Rumsfeld just said that we did not plan on having long term troops in Iraq. Do you believe this? How long do you think we will have troops there? I mean look at where else we have been lately, afganistan still has troops. Heck even Germany has left over troops since WW2. I think we will be a presence for a very long time to come.

By Palmbchprincess on Monday, April 21, 2003 - 07:40 pm:

We have a German base to facilitate overseas tours, ie: Bosnia and the such. That doesn't mean we have a military presence there as far as control goes. Rumsfeld was (I believe) referring to controlling presence. We would, however, like to set up a base there. We have so many bases around the world, even in Cuba, but it is not to control them. I think our controlling presence will remain for approximatly a year. Not saying we will completely control them for a year, but that we will oversee the setting up of their new government, offer them protection during the process, and help rebuild what we destroyed in their country. As far as Afghanistan, we are technically still looking for Bin Ladin there, thus the remaining troops. The places like S. Korea, Bosnia, and the such have occupation for either protection (in S. Korea's case) or peacekeeping efforts. I'm pretty sure if we build a base in Iraq it will be much like our S. Korea base. That is a miserable tour for a soldier, because it is considered unsafe, so your family cannot come unless they pay their own way to move there. I hope all that I said made sense, I know it's different looking at it from a non-military standpoint, and I'm not feeling well right now, so I'm kinda rambling. LOL

By Kaye on Thursday, April 24, 2003 - 10:08 pm:

My dad was stationed in korea when i was young. I don't remember it, but my mom's family talks about just how difficult it was. Miliary life sure can suck! My hubby is away for 2 months now, job related, I just can't imagine the whole military thing. My heart goes out to all the wifes!