Iraq - Finally Over!

number-a.com

The war for the United States is over in Iraq.  What a blessing for our nation.  Thank God.  The past nine years has been one argument after another for me with those that believed we belonged in Iraq.  I will just say that I am delighted that our time in conflict in Iraq is over. 

The men and women, their leadership and our nation performed admirably for the most part in executing the war.  No question about that.  The wonderful men and women of our armed services and their families deserve our upmost thanks and appreciation for their unparalleled level of service.  My most significant hope is that we as a nation do not abandon these courageous men and women in the years ahead as they make their way back into the mainstream of America. 

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The task for our nation in helping, supporting and providing resource for these men and women must not falter.   Resources must be allocated for training, education and medical assistance for these soldiers and not just when they return.  Resources must be made available throughout their lives as they will face unimaginable issues, concerns and difficulties resulting from their months and years in battle.  Serious, sustained efforts must be made in the specific area of mental health.  Thousands of trained mental health providers must be allocated to serve these men and women who served our nation. 

Our President, Barack Obama, achieved what many did not feel could or would happen.  He ended this war and is bringing home our troops as promised.  President Obama has not been able to deliver on all his promises but on this very important promise he made, he has delivered.  My hearty congratulations to him for fending off those who believe we need to be there forever.  Only time will tell if Iraq can truly function on their own in the world.  We have made every effort to help them be successful.  They have to do it on their own now.

What lessons have we learned.  None.  We never, ever learn from our mistakes of war.  This was a deliberate, preemptive attack on the part of the United States of America.  I hope that our nation never again chooses to attack another nation without being attacked first.  I know that not everyone agrees with me but I remain steadfast in my belief that America only needs to respond when America is attacked.  We should never be the aggressor.  It goes against our nation's character, history and moral values. 

Who truly knows what history will say about the Iraq war.  I am confident that it will be a black eye for our nation.  Much will depend upon the next five  years and how Iraq functions or does not function.  I am just so happy that we are done and that our brave men and women will be coming home to their families.  I now hope and pray that our efforts in Afghanistan will soon draw to a close as well.  Let peace be our strong suit going forward.  God Bless America.    

You Wanna Bet $10,000?

Mitt Romney

I really believe most Americans must have been surprised last evening when Mitt Romney offered Rick Perry a $10,000 bet.  Just when you were thinking you had seen everything with the American political process, a new wrinkle is added.  Last evening during the Republican Presidential Debate on ABC, Mitt Romney actually put forth a $10,000 bet to Rick Perry on the inclusion of information in Romney's book.   These debates just keep getting better and better.  I haven't seen the television ratings but I suspect they spiked up when word of Romney's bet surfaced.

Who bets $10,000?  Perry didn't take the bite but Romney sure did offer it.  Are we to believe that Mitt Romney is the Michael Jordan of political debates.  Jordan was well-known for his outlandish betting.  So was Pete Rose.  Jordan did it in his leisure time; Rose did it in his profession.  I keep wondering how many Americans can relate to someone who throws out such an amount for a bet.

How many Americans were surprised by this gesture?  It sounded almost like two little kids arguing over some silly baseball statistic.  "You wanna bet?" was always the favorite line of my friends who were so assured that their proclamation was correct.  It was just funny hearing it at a Presidential Debate.  You also have to wonder how many Americans can relate to a bet of $10,000. 

I don't hang with too many people who throw out such sums of money when placing a bet.  Generally, a dollar here and there, maybe a five dollar bill on something of greater importance.  Where did that come from?  Is Romney so out of touch with the American people to use such a sum of money?  What was he thinking?  I keep thinking about the millions of Americans out of work.  What were they thinking when they heard $10,000.  What about all the folks with jobs that hardly make that amount of money for a year's work. 

Those Americans faced with incredible hardship due to the poor economic conditions can only wonder what it is like to have $10,000.  Was Romney just being insensitive or was he just being that boy on the playground wanting to out-do his friends.  My guess is that it was a little bit of both.  Clearly it was a gesture on Romney's part that his handlers will want to walk away from.  You can count on the democrats to have that piece of film ready to go today, tomorrow and next year when it's time to put forth the anti-Romney commercials. 

That, you can take to the bank.  You wanna bet?