Letter: How do we define victory in Iraq?

Monday, Feb. 12, 2007 | 7:15 a.m.

When Russia was trying to win in Afghanistan, our "leaders" were selling the Afghanistan freedom fighters our Stinger missiles to defeat the Russian helicopters.

Now that the Russians are selling their version of shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles to Iran, our "leaders" are all upset and making ready to go war with Iran.

Our "leaders" are so anxious to get into a war with Iran that they are stepping over each other. The oil is so attractive as to overcome the deaths of our troops. They keep saying we must support our troops while they keep getting them killed. Our "leaders" seem to have forgotten that "politicians" use diplomacy to get things accomplished.

According to them, we must stay until we win in Iraq. Will someone please tell me how we will know that we have won? Does winning in Iraq mean no more fighting in Baghdad? Does that mean no more killing? Will it be the same as it is in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Las Vegas and all the rest of our cities? No gang-related deaths, no drive-bys, no break-ins, no rapes, etc.?

How will we know we have won, except that all the big oil companies will be taking the Iraqi oil?

Richard A. Brown, Pahrump