Conflict in Iraq, conflict about Iraq

I was flipping through the channels, and decided there was nothing on and somehow ended up watching PBS. There was a show called NOW and I caught the last half hour of an episode about soldiers in Iraq. After Gen. David Petraeus' report, the President's address, and, well, Anderson Cooper's recent Iraq trip, I became interested.

Here's the episode on the PBS Web site.

The soldiers spoke about their job in Iraq and the life they left at home. They understood the sacrifice, and knew that death may be the end result. But still they fight, some on their third trip. The story reported that although the Army fell short of their monthly recruitment goal again, the numbers of those who re-enlist are still steady. It cited financial stability as a major incentive, and there's a $20,000 bonus for those who re-enlist, tax-free if serving abroad.

One quote was unforgettable. I don't remember it verbatim, but here's the gist of it: Every time you go, there's a slimmer chance of getting out alive.

So now, with all this talk about what to do and the apparent lack of exit strategy, what is left? Should we keep setting benchmarks? Should we make deadlines? Should we draw a line to our responsibility? Would pulling out of this messy war dishonor the soldiers who have already died fighting in it? Would pulling out send a message to our both our allies and enemies that we are weak?

Can we really wait until next summer to have 30,000 troops pulled out of Iraq?

Here's my stance:

Yes, we did begin this war (September 11 was not a trigger for the war in Iraq. If it is, then we are fighting the wrong war. Focus would definitely have to be shifted) and we have some sort of responsibility for the people of Iraq because of this. But where does responsibility cross the line?

We have no place in their civil war. America went through a civil war. And I think the country became stronger because of it. Because people themselves wanted the change.

We have already helped them to establish a democratic government. It is unstable right now, but how long should we be there to help them? If their people actually want democracy, they're gonna have to make it work. We can't force it on them. They've become so dependent on us, we're spending so much money on this war - money that could be spent on education and infrastructure. It all sounds so U.S.-centric. But the Iraqi government needs to start taking responsibility for their own people.

But there is also the other side. An unstable Iraq makes a vulnerable Iraq. According to Ambassador Samir Sumaidaie, the Iraqi ambassador to the U.S., a vulnerable Iraq means terrorists can take over the country, gain the political and economic strength that they need to come after us. He said during a press briefing back in June in Washington (which I had the privilege to cover) that winning in Iraq means to "deny the terrorists a state of their own" and to allow the new democratic state to "have the requirements for survival."

Both sides of the Senate aisle debated about this all summer (remember that all-nighter in July? Click the links to see my talking points from the after-debate press conferences from both sides...that was great fun). Republicans wanted to wait for the September report to decide (Democrats criticized this, saying Reps would much rather protect the President over protecting the troops). Democrats have already decided long before hearing Petraeus' report. (Republicans criticized this, saying Dems just wanted to advance their political agenda).

So as much as there is a conflict in Iraq, there is a conflict about Iraq. The unpopularity of this war is definitely growing, and Americans are becoming war weary. But is that enough reason to leave? Even more, is Congress listening to their constituents, or, wrapped up in winning more seats for their respective parties in the upcoming election?

Scrapbook, Justin Timberlake, Procrastination

What do they all have in common? They're all keeping me from my job search.
Welcome to my world.

I'm working on my Paris scrapbook (still) while watching Justin Timberlake's HBO special (I'm waiting for him to perform Summer Love). And that = Procrastination.

Life post-college hasn't really been all that exciting. I have resumes out all over the place, mostly in New York and Washington. But I will get started on putting together my 5-minute reporter demo reel tomorrow. Then send those out to at least 25 smaller market stations in the country. **crosses fingers**

But I think the worst part is not knowing where I'll be in the next few months or the next year. I may not have my "real world job" in the next couple of months, but will I be spending my 22nd birthday with my family? Will I be celebrating Thanksgiving with new friends instead? Will I be having my first white Christmas this year?

I can't make any long term plans. Except for that vacation to the Philippines this summer. (Which I'm SO very excited about...I get to see my grandma after 10 years!)

But I guess it is not up to me, is it? I don't know what God has planned, but there are definitely days when I get really impatient for an answer. I just want to know already!

Patience. Now that's something they don't teach in college. Unless of course you're growing cells in a biology lab.