
Location: Oregon
PostPosted: Wed Jun 21, 2006 2:25 am    Post subject: Iraq war .vs. Iraq occupation Reply with quote
This isn't original to me. I've heard Tom Hartman from Air America Radio discuss this.

When you use the term "Iraq War" it sets up a mindset. When you fight a war, you either win, lose, or draw. Americans don't want to lose a war, and don't want a draw. So we need to stay in Iraq until we win, right?

Well, we can argue the history, morality, and outcome of our going to war in Iraq, but the truth is that we had a war, and the U.S. won. We overthrew the government and killed or imprisoned its leaders. We won.

What we have now is an occupation. The concept is so different that even the terminology no longer fits. You don't "win an occupation". By recognizing that there is no Iraq War, and that there is only an Iraq occupation, other considerations rise to prominence. How long should an occupation last? Is it dishonorable to end an occupation? The questions, I submit, start to have different answers when you approach the question without the fog caused by an incorrect political euphemism.

-Brian
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jabailo



Joined: 20 Mar 2006
Posts: 1273
Location: Kent (East Hill), WA
PostPosted: Sat Dec 20, 2008 3:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I guess it would be easier if we were Romans and could simply win a war and take over the country. Certainly we have bases near Japan and in Germany to this day.

So, what is said and what is meant are two different things. The primary reason we invade is to secure ourselves. Of course, if we said that everyone else would condemn us (well, they do anyway).
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brian-hansen
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Joined: 17 Mar 2006
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PostPosted: Sun Dec 21, 2008 1:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Hence, Q.E.D., it is a euphemism.
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