We have a rule at work: Don’t complain unless you can offer a solution to the problem.”

I hear so much complaining and defeatist/negative attitudes towards the situation in Iraq. Some attitudes were born before the war started, but most came about as the situation deteriorated in 2004 – 2005.

Now; as we’ve made substantial quantitative and qualitative progress in this country, people are still complaining. “Quagmire” “Lost cause” “Pull out now” “Mess”, etc.

I understand that some people still have a dim view on the situation here, and the potential for future stability. I also am not saying that everyone should be impressed with the progress and that nothing but rainbows and butterflies are destined for the future of Iraq.

What I want to know is what your solutions to the “problem” are.

I really don’t want to hear the pull-out now crowd, as we’ve exhausted that avenue of discussion in our government and in public…but if you feel that is your only solution, then please; by all means. But realize that pulling out now isn’t a solution; it’s a step in a process.

I want to know the how, and the effects. How do you get 160,000 troops, 10,000 civilians, and 5,000 diplomats and others out of Iraq now.

I want to know how you get millions of tons, and billions of dollars of equipment out of the nation now.

I also want to know what we do 1, 5, or 10 years from now if Iraq collapses and destabilizes the region because we pulled out before finishing our operations and ensuring the highest possible rate of success for the Iraqi people and government.

I know some of you are dying to say, “We shouldn’t have started this war in the first place.” I get it; trust me…I wish we wouldn’t have invaded Iraq either in some aspects. But we did, and debating the would-haves and should-haves doesn’t solve the current situation. Let’s try to be current, prudent, and pertinent in this discussion.

I look forward to hearing some of the solutions!

OK, so it is not logical to organize a withdrawal that would happen in a day, week, month or maybe even a few months, but we got in there pretty quick didn't we. If we changed our egotistical attitude about being in there and actually intended to withdrawal that would be a great start, but no we have to increase the troops to make it more stable. Worried about stability, worried about 1, 5, 10 years from now, you need to worry about our country and the fact that we are making so many enemies. Yes, I will say this country is the greatest place to live, but I bet the people from other countries such as Iceland, Canada, Great Britain, Russia, France, etc have pride in their history also. Are we so insecure that we can't allow them to have their pride. We need to focus on getting our political, social and economical problems under control or I believe no matter what we stabilize someone will come to our door and shake our foundations. I would like to know how many Congressmen are involved with businesses making money on this war. How many Congressmen/Presidents are involved with the oil companies making mega profits on the fear of losing the oil. In reality, this country would shut down if we had no oil shipments. Then you go to war. Go get what you [u]need[u] to survive, not what makes the rich person richer and poor poorer. You can fight the Taliban without this war people. You can cooperate, you can be part of the World without being the World.

No offense, but that was more a rant than a response to the thread. That sort of talk has a place, but not in this particular thread. We are talking solutions...not philosophy.

We got in "quick" because we already had most of the troops and equipment in place in the Persian Gulf area nations. Getting out is much more difficult as it leaves a strain on the region if business goes unfinished.

We are not making enemies, and I'm not sure where you heard that. The most recent studies and polls show the nations of the world are still looking to us for leadership, technology, food-aid, medical-aid, and support in their ambitions and dreams.

We are not insecure, and we are one of the few nations of the world that encourage the "little" guys to take a stand, and help the developing nations get where they want. We do more Free Trade with the nations of the world than any other body of nations, and donate more funds to the UN than any other single nation. We've given more in AIDS research funding to Africa in the last year than any other nation or body of nations has in the last decade.

Politicians are citizens, citizens invest, and sometimes those investments are in companies that make more money when wars happen. But guess what? Those same politicians are also invested in many more companies that make money regardless of war or oil prices. It's called diversification. Also tens of millions of 'regular' Americans are invested in the same companies...it’s called capitalism you should read about it sometime.

Oil makes every nation in the world work...not just America. And if you want to get technical America has enough oil reserves to operate under its own power supply, but the 'Greenies' and a few politicians won't allow us to tap our own resources, build more refineries, or nuclear power plants. And if you want to take that a step further, America gets 80% of it's imported oil from non-Middle Eastern countries...places we aren't at war with, and don't have any troop presence to speak of. The EU, India, China, and Japan; however, have huge vested interest in Middle Eastern Oil.

Let's stick to the subject of this thread please, and leave the ranting and raving for another section of this site. Again...don't complain (or rant) without offering solutions. Thanks!

I'm sure if you asked a resident of Afghanistan or Pakistan who has lost a family member (or many family members) to the Taliban and al-Qaeda's Shuria laws they might have a different view on that. And I know 100% if you asked someone who has served in Afghanistan they would offer you some insight into the workings of the Taliban and al-Qaeda.

These are not people who would respond kindly to a 'white dove' of peace, or follow any treaties or agreements between gentlemen. These are people who have taken 14-year-old girls out into the street and shot them in the head for merely looking at a man while passing him in the town square. Let alone some of the other terrible things these people are capable of.

You may want to step back into reality before talking about things that you have not experienced.