Rooney: What Are We Doing In Iraq?

Andy Thinks Getting Rid Of Saddam Hussein Was Good But Wonders What We Are Doing There Now

(CBS)  The following is a weekly 60 Minutes commentary by CBS News correspondent Andy Rooney.

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I'd like to talk to you about something you probably don't want to be talked to about.

Someone - and I guess it's President Bush - has to tell us what in the world we're doing in Iraq now. I don't think any of us know. We did the right thing getting rid of Saddam Hussein, but what are we doing there now?

The Pentagon never tells us anything. Usually reporters and cameramen let us know quite a bit but it's so dangerous for them in Baghdad now that even they can't show us much of what's going on.

So far almost 2,800 American soldiers have been killed in Iraq. I say "almost 2,800" because there is no exact number. It changes by six or eight every day. That's how many of our young men get killed? And for what? Just tell us, Mr. President. For what? It hasn't even been good for Iraq; it certainly hasn’t been good for us. The whole world thinks less of us for what we're doing there.

This little war is costing us $2 billion a what? I forget, a day, a week, a minute? It's the kind of money I can't even imagine.

President Bush should stand up there in front of us on television and do the hardest thing of all for any president to do. Tell us the truth. He should just say "Americans, there's something I have to tell you. You trusted me to be your leader and I thought I was doing the right thing when we went into Iraq. Well, I hate to admit it but I was wrong. I'm sorry but we never should have gone in and now we should get out."

Well, I'm not holding my breath until President Bush says that because I've never heard him admit he was wrong about anything. It isn't something presidents do. I don't recall hearing Bill Clinton or Jimmy Carter admitting they were wrong either.

I was asked to keep this short tonight. Fortunately it's easier to be short when I’m serious. Funny takes longer.

[gregg47]

staffofherme:

Again, who is calling names?? I guess that's the way you like to defend your point of view, but I find it easier to point out the weakness in ones arguement.

For every service person you can find to criticize our military, there are thousands who support it every day by volunteering and fighting for the greatest country in the world!!!
Fortunately for us, they and millions of other Americans, see the Tyranny that you speak of as radical Muslim fanatics in not only Iraq, but all around the world. Not America!!! It's sad to me that you ignore the threat to America, and blame the U.S. for trying to defend itself and other countries from Muslim Facist.

What would you have us do? TALK to terroist? Appeasement, as many writers have tried to point out to you, has never worked. Ask those who tried it, with the country you keep comparing the U.S., Germany and Hitler.

[staffofherme]

"As a patriotic American proud to serve the nation in uniform, I respectfully urge my political leaders in Congress to support the prompt withdrawal of all American military forces and bases from Iraq," states the appeal posted on the campaign's Web site at www.appealforredress.org.

"Staying in Iraq will not work and is not worth the price. It is time for U.S. troops to come home."

Ultra-left wing defeatist enemy propoganda? Try, "Signed, 219 active-duty American servicemen and women".

Or this ultra-left wing defeatist drivel:
"The real grievances are: Why are we in Iraq if the weapons of mass destruction are not found, if the links to al Qaeda are not substantiated.

"The occupation is perpetuating more violence. It's costing way too many Iraqi civilian and American service member lives while it brings us no benefit."

-Marine Sgt. Liam Madden of Rockingham, Vermont, who was in Iraq from September 2004 to February 2005 and is based at Quantico, Virginia.
(Reuters 10/24/2006)

Call me all of the names you want. But try telling it to the Marines!

[gregg47]

staffofherme:

We do agree on the Constitution. Last time I looked, both the House and Senate gave the President their approval for the War. Unless, of course, you ask John Kerry or Hillary Clinton. Sorry couldn't resist taking a shot at the Dems.
I guess I have more faith in oursystem and the balance of powers between the 3 branches of government.

One last thing. Lord Acton,not Thomas Paine, is responsible for the Power corrupts quote. The one I like is "The one pervading evil of democracy is the tyranny of the majority

[gregg47]

staffofherme:
I think it's really ironic that you try and compare Hilter and Nazi Germany to our country and our twice elected President, rather than to Iraq and Saddam. That is where people disappeared in the middle of the night. One of the most brutal regimes of all time has been removed and 30 million people are free! Again, I ask "don't other peoples deserve a chance at the freedoms you and I share"? Or should we become isolationist again and wait for the enemy to come knocking again like on 9/11.I know you think there is no connection, but then again people said some of the same things you are saying while Hitler andthe Germans were sweeping across Europe.
As far as military service, I only bring it up because you keep attacking George Bush's service in the National Guard. He flew fighters and could have been called up like the Guard of today. Is their service not counted?

Vietnam was not the same type of war. I can find you Vets who thought it was noble cause. I wonder what the millions of Vietnamese, Cambodians, and Laotians that we left behind would say about the war, if they were still alive instead of being slaughtered after we left our allies high and dry?

[staffofherme]

Tyranny does not necessarily mean good or evil; it means POWER. And Tom Paine had it right when he wrote that "Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely". He believed that tyranny, absolute power, WAS EVIL. That is what led him, and many others founding this country, to try to prevent concentration of power in a single individual or even a single branch of government. With the abolishment of habeas corpus, George W. Bush has powers that even English monarchs have not had for 800 years. In additon, the power to start war, when and where he chooses, flies directly in the face of the Constitution. I am a big fan of the Constitution; I also like to think I know a little about political and military history. I think the undeclared, Unconstitutional War In Iraq has proven tragic for our service people, and has caused much harm to our country. You can't fight a war when the definition of the enemy keeps changing, because you have no real justification for the war. Did you see where the CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS said today they don't know what victory is? After 3 1/2 years? Vietnam redux.

[staffofherme]

As far as the Patriot Act and "how do we know", that's the whole point the writers of the Constitution were making when the Bill of Rights was included. I have read quite extensively on Nazi Germany, as my whole family was involved in that one in all branches of the service. The danger of something like the Patriot Act or the Military Commissions Act is that you won't know when the government is out to get you. There is no accountability. It may be liberals who are hounded today; tomorrow it may be a particular conservative viewpoint that you have that doesn't fly with someone who knows someone who has a relative of someone who is in the administration. Then someone disappears. How will you know? They will have no access to phones or mail or lawyers. Then someone else disappears. And another... That is exactly what happened in Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, and the Communist Soviet Union.

[staffofherme]

grh47: That was a civil reply, so I'll try to respond the same. You're right; I get sensitive. Uninformed people keep dredging up long-discredited intelligence used by the Propoganda Ministry (Fox) to grab more power and make lots of money (Listen to interviews with Josef Goebbels, the German Minister of Propoganda in the '30s about how he did his job, and you will see striking parallels in Robert Murdoch' Fox) If you'll notice, the terms "ultra-left wing" keep popping up on this forum, and it's the same garbage the McCarthyites used to smear and ruin people's lives in the '50s! Nothing new under the sun. No, I have not served in the military. I came of age in peacetime, am now disabled and too old to serve anyway, and my Vietnam War vet friends, of whom I have made many, mostly cautioned me against going into the military. They saw firsthand what the consequences of an illegal, immoral war had on them and their country and taught me the same. At least today's military are volunteers - but where have you seen me bad mouth our service people? I have not! I have tried to argue that I agree with U.S. intelligence that we're doing more harm than good (for our own country) being in Iraq militarily. I believe it a job for counter-terrorism people. They are quite good at what they do when given a chance.

[diehard9111]

I thought we were responding to Mr. Rooney. Not each other. Oh well. I have the same suggestion I always have had. Do some research! On your own. I really don't care what party someone belongs to as long as he or she represents what is right for OUR country. We vote. Hopefully with an informed mind instead of an angry heart. I have tried to see both sides of this war and I can't help but think of history repeating itself. FDR in 1939 knew we had to do something about Hitler (and Japan). Our country was divided. We didn't want another WWI. Well, I can't even think of what this world would be like if FDR didn't "stay the course" and probably bend some rules. Mr. Rooney even contributed to our war effort then. The media saved us. Because we were united! All I ask is that you listen to Presidents Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Hugo Chavez and Kim Jong Il. Not what they are saying to us, but what they are saying to their own people, military and other leaders. They might have different motives, but they agree on one thing. Our destruction. I hope we don't have too many Neville Chamberlains in our government after the election. On the right, left or inbetween. Iran's president actually believes he can bring about Armageddon. He wants it! Listen to him! Anyway, I pray we may become united. Because like the saying said, "Divided we fall."

[dianag113]

Mr. Rooney, I just want to Congratulate you on standing up for the truth. I only wish the rest of America would demand the truth instead of turning a blind eye to our president. I don't think he even knows why we are there.

Thank you.

[trueprogress]

To M. Goldstein: I have rarely been more shocked and offended by a post on this site. When you ( way out liberals) can not confront the ideas put forth, you simply fell empowered to attack the person. You make fun of. Or you swear in public. You bully. Sad.

And... I wonder..
Would you have confronted this SCWilliams, had he signed off as any other religion, perhaps a Muslim, or a Jew ? Reading between the lines, I doubt it.

In fact...
There are only two groups of people. The decent and those not. SC Williams is clearly decent. And you ?

[gregg47]

m_goldstein

Please don't critize others when you write sentences like the one below.

Is that in some way matter to what is said in this realm?

[m_goldstein]

Sad to see how many Americans can't even spell. See the below post from SCWilliamso1. That person has no idea how to spell ridiculous. That person's writing is ridiculous. Also, what is that about ending the note with being a "Christian." Is that in some way matter to what is said in this realm? SCWilliamso1 is a sad case of what one calls a lack of education and brain power. I hope that America produces more people like Einstein and not like SCWilliamso1. Otherwise, we will end up in a terrible situation!

[gregg47]

staffofherme: My aren't we sensitive! I've been reading your arguments, and the only one I see name calling is YOU! You are the one calling, the President and those that disagree with your point of view, names. The reason I asked about your service record is because you find it so easy to critize those who have served. I guess it slipped your mind that Dan Rather and the Democrats used the service issue last election and LOST!
Speaking of God, that is one of the reasons we are fighting Islamic radicals around the world. So you can worship the way you want, pay those taxes, and exercise free speech. It is ashame that you don't think Iraqis deserve those same rights.
Tyranny, look the word up in the dictionary and tell me which countries fit the description, Iraqi before we went there, or say North Korea, or maybe Iran.
Question. Can you name one American who has been abused under the Patriot Act or wired tapped illegally?

[staffofherme]

grh47: One more thing - did it ever occur to you that by "outing" me in a public forum that YOU ARE AIDING AND ABETTING THE TERRORISTS? Better hope you don't wind up in Guantanamo. No charges, no lawyer, no judge, no sentence, torture - just a signed peace of paper from President Bush and off you go! Read the Military Commissions Act just passed by the Republican Congress and signed into law by the President. Hasta la vista, baby!

[sal567]

Yes indeed, what are we doing in Iraq? Please tell us Mr. President and all of you our leaders, the Vice President, Senators, Congressmen, world leaders, the Military Generals, tell us the truth so we the silent majority will know what's really going on. Thank you.

[staffofherme]

grh47: Can't refute my arguments, huh? So you're resorting to personal attack. I repeat, I'm a tax-paying law-abiding U.S. citizen exercising his First Amendment RIGHT NOT PRIVILEGE to free speech and freedom of the press, and if you read, oh say, Tom Paine's "Common Sense", 1776, among many, many other things I have read, conservative and liberal, you would understand that it is MY DUTY as a citizen to speak up when I see tyranny. And I see it in the U.S. today. Who elected you God, anyway?

[sal567]

Yes, indeed, what are we doing in Iraq? We need answers, not only from President Bush, but from all our leaders - the Vice President, Secretary of Defense, Senators, Congressmen, Military Generals, etc. etc. Now is the time to tell us ordinary people the truth. We are the silent majority who are trying to live in this planet Earth in peace if possible... We need to be told the truth. Please inform us so we can understand better why you're doing what you're doing. Thank you.

[gregg47]

staffofherme,

AGAIN, WHAT BRANCH OF THE SERVICE WERE YOU IN??

[scwilliamso1]

Mr. Rooney, I am a long time fan, I have not agreed with you on all things, I felt that for the most part you have always made us think. However, I have to say, I am shocked by your lack of knowledge as to why we are in Iraq. I hope that you read and review the suggestions by Hamiltongrad because research beyond what the free press has to say is key. Iraq was up to their eyeballs in support of al Q. Saddam came out on international TV and praised the terrorist who killed Americans and gave money to his family. He provided camps for them to train to do what they did on 911. Who gives a hoot about WMD! Yes we have lost almost 3000 men/women in Iraq, but at least it is in Iraq and not ANOTHER 3000 in the United States. We have gathered a great deal of intel while in Iraq that has thwarted the attemps of terrorist to strike in the US and other European nations. So that must tell you something as well. As far as fighting for oil, get over it. That was the case in the '90's. It is less the 50% the case of us being there now. If it was, why are we paying so much for oil? Why isn't America getting oil for free as a right of liberating the nation. Rediculouse notion isn't it? Just as rediculouse as that being the only reason we are in Iraq.
God help this country, and the narrow minded people who are trying to run it, or ruin it, through our "free press". Thank you for your time, from a Veteran, a Patriot, and a Christian.
Shannon C Williamson, OK

[hamiltongrad]

It seems that one major goal of the "progressive -wacky-left" is to point out any and all hypocricy of America history. That is the end point of discussion ? It is almost like catching your parents ....whatever. Tada, see ! wowwy.

But...This is serious business and the call of this generation, to serious for this "gotcha" game. Those people want to kill all of us.

The fact is, you don't know what was in the best interest At the time for the US, in our dealing with two enemies, Iraq and Iran, who at the time were fighting each other, and neither a friend of freedom. Do you remember the capture of our embassy by the Iranians, and Carter's tepid response?

Talk about hypocrisy...

Please see Bill Gertz book "Treachery" which details how "our friend" France did everything it could to make money in Iraq under Saddam, selling all sorts of miliary goods, even when used to the torture of the poor Iraqi people.
Read how the UN was(and is) an institition that also had individual members profit due to money that was meant for children drugs and food. Bold stealing of US supplied money for food etc by UN officials, where is the outrage on the left ?


Whatever your ideas about truth is, you need to check out MEMRI.org and translation of the TV and press of the Arab world. This orgainization just translates, no more no less. Must reading.