How responsible is the US/UK (etc) governments for the current bloodshed in Iraq?

[Undesired Walrus]

*When I say "We" I dont mean us personally, please don't be anal!*

In Iraq, I believe the unoffical body count is somewhere in 200,000-600,000.
However, this unbelievably high body count (Half a million) is not the direct result of the military, given that it is suicide attacks on other Iraq's.
Or is it?
Once we decide to invade another country, shouldn't any responsibility for any social unrest lie completly on our shoulders?

 

[chocolatepossum]

Whilst the US and UK obviously bear responsibility, I don't see how anyone could argue it's more our fault than that of the terrorists/insurgents actually going round blowing people up.

 

[Beerina]

For those who voted "Full, complete responsibility", do you think it would stop if the US just up and left?

And how does that offset the US as responsible for propping up a dictator (had they not invaded), if not directly supporting, then at least indirectly by buying oil from him? How can you be > 100% responsible?

 

[Beerina]

It also occurs to me that saying the US is 100% responsible is a very racist thing -- the Iraqi insurgents are what, these little animal thingies in no way responsible for their actions -- the adults must take responsibility?

 

[thisninjascrazy]

I'm guessing this one is closed to New Zealanders and every other country that abstained from the war?

 

[andyandy]

It also occurs to me that saying the US is 100% responsible is a very racist thing -- the Iraqi insurgents are what, these little animal thingies in no way responsible for their actions -- the adults must take responsibility?

it's not racist at all. The "current bloodshed" is a direct result of what has proved to be a hugely misguided campaign in Iraq - and for that the coalition do indeed need to take full responsibility. That's not to say this should lessen the responsibility of those actually commiting atrocities on the ground -they too need to take full responsibility for their actions. It depends where you choose to cut it - indeed, it's something of a false dichotomy to present this as an either/or - as both are fully responsible.

 

[bigred]

For those who voted "Full, complete responsibility", do you think it would stop if the US just up and left?

I was thinking more like for those who voted "Full, complete responsibility", don't you think you should stop ramming your head into a brick wall multiple times a day, given you've probably been doing it for years?

 

[Wat Tyler]

Our political involvement over in the region over the last couple of centuries, coupled with our Governments' policy of designing an occupation to merely protect the oil assets - rather than to actually stabilise the country and facilitate its rebuilding - make 'us' responsible for lifting the lid off a volcanic Witches' Brew of ethnic 'tensions' that has been fomenting for a very long time indeed.

Our ill-thought-out actions have provided both an excuse, and a window of opportunity not only for the 'settling of old scores', but also for 'humbling the great Satan' through continued chaos.

Our Governments are culpable in that they have created this 'opportunity', and also in that they have failed to stamp out the murderous anarchy in Iraq, but I don't think that we are entirely responsible for all the bloodshed.

What helps to fuel it is the fact that there are so many local/regional demagogues/gangsters/political factions making much money/status/political capital out of the continued bloodshed.

In short, IMO we are culpable, and do need to try to stop it, but we are not solely responsible for it.

 

[Undesired Walrus]

I'm guessing this one is closed to New Zealanders and every other country that abstained from the war?

If you choose not to vote...

 

[The Atheist]

I'm guessing this one is closed to New Zealanders and every other country that abstained from the war?

You raise a good point. Apart from Her Benevolent Highness, St. Helen Clark of Mt. Albert, did any other leader turn down the chance of glory in Iraq?

I voted for "Total responsibility" but for accuracy, the response should indeed be "you" rather than "we", because we did indeed realise from the start that it was avery bad move and declined to get involved.

 

[thisninjascrazy]

Obviously France and Germany didn't go either. I'm glad we didn't get the same negative 'If you're not with us, you're against us' flak. But even if we did send our boys, what difference would it have made - aside from an upsurge in military funerals. It's not like we're a military juggernaut. Hence, I went with the "Planet X" option.

 

[Undesired Walrus]

the start that it was avery bad move and declined to get involved.

Freudian slip? For those of us in the conspiracy forum?