What exactly did U.S. gain by going to war in Iraq?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Despite President Obama's speech last night, the war in Iraq is not over.
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/09/01/art.obama.speech.jpg caption=""]
In a somber address from the Oval Office, the president thanked the troops and formally ended America's combat role in Iraq after seven years.
Mr. Obama said the U.S. "has paid a huge price." And we have: including the lives of more than 4,400 troops, another 35,000-plus wounded, and a cost of more than $700 billion.
But even after all this - our commitment is not through. There are still 50,000 U.S. troops in Iraq for support and training. They're set to be there through next year, and sadly more of them will likely die.
In many ways, Iraq is still a mess. The country is wracked with violence and political instability. They haven't been able to form a government five months after recent elections. And they regularly suffer from shortages of things like electricity and water.
Meanwhile - George W. Bush's closest ally when it came to Iraq, Tony Blair, is out with his memoir containing emotional passages on the war.
The former British Prime Minister admits that the U.S. and britain didn't anticipate "the nightmare that unfolded" after Saddam Hussein was toppled, or the role Iran and al Qaeda would play. Blair writes he has shed many tears over the loss of life, yet "I can't regret the decision to go to war." Blair says he's devoting "a large part of the life left to me" to Middle East peace.
The thing about the war in Iraq is it seems nearly impossible to put your finger on what exactly was accomplished. The population remains divided and likely will be for centuries to come. Of course there's all that oil.
Here’s my question to you: What exactly did the U.S. gain by going to war in Iraq?
Tune in to the Situation Room at 5pm to see if Jack reads your answer on air.
And, we love to know where you’re writing from, so please include your city and state with your comment.
How many lawsuits should fed. govt. file against Arizona over immigration issues?
(PHOTO CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES)
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
The federal government is filing yet another lawsuit against Arizona when it comes to the heated issue of immigration.
This time the Justice Department is going after a Phoenix-area community college system. The feds say the school discriminated against almost 250 non-citizens by making them show extra immigration paperwork before being hired.
Officials say this violates an anti-discrimination provision in a federal law.
This latest lawsuit comes less than two months after the Justice Department sued Arizona over its tough new immigration law. A federal judge has put on hold the most controversial parts of that law - including the requirement for police to check the immigration status of anyone they stop if they think that person may be in the country illegally.
In the meantime, the State Department has decided to include Arizona's new law in a human rights report to the United Nations. The U.S. included its legal challenge to the Arizona law as one way the federal government is protecting human rights.
Say what?
Arizona Governor Jan Brewer was outraged - and rightfully so. She's demanding the reference be dropped. Governor Brewer says it's "downright offensive" that a state law would be included in the report to the U.N.
And there's more: The Justice Department is also investigating Sheriff Joe Arpaio in Maricopa County, Arizona for possible civil rights abuses. Sheriff Arpaio is known for being tough on immigration enforcement. Unlike our federal government.
Here’s my question to you: How many lawsuits should the federal government file against Arizona over immigration issues?
Tune in to the Situation Room at 6pm to see if Jack reads your answer on air.
And, we love to know where you’re writing from, so please include your city and state with your comment.
@jackcafferty on Twitter
Recent Comments