by Zach Bigalke

Created on: May 29, 2007

The one line I am getting really tired of hearing out of politicians' mouths is the sentiment that pulling out of Iraq is "the equivalent of waving a white flag to al-Qaeda." (This specific quote was attributed to Sen. John McCain in criticizing the no votes of Sens. Obama and Clinton on the Iraq spending bill.) What the United States is doing right now is simply this: breeding a greater, more-comprehensive and broad-reaching consensus of hatred toward what is often rightly perceived as hypocritical self-interested American policies. Insurgency only works if there is an oppressive target for insurgent thoughts and actions. And by misjudging the scope of the violent realities in Iraq and other Arab countries, American actions in this part of the world only serves to perpetuate and fuel further insurgencies.

Al-Qaeda is too widespread - because our actions have led many otherwise non-political Arab youths to turn toward what they perceive as the only organization with a shred of hope in turning back the hegemonic American tide - to simply be eradicated with a few thousand more troops. There are not enough American military personnel, nor enough international support, to effectively root out every member. The international structure of the organization is such that tracking even low-level members is near impossible for soldiers lacking the training necessary to even act competently and honorably in the field.

The American occupation is doing nothing to improve the situation for Iraqis. It only serves to improve the situation of American multinational corporations such as Bechtel and Halliburton. The American taxpayers are paying to support an occupation which weakens our military strength and morale and deteriorates our domestic freedoms and securities. Pulling out as soon as possible is the only noble end which can come of this war. Much like Vietnam, an ignoble retreat can be the only honorable finish to an ignoble pursuit.

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