Comments on: McCaffrey: Situation In Iraq Is Dire So We Need To ‘Stay The Course’ http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/03/mccaffrey-stay-the-course/ Thu, 26 Nov 2009 02:47:34 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: marcus robinson http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/03/mccaffrey-stay-the-course/comment-page-2/#comment-3394939 marcus robinson Wed, 04 Apr 2007 21:21:38 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/03/mccaffrey-stay-the-course/#comment-3394939 This guy is starting to sound like a "loyal bushie". This guy is starting to sound like a “loyal bushie”.

]]> By: William http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/03/mccaffrey-stay-the-course/comment-page-2/#comment-3381451 William Wed, 04 Apr 2007 18:11:18 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/03/mccaffrey-stay-the-course/#comment-3381451 Those of you with a deep interest in Iraq should check our finding out. When it comes to foreign affairs, public anxiety is rising. While the war is definitely a driving force, the public's uneasiness spills over into the entire range of challenges facing the United States. Overwhelmingly, the public embraces diplomatic measures, with 44% of those surveyed favoring diplomacy with Iran and an addition 28% backing economic sanctions. Favor for military action is in the single digits. Our anxiety indicator is currently at 137 on a 200-point scale, edging toward the 150 point mark that we would consider a crisis of confidence in government policy. Go to http://www.publicagenda.org/foreignpolicy/index.cfm to check out the fourth edition of our “Foreign Policy Index.” Those of you with a deep interest in Iraq should check our finding out. When it comes to foreign affairs, public anxiety is rising. While the war is definitely a driving force, the public’s uneasiness spills over into the entire range of challenges facing the United States. Overwhelmingly, the public embraces diplomatic measures, with 44% of those surveyed favoring diplomacy with Iran and an addition 28% backing economic sanctions. Favor for military action is in the single digits. Our anxiety indicator is currently at 137 on a 200-point scale, edging toward the 150 point mark that we would consider a crisis of confidence in government policy. Go to http://www.publicagenda.org/foreignpolicy/index.cfm to check out the fourth edition of our “Foreign Policy Index.”

]]> By: sl88 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/03/mccaffrey-stay-the-course/comment-page-2/#comment-3370925 sl88 Wed, 04 Apr 2007 15:48:53 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/03/mccaffrey-stay-the-course/#comment-3370925 Some people seem to forget all the lives, and resources that have already been wasted on this war. $340 billion has gone into Iraq and yet victory is still as elusive as ever. Perhaps it's time those promoting the war come to grips with our inability to "fix" Iraq and accept the timeline to withdraw. Then perhaps our administration will remember that while they have been focused on Iraq, millions of people are starving everyday. The Millennium Goals were set to eliminate world hunger and according to the Borgen Project this can be achieved with $19 billion annually. How about instead of sending additional troops we do something to actually save some lives? Some people seem to forget all the lives, and resources that have already been wasted on this war. $340 billion has gone into Iraq and yet victory is still as elusive as ever. Perhaps it’s time those promoting the war come to grips with our inability to “fix” Iraq and accept the timeline to withdraw. Then perhaps our administration will remember that while they have been focused on Iraq, millions of people are starving everyday. The Millennium Goals were set to eliminate world hunger and according to the Borgen Project this can be achieved with $19 billion annually. How about instead of sending additional troops we do something to actually save some lives?

]]> By: Gareth G http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/03/mccaffrey-stay-the-course/comment-page-2/#comment-3358716 Gareth G Wed, 04 Apr 2007 13:39:22 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/03/mccaffrey-stay-the-course/#comment-3358716 I'm certain that the White House can assist McCaffery in obtaining many lucrative positions on the board of directors of various corporations. These jobs require nothing more than showing up four times a year for a meeting, rubber stamping the CEO's recommendations and collecting a nice check. On the other hand, if he doesn't play ball with Bush and Cheney these perks become infinitely harder to get. He's a typical Republican whore. I’m certain that the White House can assist McCaffery in obtaining many lucrative positions on the board of directors of various corporations. These jobs require nothing more than showing up four times a year for a meeting, rubber stamping the CEO’s recommendations and collecting a nice check. On the other hand, if he doesn’t play ball with Bush and Cheney these perks become infinitely harder to get. He’s a typical Republican whore.

]]> By: Fedup http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/03/mccaffrey-stay-the-course/comment-page-2/#comment-3353264 Fedup Wed, 04 Apr 2007 12:23:32 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/03/mccaffrey-stay-the-course/#comment-3353264 #39 McCaffrey is a consultant for the Pentagon on Iraq so he is a war-profiteer. Not surprising! Cheney probably arranged his company Halliburton/Blackwater to cut him a nice big early Christmas thank you. #39 McCaffrey is a consultant for the Pentagon on Iraq so he is a war-profiteer.

Not surprising!

Cheney probably arranged his company Halliburton/Blackwater to cut him a nice big early Christmas thank you.

]]> By: Hedley Lamarr http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/03/mccaffrey-stay-the-course/comment-page-2/#comment-3348325 Hedley Lamarr Wed, 04 Apr 2007 11:08:54 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/03/mccaffrey-stay-the-course/#comment-3348325 McCaffrey wants two Friedmans! On the News Hours last night, Senator Shelby only asked for one (actually he asked for 1.3). McCaffrey wants two Friedmans! On the News Hours last night, Senator Shelby only asked for one (actually he asked for 1.3).

]]> By: JPV http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/03/mccaffrey-stay-the-course/comment-page-2/#comment-3331861 JPV Wed, 04 Apr 2007 07:00:12 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/03/mccaffrey-stay-the-course/#comment-3331861 Hmmm... if it's a civil war, who are we surrendering to? Enquiring minds need to know. Hmmm… if it’s a civil war, who are we surrendering to?

Enquiring minds need to know.

]]> By: JPV http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/03/mccaffrey-stay-the-course/comment-page-2/#comment-3331806 JPV Wed, 04 Apr 2007 06:58:49 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/03/mccaffrey-stay-the-course/#comment-3331806 <em>“re-deployment” but WITHDRAWAL AKA “surrender”. Comment by valiant venus</em> Surrender? I wonder who we are supposed to be "surrendering" to? Dont' we have to know who we are fighting first, before we know who we are "surrendering" to? Does anybody really know WTF is going on over there anyway? “re-deployment” but WITHDRAWAL AKA “surrender”.

Comment by valiant venus

Surrender?

I wonder who we are supposed to be “surrendering” to?

Dont’ we have to know who we are fighting first, before we know who we are “surrendering” to?

Does anybody really know WTF is going on over there anyway?

]]> By: JPark http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/03/mccaffrey-stay-the-course/comment-page-2/#comment-3330219 JPark Wed, 04 Apr 2007 06:33:37 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/03/mccaffrey-stay-the-course/#comment-3330219 #48 Surrender what, skank? What do we lose. I will tell you. We will lose a huge drain on our economy, nothing else. You are so incredibly stupid. #48 Surrender what, skank? What do we lose. I will tell you. We will lose a huge drain on our economy, nothing else. You are so incredibly stupid.

]]> By: Erroll http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/03/mccaffrey-stay-the-course/comment-page-1/#comment-3326206 Erroll Wed, 04 Apr 2007 05:32:25 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/03/mccaffrey-stay-the-course/#comment-3326206 What less than valiant venus conveniently neglects to mention is who these mysterious people the United States would be surrendering to. Would that be the all of 2000 outside forces who are fighting against the U.S. and coalition forces? Or would that be the 98 per cent of Iraqis who are fighting to make sure that the less than benevolent U.S. military are no longer occupying their country? I realize this may be difficult but try to imagine what it would be like to have armed foreign soldiers roaming the streets of the United States with an armed assault rifle exposed in their hands. If you could actually work up a little empathy for what the Iraqi people are going through, then you might actually realize that they probably feel anger, fear, resentment at the sight of these intimidating foreign soldiers illegally occupying their country. Also, as independent journalist Nir Rosen has reported, members of Al Qaeda are looked down upon with derision by both the Sunnis and the Shiites in Iraq and if and when the U.S. finally leaves Iraq, it is quite doubtful if the outside forces will increase in numbers once the U.S. is [finally] gone from Iraq. What less than valiant venus conveniently neglects to mention is who these mysterious people the United States would be surrendering to. Would that be the all of 2000 outside forces who are fighting against the U.S. and coalition forces? Or would that be the 98 per cent of Iraqis who are fighting to make sure that the less than benevolent U.S. military are no longer occupying their country? I realize this may be difficult but try to imagine what it would be like to have armed foreign soldiers roaming the streets of the United States with an armed assault rifle exposed in their hands. If you could actually work up a little empathy for what the Iraqi people are going through, then you might actually realize that they probably feel anger, fear, resentment at the sight of these intimidating foreign soldiers illegally occupying their country.

Also, as independent journalist Nir Rosen has reported, members of Al Qaeda are looked down upon with derision by both the Sunnis and the Shiites in Iraq and if and when the U.S. finally leaves Iraq, it is quite doubtful if the outside forces will increase in numbers once the U.S. is [finally] gone from Iraq.

]]> By: valiant venus http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/03/mccaffrey-stay-the-course/comment-page-1/#comment-3321863 valiant venus Wed, 04 Apr 2007 04:26:09 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/03/mccaffrey-stay-the-course/#comment-3321863 Ryan Powers notes "Time is up — redeployment from Iraq is now what’s crucial." May I suggest, Ryan, you need to get up to speed on the official "talking points." I just got through watching Keith O for a WHOLE five minutes (I had a strong stomach tonight!) while Sen. Feingold was discussing, not "<em>re-deployment"</em> but <strong>WITHDRAWAL</strong> AKA "surrender". Sen. Feingold's proposed surrender includes the following announcement,"White flags may be picked up after mess hall - will someone please lock the door on the way out?" Ryan Powers notes “Time is up — redeployment from Iraq is now what’s crucial.”

May I suggest, Ryan, you need to get up to speed on the official “talking points.” I just got through watching Keith O for a WHOLE five minutes (I had a strong stomach tonight!) while Sen. Feingold was discussing, not “re-deployment” but WITHDRAWAL AKA “surrender”. Sen. Feingold’s proposed surrender includes the following announcement,”White flags may be picked up after mess hall – will someone please lock the door on the way out?”

]]> By: JPV http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/03/mccaffrey-stay-the-course/comment-page-1/#comment-3316634 JPV Wed, 04 Apr 2007 03:09:05 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/03/mccaffrey-stay-the-course/#comment-3316634 But I thought that Saint McCain proved that things were getting better by strolling through a Baghdad market with 100 soldiers, the three Blackhawk helicopters and two Apache gunships. So confusing... One day it's better... the next day it's worse. And what the hell does saying "ripped by a low grade civil war which has worsened to catastrophic levels." supposed to mean? How is a "low grade" civil war also "catastrophic"? What would a full blown civil war by classified as? Apocalyptic? I'm soooo confused. But I thought that Saint McCain proved that things were getting better by strolling through a Baghdad market with 100 soldiers, the three Blackhawk helicopters and two Apache gunships.

So confusing…

One day it’s better… the next day it’s worse.

And what the hell does saying “ripped by a low grade civil war which has worsened to catastrophic levels.” supposed to mean?

How is a “low grade” civil war also “catastrophic”?

What would a full blown civil war by classified as? Apocalyptic?

I’m soooo confused.

]]> By: Snurgus http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/03/mccaffrey-stay-the-course/comment-page-1/#comment-3314962 Snurgus Wed, 04 Apr 2007 02:47:00 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/03/mccaffrey-stay-the-course/#comment-3314962 Mr. McCaffrey's statements are a pretty clear declaration of ethical, moral, strategic, and intellectual bankruptcy. Mr. McCaffrey’s statements are a pretty clear declaration of ethical, moral, strategic, and intellectual bankruptcy.

]]> By: Patrick3 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/03/mccaffrey-stay-the-course/comment-page-1/#comment-3310194 Patrick3 Wed, 04 Apr 2007 01:32:17 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/03/mccaffrey-stay-the-course/#comment-3310194 The formidable, hard-hitting long arm of the Republican Party reaches far and there are dire consequences for those who do not submit to its will. Comment by Tigris Lily Have you submitted your will? The formidable, hard-hitting long arm of the Republican Party reaches far and there are dire consequences for those who do not submit to its will.

Comment by Tigris Lily

Have you submitted your will?

]]> By: Erroll http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/03/mccaffrey-stay-the-course/comment-page-1/#comment-3307370 Erroll Wed, 04 Apr 2007 00:53:53 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/03/mccaffrey-stay-the-course/#comment-3307370 Chris L at #40 I do not think that you are nitpcking in what you have said but it is important to keep in mind that when the Democrats say that they are in favor of the troops being redeployed, it means that they are endorsing Congressman Murtha's position of redeploying American troops "over the horizon" which, as I mentioned at comment #17, ..."would mean having the troops sent to Kuwait or Qtar or Oman, where they could then be sent back at the discretion of the United States, where they could inflict more misery upon the Iraqi people." Unless I am wrong, I believe almost all the Democrats, with the exception of Kucinich and Gravel, wish to redeploy those troops "over the horizon", where they can be brough back into Iraq at the slightest whim of the United States while Ron Paul, a libertarian/Republican, is the only Republican that I am aware of who is advocating that the troops be withdrawn, not redeployed, "over the horizon". I still stand on what I had said at comment #17. The U.S. has no business keeping troops in Iraq or in the surrounding area where they can be sent back to wreak more havoc upon the Iraqi people. Chris L at #40

I do not think that you are nitpcking in what you have said but it is important to keep in mind that when the Democrats say that they are in favor of the troops being redeployed, it means that they are endorsing Congressman Murtha’s position of redeploying American troops “over the horizon” which, as I mentioned at comment #17, …”would mean having the troops sent to Kuwait or Qtar or Oman, where they could then be sent back at the discretion of the United States, where they could inflict more misery upon the Iraqi people.”

Unless I am wrong, I believe almost all the Democrats, with the exception of Kucinich and Gravel, wish to redeploy those troops “over the horizon”, where they can be brough back into Iraq at the slightest whim of the United States while Ron Paul, a libertarian/Republican, is the only Republican that I am aware of who is advocating that the troops be withdrawn, not redeployed, “over the horizon”.

I still stand on what I had said at comment #17. The U.S. has no business keeping troops in Iraq or in the surrounding area where they can be sent back to wreak more havoc upon the Iraqi people.

]]> By: big papa http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/03/mccaffrey-stay-the-course/comment-page-1/#comment-3307082 big papa Wed, 04 Apr 2007 00:48:24 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/03/mccaffrey-stay-the-course/#comment-3307082 <strong>Then HIS al Crackkker a*s can pay for it...</strong> Then HIS al Crackkker a*s can pay for it…

]]> By: thehim http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/03/mccaffrey-stay-the-course/comment-page-1/#comment-3305680 thehim Wed, 04 Apr 2007 00:36:30 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/03/mccaffrey-stay-the-course/#comment-3305680 He used to be the drug czar. Why is anyone surprised that he'd be willing to keep fighting a war than can never be won? He used to be the drug czar. Why is anyone surprised that he’d be willing to keep fighting a war than can never be won?

]]> By: chris L http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/03/mccaffrey-stay-the-course/comment-page-1/#comment-3305154 chris L Wed, 04 Apr 2007 00:29:30 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/03/mccaffrey-stay-the-course/#comment-3305154 It is not a war, it is an occupation. You do not win an occupation. You do not escalate an occupation. All you can do in an occupation is stay the course or leave. # Comment by coal_train — April 3, 2007 @ 7:56 pm # Good point. It is not a war, it is an occupation. You do not win an occupation. You do not escalate an occupation. All you can do in an occupation is stay the course or leave.
#

Comment by coal_train — April 3, 2007 @ 7:56 pm
#

Good point.

]]> By: chris L http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/03/mccaffrey-stay-the-course/comment-page-1/#comment-3304982 chris L Wed, 04 Apr 2007 00:27:11 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/03/mccaffrey-stay-the-course/#comment-3304982 Erroll, Just to clarify, redeployment generally means coming home. I was deployed from Fort Hood, Texas to Kuwait in 2000, then redeployed back to Texas. In 2003 I was deployed from Utah to Baghdad for over a year, then redeployed back to Utah. For most current/ex military, redeployment generally means coming home. (I know, tiny point, I hate to nitpick). Erroll,

Just to clarify, redeployment generally means coming home. I was deployed from Fort Hood, Texas to Kuwait in 2000, then redeployed back to Texas. In 2003 I was deployed from Utah to Baghdad for over a year, then redeployed back to Utah. For most current/ex military, redeployment generally means coming home. (I know, tiny point, I hate to nitpick).

]]> By: Fools on the Hill http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/03/mccaffrey-stay-the-course/comment-page-1/#comment-3303851 Fools on the Hill Wed, 04 Apr 2007 00:11:01 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/03/mccaffrey-stay-the-course/#comment-3303851 McCaffrey is a consultant for the Pentagon on Iraq so he is a war-profiteer. McCaffrey is a consultant for the Pentagon on Iraq so he is a war-profiteer.

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