sigh.
You know what I’m talking about.
A challenge to my detractors: explain to me, in one simple sentence that speaks to specifics, not lofty ideals, what are our goals in Iraq, and answer specifically, how would you define victory in Iraq?
If you can’t do that, then I would appreciate not being labeled a “quitter”, “coward”, “cut and runner”, oh, and my favorite, being told “you just don’t understand”.
I’m a veteran and a patriot, and I understand all too well what is going on.
Update:
I realized I posted on this topic exactly one year ago. Included in that post was a table with some vital statistics related to the occupation of Iraq. I’ve updated the table with this year’s numbers but have not confirmed the links still work.
| May 1, 2003 | May 1, 2006 | Today | |
| U.S. Troops Wounded | 542 | 17,469 | 26,188 |
| U.S. Troops Killed |
139 | 2,400 | 3,337 |
| Size of U.S. Forces | 150,000 | 132,000 | 146,000 |
| Size of Iraqi Security Forces |
7,000-9000 | 250,500 | 334,300 |
| Number of Insurgents | 5,000 | 15,000-20,000 | 70,000 |
| Insurgent Attacks Per Day | 8 | 75 | 148 |
| Cost to U.S. Taxpayers | $79 billion | $320 billion | $448 billion |
| Approval of Bush’s Handling of Iraq | 75% | 37% | 24% |
| Percentage of Americans who Believe The Iraq War Was “Worth Fighting” | 70% | 41% | 34% |
| Bush’s Overall Job Approval | 71% | 38% | 32% |