RE: http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,147018,00.html

Here we go again-----

let the military do their thing and our troops can come home----earlier.....

If having more troops helped, then why would we want to withdraw them? doensnt make much sense to me with all this 'withdrawl' talk

these politician want instant results over night how long did it take America to establish a constitution and gain our independence? constitutions are written in blood. if we pull our troops out what the hell have we been fighting for? nothing it will go back to the same way. if we just leave our fellow servicemen who have lost there lives in battle what was that all for nothing?

Warner may as well join the Democratic party, a troop withdrawal would virtually eliminate all the work our troops have done to establish at least a sense of decent democracy in the area, I agree every lose we take is devastating, but let's not "lose ground" when we are at least at the threshold of establishing a democratic and free society such as the one we enjoy as Americans

Stay the course, build another wall in washington to attract tourist dollars. (sarcasem) Its time tho for them to stand up and decide what they want, decide how to get it and then defend themselves with our help. I dont believe for a second that someone doesnt see the perps planting the IEDs. If one goes off have the entire area decimated. If they, the cabinet cant get along send them packing. Stop ***** footing with Iran and anyone else that is connected with destroying the country. If we had a bank robbery and knew who did it we would stop at nothing to bring them to justice why cant we do the same here.

http://www.senate.gov/~warner/contact/contactme.cfm an tell the senator how you think i did

if anyone would like to discuss this topic more instant message me scarface20145 or email me at scarface20145@yahoo.com

(QUOTE)"If coalition (Make that US forces)soldiers were to leave, having fought hard for that terrain, having denied the enemy their sanctuaries, what'd happen is the enemy would come back," said Lynch. Correct, just as they are coming back to Basra, now that the Brits are pulling out. So how long should US Forces hang in Iraq while the Iraqis screw around putting a functional government together? How about indefinitely? That ought to go over well with the Congress and American public

"He'd start building the bombs again, he'd start attacking the locals again and he'd start exporting that violence into Baghdad and we would take a giant step backward," Lynch told Pentagon reporters in a video conference from Iraq. Without a functioning and respected Iraqi government, the enemy will always be a threat no matter how long US forces stay on securtiy watch.

He said that recent gains resulted from the buildup of troops in Iraq and that he needs all the forces he has until Iraqis are able to step up and take over, perhaps some time next year.
(UNQOTE)
You gotta be kidding - by next year! Realistically, it is more likely they will never step up to the task, especially without a functioning and respected national government.

quote:

"If coalition soldiers were to leave, having fought hard for that terrain, having denied the enemy their sanctuaries, what'd happen is the enemy would come back," said Lynch.

Since when are we fighting for terrain? Seems that wherever our military is operating then that area can be (somewhat) pacified, but if/when we leave that area the insurgents simply move back in. Isn't that also true of law enforcement?

The problem seems to be that the Iraqis are unable/unwilling to meet their responsibilities in this war. It's been 5+ years and the same brave American military are going back yet again for a 4th or 5th tour! I don't recall an American war/conflict lasting this long that didn't have a draft so that all of America could share the sacrifice.

Maybe that's why the talk of a drawdown - the realization that some "privileged" folks and/or their kids just might have to serve in the military and Iraq/Afghanistan instead of supporting the troops by having a yellow magnet sticker on their car, or by going shopping..

I (still) smell political rats, and they ain't just Republican.

quote:

Originally posted by RetDoc: I (still) smell political rats, and they ain't just Republican.

My greatest apprehension is that *all* the politicians, in both parties, will start behaving like rats ... not to say, they haven't already.

The Republican politicians are in a bind, because the "Iraq Plan A" that they have supported for so long is still *very* popular with the Republican base.

That Republican "Iraq Plan A" being "Faith in neoconservative goals (a free and democratic Iraq) achieved by Reaganite means (free markets, small government, low taxes, no draft)".

Now Plan A has failed utterly in Iraq. So which plank should a Republican give up? The Neocon goals or the Reaganite methods? The plain fact is, the Republican base will not nominate a candidate who gives up either one.

Hence the rat-like Republican Plan B: "Stay the course in Iraq, and blame the Democrats when it fails."

The rat-like Democrats are of course no better. Their Plan B is real simple: "Get out now, and blame the Republicans when Iraq implodes."

IMHO, neither party, and no candidate, has put forth a realistic strategy for winning in Iraq. Both parties, and all candidates, are embracing shamefully rat-like politics.

Does *anyone* on this forum disagree with that assessment?

These political waters are mighty tricky for Gen. Petraeus to navigate. Here's hoping he has a rabbit up his sleeve!

It seems the esteemed senior GOP Senator, former Cabinet officer, and genuine Veteran is causing a stir. Interesting how quickly counter-arguements from a general officer make it to the headlines. Of course, generals wary of the whole idea of invading Iraq or the plans put forth then and since had to make some serious career adjustments. Warner is a genuine Statesman. He is stating a position for the ensuing debate in the Senate. My guess is he is speaking for the troops. He used to be one.

So I guess we'll have to trust him over the active duty general in the field, right?

quote:

Originally posted by bwf27:
My guess is he is speaking for the troops. He used to be one.

So did Kerry.

Here we go again. All this people should do is just let the military do their work finish with what we started so they can come home.

It will not end, just started
Lots of sound bites while the banks get Rich.
Mix half truths with half lies and Presto-If you see a fire ant pile you stir it all up? No, but yes if you have a another goal. Get the world all chaotic then manage it for people will give up their Fredoms if terrorized in fear. This war is about centralization of Commerce and banking. EU Union, African Union, North American Union while bureaucrats rake in the cash. Later they all live in gated communites while the rest of us were harmonized, regionalized, trasregioanlized and all sense of ethnicity eliminated so no group will wish to separate later on. If God wanted all People of the World to be blended like a blue blob or whatever amorphed, Would you not conclude that he would not have created Oceans, and Lands to separate People? Maybe he knew Tyrants would emerge from such a centralized system. Now recently introduced new mental directives to get rid of People who still have their Own Opinions? If anyone needed medication it would had been in Congress, like Foley, for talking nonsense to young boys and talking about Boxer short while our Troops were out fighting. Duh!

It is DRAFT or WITHDRAW ?

Which course do you vote for ?

I vote for WITHDRAW at this stage.

I recommend reading "ARE WE ROME ?" by Cullen Murphy to better grasp the situation we face as The United States Of America.

The plot thickens... Joint Chiefs Expected to Ask for Troop Cut

quote:

Originally posted by bwf27:
The plot thickens... Joint Chiefs Expected to Ask for Troop Cut

And then thins ... Joint Chiefs Chairman Pace Denies He'll Recommend Cutting Troops Strength in Iraq

quote:

Originally posted by 13289820:
Here we go again. All this people should do is just let the military do their work finish with what we started so they can come home.

But what is the finish? Hard to see that anyone really knows.

The finish is when all the terrorists are dead!

Thats why we are there and why we must stay until the job is done.

The work is difficult.

There reason is not.

quote:

Originally posted by EAG154:
The finish is when all the terrorists are dead!

Thats why we are there and why we must stay until the job is done.

The work is difficult.

There reason is not.

'McGovern then read from statements the Defense secretary had made that weapons were located near Tikrit, Iraq, and Baghdad,'