can the 'war' be spoken of in terms other than 'winning' or 'losing'?

[mopaul]

as if it were a big football game and the home team has got to have cheerleaders and rah rah rah and let's win this one for the gipperism?

first off, this isn't a war per se, but an illegal invasion and takeover. second, it's not to win or lose, like some prize or contest. this 'war' can't possibly be 'won'. there will be no actual victory. nobody wins this one.

even the election is spoken of in terms of winning and losing. when one side wins, the other side feels it's lost something. what nonsense. this 'war' ain't a damn football game, people are dying, not winning or losing.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

1. The could call it by what it is: Lost

But, that would require facing the facts.

[Paradise]

2. You, mopaul, are so right-on!!! n/t

[Radius]

3. Iraqi-ization

The only way the war is won (from our perspective) is if the Iraqi's elect a secular government who looks something like Turkey.

It can't be won by Americans, it can be won by Iraqis. Iraqi nationalism has always been strong, using that to build a country on is their only hope.

It is lost if they become, Iran2, or a civil war splits the country. All possibilities.

This is not like any war we have ever been in, including Vietnam.