It’s been six years and counting since our invasion of Iraq. What has been accomplished? Certainly a brutal dictator has been overthrown and his regime silenced.
The Iraqi military forces and government are no longer a threat to any neighbors, including Israel and Iran. While shaky at best, a democratically elected government is in place. Western countries have much stronger and more flexible diplomatic and economic relations with Iraq than ever before.
The big unknown at this point is: Can the Iraqi people sustain a consensus-based government, sharing power and profit with all their citizens? It may or may not be a democratic government, but some strength to contain sectarian violence, spread economic opportunity to all citizens, and remain at peace with neighbors, and a whole host of other “democratic-like” contributions to peace and prosperity are now possible. That certainly could not be said in 2003.
In our view, American military force no longer plays a role in Iraq other than “peace-keeping.” Someone must contain the violence over time to allow democratic-like institutions to flourish. That should not be the role of American military power; it must be done by Iraqi institutions controlled solely by the Iraqi government.
It is now time for a broad and sustained military withdrawal of American military forces from Iraq. Whatever American forces of any sort that remain should be paid for exclusively by the Iraqi government.
We can argue forever about the wisdom of our invasion and presence in Iraq beginning in 2003. For sure, Iraq cannot be allowed to become another Korea, where today 30,000 American troops are held hostage to a crazy North Korean regime while “protecting” a rich and prosperous South Korea.
Withdraw now the 120,000 military personnel from Iraq, Mr. President and Congress. Do it as quickly as the safety of those troops will permit.
— The Joplin Globe, Joplin, Mo.
Editorials
GUEST EDITORIAL: What has U.S. presence accomplished in Iraq?
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OUR VIEW: Time for Mongielo to face the music
Town of Lockport auto repair shop owner David Mongielo has gone over the line in his violation of a town sign ordinance.
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OUR VIEW: At dawn of New Year, a call for civility
Each new year brings with it an inherent hopefulness in our own lives and the larger world around us, this one in particular — if only because it isn’t 2011.
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Have a safe New Year's Eve
This isn’t the Prohibition era, and we’re not into moralizing about alcohol consumption.
We have no beef about adults having a few drinks on New Year’s Eve, as long as no one else gets hurt in the process. Your choice — hangover, no hangover. Check yes or no.
But, with one very important proviso: Don’t drink and drive.
And we’re very much against hosts of a New Year’s Eve party sending their guests out to their cars when their guests have overindulged. Especially when there are safe options to avoid behavior that risks your life and that of others you may encounter on the road. -
The bus stops here
The NFTA’s proposed cuts to local bus routes have the potential to really hurt the little guy, the rider who relies on the bus to get to work, to shop, to get to the doctor’s.
It just shouldn’t happen. -
OUR VIEW: Lockport taxpayers lose again
We find it highly inappropriate that the City of Lockport — via its development corporation — is again punishing taxpayers for renovations to 57 Canal St.
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CHEERS & JEERS
We applaud Lockport Town Court and Judge Leonard G. Tilney Jr. for recusing themselves from the driving-while-intoxicated case against local attorney Daniel E. Seaman due to conflict of interest.
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OUR VIEW: Recharge N.Y. is a plus for us
We’re encouraged that Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s visit to Niagara County this week brings a new and improved version of the Power For Jobs program to our area.
- CHEERS & JEERS: The US&J’s view on the best and worst of the week
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OUR VIEW: Cleanup is up the creek
New York state had an Eighteenmile Creek cleanup within its grasp — and now it’s trying to change horses in mid-stream. And that could leave the cleanup effort up the creek without a paddle.
- CHEERS & JEERS: The US&J’s view on the best and worst of the week
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OUR VIEW: Time for Mongielo to face the music










