Westfielders Support Decision to Withdraw from Iraq

President Obama's announcement Tuesday that U.S. combat operations in Iraq were ceasing, leaving behind 50,000 troops to assist the transition ends seven years of hostilities in the country. Westfield Patch went around at Tuesday night's jazz concert downtown to find out what residents thought about the end of combat operations in the country.

Question

What do you think about the end of U.S. combat operations in Iraq?

Answers

"It's kind of like asking how do you want to put out a fire when the fire should not have started. This war should not have been fought. It was a war started on false pretenses. There is no pretty way to leave. I feel bad for the Iraqis. It's time for them to lead ." - Jonah Gensler

"I think we will be there a long time, but hopefully this keeps our troops out of harm's way." - Steven Lewarn

"I question a little legitimacy of the war and doubted the weapons of mass destruction claim. I'm pleased that we're pulling out. I am not totally comfortable that it will stay a stable country. It was time to leave." - Tom McClellen

"It's good. It's time. I would not want any more fighting there or Afghanistan either." - Dan Boone

"It's for real?" - Ines Wishar

"I am all for ending the war. I don't know that the Iraqi people can handle what is going on there. I feel a little guilty about us pulling out. But I have more guilt about our boys being there. It is time for them to take the reigns. It's time." - Trudy Schlosberg

"I feel good about it. It is about time to put it to a close." - Jo Evans

"What are combat operations? There will still be 50,000 troops there. It is good to have them there given the situation in the Middle East, like we have troops in Korea. I think down the road there will be combat." - Brett Whitehead

"I am very hestitant to think that the job that we got there to do has been completed to our first expectations. I am fully aware of the incredible expenses, not only financial which is $1.3 billion and then the loss of life, 4,400 men and women. Just leaving Iraq in disarray is a little scary in a volatile Middle East." - Buddy Pedersen

"I want them to get out of Iraq as soon as possible." - Bill Klutkowski

"It's so hard to have a view. Everyone wants to support the troops, but it is hard to tell what is going on over there without transparency. We could get a better idea of what happened and have more transparency." - Jim Tanella