Step 5

Toulmin Method: The U.S. is in Iraq for reasons unclear to the Americans
because there is speculation in one corner and the government in the
other. With that said there can be no mediation of this issue.

The Case Claim: The government says we are helping the Iraqi gain their
own freedom and security, and the speculations from others say we are
harming the Iraqi people by being there and just taking their oil supply
and using it to add on to our own. Still we don't in all actuality know
what goes on over there and it could be good or bad.

Qualifier(s: The claim is not absolute because a lot of the information
about the real reasons for the war are merely claims. And even the
information that is said to be facts about the War in Iraq provided by the
Government has been found to be incorrect.

Exception(s): The writer would not press his claim against those who
believe the War in Iraq is solely because of one reason.

Reason #1: There is a lot of speculation behind the fact the U.S is in Iraq for oil, so much in fact that it must hold some truth.

What makes it relevant? Iraq holds the second largest proven reserves and it would be naïve to believe that the U.S. has not thought about that fact.

‘What makes it good? With the growing demand for gas and crude oil being a necessary component of it just make sense that in the government point of view one can see what can of opportunity Iraq presents.

What evidence supports it? The Energy Information Administration released the numbers of crude oil exported into the U.S. in January 2008 and from those records one can find that 0.543 million barrels per day were exported from Iraq.

Reason #2: Why is it that Iraq is the only country being confronted profusely for having weapons of mass destruction? It is well known fact that North Korea was a member of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty but withdrew in 2003. And then to make it worst on October 9, 2006 there was an announcement by the North Korean government had successfully conducted a nuclear test for the first time. So knowing this information why hasn’t the U.S. invaded their country looking for the weapons of mass destruction. In my opinion this just shows that our true purpose is not to find weapons of mass destruction.

What makes it relevant? One of the biggest reasons many people backed the war in the first place is the fact that it was thought that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction and were concealing them. So it would seem logically that the U.S. would pursue every country that has weapons of mass destruction.

What makes it good? North Korea is known for having nuclear bombs and already testing them so that definitely constitutes to me as evidence of weapons of mass destruction

What evidence supports it? According to Globalsecurity.org North Korea DPRK government has been proceeding with a nuclear weapons program. It is well known fact that North Korea was a member of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty but withdrew in 2003. And then to make it worst on October 9, 2006 there was an announcement by the North Korean government had successfully conducted a nuclear test for the first time

Reason #3: Some agree with President George W. Bush and top military leaders, the United States’ presence in Iraq is important for Iraqi security and world-wide security.

What makes it relevant? Many Americans share the opinion that we have no business meddling in Iraqi affairs and believe that the soldiers there are fighting for a lost and nonexistent cause

What makes it good? It gives reason why it is so hard to believe both views. This is issue is like racism. You are either racist or your not; there is no in between.

What evidence supports it? On March 20, 2003 the United States Army, along with several other coalition forces such as the U.K. and armies from smaller countries such as Australia and Poland, invaded Iraq. The main reason for the invasion given by President Bush was that Saddam Hussein and his Iraqi government were storing and actively making Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD). If this were true, Saddam Hussein would be violating an agreement put into place in 1991. United States top officials believed that Saddam Hussein and his army posed an imminent and urgent threat to the United States and its allies. They also believed that Iraq was working closely with al-Qaeda and aiding terrorists who were planning to make attacks on America and its allies.

When a search was conducted in Iraq by U.N. inspectors no Weapons of Mass Destruction were found, but officials believed that as soon as sanctions were lifted off of Iraq, they would jump on the chance to resume production of WMD’s. Although no WMD’s were found, forces remained in Iraq for the following reasons: Iraq’s financial support for Palestinian suicide bombers and their families, Iraqi government human rights abuses, spreading democracy, and taking control of Iraqi oil reserves

Reason #4: The government lies about so many issues surrounding the Iraq war to the point where one has to think is the Iraq war just another lie. Of the so called 50 successful smart bombs dropped in Iraq 0 hit their designated target. Still that is not even talking about the death toll and costs of war which are reaching ridiculous numbers.

What makes it relevant? The Iraq war is still going on to this day and every day another soldier dies and more money is wasted because of lies.

What makes it good? It would be naive to believe that everything the government says is the truth so this is good becomes it just bring their dirt to the light.

What evidence supports it? They government actually keeps up with the death toll in Iraq and one can find the count up of money being spent in Iraq on many sites on the internet. MSNBC actually said they believe the war could actually surpass $1 trillion and that is enough money to save a lot more problems that need to be solved.