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Local takes, larger issues
TROOP SURGE: President George W. Bush has recently requested more than 21,000 troops to be deployed to help fight the war in Iraq. According to a recent USA Today/Gallup poll, 63 percent of Americans are opposed to the Bush administration’s desire to significantly increase the number of troops in Iraq to help stabilize the situation there. Below are responses from a Metro professor and student on their opinions of the request for more troops.

"I’m not sure that contributing more troops to the endeavor is really going to be something that’s helpful. I think what we have here is ultimately an act of self-determination by the Iraqi people carried out through rather violent means. I am not sure that contributing more forces from an outside state, an outside power, is really going to do a lot to quell violence or restore order, especially if it is a short-term surge. I think that in particular isn’t going to really have a long-term impact on the situation."
– Amy Eckert, Metro political science professor

"More troops, I don’t think it’s needed. I think it’s time to take them away. I guess I’ve never been a big President Bush fan, so I guess I’m kind of biased on that point. No matter what he says, I kind of think the opposite of right now. I just don’t think we need more troops over there right now. Something needs to be done, though. I think, what, 80 people died yesterday at a market. Something needs to be done, but not more troops."
– Jeff Jablan, Metro student