What If?

[M GO BLUE!!!]

I'm a fan of the What If war stories, where historians try and piece together what may have happened in wars if different decisions were made, or the weather was different on a certain day...

I got to thinking (dangerous, I know...) What if we never went into Iraq. What if we had concentrated our efforts on securing Afganistan and finding Bin Laden? Personally, I think if we had made a concentrated effort and had delivered Bin Laden to justice (or confirmed death) that Bush would have rolled into a second term by a landslide and the anti-war people would have been a fringe movement seen as idiots. I also see Iraq being in exactly the same place it was in 2000, sanctions, etc. keeping Sadaam in power, but not much of a real threat. The term All hat, no cattle seems to fit very well..

Try and keep it civil and realistic, please...

[st.cronin]

Well, I guess it depends on whether or not you think that Iraq was "a real threat" in 2000 or not. If there's even the slightest doubt about that, there are all sorts of unpleasant scenarios you can present as plausible.

[NoMyths]

Personally, I think if we had made a concentrated effort and had delivered Bin Laden to justice (or confirmed death) that Bush would have rolled into a second term by a landslide and the anti-war people would have been a fringe movement seen as idiots.

1) The anti-war movement didn't start ramping up until it became clear America was making plans to invade Iraq. Invading Afghanistan and bringing Bin Laden to justice had overwhelming support throughout the country.

2) If the day ever comes where it is seen as being idiotic to be anti-war, civilization is in its last days.

[amdaily]

We would have found bin Laden, been able to bring every American troop stationed throughout the globe home within 2 weeks afterward, lived in a peaceful and harmonous world where America was threatened by no one and liked by all. Katrina would not have happened, global warming would have spontaneously ceased, and we'd have a surplus so large and jobs so plentiful that every American would live in comfort. It would be been a wonderful world to live in. Damn Bush :rolleyes:

[Oilers9911]

I think everyone knows that there is considerable doubt about the Iraq "threat" before the invasion. However, what would have happened if Iraq had not been invaded? Who can say other than 3000+ American soldiers would be alive and a much larger number of Iraqi civilians. Believe me, Saddam dangling from a rope was a beautiful sight but this war is a needless waste.

[sterlingice]

We would have found bin Laden, been able to bring every American troop stationed throughout the globe home within 2 weeks afterward, lived in a peaceful and harmonous world where America was threatened by no one and liked by all. Katrina would not have happened, global warming would have spontaneously ceased, and we'd have a surplus so large and jobs so plentiful that every American would live in comfort. It would be been a wonderful world to live in. Damn Bush :rolleyes:

Congrats, it only took 4 posts in to be a troll.

SI

[Leonidas]

I have a hard time dealing with the premise because I don't think there's any way Bush wouldn't have gone into Iraq. The whole idea is a fairy tale. Bush and Cheney knew they were going to do Saddam at the latest on 9/12. And I happen to be a person who supported the Iraq invasion.

I think a more plausible what if would be what if Paul Bremer had listend to Jay Garner and actually came up with the $3M the 100,000+ former Iraqi Army soldiers wanted in June 2003 to join our side and secure the peace. I'm going to what if that one probably until the day I die.