I typed that title knowing that this blog entry is going to infuriate a lot of people.
That said it is time to discuss the real reason that American troops keep ending up in Iraq.
Let's back up a bit and start with a geography lesson. Picture the Middle East on a topographical map. What do you see? A very large, flat desert surrounded by hills and mountains. Ok, you are with me so far. And where is the flattest part of that desert?
That's right.
Iraq.
Ok, so what? So Iraq is the flat part of the Middle Eastern desert. Big whoop. Who cares?
The United States military, that's who.
But why there, I'm sure you are asking. What do we care about Iraq?
Well, the truth is we don't. And we didn't really care about Kuwait either. And we now know there were never any WMDs. So why do we keep going back?
Look at your map again. This time don't focus on the topography, but on the political boundaries. Iraq sits directly between two other countries that we care very much about.
Look to the left, along the coast. There you will find our dear friend Israel. Despite your political leanings, we as Americans always seem to feel responsible for Israel. And why not? We did help create it. But what do they have other than that strip of land?
One of the most advanced military air forces on the globe. Thanks in part to U.S. funding.
Do you see the connection yet? No? Ok, so let's glance at the other border of Iraq.
To the west of Iraq we find the big bad Iran. Now I wonder how we could keep an eye on those baddies?
Well, we could use the Israeli air force I suppose. But wait, Iraq will just shoot down those planes, as they did so many times in the past. Oh wait, I forgot. Iraq is one of ours now.
Funny how that all worked out.
Now back to the desert.
Muslim extremists have been hiding in the hills to the north and west of Iraq for generations. And even with all our technology we still have a hard time tracking those guys down.
It's a shame we can't just draw the majority of them out into a more open area. Such as, oh I don't know, let's say a DESERT.
Hmmm...yeah, I guess that might work.
In fact it did.
Twice.
So forget about the Bush family ties to Saudi Arabian oil and the mythical WMDs. In fact, forget about every lie that the government used to cover up the real plan.
This was never about oil prices people.
The American military drew the enemy out into the most open space in hostile territory to eliminate as many of them as possible. And in doing so, freed up much needed airspace to allow for air force surveillance of a very dangerous enemy.
Well done, gentlemen. My hats off to you.
