We're in Iraq to Protect (Certain) Americans

Via Think Progress, the transcript of 'winger Dick Morris on Hannity & Colmes:

MORRIS: I think that withdrawal from Iraq — it obviously gives al Qaeda a huge victory. Huge victory. On the other hand, if we stay in Iraq, it gives them the opportunity to kill more Americans, which they really like.

One of the things, though, that I think the antiwar crowd has not considered is that, if we’re putting the Americans right within their arms’ reach, they don’t have to come to Wall Street to kill Americans.

So let me make sure I understand what Dick just said: We should put certain Americans - young men and women that don't make huge profits and large campaign contributions - in Iraq so that the terrorists can kill and maim them more easily so that certain other Americans - rich ones that rake in huge profits and write fat checks to the GOP to ensure those profits - can go about their lives in safety.

I think I get it, but let's review: Make it easy for terrorists to kill unimportant Americans so that the rich, important ones can keep the gravy train running.

And all this is ignoring the fact that the 'fly paper' strategy has no basis in fact.

Former White House counterterrorism director Richard Clarke:

Of course, nothing about our being "over there" in any way prevents terrorists from coming here. Quite the opposite, the evidence is overwhelming that our presence provides motivation for people throughout the Arab world to become anti-American terrorists.

Even the slightest amount of critical thinking shows the flaws in the 'over there, not over here' argument. The vast majority of the insurgents in Iraq are Iraqis that just want foreign troops out of their country. As soon as we leave, they'll have their hands full as the already present civil war escalates. The longer we stay in Iraq, however, the more angry 'foreign fighters' - the ones that already wanted to fight us over here - we create.

But I guess it's all okay as long as you say that you support the troops...

Dick Morris War in Iraq