It’s Time To Leave Iraq to the Iraqis

The war in Iraq was ill conceived from the very start and the cost in lives and money has been far too high. Robert Parham, Editor of Ethics Daily, is correct to note

The Bush administration and other pro-war advocates certainly downplayed the cost of invading and occupying Iraq. Some claimed that Iraq’s oil revenues would pay for the war. Others dismissed projections of an expensive war as unrealistic. Still others expressed dismay that morally responsible citizens would even raise the issue of financial costs given the alleged enormity of the evil in Iraq and the threat to western civilization.

The war is costing - besides the invaluable lives of both Americans and Iraqis and others - $5,000 a second. You read that right- $5,000 each and every second. And we are not one step closer to resolution of the massive problems in Iraq than we were 5 years ago. This war was a mistake from the start and it’s time to end it. The Iraqis have to settle their own issues- even if that means a civil war. The Iraqis have to step up and take responsibility for their own factious tribalism and religious strife. No one can do it for them and no one can enforce unity if they don’t wish to be unified themselves.

Bush should hold a news conference today and say- “All American troops will leave the country of Iraq on May 1st. We messed up in invading and we have spent enough blood and money trying to fix our mess. It’s your turn, Iraq, and if you implode, well, that’s your problem. Perhaps you really do need a tyrant to control your tribalism. At any rate, it’s up to you. We’ve done all we can and all we will. Good luck.”