posted on September 23, 2005 04:37:31 AM new
I'm not sure what about the article angers me, but I think the "we're really sorry about Katrina, but you should be spending your money here" mentality in Iraq. I'm sorry, but IMO, the people of this country come first. If my tax money is going anywhere, I'd prefer it stay here. While we are expecting gasoline prices to soar above $4 per gallon with minimum wage at just over $5 per hour, the people of Iraq are paying $.05 per gallon. Am I supposed to feel sorry right now? Don't get me wrong. I do have some sympathy for them, but most of my sorrow is for those here in the states that are suffering from Katrina and that will suffer from Rita. And, some is reserved for me and the higher prices I'm going to pay for gasoline and heating fuel.
Iraqis wonder what price they'll pay in Katrina's wake
The Gulf of Mexico is 7,000 miles away, but Iraqis are worried about hurricanes Katrina and Rita: They fear the storms will divert U.S. money and attention from Iraq.
"Our hearts and our prayers are with the victims," Planning Minister Barham Saleh says. "But one should also keep in mind the importance of reconstruction in Iraq. You cannot leave Iraq alone, because failure is not an option here."
A USA TODAY/CNN Poll last week showed that a majority of Americans give the war effort a low priority compared to domestic needs. Asked for the best way to pay for Hurricane Katrina damage, 54% recommend cutting spending for the Iraq war.
The hurricanes come at a time when money for Iraq's reconstruction is running low. Congress approved $18.4 billion in 2003, but $5 billion was later set aside to rebuild Iraq's military and police.
Security costs are eating into the rest. Projects are being scaled back even though needs remain, James Jeffrey, a State Department adviser, recently told a congressional panel.
President Bush said Thursday that he is committed to both Iraq and rebuilding storm-damaged parts of the USA: "What's a priority for me is to win this war on terror and secure the country and to help the people down there (on the Gulf Coast)."
Congress may balk at additional Iraq funding requests if they're also facing large bills for rebuilding hurricane damage, including as much as $200 billion to rebuild from Katrina alone.
Sen. Joseph Biden (news, bio, voting record) of Delaware, ranking Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, said Thursday that both parties will have to make painful decisions about their top spending priorities. "People are going to have to make choices," he said. "How it all plays out I'm not smart enough to know, but I'm worried."
Amina Juma'a, a 35-year-old Baghdad homemaker and mother of four, says she watched Bush touring the areas damaged by Hurricane Katrina and was stunned by the "clean and beautiful areas" where evacuees were resettled.
posted on September 23, 2005 01:35:53 PM new
Cheryl, I do agree that our citizens should be a top priority - not only the NO evacuees, but all citizens.
We will probably never agree on this, and I respect that, but we are in Iraq to protect the American citizens, we are there to protect them from terrorism, we are there to keep the war on terror out of the U.S., we are there not just on a humanitarian mission, but to win the war on terrorism, which will ultimately keep U.S. citizens from dying in buildings that are bombarded by commercial jet airliners.
Just my opinion, and oh, by the way, I agree with Biden - he's not smart enough
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Caroline
posted on September 23, 2005 02:08:28 PM new
You can't honestly believe the war on terrorism can be won. If that's your opinion, okay. However, it's a centuries old problem that isn't going to go away because Bush says it will.
posted on September 23, 2005 02:09:17 PM new
::but we are in Iraq to protect the American citizens, we are there to protect them from terrorism, we are there to keep the war on terror out of the U.S.::
What flavor was that kool-aid?
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
An intelligent deaf-mute is better than an ignorant person who can speak.
posted on September 23, 2005 02:25:44 PM new
Fenix, i for one can't tell you what flavor kool-aid it was but i can tell you what color it was. It was red, like the color of blood, the blood of American citizens killed on 911.
Caroline is right and i'll add that we are fighting them there so we don't have to fight them here and the more of them that we can kill over there the better. It's so obvious to me that what we are essentially doing in Iraq is that we are inviting them (terrorists) to come and fight us in a place that is easier for them to get to rather than here in the US where it's so much harder for them to get to.
Terrorists, come to Iraq to fight the Americans and get killed by our soldiers.
posted on September 23, 2005 02:47:10 PM new
I do believe it can be won - are we supposed to sit back and let it continue? How many more people have to die before everyone says enough!
No, I do not think it will go away because Bush says it will, I think we will beat it because he has taken action against it - action that should have been taken before we had the wake up call of 9/11.
It is not just a matter of winning the war in Iraq, it will be ongoing and must be ongoing to keep it out of the U.S.
posted on September 23, 2005 05:26:54 PM new
So Pi - you don't believe that we went to Iraq to liberate their people, you think that it was simply a more convienient location to destroy in a war against no organized force. Just out of curiosity... what is it that you feel gives us the right to fight this war in someone elses country? Do you even consider the fact that is the mentality that creates enemies? When you go into a nation blow it to pieces to get rid of one man and then stand in the ruins and invite all comers don't you think that you are going to create animosity among those that really could not have cared less before we showed up?
Don't you ever wonder if we are fighting our enemies, or just making more? Hell we have created a terrorist leader where before stood only a zealot in Zarqawi. We have given Bin Laden his natural successor by staging a massive military attack as opposed to waging a targeted plan of intelligence and surgical attacks.
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
An intelligent deaf-mute is better than an ignorant person who can speak.
[ edited by fenix03 on Sep 23, 2005 05:28 PM ]
posted on September 23, 2005 05:42:31 PM new
Amen, carolinetyler, Nice post. I agree whole heartedly.
About winning the fight on terrorism. We couldn't with a Liberal government.
We can now because George W. Bush took the first step. You can't get anywhere with out taking that first step.
You liberal cowards would just sit back and HOPE it goes away and hide your heads when it didn't. Of course you would never admit you were wrong. (Nagin) (subliminal suggestion)
The Jews didn't fight the Nazi's in the beginning. They found out just how wrong they were shortly after.
posted on September 23, 2005 05:48:00 PM new
Colin - would you like to adress any of the points I made?
ANd BTW - trying to compare the organized military machine of a world power to a come as you are group of zealots is pushing it a bit wouldn't you say?
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
An intelligent deaf-mute is better than an ignorant person who can speak.
posted on September 23, 2005 06:39:30 PM new
Pi, that was an endearment from Helen
Koolaid, I haven't had koolaid in years and years, I think I only like the lemonade, oh and the pink lemonade, only because we were POOR when the kids were toddlers and they did get that. And yes, they have perfect teeth!
posted on September 23, 2005 07:00:12 PM new
Sort of off topic but related to topic...
3 1/2 weeks ago you watched on your tvs Hurricane Katrina. All the build up before the storm, the actual force storm and the wide spread devastation afterwards. You saw how the local, city, state and federal governments responded. Everyone of us were arm chair quarterbacks.
You are watching again with Hurricane Rita. It appears that local, city, state and federal governments are doing a little better this time. I applaud them for paying attention to the snafus with Katrina.
Hurricanes are the only natural disaster that have a pre-game show. All the hype and build up to the big show with analysis and disection afterward....
Everybody with me so far?
A terrorist attack of any kind anywhere in this country has been and will be ABSOLUTE CHAOS. You won't see any type of local, city, state or federal government assistance or cooperation intially. It doesn't matter how many mock drills are held or disaster preparedness plans are written. Each terrorist incident will be a unique experience due to many factors. Each terrorist incident will be devastating to this country.
I personally do not want to witness any more acts of terrorism on the soil of OUR country again. I want the government to do anything and everything they can to prevent terrorism on OUR soil. Even if that means fighting in some other country.
I don't think WE as a nation are prepared to accept the learning curve of doing everything right and responding immediately and appropriately in the event of terrorist attacks. JMHO
posted on September 23, 2005 07:14:12 PM new
chimpchamp, I agree with you 100%.
And, as you have said before, after going through Katrina, People need their own emergency kits. I don't think that can be stressed enough. There may be some disaster (natural or UNnatural) that will have each taking care of our own families and neighbors. We have started one, we know we live with the possibility of earthquakes, with no warning. And volcanos, some warning, but probably not enough. I think every region of this country lives with some type of natural disaster that could happen. Then add terrorism on top of that, and well........
Oh, and remember prescription drugs you have to have. I absolutely need 3 different ones, so I basically keep them on me, in a small backpack I use (don't like purses) and I have some extra, that are packed in with the emergency stuff.
Keep thinking of stuff I bought a wind up radio, AM FM and SW (SW is definitly good in an emergency) from C Crane Co. best $100 I ever spent. We have already used it a lot since I got it, when the power has gone out.
Oh, and it also has a light on it, that generates from the wind up also.
posted on September 23, 2005 07:16:24 PM new
Ok NTS, i guess i could call it an endearment. But really i just thought she was bloviating again and it kinda surprised me that she didn't call me pithy like she usually does.
I can't say that i much care for Kool-aid. I much prefer Crystal Light and the strawberry banana flavored is my favorite.
posted on September 23, 2005 07:54:41 PM new
Blech on Chrystal light! Gimme the sugar calories from Koolaid LOL! Seriously I haven't had koolaid since 1983! Now its Dasani Lemon water yeeeeeessss
posted on September 23, 2005 08:33:59 PM new
I just saw an emergency radio that winds u at Radio Shack... the best feature though is that it also will recharge your cell phone.
As for Crystal Light - I'm addicted to the Iced Tea with Lemon. Go thru two of the little 5 tub cannisters a week.
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
An intelligent deaf-mute is better than an ignorant person who can speak.
posted on September 23, 2005 09:37:14 PM new
Me too! Iced tea, lemon only. Course now its Dasani Lemon water, with 0 calories, but I need calories!
Naaaaaa no koolaid for moi. My kids drink Mountain Dew now, like crazy! (yea I know its got the most caffiene, but I think it tastes like crap!)
I drink a lot of coffeecoffeecoffee though with French Vanila creamer, oh yeah!
Me too. 
Caroline