Do you think a commitment to "nation-building" is a good idea?

Forgive me for jumping on this one but I felt compelled to answer your question. No, it is not the obligation of our military to be responsibile for 'nation-building.' It is the duty of the military to defend the United State of America and the Constitution against all hostile forces -foreign and domestic. This notion of 'nation-building' falls back to the World War II era when there existed a multi-national effort to rebuild both Germany and Japan. This was not a military duty but rather a humanitarian response to make the world better after it basically tried to destroy itself. Nation-building is it complete form will never work because those coming in to rebuild never really have a full grasp of the culture nor history of the people they are trying to help restore their lives. What ends up happening is the rebuilding country's style of leadership and way of life may actually do more harm than good to the region is seek to rebuild.

Bottom line, it is okay to assist in rebuilding but never expect the military to take on such a task. That is not in their 'job description' and it never should be asked of them to do so. They are already committing in some cases the ultimate sacrifice. Anything else is really going above and beyond their call of duty.

We do not have a choice right now.

We pull out of Iraq, Iran will go in to support the Shia. The saudis will go in to support the Sunnis. Turkey will go in to get after the Kurds. Essentially a World War will begin if we pull out. The military has to nation build. If there is no Iraq there is a deadlier war later in which the 3,500 killed and 24,000 wounded in this conflict will be nothing.

We have no one to blame but those of us who voted for Bush. I did not vote for him in the 2000 primary, that is my saving grace.

Its worked well in Japan, South Korea and West Germany. Its helped them rebuild after total war and become some of the wealthest countries in the region.

If I really contort my brain, I can see the reasoning: it's in our own best interests to encourage, influence, and if necessary force, other countries into positions favorable toward our way of thinking and doing business.

The hell with that though - what gives us the right?

I'm still floored that every single one of them thinks that Gays and Lesbians must remain in the closet in order to put their lives on the line in dedication to their nation.

I wont vote for any of them!