Framing the Iraq discussion

Jeffrey Feldman of Frameshop makes a case for clarifying the debate about the Iraq war.

As I see it, you either believe (A) the presence of American troops in Iraq is
making that country and our country better, or you believe (B) presence of
American troops in Iraq is making that country and our country worse.

At first glance, I'm not sure it's that simple because I know that the end doesn't justify the means. But if we include the compromise of moral principle as one of the ways in which we're worse, maybe this simplistic question will work. Let's see.

Better:

• Help me out here.
• Iraqi people have written a constitution and elected leaders.

Worse:

• American presence in Iraq is providing a focal point for Anti-American sentiment among Muslim fundamentalists as well as former and potential allies.
• We are more afraid of terrorism than ever.
• We are more divided than ever, perhaps since the Civil War.
• Iraqis are as divided as ever.
• Every dollar we spend in Iraq and every minute Congress and the public spend debating this war takes a dollar and minute away from domestic and other foreign issues we should be addressing.
• We are teaching that we think lying, torturing and killing are justifiable.
• Estimates of Iraqi civilian deaths range from 10,000 to 37,000.
• Physical damage in Iraq.

Thanks to Coturnix at Science and Politics for pointing me to Frameshop.