A Conditions-Based Withdrawal?
A Conditions-Based Withdrawal?
Today, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld announced the administration would withdraw two combat brigades from Iraq – approximately 7,000 troops. Rumsfeld disingenuously claimed that the pullout was a result of improving conditions on the ground. “[F]orce level decisions are condition-based and will continue to be condition-based. They’ll have been and will continue to be determined by assessment of Iraq’s progress,” Rumsfeld said. Since the largely peaceful elections on December 15th (peaceful because insurgents observed a truce that allowed Iraqis to go to the polls), the violence on the ground has escalated to pre-election levels:
“A soldier was killed by a bomb Thursday while on patrol in Baghdad, the military said. Violence around the country, including a suicide car bombing, left more than a dozen people dead, including six police officers, authorities said.†[LAT, 12/23/05]
“Guerrillas stormed an Iraqi army post on Friday [near Adhaim, north of Baghdad], killing 10 soldiers and wounding 20…in the bloodiest attack since last week’s parliamentary election.†[Reuters, 12/23/05]
“Violence has once again risen following a period of quiet around the election, for which a huge security clampdown was imposed.†[AFP, 12/20/05]
“[Vice President Cheney’s visit to Iraq] came as insurgents broke the relative calm since the national election on Thursday with a string of attacks in central and northern Iraq that left at least nine people dead.†[NYT, 12/19/05]
“Gunmen killed two relatives of a senior Kurdish official and 17 others died in a string of attacks overnight and on Sunday, piercing three days of relative calm that followed the country’s first election for a full-term parliament.†[AP, 12/18/05]
While Rumsfeld’s announcement of a pullout appears to be in line with the goals of Rep. John Murtha and other critics of the Bush strategy, there is one key difference. The Bush Administration wants the American public to believe that the pullout is a validation of a successful strategy. In contrast, Murtha has said a pullout is necessary because “our current policy is creating as many or more terrorists than it is eliminating. It is simply not working.â€
In order to fix the Bush administration’s failed strategy in Iraq, it’s important that the administration speak honestly about why it is beginning to pullout.
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This has always been their plan, declare victory and leave. When things go to sh$t, blame the Democrats for making us pull out early.
December 23rd, 2005 at 1:28 pmIMPEACH!…..ahhhh, I smell the election 2006 coming,so time for smoke and mirrors. Send a few folks home, down play spying, lieing and never use the “I” word. OK karl, go get’em. No let up on getting the ‘crooks’ out folks,we have YEARS of repair to do,but it start with the coming election, if Diebold…use absentee paper ballots. We owe it to ourselves and our childrens future.
December 23rd, 2005 at 1:32 pmNothing to do with Elections in 2006, no, purely concidental…
Z.
December 23rd, 2005 at 1:32 pmI see some spin in the blogs about how the pullout is a good thing, and it is for the troops. But the Bushies pulling the wool over people’s eyes is never a good thing
December 23rd, 2005 at 1:33 pm“…it’s important that the administration speak honestly…”
Did you actually write this?
December 23rd, 2005 at 1:38 pmBushlandia pukes will pull out of Iraq in time for the 2006 elections and leave one of the biggest messes you ever saw in the Middle East.
This war was a lie from the gitgo, is still a lie, and will remain a lie long after we are gone. They are down to admitting that the invasion was for regime change and regime change only. They dont have any other place to go without admitting the real reason.
Bush was pissed at his father for not continuing on to Baghdad in the Gulf War. Thats it folks, enough of a reason for a harebrained idiot like King George who has never succeeded at anything in his life. The chicken shit draft dodging sumbitch should be destroyed for his own good.
Oh oh, here they come, they are coming after me. Bye Bye and Merry Christmas.
December 23rd, 2005 at 1:40 pmIt almost seems like a Shakespearean play, only dumber.
December 23rd, 2005 at 1:41 pmI like how they keep saying that they are going to draw down troop level to 138,000. You know the number of troops that are supposed to be there.
This is the first that they have said will take troop levels below 138,000. Two battalions will take it down to around 131,00-133,000.
That is still not low enough.
December 23rd, 2005 at 1:42 pmGodfry, we can always dream, can’t we? This is after all the season where wishes are fulfilled.
December 23rd, 2005 at 1:43 pmI read somewhere, god knows where at this point, that around 20,000 troops were sent in before the election, and 7,000 were now not being sent at all. Sounds like they jacked up the numbers recently and now are trying to make it seems like we’re drawing down. Don’t think so. I’ll look for the thing I read…
December 23rd, 2005 at 1:51 pmif they cannot speak honestly as to why they went to war,
why would anyone expect truth now?
hell may as well keep on lying the next fours years, gives us something to do.
December 23rd, 2005 at 1:54 pm#10 Zoo,
Yeah, like a store raising prices before the sale
December 23rd, 2005 at 1:55 pmso the mark-downs “seem” bigger
Ok, here it is:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10573155/
I’m trying to six things at once so I can get the hell out of here (work, I’m so lucky my bosses love me), am I reading this wrong? I don’t trust a thing Rummy says.
December 23rd, 2005 at 1:58 pmIts official the politician have resorted to jerry springer
actions for media attention.
Lower and Lower they go
spinning turning
faster around
whey they fly
off will there
be a sound
Wife of Congressman Involved in Bar Fight
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By Associated Press
December 23, 2005, 12:24 PM EST
DETROIT — The wife of Democratic U.S. Rep. John Conyers has been accused of punching a woman in the eye during a bar fight.
A spokesman for Monica Conyers, a city councilwoman-elect, confirmed Friday that she was involved in an altercation. But he said Conyers merely defended herself after being attacked by another woman.
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The spokesman said Rebecca Mews became upset Tuesday during a birthday celebration for an attorney, who Mews says was her date. While Conyers was speaking with the man, Mews “came over and literally started spewing obscene names,” and shoved Conyers, said Conyers’ chief of staff, Sam Riddle.
“This woman was obviously drunk, and the councilwoman vigorously defended herself,” he said.
December 23rd, 2005 at 1:59 pmThat was my thought exactly, afterthought.
December 23rd, 2005 at 1:59 pmTP has stated what we are saying at my house — they will reduce troops levels:
December 23rd, 2005 at 1:59 pmFirst,to the level they were before the election-increased-level.
Second, further reduce them in advance of the 2006 campaign/election.
Removing our guys from Iraq is fine — but Bush&Co will have us believe they are doing it because the election was so “successful” and they will continue to hide the truth from us. The sheeple will swallow it.
The results of the election are becoming more clear with time. Chalabi is out. Allawi is failing. The Iran-friendly Shiites are way ahead of anyone else. The Sunnis and secular Shiites are challenging the election and may revolt. Bush is still trying to put lipstick on this pig.
Think of all the reasons given for this illegal war. Early reports indicate failures everywhere.
Bush says bringing home the troops prematurely will be disastrous. He also says it will disrespect the ones that have already died. Twisted Logic = Let MORE guys die there out of respect for the ones already dead! Senseless.
When Iraq becomes an ally of Iran thanks to Bush&Co, Bush will have made a huge maark on his legacy of abysmal failure.
It’s now a civil war in Iraq. We were warned it could come to that, and it has. Will probably escalate with the election problems. (which I see Diebold has helped rig their elections as well).
So much for that making America safer thing…
December 23rd, 2005 at 2:00 pmAnd just HOW will you guys be spying on me oh great Iraq bunglers?
December 23rd, 2005 at 2:01 pmFaiz,
Remember, before the iraqi Dec election, US sent 20,000 to beef up security for election then election is over, they bring them home but the troops level hasn’t gone below the mark before the election. you know?
December 23rd, 2005 at 2:07 pmMarie, right and we, the left, are not stupid to Bush’s hiding the truth.
December 23rd, 2005 at 2:09 pmBUSH/RUINSFELD-
We’re NOT gonna draw down when the DEMS want us to, but when we feel we want to…
Okay, now we want to!
IGNORANCE knows NO limits with these two! Now they will hail it as some hollow victory as to how they promised that they would draw the numbers down, but on THEIR time table!
What an IDIOT!!!
December 23rd, 2005 at 2:13 pmIt’s on Kos, too, much clearer than my rambling above:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/12/23/11304/210
I’m outta here. Happy Holidays, all ya’ll!
December 23rd, 2005 at 2:18 pm#1, that is exactly what I planned to post.
The only strategy they have is to declare victory and leave.
Let’s test out Cheney’s Sunday press comments: Who are you going to believe? The President or the liberal, biased, pessimistic media (with video cameras)?
December 23rd, 2005 at 2:29 pmSo, does “cut and run” as a talking point get back burnered now that the administration is doing the same thing they’ve blasted others for saying?
December 23rd, 2005 at 2:31 pmWe shouldn’t have gone in there in the first place. However, now that we’re there, we have a responsibility to stick around until the replacement government can take fundamental responsibility for its own security. We cannot afford to run out on Iraq the way we ran out on South Vietnam in 1975. We would have no credibility left.
December 23rd, 2005 at 2:32 pmRumsfeld is pulling troops out because he has to. Murtha was right about the condition of the Army, overall it’s only going to get worse the longer he tries to keep the level the same because it means the deployment tempo stays the same. Recruitment this year is likely to be way below target. The Army targets 35% of its target recruitment through the delayed entry program. It goes into FY06 with only 8%. Last FY the Army hit 92% of recruitment target with 25% delayed entry at the start of the year.
December 23rd, 2005 at 2:32 pmMurtha knows that the Army (and the National Guard)simply can’t keep up this deployment cycle.
#14, wonder if that had anything to do with the report Conyers just released? Anyone see Karl Rove’s hand in the altercation?
December 23rd, 2005 at 2:33 pmImpeach the SOBs /Congressman Mertha was right 0N TARGET. Now they call the initiative their own , when he said the pull out would be complete by election time .
December 23rd, 2005 at 2:49 pmLike hell they gone train more iraquis , the bastard by that time would be in full civil war. Thoses elections were a fraud , all hell is gone break loose and they’ll be shootin at our troops .And moron bush thinks we’ll have allies there . Crap where does he get those rosy scenarios ,
i guess the same place he was told we would be received with flowers ,CHALABI .All this F…..g war for Iran’s benefit.
Mein Gott ,eine dumbkoff . Mon dieu quel idiot .IMPEACH
Boult, the reporting has been that the 7,000 troop reduction would be a reduction from the 138,000 baseline that was in place before the ramp-up to 160,000 for the Iraqi elections. Here’s what Rumsfeld said:
And the Financial Times:
December 23rd, 2005 at 2:49 pm
Sadly, for our country and our military, it is INEVITABLE that there will be a major draw down of our Iraqi forces, for the simplest reason of all: Bushco has broken the back of our military, whether you’re talking manpower or equipment, and Bush MUST withdraw troops before it becomes even more apparent that AMERICA IS NOW A PAPER TIGER.
Remember when we used to be prepared to fight two (2) major ground wars simultaneously? Now we cannot even finish fighting ONE, and there is no way we could sustain a second conflict without major tax increases, a draft, and a whole bunch of other unsavory things.
Happily, this WILL end the days of Bushco’s reckless attempts at world intimidation (if not domination) and his predilection to invade, destroy, and then make the most meager attempts at “nation-building.” Hell, if he can’t rebuild an American city WTF makes him believe he can rebuild Iraq?
Besides, the major oil companies are over there finalizing contracts to perpetually screw Iraq of as much oil as possible – which I believe is the obvious reason we invaded – so Bush’s job is done there. The only thing left is for him to try to save as much face as possible to boost the Gay Opposition Party’s chances next November.
December 23rd, 2005 at 3:07 pm#25 what credibility? The US and especially the Bush administration has none. Bush is like “the boy who cried wolf” no one with any sense is ever going to believe anything he says. The so-called democracy we supposedly put in place is already crumbling if you see the news reports today.
This drawn down is just another sleight of hand. If we are truly going to withdraw in larger numbers you can bet it’s because Bush is going to attack somewhere else. Who’s next on the list?
December 23rd, 2005 at 3:15 pmMaybe should make Big Oil pay the military’s bill for the War on Terror (TM), it’s their war and they have the money. It would certainly bring up the price of gas though. But isn’t that exactly the free-market?
December 23rd, 2005 at 3:18 pmThey are going to need all those troops back home because apartheid requires enforcement. The insurgents are not the only ones getting training you know.
December 23rd, 2005 at 3:50 pmFirst Boy George announces that there are 145 Iraqi combat battalions ready to go. This is the equivalent of more than half a million troops. Of course, his own generals have already announced that there is only one battalion ready to go and that just happens to be a Shiite militia. The man has gone completely insane.
December 23rd, 2005 at 3:55 pmAnchorage Activist
December 23rd, 2005 at 3:59 pmJust for the record, we didn’t run out of Viet Nam. We were kicked out by the indigenous people. Get your history straight.
Purvis, you should call a cop, ’cause I intend on stealin’ “First Boy” RIGHT NOW!
December 23rd, 2005 at 4:20 pmAnd if you stole it from someone else, well, sorry, but it was ill-gotten fruit.
December 23rd, 2005 at 4:24 pmFaiz, Right and I know the number I typed is not correct. I put down 20,000 cuz there were too many numbers now that you narrowed it down to 7,000 yeah it was that numbers.
December 23rd, 2005 at 4:38 pmMurtha Causes Mixed Emotions – Call to retire
“You don’t send a balloon up and then put a pin in it,” Wilson said. “He’s gotten to the age where he should think about retiring.”
December 23rd, 2005 at 4:40 pmIt seems that some in his hometown are starting to wonder about Murtha though some…
From #13 article…
Rumsfeld said two Army brigades that had been scheduled for combat tours would no longer deploy to Iraq. That would reduce the number of combat brigades in Iraq from 17 to 15.
This is the “withdrawal” Rummy is lying about…two brigades stationed in the U.S. that has never been deployed to Iraq.
Again, spin. Spin that tells the American people that BushCo is caving when he’s not caving.
December 23rd, 2005 at 6:57 pmWhen Murtha suggested this I thought the conservatives were going to skin him alive. Now two or three weeks later, Lo and behold, Rumsfeld decides to bring home some troops. When things go wrong in this administration just put a different spin on it. This cabal should all be impeached as traitors.
December 23rd, 2005 at 7:26 pmRumsfeld decides to bring home some troops
No troops are coming home. 2 brigades are not being deployed, big difference.
Has anyone heard Rummy use the words “coming home”?
I haven’t.
December 23rd, 2005 at 7:33 pmVery true Sue. They will not be “deploying”, they just will not be going. I still don’t trust anyone in this administration.
December 23rd, 2005 at 7:39 pmHere’s the “withdrawal” plan.
One brigade that was planned to deploy, won’t.
One brigade that is in Kuwait, won’t deploy to Iraq.
Nobody’s coming home. More semantics and lies from the Pentagon.
http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/12/23/iraq.main/index.html
December 23rd, 2005 at 8:07 pmFiaz, I think an update is necessary. Most people think that some troops are actually coming home. Please review the CNN link. (above) It clearly states that there is not a withdrawal and nobody is coming home.
December 23rd, 2005 at 8:11 pmSorry Fiaz, you are calling it a “pullout”. It’s not that either.
December 23rd, 2005 at 8:13 pmO.K. Now EVERYONE pay attention! This is NOT to be interpreted as a withdrawl of troops from Iraq. Do a bit of homework and you will discover that all it is is a reduction of deployment of troops. Specifically troops that are currently stationed in KANSAS and Kuwait.
Big F’n deal!
Don’t let these freaks lead you to believe that troops will be leaving Iraq anytime soon. That’s what they all want you to believe.
December 23rd, 2005 at 10:23 pmJust asmall troop adjustment vs. a cowardly cut-and-run
December 23rd, 2005 at 11:07 pmI think the US should pull out at the last minute, to be frank with you.
December 23rd, 2005 at 11:16 pmAnd if Hilary were in charge, she’d send more troops, according to herself
December 24th, 2005 at 12:09 amSo which party is worse?
According to a new CNN/USA Today poll 43% of voters approve of the job Bushiva is doing.
Where’re Stalin, and Pol Pot when you need ‘em?
Progressives ought to get one thing straight, until there is regime change in America:
American troops will occupy Iraq, and more will die unnecessarily.
The deficit will continue to grow.
Race relations will worsen.
More civil liberties will be forfeit.
The “civilized” world will enter into economic compacts with each other, and WITHOUT American participation.
The American middle class will continue to disappear.
The rich will continue to horde America’s treasure.
The threat of violent revolution (within America) will increase.
Terrorism will increase.
The world will continue to shun and isolate the American government.
The nuclear threat will intensify.
In short, ’til the inbreds are neutralized this “Twilight Zone” will continue.
December 24th, 2005 at 2:11 pmThey might make it LOOK LIKE they are pulling out, without MENTIONING the escalation of the air raid bombings. All they CARE about is the IMAGE and MONEY…they give not a DOT for you or I or anyone else….
December 25th, 2005 at 1:08 amI think it’s a pretty strong indicator that Iraq wants us to leave when our militray commanders are even saying so:
Iraqis want US out as soon as possible: US commander
Monday Dec 26 10:38 AEDT
The top US military commander admitted Sunday that Iraqis wanted US and other foreign troops to leave the country “as soon as possible,” and said US troop levels in Iraq were now being re-assessed on a monthly basis.
The admission by Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Marine General Peter Pace followed a decision by the Pentagon to reduce the current level of 160,000 soldiers in Iraq by two army brigades, which amounts to about 7,000 soldiers.
“Understandably, Iraqis themselves would prefer to have coalition forces leave their country as soon as possible,” Pace said in a Christmas Day interview on Fox News Sunday. “They don’t want us to leave tomorrow, but they do want us to leave as soon as possible.”
source and rest of article: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=78921
December 26th, 2005 at 9:53 amThey might make it LOOK LIKE they are pulling out, without MENTIONING the escalation of the air raid bombings. All they CARE about is the IMAGE and MONEY…they give not a DOT for you or I or anyone else….
Comment by Mr. Natural
Mr. Natural #52
Shades of Johnson’s bombing campaign of Cambodia!
December 27th, 2005 at 4:19 pmBleeding heart anti-american liberals like yourselves are truely disgracing this great nation. You should all move to France or better yet how about move to Mexico, why not because of you traitors it takes nothing for you to cross the border and come back any time you want. Oh by the way, four more years!!!
January 14th, 2006 at 10:44 pm[...] Blog Name: Think Progress Article Title: A Conditions-Based Withdrawal? Today, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld announced the administration would withdraw two combat brigades from Iraq ? approximately 7,000 troops. Rumsfeld disingenuously claimed that the pullout was a result of improving conditions on the ground. … [...]
February 8th, 2006 at 6:26 am