ISIS takes over Iraqi cities

[Anne]

Looks like Iraq is a mess, the US is evacuating Americans from an air base, but not the Embassy. Iraq is reportedly asking for our help, specifically air strikes. Do we help, hope another country help(France perhaps), or let them fend for themselves? Mrs. Clinton says the "disaster" could not have been forseen. Anyone believe that?

[Locutus]

Not to rehash the Iraq war, but that mess is a direct result of our actions in that country, so I think we should help them clean it up.  The last thing we need is another terrorist breeding ground like Afghanistan was prior to the September 11th attacks. 

That bad thing about those militants is that they're so extreme even Al-Qaeda his disassociated with them. 

[Palehorse]

Not to rehash the Iraq war, but that mess is a direct result of our actions in that country, so I think we should help them clean it up.  The last thing we need is another terrorist breeding ground like Afghanistan was prior to the September 11th attacks. 

That bad thing about those militants is that they're so extreme even Al-Qaeda his disassociated with them. 

Agreed on all points. 

[Anne]

I agree to a point, but I don't think anything we do short of sending troops in will help.

[me]

I agree to a point, but I don't think anything we do short of sending troops in will help.

True and from there it's 

[Locutus]

That whole country's situation is and has been a fuck up because of our interference when it wasn't necessary.  Not to rehash the Iraq war debacle or anything. 

[Locutus]

True and from there it's 

Maybe they'll somehow smuggle the WMD's back from Syria, which you posited at one point, and save the day and the Iraqis. 

No wonder you have no comment. 

[Locutus]

I agree to a point, but I don't think anything we do short of sending troops in will help.

We'll have to see what happens.  Those militants aren't going to have things with such ease once they try Baghdad.  That's a whole different animal from a religious standpoint, especially given those who may be willing to take up arms to defend themselves and their beliefs.   

[Henry Hawk]

"I am very optimistic about -- about Iraq. I mean, this could be one of the great achievements of this administration. You're going to see 90,000 American troops come marching home by the end of the summer. You're going to see a stable government in Iraq that is actually moving toward a representative government".....Joe Biden.- 2010

[Exterminator]

That whole country's situation is and has been a fuck up because of our interference when it wasn't necessary.  Not to rehash the Iraq war debacle or anything. 

Hey, well at least it has cost over $2 trillion...so far.

[Exterminator]

"I am very optimistic about -- about Iraq. I mean, this could be one of the great achievements of this administration. You're going to see 90,000 American troops come marching home by the end of the summer. You're going to see a stable government in Iraq that is actually moving toward a representative government".....Joe Biden.- 2010

Yeah, because that's way worse than Cheney; right?   

[Anne]

We'll have to see what happens.  Those militants aren't going to have things with such ease once they try Baghdad.  That's a whole different animal from a religious standpoint, especially given those who may be willing to take up arms to defend themselves and their beliefs.

If, and that is a big if, we actually do send in planes to bomb, where will they bomb? They won't hit cities because of the civilian poulation and you know that is exactly where ISIS will be. We can maybe bomb in the outskirts, but without troops, I can't see that doing any good. It is Viet Nam all over again, only this time, we might go back. I think Iran may 'come to the aid' of Iraq, eventually taking it over. Wouldn't that be great.

[me]

Maybe they'll somehow smuggle the WMD's back from Syria, which you posited at one point, and save the day and the Iraqis. 

No wonder you have no comment.

I kind of expected that but you know that's not what I meant. 

[Locutus]

If, and that is a big if, we actually do send in planes to bomb, where will they bomb? They won't hit cities because of the civilian poulation and you know that is exactly where ISIS will be. We can maybe bomb in the outskirts, but without troops, I can't see that doing any good. It is Viet Nam all over again, only this time, we might go back. I think Iran may 'come to the aid' of Iraq, eventually taking it over. Wouldn't that be great.

Well you have to remember that a certain subset of them are always on the move.  They've made no attempt to hide the fact that they would march to Baghdad.  That will leave them out in the open while in transit and subject them to, at a minimum, drone strikes.  You're right though; we're not going to be bombing any cities.  Actually, from what Obama said today, we may not bomb at all.  He basically told them it was their problem to deal with. 

[Locutus]

I kind of expected that but you know that's not what I meant. 

Sorry, but I had to through that in there.