Iraq+War+I

Erin and Andrew toc =  W h a t is the Iraq War? = The Iraq war was declared in the year 2003 by the present president of the U.S, George W. Bush. He was sure that Iraq contained “weapons of mass destruction” that were to be used against the U.S. But as American troops invaded Iraq no such weapons were discovered. It was soon proven that the Bush administration was wrong. But rather than pulling the troops out of Iraq, George Bush remained with his original plan and kept them there. They stayed there so that democracy was restored. He and his administration were sure that this was the correct thing to do. ([|Washington] Post, Bush Began to Plan War Three Months After 9/11)

This war in Iraq is beginning to divide Americans. ([|Heritage].org, Progress in Iraq: Facts and Analysis) Some people want the troops to come home and some don’t and then some have no idea what they want. The war is confusing, it’s almost impossible to know exactly what to do next and how to do it. That’s why these candidates have such a huge decision to make and people to convince because this war could be the biggest foreign policy issue in the 2008 presidential election. It could cause long term security damage and continue to kill many US troops if something doesn’t change. ([|CNN].com, Iraq)

= What is the government's role? =    The government’s role in this issue is to decide how fast we should withdraw our troops. Another role is for them to involve other countries in the fight for the cause. They also are funding court houses over there, such as the one that had Sadam Hussein hung. ( [|CNN]  )   

<span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">What are the hot topics?

 * <span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">**Withdrawing troops from Iraq**. It is a huge debate on whether or not it is right to keep troops in Iraq for the sake of our country. (New [|York]Times, On the issues: Iraq)
 * <span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">**The cost of keeping U.S troops in Iraq**. If the U.S keeps troops in Iraq for much longer then costs of the war will reach the trillions. (Center for [|American]progress, The cost of staying the course in Iraq)
 * <span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">**The amount of troops killed while stationed it Iraq**. In Iraq, we suffer about three deaths per day so if we remain in Iraq for another ten years than we could lose a total number of 11,167 American troops. (Center for [|American] Progress, The cost of staying the course in Iraq)
 * <span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">**When and how the Iraq war will end**. Both candidates have their own plans on ending the war. They have different ways on accomplishing peace and keeping it that way. ([|gop].com, National security **and** The [|Democratic]Party, National security)

<span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">These topics are on the agenda this election because we are facing an economic crisis and we need to vote on whether or not funding the war for much longer will be sensible. Whether either of the candidates agrees with the fact that the war simply can not go on for a long period of time or not. ( <span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">[|Dagsavien] <span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">) Sending more troops in may improve our chances of ending the war quickly, but if not, then America will be faced with more funding and less money for our nation’s needs.

= What are the candidates' positions? =

<span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">** Obama:  ** With all respect to the war, Obama has always opposed the invasion of Iraq and the increase in U.S troops. ([|Time] for Kids, Election Connection: Iraq) He believes in removing the troops as quickly as possible and dealing with the war a new and better way. Barckobama.com states, “The removal of our troops will be responsible and phased, directed by military commander on the ground and done in consultation with the Iraqi government.” Obama wants to make sure he has the Iraqi government’s approval and the countries support. (Barack [|Obama].com, War in Iraq and [|Scholastic].com, Where the candidates stand) <span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Obama is not so much for the war, however he is not against it. ([|Obama]) Obama believes that the troops should be withdrawn over a period of 16 months from Iraq. ([|Obama]) An argument that could be proposed is why would an American sign up for the military on his or her own will, only to be withdrawn without winning? They knew what they were getting into. They knew they may not live. But they also knew that they were supporting their country and they may not want to come home and abandon the place where many friends were lost. In my mind, I think that all the soldiers who died would be put to shame a little bit. Are we going to withdraw when we are close to winning? This is a very important argument.

the Iraq war.** media type="youtube" key="EhpKmQCCwB8" height="344" width="425" BarackObama.com via youtube
 * The video below shows Obama over the years as speaks up agaisnt


 * McCain:** McCain’s positions are pretty much the exact opposite of Obama’s. McCain is opposed to taking troops out of Iraq until he believes that they are ready to return home. JohnMcCain.com states, “John McCain believes it is strategically and morally essential for the United States to support the Government of Iraq to become capable of governing itself and safeguarding its people. He strongly disagrees with those who advocate withdrawing American troops before that has occurred.” He suggests that to help Iraq grow stronger the U.S needs to support their government to direct and protect them. (John McCain.com, strategy for victory in Iraq) McCain supports the increase in American troops in Iraq but believes he will have most forces home by 2013. (New York [|Times], On the Issues: Iraq and [|Scholastic].com, Where the candidates stand) Senator McCain believes that although the war has gone on longer than he thought it would he believes we can still win the war and that the troops should be taken away at a steadier pace. ([|McCain])

**his strategy and plan on bringing troops home and suceeding in the war** media type="youtube" key="jvZ3kiL1dIg" height="344" width="425" Flash Repot via youtube
 * In the video below McCain speaks about the situation in Iraq and**

Obama and McCain mostly disagree on the issue of the Iraq war. Both candidates disagree on the start of the war in the first place. They disagree on withdrawing American troops and when the appropriate time to send them home is. ([|Time]for Kids) Obama opposes the increase in troops while McCain supports it. Obama plans on having troops home within 16 months, while McCain sees them coming home around 2013. ([|nytimes].com and [|America.gov]) <span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">

Obama and McCain do agree on a few things though. They believe that the war can’t go on much longer and know that our country needs the money being spent on the war now more than ever. ([|CNN]) They also agree that the economic crisis is very important on the agenda and are both proposing ideas to reestablish the economy and help it thrive once more. ([|Obama],[|McCain])

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