Among other items, last night President Bush finally revealed his exit strategy from Iraq. I believe Bush expected too much from the Iraq leadership and people after the Iraq elections. He had hoped they would take up the fight for their own freedom and security. That has not happened. Bush, with the surge of 20,000 or so troops, is telling Iraq that this is our last atempt to secure Baghdad and Anbar. After this operation is over and Iraq doesn't take the lead for it's own security, then Bush will start the troop withdrawal process.
This whole process reminds me of the Vietnam War. The U.S. people turned against the war and we were, in the end, ran out of that country. The U.S. Congress cut off all funds for Vietnam and President Nixon could not continue the battle. This all led to the fiasco at the U.S. Embassy in Saigon with the helicopters evacuating our personell. Our Congress is now threatning to cut-0ff funding for this troop surge. The Democrats want a troop withdrawal and, that at this time, is the same as a surrender.
Our Congress is now threatning to cut-0ff funding for this troop surge.
Speaker of the House, Senator Pelosi, said that would never happen. I heard her on NPR this past Tuesday say that the Democrats support the troops and would not cut off funding. They, however, do not support the direction that the President has taken in this war.
"If you believe, and God exists, you gain everything. If you disbelieve, and God exists, you lose everything." Pascal's Wager
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They do not want us there plain and simple. Those people have been killing each other for thousands of years and our troops being there is not going to make any difference. Why has it taken so long for them to see that we can train them all day long but they will still revert back to their ways. You can lead a horse to water but you can't make them drink. Pull our troops out and let their problems be their own not ours. If they don't want to run their government and be leaders so be it. Who are we to judge if they want to run their country that way-let them but don't let us be involved in that circus.
Happy New Year!
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If we fight to the death to defend Washington, D.C. or Demopolis, Alabama against all enemies foreign and domestic...that's heroic! Fighting to the death to save Baghdad, just not as inspiring when, to paraphrase comic D.L. Hughley, the coffins coming home aren't labeled 'Bush', 'Cheney,' and 'Rumsfeld'..but labeled 'Washington', 'Jones', and 'Lopez'..and addressed to "Heartland, America"...and not Kennebunkport, Maine.
Most Americans are not going to support sending another 20,000 of America's finest to fight for something that still hasn't been defined after almost 4 years later. I will support 20,002 troops -- as long as those last 2 are Jenna and Barbara Bush. Surely 2 college educated ladies are just as qualified to be trained to look for roadside bombs as anyone else. And what betterway to display your devotion to the cause than to put your name in the pool of potential 'gold star fathers.' A 2 year duty will still get them back in time to work on family friends' campaigns...as he did during Vietnam when he was transferred to the Alabama Air National Guard base in Montgomery.
That spoiled Yale frat boy is running around being reckless with the lives of other people's families..and even though Daddy Bush sent in James "the fixer" Baker to give 'Sonny' a way out...this time, we've got to show Daddy and Mom-sy what a big boy we are!
The Congress will not cut or stop funding. But I think you will see a show/vote of "no confidence" in both the President, his 'plan', and any advisers that are telling him this is a good idea. Democrats aren't the only ones looking for a way out of this mess..independant voters are wanting a way out, more Republicans are seeing the light, and most importantly AMERICANS are wanting a way out.
It's not that we've lost our nerve to fight. Any SOB that storms the beaches at Malibu, Daytona, or Gulf Shores will find that out. Will there be times we get 'sucker punched?' Sure...without a doubt. But anyone that wants to stand toe-to-toe to fight over something that America believes in will tote home a whuppin' and a few survivors...assuming we haven't leveled home by the time they get there. But what are we fighting for right now? It took 20+ years for our own country to stablize and fully function as a federal republic after the Revolutionary War, and we had centuries of democratic experice to direct us. That isn't the case in the current mess that a bunch of northeastern ivory tower paper-pusher types like Paul Wolfowitz got us into.
If Jenna and Barbara aren't going to be forced to go (and I realize I'm the one being hypocritical here...because I don't believe that the President has the power to detain and force American citizens to other locales around the world), then I think our 3-step plan should be: 1) come home; 2) re-group; and 3) get ready for the bigger threats that are out there.
Dissent Welcomed; Agreement Encouraged
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I really don't understand the political talk the best. I guess that's the 2nd grader in me. But, this morning I was talking with another fellow teacher and she had some concerns. She said that she read. . . if 20,000 troops weren't enough then the "draft" would be the next step. She has an almost 18 year old and it scares her to death. Has anyone else heard that?
"Be very careful if you make a woman cry, because God counts her tears. The woman came out of a man's rib. Not from his feet to be walked on. Not from his head to be superior. But from his side to be equal. Under the arm to be protected, and next to the heart to be loved."
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Yes, I have heard rumors of them bringing back the draft, but there are still soldiers out there who have not done a tour yet so therefore they will get picked on first. If they do bring back the draft it will not be anytime soon, but I don't think they will bring it back. I am hoping that this will all be over before they have to result to that.
Happy New Year!
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YES I AGREE WITH YOU EAGLE THAT THE SITUATION IN IRAQ REMINDS ME OF THOSE HAUNTING FINAL DAYS IN VEITNAM. . .
20,000 TROOPS WONT BE ENOUGH TO SEND OVER THERE. . .
I HAVE A SINKING FEELING THAT THE DRAFT PROCESS WILL BE REINSTATED. . .
OUR BELOVED TOOPS HAVE SHED TOO MUCH BLOOD NEEDLESSLY. ITS TIME FOR OUR PEOPLE TO COME BACK HOME.
THE PEOPLE OF IRAQ WILL NEVER COME TOGETHER AS A UNITED COUNTRY AND GOVERN THEMSELVES. WHY SHOULD WE HAVE TO SACRIFICE MORE BLOOD AND FUNDING FOR A LOST CAUSE?
PRAY FOR OUR TROOPS AND FAMILIES.
Last edited by dave; 01-11-2007 at 15:29 PM.
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During the election Pelosi stated that with the Democrats in power they will work with the minority to solve the nations problems. Since she has been speaker she has cut out all input from the Republicians. Pelosi stated the Democrats would work five days per week, not like the four that the Republicians did. The first full week in power she adjourned for three days so that members could attend a football game. And yes they are thinking about not funding this increase of troops. Everyone has their opinion on how this war should have or has to be fought. We either have some of the most military experienced lawmakers and journalists in history or our service acadamies and military services are turning out some substandard generals.
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I think we've got great and capable Generals...I don't believe there is any criticism of the way the military has handled their mission in spite of terrible pre-war planning and political goals/policies that hamstrung them from the start...
Being President is alot like being on D'Live..sometimes you hear what you may not like..and you can just ignore it if it helps you get through the day:
On Iraq, Bush to pull away from generals:
They initially advised against troop ‘surge’ to combat insurgency (link)
as reported on MSNBC.com
Fortunately, 3,000 valuable American lives have never been ended by ignoring advice given on DLive (unless I missed a post somewhere)..
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But, this morning I was talking with another fellow teacher and she had some concerns. She said that she read. . . if 20,000 troops weren't enough then the "draft" would be the next step. She has an almost 18 year old and it scares her to death. Has anyone else heard that?
