Another Failure in Iraq

Another Failure in Iraq - The Missourian: Editorials

Posted: Wednesday, May 16, 2012 6:32 pm

We all know we have had a number of failures in Iraq and it was a costly war with limited successes. Now we learn that the United States may give up on its program to train Iraqi police. This is a key mission that seems doomed.

It was a multibillion-dollar police training program that was supposed to be the centerpiece of a civilian mission in Iraq, according to The New York Times. Planned was a training cadre of about 350 American law enforcement officers. It was cut to 190, then to 100. By the end of the year there may be none left.

The Times reported that the training effort began in October and has already cost $500 million! We sure could have used that money for our many needs in this country.

It also was reported by The Times that Iraqi officials never wanted the program. Why did we do it? Again our intentions were noble to train Iraqi police to protect the people.

Our government continues not to learn from our past mistakes. We keep pouring money into countries that don’t want our programs and some just don’t want us. We still haven’t learned we can’t buy friends.

When will we take care of our own? When will we take care of needs at home? It doesn’t make any difference whether we have a Republican or Democratic administration. We keep sending money overseas while our home needs get worse. We have done more to help the people of the world than any other country. There has to be a limit!

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Posted in Editorials on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 6:32 pm.