Think Progress

Rice: ‘Iraqis Need To Know That We Are Not Looking To Leave Iraq’»

In an interview last night on the Charlie Rose Show, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice pointedly said, “[O]ur friends in the [Middle East] need to know and the Iraqis need to know that we are not looking to leave Iraq.” “Ever?” Rose asked. Rice responded, “We are not going to leave an Iraq that is not capable of defending itself and with a foundation for future reconciliation.”

Rose then asked Rice if she believed she’ll have the support of the American people to continue the war. Rice claimed the American people are looking for “progress.” Rose replied, “But nobody can answer the question: If it doesn’t happen, what?” Avoiding discussion of a Plan B, Rice answered, “Charlie, because as the President said to you, we’re focused on having it happen.”

Watch it:

Screenshot

In the interview, Rose also noted that Rice once worked for President George H.W. Bush, who was “famous for insisting there be an exit strategy. [But] no one seems to know what’s the exit strategy [now],” he said. Rice responded that Iraq is “a long-term proposition.”

When Rose asked Rice if the administration was “looking for a strategy for the United States to exit from Iraq.” Rice answered, “No, we’re looking for a strategy that is going to do what we went there to do.”

Last month, Rose similarly asked President Bush, “Can you imagine a circumstance in which you would have to say, we did our best, good men and good women sacrificed their life, but we can’t in the end do what we want to do, and we have to leave?” “No,” Bush replied. “I can’t imagine that, because I believe that with time, this Iraqi government is going to be able to reconcile and move forward.”

Digg It!

Transcript:

ROSE: Let me make this point. You worked with President Bush 41 at the National Security Council for him. He was famous for insisting there be an exit strategy. No one seems to know what’s the exit strategy.

RICE: Well, in this case, because we know that this is a long- term proposition –

ROSE: On the part of participation by American forces on the ground?

RICE: Let me just finish this point, which is that on the long term, Iraq’s evolution to a state that is fully democratic and fully capable of defending itself, that’s a long-term proposition.

[…]

ROSE: I sense — and you can tell me this is absolutely wrong — that the Administration and you as the point person are looking for a strategy for the United States to exit from Iraq.

RICE: No, we’re looking for a strategy that is going to do what we went there to do, which is to help the Iraqis create a more stable environment, lay a foundation for democracy and national reconciliation to evolve in Iraq, and to leave an Iraq or to have an Iraq that is able to defend itself and secure itself.

[…]

RICE: So our friends in the neighborhood need to know and the Iraqis need to know that we are not looking to leave Iraq. That’s not why this President went into Iraq and it’s not how –

ROSE: Ever?

RICE: Charlie, we are not going to leave an Iraq that is not capable of defending itself and with a foundation for future reconciliation.

ROSE: Do you believe you’ll have the support of the American people to do that?

RICE: I think that the American people are looking for progress and so are we.

[…]

ROSE: But nobody can answer the question: If it doesn’t happen, what?

RICE: Charlie, because as the President said to you, we’re focused on having it happen.




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205 Responses to “Rice: ‘Iraqis Need To Know That We Are Not Looking To Leave Iraq’”

  1. Patrick1 Says:

    Well said. Take that Zawahiri and your pal Harry Reid.


  2. Angry One Says:

    The Republicans speak on Plan B in Iraq:

    “By the time we get to September or October, members are going to want to know how well this is working, and if it isn’t, what’s Plan B.”
    House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH), May 6, 2007.

    “I have no Plan B.”
    John McCain, on his support for the Iraq surge, April 13, 2007.

    “Plan B was to make Plan A work.”
    Joint Chiefs Chairman General Peter Pace, on Iraq, March 5, 2007.

    “I don’t think you go to Plan B. You work with Plan A.”
    Secretary of State Rice, asked what the U.S. should do if the Iraqi government does not live up to its assurances, March 5, 2007.


  3. Republicans are the Fear and Smear Party Says:

    Rice, the people run the government and tell you what to do, not the other way around. STFU, twit.


  4. pete Says:

    Condi, can you explain the aluminum tubes again?


  5. BlueArkansas Says:

    My God, this is utterly disgusting. Say all you want about the distinctions between desert and jungle, trolls, but the political foundation being laid for this debacle makes the parallels between Iraq and Vietnam all the stronger.

    Will we ever learn???


  6. david Says:

    Gee, the Iraqis ALL want the USA out of their country. Just wait until every Iraqi is an insurgent.


  7. E_I Says:

    We’re not leaving…

    …ever.

    I think that’s what she meant to say.


  8. Tobey Tall Says:

    Pentagon tells 35,000: Prepare to deploy
    AP - 4 minutes ago WASHINGTON - The Pentagon has notified more than 35,000 Army soldiers to be prepared to deploy to Iraq beginning this fall, a move that would allow commanders to maintain the ongoing buildup of troops through the end of the year if needed.,


  9. Chris L Says:

    So is the increased violence against American troops a sign of progress, or is the Iraqi government falling apart a sign of progress?


  10. Spudge_Boy Says:

    Zawahiri wants our troops in Iraq forever, so that al Qaeda can keep killing our troops.

    Patrick1 is a terrorist sympathizer. Even worse, he is plotting with the terrorists to keep our troops in harms way. Patrick1 is a traitor to this country and should be hung for it.


  11. katy Says:

    “we’re looking for a strategy that is going to do what we went there to do.”

    we’ve all known that… thanks for finally admitting it…

    Production-Sharing Agreement (PSA)


  12. Edward Says:

    What is the exact mission?


  13. bill Says:

    these people are just fascinating: now the reason we went into iraq was to help it realize democracy??

    wait a minute, i don’t remember anyone saying back in spring of ‘03 that the entire point of the invasion was to bring democracy. if that was the case, NOBODY would have supported it EXCEPT the most extreme right wing faction of the GOP. in other words, a cabal.


  14. Larry weiler Says:

    They don’t have an exit strategy because they never planned on leaving Iraq. It was to be our 51st state since our oil was there.


  15. RemoveBush Says:

    What is the exact mission?

    Comment by Edward — May 8, 2007 @ 1:00 pm

    OIL!


  16. margaret Says:

    Sounds like she agrees with the aptly named DICK Morris who wants to keep us in Iraq to make the terrorists happy and so that it’s more convenient to kill American soldiers.

    This woman must have been trained to avoid answering questions I swear.


  17. po Says:

    Too bad they don’t really know what they set out to do when they went there. And, it’s not like they weren’t warned of what would happen after the easy mission was accomplished. They messed up the final part and refuse to own up to it. Now it is someone else’s fault — always someone else’s fault. Face it, folks, W and those that don’t get pushed or jump are not going to change anything with regard to Iraq. Nothing. Accept it and decide what you want to do about it. Then, try and convince your Representative and Senators. Do so, if only for me, because my pleas here in Georgia will always fall on deft ears, at least as to my Senators.

    p.s. To those of you who support W and the rest, take a deep breath and think about how you might react when say a Democrat sits in the White House and this type of drivel masqueradiing as policy is shoved down your throught. Believe me, you are not going to like it any more than I am. But remember, they’ll always say you started it.


  18. pete Says:

    Comment by BlueArkansas — May 8, 2007 @ 12:57 pm

    I doubt very much of the fighting takes place in the desert. American air forces and artillery would make an open space like the desert a killing field. Most of the combat seems to be occurring in urbanized areas, where the air and arty are neutralized.


  19. Kay Says:

    There’s Kinda-Sleezy-Lice with her dead, soul-less eyes, lying right through her teeth.

    This woman has no soul.


  20. Bluedog49 Says:

    And, if 70% of the American public WANT us to leave, f*ck em, right Condi?


  21. Pete Bogs Says:

    “No, we’re looking for a strategy that is going to do what we went there to do.”

    what, find those nonexistent WMDs?

    the Iraqis don’t need to know that, Condi - they want us to leave…


  22. stopthecons Says:

    endless war for endless peace - or however Orwell wrote it. That’s the plan of these criminals in D.C……don’t be fooled, they DO want to stay forever.. that’s my opinion.

    The only way we’ll have peace and prosperity in this country is if we change our national policy from one of national OF-fense to one of National DE-fense - and get out of Iraq and the other 130+ nations where our military is based….

    Some reading on this:

    “National Defense vs National Offense”
    http://www.populistamerica.com/ national_defense_vs__national_offense


  23. david Says:

    Poor Patrick1trickpony. He’s so desperate to distract that he keeps posting the same line over and over in every thread. It’s a sign that the GOP and the Neo-con revolution is in its death throes.

    Why does Rice’s line sound a lot like “You’re doing a heck of a job, Brownie”? Bush has always sounded most confident, most adamant just moments before he’s changed direction, cut and run.

    And now Bush and Rice are following Osama bin Laden’s script and they’re pushing deeper into the quagmire. They’re bankrupting the US treasury, breaking the US military, and destroying America’s influence in the wider world. They must be celebrating Bush’s veto over at al-Qaeda’s HQ.


  24. Erroll Says:

    What Rice said reinforces the comparison between Iraq and Vietnam, when those who worked in the Kennedy and Johnson administrations believed that the United States was going to stay in Vietnam until “the job was done”. It also proves that David Halberstam was right when he wrote in his best selling classic the Best and the Brightest that “the difference between intelligence and wisdom, between the abstract quickness and verbal facility which the [Kennedy] team exuded, and true wisdom, which is the product of hard-won, often bitter experience. Wisdom for a few of them came AFTER Vietnam.” One wonders if Condeleezza Rice will, like Robert McNamara, be issuing her mea culpas only after the Iraq War/occupation becomes a distant memory for the American people.


  25. raynman Says:

    I think the correct interpretation is:

    We’re not leaving until all the oil is gone,
    then we’ll go


  26. Tobey Tall Says:

    Getting Rocked In Iraq - great video from BOTH sides WOW

    2 points-of-view taken at the same time. 1st part is from inside the US vehicle. 2nd part (probably a repost) is from the Iraqi stone throwers.

    http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=132_1178529835

    looks very much like your not welcome - But hey thats only my view


  27. hellinabucket Says:

    “We Are Not Looking To Leave Iraq” What’s this “we” shit.


  28. Theresa Says:

    “No, we’re looking for a strategy that is going to do what we went there to do.”

    It’s soooo reassuring to know that 4+ years later, the Bush
    War Machine is still trying to figure out what to do…

    Heavy sigh…


  29. Tobey Tall Says:

    HERES A GREAT READ

    A canny Vietnam veteran wrote me the below but requested that it be posted without attribution. I thought it well worth sharing.

    http://www.juancole.com/ 2007/ 05/ guest-comment-iraq-prognosis-canny.html


  30. Commons3nse Says:

    I’ve an idea…

    Rather than allowing the administration to express their delays in terms of months staying in Iraq, let’s force them to acknowledge the human cost:

    Instead of 5 more months to “see if it’s working,” let’s use the casualty averages and have the republicans ask for more dead troops (rather than months) before they change plans.

    That will put the foot-dragging republican chickenhawk bastards in perspective. “Two more months? Don’t you mean 140 more dead troops?” (Since they care not a wit for the Iraqi civilian population, I haven’t included the civilian averages but they would be staggering.)

    Let’s add a dose of reality for the cushy republican cowards and see if they survive the next election…


  31. kelso Says:

    I like this part:

    When Rose asked Rice if the administration was “looking for a strategy for the United States to exit from Iraq.” Rice answered, “No, we’re looking for a strategy that is going to do what we went there to do.”

    Anybody have the slightest idea what it is that we went there to do in the first place?? The reasoning has changed more times than a runway supermodel. I can no longer recall.


  32. Dumb_Fox Says:

    Question: How is Iraq supposed to defend itself from Civil War?

    You know, the way the Sunni insurgents and Shiite fanatics go at each other, you’d actually have to be really f*cking stupid to attack the country and have them focus their collective anger on you.

    Oh yeah… Oops.



  33. oldtree Says:

    condi is our best ambassador promoting endless war for bushwa.
    she will like prison. maybe they will have a piano and she can learn enough to play the blues.


  34. ForTruth Says:

    Condi can go suck a shoe.


  35. pgw Says:

    i think what she meant to say was:

    “But I will tell you this, the benchmark that I’m looking at — the oil law is important”


  36. PatrioticLiberalChristian(PLC) Says:

    “We are not going to leave an Iraq that is not capable of defending itself and with a foundation for future reconciliation.”
    ______________________________________

    Is Rice saying the Iraqis are INCAPABLE of defending Iraq now? If so, why is that? Or is it that they AREN’T defending Iraq? Is this because they are too busy killing each other? Is it because the American-insurgent crossfire is detrimental to doing so? If either of these last two questions are answered with “yes”, then why are we still there?


  37. BlueArkansas Says:

    #18:

    So true. Unfortunately, that whole “desert v. jungle” nonsense is the kind of simplistic claptrap I see neocons muster in defense of Iraq as a conflict incomparable to Vietnam.

    Thank you for sharpening my point!


  38. Commons3nse Says:

    5 more months to “see if it’s working,” equals out to at least 350+ killed US soldiers.

    Let’s see John McClown and Boener demand or exhort patience to allow “at least 350 more violent deaths so we can tell if the mismanagement is working.”

    Even the more savvy news reporters could calculate on-the-spot the numbers of what it really means-someone’s family member isn’t coming home- when republican cowards talk ‘months’ instead of violent deaths.

    Chickenhawks whine and real patriots die.


  39. Evil Spaniard Says:

    Yay! Let know the insurgents that they’ll have fun forever planting IED’s.

    Looks like insurgent is the job with better perspectives of future as of today in Iraq.


  40. Vinnie Says:

    Well said. Take that Zawahiri and your pal Harry Reid.

    Comment by Patrick1 — May 8, 2007 @ 12:55 pm

    Patrick stretches the depths of his imagination and this is the best he can come up with?! It just shows that he’s only interested in posting first and trying to stir up crap. This troll can be completely ignored that’s for sure.


  41. midwestblue Says:

    The Iraqi government is going on vacation, and the oil contracts aren’t signed. Bush has to stall.


  42. Not Canadian Says:

    Isn’t there a shoe store in Bagdad where this idiot can go, and never return?


  43. klyde Says:

    Four years, 3300 dead SMs and half a trillion dollars squandered and they’re looking for a strategy. Lord save us.


  44. valiant venus Says:

    Unfortunately, TOO many anti-war “types” want to leave before giving the full complement of the surge a chance to succeed. With “Tokyo” Reid leading the surrender, it’s no wonder Dems have not been able to improve their national security image.


  45. katy Says:

    i’m real glad she got that major GAP in her teeth fixed…
    at least it’s easier to LOOK at her…

    break time’s over… back out to finish mowing…


  46. valiant venus Says:

    Not Canadian - A bit off topic, but can anyone explain why France voted for the more conservative candidate? How in the world did that happen?


  47. Chris L Says:

    #

    Unfortunately, TOO many anti-war “types” want to leave before giving the full complement of the surge a chance to succeed. With “Tokyo” Reid leading the surrender, it’s no wonder Dems have not been able to improve their national security image.

    Comment by valiant venus — May 8, 2007 @ 1:28 pm
    #

    So is the increased violence against American troops a sign of progress, or is the Iraqi government falling apart a sign of progress?


  48. Raven Says:

    another planet heard from…..


  49. po Says:

    #45 — Give it a break. Your guys failed to surge in the beginning, thus the fucked up quagmire we find ourselves in. At a certain point, VERY EARLY ON, it was too late for a surge to work, the damage had been done and ethinic tensions needed to be resolved the way they typically are involved. You guys failed to recognize or even acknowledge that this was the case. Now, you claim others are responsible. Face it, you borke it and you own it and the cost is having to make deals with people you don’t like. SUCK IT UP and let’s get on with that prosperity everyone keeps talking about.


  50. Spudge_Boy Says:

    Not Canadian - A bit off topic, but can anyone explain why France voted for the more conservative candidate? How in the world did that happen?

    Comment by valiant venus — May 8, 2007 @ 1:31 pm

    Because you are a stupid fu*k.


  51. Fred Espy Says:

    Hey Condi, Henry Waxman will have you under oath shortly, the world will see what a liar you are. As a black man, I want you to know Condi, you make me sick. Damn you and your sorry ass parents, may they burn in hell. I can’t way to see you on c-span, the lies are over.


  52. Spudge_Boy Says:

    Unfortunately, TOO many anti-war “types” want to leave before giving the full complement of the surge a chance to succeed. With “Tokyo” Reid leading the surrender, it’s no wonder Dems have not been able to improve their national security image.

    Comment by valiant venus — May 8, 2007 @ 1:28 pm

    Why do you or any of the other crazy fu*king trolls here think that the 7th escalation will be any different than the first 6?


  53. Kiki Says:

    HA! The Dems have a problem with their national security image?!?! That’s the funniest thing I’ve read all day.

    Having our troops in IRAQ doesn’t help our national security! The Repukes are setting us up for another major attack on American soil…all to steal oil and plunder the US Treasury. Traitor.


  54. Raven Says:

    #45 princess valiant…
    Not like the current regime has a good national security image, it was a clerk in photo shop who caught on to half a dozen terrorist suspects…..


  55. Bluedog49 Says:

    Valiant: “How in the world did that happen?”

    1. Fear and loathing of Muslim immigrants.

    2. ESS electronic voting machines.


  56. MAF54 Says:

    That’s it. I’m done carrying the water.

    Today is the day when I hate everything. I’m friggin’ broken and bruised decayed to the core. Long time ago I tried to believe and be just like you, but lost all my faith. Found a new faith, tried to save a small part of me, but the layers of hate dismembered me. Now despise all of you.

    My damaged skin is wearing thin.


  57. Bluedog49 Says:

    Fred: “Damn you and your sorry ass parents, may they burn in hell.”

    Fred, I have read that most of her family are liberal democrats. Strange, huh?


  58. valiantthehater Says:

    So, what is the Democratic plan for Iraq? details…

    furthermore, what is the Democratic Plan for Iraq, if we leave Iraq and then Iraq turns into a humanitarian disaster?

    will Liberals demand that we go back into Iraq like they are demanding that we go into Darfur?

    why are Liberals racist towards Iraqis? why do they want to help people from Darfur, but not Iraqis?

    why do Liberals want to help children from Darfur, but not the children of Iraq?

    why are Liberals such great racists?


  59. Raven Says:

    very dumb terrorist suspects, I might add……..


  60. Chris L Says:

    Not Canadian - A bit off topic, but can anyone explain why France voted for the more conservative candidate? How in the world did that happen?

    Comment by valiant venus — May 8, 2007 @ 1:31 pm
    #

    The conservative party has been in power in France for 12 years. Nothing has changed. What do you think of Sarkozy’s statement that the US should lead the fight on global warming?


  61. Heyzeus Says:

    #56…..
    wild night after the queens dinner party, maf54?


  62. valiant venus Says:

    Sponge Cake - I had NOTHING to do with the French election - but I’m sure the ACLU will be hot-jetting over to defend the “misunderstood” rioters of the Socialist constituency….

    ChrisL - when you get a moment, you might note the violence, which had ratcheted upwards, is less frequent. Unfortunately, murdering K*ranimals go for the most muder for the buck - and the victims include the innocent as well as military personnel. But how about those arrests re: those radical Islamists planning an attack on East Coast military installations….And your side has a hard time identifying and condemning the enemy because……?

    Toooodles…


  63. GSD Says:

    Why oh why would anyone in the Middle East get the notion that the US plan was to simply occupy Iraq?

    -GSD


  64. Spudge_Boy Says:

    That’s it. I’m done carrying the water.

    Today is the day when I hate everything. I’m friggin’ broken and bruised decayed to the core. Long time ago I tried to believe and be just like you, but lost all my faith. Found a new faith, tried to save a small part of me, but the layers of hate dismembered me. Now despise all of you.

    My damaged skin is wearing thin.

    Comment by MAF54 — May 8, 2007 @ 1:37 pm

    Is this chapter one of your pedophiles manifesto?


  65. Commons3nse Says:

    Since the atmosphere in Washington is reaching Katrina levels for the administration, Rice wanted to get outta town to buy hip-boots (for her testimony) and see the new play opening in Baghdad:

    Saddam-A-Lot

    *rimshot*
    (thankyewthankyewI’llbehereallweek…)


  66. GSD Says:

    Valiant Douche Water,

    Why are the Republicans and Conservatives always talking about Iraqis as “ragheads”? You know like Coulter?

    Find a better spin point.

    -GSD


  67. pgw Says:

    condi, today:

    “We are not going to leave an Iraq that is not capable of defending itself ”

    bush, sept./oct. 2004:

    “We’ve got 100,000 [troops] trained now, 125,000 by the end of this year, over 200,000 by the end of next year.”


  68. suexian Says:

    We’re building PERMANENT bases in Iraq. We’re not leaving. We ‘need’ the oil.


  69. Chris L Says:

    Comment by valiantthehater — May 8, 2007 @ 1:38 pm

    So, what is the Republican plan for Iraq? details…

    furthermore, what is the Republican Plan for Iraq, to never leave Iraq because Iraq will turn into a humanitarian disaster?

    will Republicans demand that we stay in Iraq forever , but continue to ignore Darfur?

    why are Republicans racist towards Darfur? why do they want to help people from Iraq, but not Darfur?

    why do Republicans want to help children from Iraq, but not the children of Darfur?

    why are Republicans such great racists?

    Why do the states with the lowest education always vote republican?


  70. barfly Says:

    why are Liberals such great racists?

    Comment by valiantthehater

    You guys armed both sides of the Iran/Iraq war, and then used the dead as political props. You have no credibility to speak of the dead of Darfur, or Iraq.

    Liberals are racists?

    Republicans fought against American civil rights reforms tooth and nail, saying that blacks didn’t need help overcoming past wrongs — but now, you guys suddenly embrace the same affirmative action for Iraqis. Do you now think it’s also a good idea for America’s blacks? Or are you just a hypocrite?


  71. Commons3nse Says:

    So, what is the Democratic plan for Iraq? details…

    furthermore, what is the Democratic Plan for Iraq, if we leave Iraq and then Iraq turns into a humanitarian disaster?

    will Liberals demand that we go back into Iraq like they are demanding that we go into Darfur?…HeeHaw,HeeHaw…Comment by valiantthehater — May 8, 2007 @ 1:38 pm

    Why do Neoclods always float this garbage? “Hey daddy, I totaled the car then set it on fire, now, what’s your plan to drive it home?? Huh?…What?? What’s your plan??”

    Oy…


  72. Evil Spaniard Says:

    Not Canadian - A bit off topic, but can anyone explain why France voted for the more conservative candidate? How in the world did that happen?

    Comment by valiant venus — May 8, 2007 @ 1:31 pm
    #

    The conservative party has been in power in France for 12 years. Nothing has changed. What do you think of Sarkozy’s statement that the US should lead the fight on global warming?

    Comment by Chris L — May 8, 2007 @ 1:40 pm

    Is what I was trying to explain this morning in another thread: being a rightist, nothing makes Sarkozy a USA Republican. VV’s is stupid ethnocentrism. And being ‘conservative’ and ‘nationalist’ doesn’t means that Sarkozy is an USA conservative or an USA nationalist.

    Part of the pride of the french right is being self-sufficient. Hence the origin of the word ‘chauvinism’.

    But hey, don’t burst the VV’s little bubble dream of world’s USA Republican dominance. It helps she sleep tight, with all those fears of muslim and liberal baddies coming after her.


  73. RUCerious Says:

    “No, we’re looking for a strategy that is going to do what we went there to do, which is to help the Iraqis create a more stable environment, lay a foundation for democracy and national reconciliation to evolve in Iraq, and to leave an Iraq or to have an Iraq that is able to defend itself and secure itself.”

    Well good luck with that search for the strategy.
    Without the social foundation of dedication to the principles of fairness, respect for minority rights, and the absolute discipline to solve political differences at the ballot box, democracy is a pipe dream.
    You think people who had PHDs would freakin know this.


  74. Marie Says:

    She says we are not leaving - the Pentagon tells 35,000 more toops to preare for the fall in Iraq.
    Repugs are going down and they are going down big - but what about the meantime — more deaths, more destruction, more people hating us, more money down the drain — and Bush wants to stay there forever — tell me again this was never about oil in the first place.
    Who would believe that?
    They have revealed themselves to us from the start, but some chose to not see what was before their eyes - can they still continue to deny this blatant admission of their plan to stay in Iraq forever?


  75. pgw Says:

    “Republicans fought against American civil rights reforms tooth and nail,”

    should be ‘fight’, not ‘fought’


  76. Tom Says:

    Patrick1 is a terrorist sympathizer. Even worse, he is plotting with the terrorists to keep our troops in harms way. Patrick1 is a traitor to this country and should be hung for it.

    Comment by Spudge_Boy

    Absolutely correct. He is a traitor to his nation and the Constitution. He has no business even describing himself as an American anymore. He is part of the last throes (28% er’s) who want to make Bush into their King. As to why he wants that, only Patrick1’s therapist can explain that to us.


  77. valiant venus Says:

    #52 - Sponge Cake - To answer your question - Because of troop concentrations and the impetus of Iraqi military. (That wasn’t too complicated for you, was it.)

    BluePUP - The Europeans don’t loathe Muslim immigrants - they loathe radical K*ranimals. (We plan to let each Progressive, offended by heightened security interest of radical Islamists, the opportunity to participate in the “Adopt a Muslim extremist” program. No doubt, your “peace and conciliation” attitude toward all people (EXCEPT CONSERVATIVES) will win many “converts”. )

    Tooodles…..


  78. SouthWest Bob Says:

    The only plan bushco had was to control the oil fields and build a big ass compound to spy on all the middle eastern countries. They have done it so talking about an exit plan is a joke.


  79. Vinnie Says:

    Our plan was to occupy and control Iraq for as long as possible. Condi is basically affirming this policy. Our ‘exit strategy’ is so muddled because we never had one. They were hoping the war would go better so the long-term occupation would be more palatable to Americans and the rest of the world. Now that it’s gone to hell, they really don’t care. Their plan is still the same - keep the troops in Iraq, get the Iraq oil law signed, and start pumping out the oil so that Exxon and other American oil companies can make oodles off of the easy to get Iraqi oil.

    Yes, it’s that simple!!


  80. klyde Says:

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/ wp-dyn/ content/ article/ 2007/ 05/ 08/ AR2007050800465.html?hpid=topnews

    According to the documents, U.S. authorities were alerted to the group’s existence by a video store employee, who said a man had brought in a recording of 10 young men shooting assault weapons and shouting jihadist slogans. The man asked for the videotape to be copied onto a DVD, the charging documents said.

    Are people really this stupid? I mean other than the wingnuts on this blog.


  81. Rocks911 Says:

    We won’t leave until the multinational oil corporations are sure it’s safe to rape the populace without significant consequence. In other words a long time. Thanks G.I. for clearing the way for enormous future profits, how about we throw you a bone…literally to replace the one that was blown off.

    Republic66ans are evil.


  82. Buck Fush Says:

    You hear that, you 70% of Iraqis that want us to stop occupying your country, we’re not going to leave ever, we want your OIL and we want it NOW.
    Bush doesn’t care how many of you he has to kill, his pals need that OIL to make lots of cash.

    Hating the Repukian Mafia daily…and you still suck a$$ Patti 1″


  83. Shane Says:

    Comment by valiant venus — May 8, 2007 @ 1:31 pm

    Because you are a stupid fu*k.

    Comment by Spudge_Boy — May 8, 2007 @ 1:33 pm

    Perfect reply, brief and to the point. I’m not sure habitual trolls need 3 chances to prove their worthiness for discussion as mentioned on another thread.


  84. Bluedog49 Says:

    Hater: “why are Liberals such great racists?”

    Why do conservatives project?


  85. margaret Says:

    “furthermore, what is the Democratic Plan for Iraq, if we leave Iraq and then Iraq turns into a humanitarian disaster?”

    By that you mean Iraq isn’t a humanitarian disaster already? Gimme a break.

    Americans will be paying for this debacle for decades to come, at the very least, but our suffering is nothing compared to the Iraqis.


  86. Shane Says:

    As a black man, I want you to know Condi, you make me sick. Damn you and your sorry ass parents, may they burn in hell. I can’t way to see you on c-span, the lies are over.

    Comment by Fred Espy — May 8, 2007 @ 1:34 pm

    Just so you know Fred, she is as big a disappointment to women. We’re all in this together.


  87. valiant venus Says:

    Chris L. - He’s French - he is supposed to want the US to fall by the wayside. Like environmental hypocrite Al Gore, Euro environwacks are not interested in curbing green house gases - it’s about POWER.
    (Note to Al Gore - IF YOU WANT PEOPLE TO BELIEVE YOU REAAAALLLLY ARE CONCERNED WITH THE ENVIRONMENT - USE LESS E-N-E-R-G-Y. THE CARBON OFFSETS PURCHASES DON’T IMPACT YOU.

    ’til later, dear Progs…..


  88. Vinnie Says:

    furthermore, what is the Democratic Plan for Iraq, if we leave Iraq and then Iraq turns into a humanitarian disaster?

    Comment by valiantthehater — May 8, 2007 @ 1:38 pm

    Iraq is ALREADY a humanitarian disaster!! Does it not bother you that it is a disaster that was wholely created by a misguided war effort? Your mind is so small, violent and full of hate that the only solution you can see for Iraq is to send more American soldiers. In case you haven’t noticed, we have been trying that for the last four years and the country is a f*cking mess!! How do you explain that?!?!

    Our best intelligence has said repeatedly - THERE WAS NO TERRORIST THREAT FROM IRAQ PRIOR TO OUR INVASION AND OCCUPATION OF THE COUNTRY!!! If there is a terrorist threat now, then it is the result of our invasion.


  89. Shane Says:

    why do Liberals want to help children from Darfur, but not the children of Iraq?

    why are Liberals such great racists?

    Comment by valiantthehater — May 8, 2007 @ 1:38 pm

    We’ll we’re there and Iraq has the highest rate of mortality for children in the world. Getting them killed is helping them how?


  90. po Says:

    Here’s what happens when we leave . . . the UN goes in along with Iraq’s neighbors and you get the Palestinian occupied territories scenario. Enjoy. Civil war, hunger, depravity like none imaginable. Just like we have now. Perhaps on a larger scale, perhaps not. But, there will be one major difference, American troops will not be targets. Our presence will not be viewed as occupation. Our actions might start to match our words.

    So, what’s the Right’s plan for Iraq if the Surge fails? Specifics, please.


  91. Vinnie Says:

    So, what’s the Right’s plan for Iraq if the Surge fails? Specifics, please.

    Comment by po — May 8, 2007 @ 1:58 pm

    Come on! That’s an easy one. We surge ‘once’ more.


  92. Hector Garcia Says:

    F*ckin schizofrenic piece of sc*m.I would puke on her 1000 times.


  93. VerbalKint Says:

    Why, thank the stars above, Patrick! It looks like we’ll be bleeding in the sands of Iraq forever.

    /sarcasm off


  94. Innocent Bystander Says:

    “The Iraqi government is going on vacation, and the oil contracts aren’t signed. Bush has to stall.”

    Exactly….this might be the only thing that actually unites the Iraqi’s…they all lose if this law is enacted. I suspect that they might stay on vacation until January of 2009. Anyways, we’ll never get their oil under the terms of this law…they’ll destroy their pipelines and transfer stations before they let us legally steal it.


  95. PatrioticLiberalChristian(PLC) Says:

    Shane #82

    I was being courteous, that’s all. To extend the analogy, though, I suppose one of the troll’s posts could be “foul” and once caught in our collaborative mitts, the said troll can be benched immediately.


  96. valiant venus Says:

    #85 - Dear Shane - Condoleeza Rice is not a “disappointment” to conservative women.

    Mr. Espy - Maybe you damn to hell the parents out there who do not encourage their children to excel in school, buy their children clothes SO large that said clothes can double as a tent and support vicious rap “starz”. How sad that you expect people to think like you and 90% of black voters. The Dem Party, which has controlled America’s largest cities for decades, have done little or nothing for their black constituency. But they EXPECT you to vote for them because….you always have. How sad.


  97. RBee Says:

    It was obvious to most of the world then, and obvious to all but the most devoted fools now:
    * Reason one-Production Sharing Agreement
    * Reason two–Status of Forces Agreement
    The fantasy of permanent bases on top of huge oil deposits was more than the Republicons could resist. Who knew that the oil would be cheaper to buy than to steal?

    Folks, we are all criminals for letting this go on. Start-up the Draft, it’s the only thing that will keep us honest. The mercenary military is too easy to use for evil purposes.


  98. LouMar Says:

    Big Dick in trouble?

    Cheney’s name is on DC Madam’s list, according to today’s Wayne Masden Report. WMR says White House came down heavy on ABC to muffle the news.


  99. drew_ill Says:

    Iraqis: ‘Iraqis Need To Know That We Are Looking To Leave Iraq’


  100. Spudge_Boy Says:

    #52 - Sponge Cake - To answer your question - Because of troop concentrations and the impetus of Iraqi military. (That wasn’t too complicated for you, was it.)

    Nothing complicated about your answer. So, you should have said “Was that enough bullsh!t for you?” Because that’s all you posted. More troll bullsh!t that isn’t based in reality. You would know that if you had any military experience. But you don’t just like all of your troll brethren.


  101. pgw Says:

    “Condoleeza Rice is not a “disappointment” to conservative women.”

    i guess not:

    “Chevron, the second-largest American oil company, is preparing to acknowledge that it should have known kickbacks were being paid to Saddam Hussein on oil it bought from Iraq as part of a defunct United Nations program, according to investigators. … At the time, Condoleezza Rice, now secretary of state, was a member of Chevron’s board and led its public policy committee, which oversaw areas of potential political concerns for the company. Ms. Rice resigned from Chevron’s board on Jan. 16, 2001, after being named national security advisor by President Bush.”


  102. mind Says:

    My ideal plan for Iraq (as a libertarian) is to pull all of our troops out post haste, impeach Bush+Cheney+the rest of the administration who lied to the American people and disobeyed the law, and extradite them to Iraq or the UN to be tried for starting an aggressive war. They can go down in history as being responsible for all of the deaths in Iraq.

    Furthermore, I wouldn’t mind seeing some kind of system where every US international action would have to be voted on by the population. Those who voted for it would be considered financially liable for damage resulting from it. Why should the people who were at war protests before we even invaded the sovereign country be responsible for cleaning up the predictable mess that was created? Let the people who thought that being vaguely safer somehow justified attacking another country bear the responsibility for the aftermath.


  103. LouMar Says:

    Dick Cheney’s on DC Madam’s list, according to today’s Wayne Masden Report. The White House came down hard on ABC to muffle the news, he claims. Could get interesting if one the big papers decides to check it out.


  104. Bluedog49 Says:

    Valiant Venus, you posed a legitimate question. I responded with a civil, legitmate answer. Then, you responded with a catty, childish attack on liberals. Evidently, it is useless for liberals such as myself to give you the courtesy of responding to your posts in a civil manner. Was that the purpose of your response? To remind me that it’s useless to try to engage you? If it was, then you accomplished your objective. Congrats!


  105. margaret Says:

    Folks, we are all criminals for letting this go on. Start-up the Draft, it’s the only thing that will keep us honest. The mercenary military is too easy to use for evil purposes.

    Comment by RBee — May 8, 2007 @ 2:04 pm

    I’m not so sure about this draft idea. Maybe I’m too cynical but it seems to me that the rich and/or connected children of this country will either find a way out or be posted to safer areas like the green zone.


  106. Art Says:

    “as the President said to you, we’re focused on having it happen.”

    It sounds like the President has read “The Secret”.
    I think I’d rather he have an astrologer.


  107. Spudge_Boy Says:

    Absolutely correct. He is a traitor to his nation and the Constitution. He has no business even describing himself as an American anymore. He is part of the last throes (28% er’s) who want to make Bush into their King. As to why he wants that, only Patrick1’s therapist can explain that to us.

    Comment by Tom — May 8, 2007 @ 1:50 pm

    Tom,

    Have you ever seen the movie Blade or watched any vampire movies?

    There is a sect of humans that worship their vampire masters. They want to be turned into vampires, so they will have immortality. The vampires use these humans to do their bidding. The humans are pretty much slaves until they are turned, which they aren’t always.

    These trolls are the republicans slaves to do their bidding. The trolls hope to be picked up out of their wretched existence by their neo con masters.


  108. ponte Says:

    fourth largest proven oil reserves in the world, baby. We’re staying!

    Condi knows from her Chevron days.


  109. Arne Langsetmo Says:

    “There is no ‘Plan B’….”

    Into the valley of death rode the six hundred … uhhh, make that thirty three hundred (and counting).


  110. Spudge_Boy Says:

    Cheney’s name is on DC Madam’s list, according to today’s Wayne Masden Report. WMR says White House came down heavy on ABC to muffle the news.

    Comment by LouMar — May 8, 2007 @ 2:05 pm

    That makes sense. Who the heck would fu*k Cheney for free? His lesbian wife?


  111. Bluedog49 Says:

    margaret: “Maybe I’m too cynical but it seems to me that the rich and/or connected children of this country will either find a way out or be posted to safer areas like the green zone.”

    Yes, but at least we’d get some of the wealthy and powerful taking part. Remember, in Viet Nam, people like Kerry and Gore joined up because they didn’t want another member of their community to be forced to go in their place.


  112. ponte Says:

    The trolls hope to be picked up out of their wretched existence by their neo con masters.

    Those trolls are gonna be sorely disappointed when the indictments start.


  113. Buck Fush Says:

    Crap, VALIANT DOUCHE BAG, you are just as stupid and ignorant as yesterday, you never learn do you.
    And quit with the, “This is what Libs think crap.” it is obvious that you don’t know Jack Sh*t about what Libs think from you dumb a$$ posts, bite my bottom you scum sucking bottom feeder.

    Hating Valiant Douche Bag and Patti 1″ and the pervert daily.


  114. Hedley Lamarr Says:

    We MUST make sure that this effing war ends before 2008!


  115. Fred Espy Says:

    To you guys, that commented on my post, thank you. To bluedog, Condi,s father was John Rice if I remember right. He was a preacher in Bham, that was not involved in the civil rights movement. He ran to Denver, damn him to hell. To the lady that commented, you get my point, it is time for Condi to stop lying, people are dying behind her lies. And to you small penis, I don’t need your approval of how I choose to vote. The repug party to me is a party of racist, I think that black people have gotten it right on the repug party. I just voted here in Indy today for the dem party, without any thought of how I was voting. I have never voted for a repug, I think you guys are cowards and I know you are racist. I am 50 years old this month, guess what I don’t listen to rap music, did you think all black people listen to rap music. But i do believe in free speech, to include Don Imus’s right to free speech. How many of those parents you mention have caused the death of anyone. Bush lied people are dying. Stop the lies and the dying will end. Comment on that you dumb fucker.


  116. valiant venus Says:

    BluePUP - I gave you a very honest answer. The only religion most humanist Progs defend is the Muslim relgion. Many can’t stand the social constraints of Christianity or Judaism - Who knew? (Isn’t it amusing that people who do NOT have a counterargument respond with “Project much?” Talk about muddying the water….)

    Back later….for more fun and games…..


  117. po Says:

    I’m still waiting for Valiant and patrick to let me know wha the Right’s plan is for Iraq when the Surge fails? What is your Plan B. Cuz me and som eof my ilk think it’s LONG OVER DUE for y’all to be thinking about Plan B. That’s why God gave you that brain. While it looks like a sponge, it has some amazing other characteristics. Use it. And let me know your plan


  118. www.themusicvids.com Says:

    Ntz… Condi is swimming in some wild waters with this.

    guess what.. the iraqis wont understand at all. instead they will get more angry at us troops. => neverending insurgency


  119. PatrioticLiberalChristian(PLC) Says:

    valiant venus

    Your constant STEREOTYPING and LIES about the religious beliefs of progressives adds nothing to the discourse at TP and is insulting. I, for one, remember defending YOU (during your Mighty Aphrodite fake bio-building days) against a progressive regarding your alleged Jewish background. You repaid me by later questioning and demeaning MY faith. The true social constraints of MY Christianity are to keep MYSELF connected to God and to treat others honestly, fairly, and respectfully. YOU, on the other hand, condone oppression on the basis of religious beliefs.

    Too dull (s)


  120. Saywho Says:

    Her head tilt is a dead giveaway that she is being deceptive! She was able to change from a question & answer session to preaching through filibustering. These are the talents needed to be a politician these days apparently. Done and gone are the days of honesty.


  121. Bluedog49 Says:

    VV: “The only religion most humanist Progs defend is the Muslim relgion. Many can’t stand the social constraints of Christianity or Judaism - Who knew?”

    Where on earth did you get this nonsense. Did you pull it out of your dark place? Most American Jews refer to themselves as liberals and there is a long tradition of progressive ideas among christians. I would point you to the Book of Matthew. Take the liberal ideas out of Matthew and there’s almost nothing left in there. Do you just make this stuff up as you go?


  122. FunMe Says:

    CONDI … what a piece of BASURA (trash)!

    What would her mother think?

    Dispicable “human” beings come in all colors it now appears.


  123. Gregor Samsa Says:

    Do you just make this stuff up as you go?
    Comment by Bluedog49 — May 8, 2007 @ 2:37 pm

    Er… yes.

    But Varmint Venous is not even good at that either.

    On topic,

    Rice’s statement “Charlie, because as the President said to you, we’re focused on having it happen”, says it all. This administration really do think they can alter reality by wishing it.


  124. sconset117@yahoo.com Says:

    I watched about 15 minutes of Charlie Rose last night and I thought my head would explode. This woman is not qualified nor is she capable enough to be SOS.

    She flits around the world on these trips, stays for a short visit and then leaves. Her position is to sit down and talk to and negotiate with those with whom we have differing opinions. She should also stay for as long as it takes. I have come to the conclusion that this administration has no interest in world peace because if it did the results would not be stagnant.

    She lied throughout the interview.

    To Patrick and Prince Valiant–vanish until you can participate on this site with some insight and intelligence. Until such time, do the rest of us a favor and disappear–you bring nothing to the discussion at hand.


  125. Keith H. Says:

    Shut yer pie-hole candy and prepare for prison when
    you are proven to be a federal offender after Waxman
    grills your lying war-pig a#s.


  126. Brooklyn Girl Says:

    And in the meantime, there aren’t enough National Guard troops and equipment in Kansas to help the victims of the tornado.


  127. erock Says:

    I understand that many of the trolls argue in favor of staying in Iraq based on the notion that when we leave many Iraqis will be killed in the ensuing civil war. Can one of them please tell me why they think staying an addition 1,2,5… years will prevent this?


  128. Shane Says:

    Condoleeza Rice is not a “disappointment” to conservative women.
    Comment by valiant venus — May 8, 2007 @ 2:04 pm

    She should be. Not all conservative women think like you. She has failed to impress anybody except Bush. I guess you and Condi are praying at the same altar so YOU respect her. Now all you need is somebody to respect you.

    By the way, nice racist rant shit for brains.


  129. Gunner Says:

    “I’m going to jump off this building and fly.”

    “You know, it’s pretty much impossible that you’re going to fly.”

    “I fully belive that I will successully fly.”

    “Um…what do you plan on doing if you can’t actually fly?”

    “I plan to make flying work, of course!”


  130. Vinnie Says:

    #115 - Good point!! The whole premise of Condi’s speech is that the Iraqis want us to be there. From what I’ve read, most of them view their current situation as OUR fault. (And given how incompetently the occupation has been conducted, who can blame them?)

    The continuing lie will be that we are there to help THEM out. (You can see this in Valiant’s rants.) If we cared more about them we would have made sure that the billions spent on reconstructions weren’t pissed away. As another poster put it, we want our soldiers on top of their oil. It’s Cheney’s wet dream.


  131. Dave E. Says:

    I’m not so sure about this draft idea. Maybe I’m too cynical but it seems to me that the rich and/or connected children of this country will either find a way out or be posted to safer areas like the green zone.

    Comment by margaret

    Actually, Israel has the right idea for this but the politicians will have to leave the loopholes out of the bill. Make universal service mandatory for ALL out of HS with documented exceptions for family hardship.

    And, I would guarantee it, support for this will dry up as soon as EVERYONE has a dog in this fight. (and future, similar, fights, I might add.)


  132. Vinnie Says:

    I’m still waiting for Valiant and patrick to let me know wha the Right’s plan is for Iraq when the Surge fails? What is your Plan B. Cuz me and som eof my ilk think it’s LONG OVER DUE for y’all to be thinking about Plan B. That’s why God gave you that brain. While it looks like a sponge, it has some amazing other characteristics. Use it. And let me know your plan

    Comment by po — May 8, 2007 @ 2:30 pm

    I understand that many of the trolls argue in favor of staying in Iraq based on the notion that when we leave many Iraqis will be killed in the ensuing civil war. Can one of them please tell me why they think staying an addition 1,2,5… years will prevent this?

    Comment by erock — May 8, 2007 @ 2:53 pm

    IMHO, we need to pepper the trolls with these kinds of questions. Just like our president, they have no valid replies and go only go off on tangential attacks.


  133. Joel Says:

    Whether it IS a long-term commitment or not (nevermind that we were promised a SHORT war and little cost…HA!) is no excuse for not having an exit strategy.


  134. Bewilderbeast Says:

    “I’m going to jump off this building and fly.”
    Comment by Gunner — May 8, 2007 @ 2:54 pm

    I think you’d have better luck throwing yourself at the ground and missing.


  135. MysteriousTraveler Says:

    Rachel Maddow told a story yesterday on her show about Condi getting up after a light-skinned black woman had spoken about her opposition to some stuff she wanted to do as provost at Stanford. Condi said to the audience “can’t no white woman tell me what to do.”

    Condi in a nutshell.


  136. Sg1234 Says:

    WTF?


  137. Commons3nse Says:

    “I plan to make flying work, of course!”

    Comment by Gunner — May 8, 2007 @ 2:54 pm

    Heh, but the shorter version of Bush’s stragedy, if I may:

    I plan to jump off the cliff, but I’ve decided hitting the ground is not an option….


  138. Greup Says:

    “Charlie, because as the President said to you, we’re focused on having it happen.”

    That reference scares me. To me its the same kind of personality cult thinking thats the norm in dictatorships.

    No matter what the facts are, no matter what reality shows to be true, if the great leader says something you should shut up and accept his words as the only truth you need to know.


  139. margaret Says:

    “Actually, Israel has the right idea for this but the politicians will have to leave the loopholes out of the bill. Make universal service mandatory for ALL out of HS with documented exceptions for family hardship.”

    Comment by Dave E. — May 8, 2007 @ 3:03 pm

    I completely agree to NO loopholes but I’m still uneasy.

    It feels as though we’re playing into their hands somehow. All those neocons over at the American Enterprise Inst. that have so much influence on our government are really pushing to to increase the size of the military so that we can “respond” to all the threats they see out there.


  140. DjW Says:

    Rice answered, “No, we’re looking for a strategy that is going to do what we went there to do.”

    $#&#@&*(%#(#%^#@*%^#+_@%%$#%&#@***!!?!?!?!? And “what we went there to do” is… what, non-operational now? Finding WMDs? Removing Saddam Hussein? Spreading Democracy?

    Oh, the horrors of watching Condi spout the party line of the hour. It ain’t a pretty sight, but it sure is an ugly one.


  141. Squidbilly Says:

    There is no Plan B except for the comming Democrat Bashing and Blaming campaign.

    Sad.


  142. Juan C Says:

    PIECE OF SHIT.


  143. margaret Says:

    There is no Plan B except for the comming Democrat Bashing and Blaming campaign.

    Sad.

    Comment by Squidbilly — May 8, 2007 @ 3:43 pm

    The squidman is right! I foresee much blaming of the Democrats in the future! I’m sure they’ve already got their, “It’s the Democrats fault!!” talking points all prepared.

    Oh that a staffer with a conscience leaked THAT memo to the press!


  144. c4logic Says:

    It’s all about oil. We will never leave.

    It doesn’t matter how many Iraqis die. It doesn’t matter how many Americans die. It doesn’t matter how many Americans lose their minds.

    We will never leave Iraq. They have built huge concrete fortresses.
    We will never leave.

    We should…but we won’t.


  145. Dave E. Says:

    “I completely agree to NO loopholes but I’m still uneasy.

    It feels as though we’re playing into their hands somehow. All those neocons over at the American Enterprise Inst. that have so much influence on our government are really pushing to to increase the size of the military so that we can “respond” to all the threats they see out there.”
    Comment by margaret

    I have three sons, all HS age. I know what you’re saying . . . given their track record, what the Congressional membership say they will do and what actually gets passed may be two different things. Sad when you can’t really trust your representative in Congress to be just that - representative of all. It has to be passed at a time when the public will not stand for any loop-holes - after the next election, maybe?


  146. feckless Says:

    Draft or Leave.


  147. Alejandro Says:

    “We are not going to leave an Iraq that is not capable of defending itself and with a foundation for future reconciliation.”

    Translation: When the Iraqis kick our asses out of their country for good, then we’ll leave.


  148. Alejandro Says:

    #

    What is the exact mission?

    Comment by Edward — May 8, 2007 @ 1:00 pm

    Keep the oil flowing.

    NO METERS!!!

    How much oil has been pumped out of Iraq?
    NO ONE KNOWS.


  149. margaret Says:

    Dave E. - good luck with those sons of yours! Are they militarily-inclined? Maybe it would help if you steered them into some specialty that could keep them out of harm’s way just in case?


  150. Dave E. Says:

    “Draft or Leave.”

    Comment by feckless

    I agree. I think that we’ll be out sooner rather than later. The draft will just serve to inhibit our involvement in future little “adventures” such as this.

    No matter how “hawk-ish” you may be on a war, having one of your own (or a friend’s child) in harm’s way does put a different perspective on things.

    And, by NO exceptions, I think the hawks at the AEI should be over there too, not as intel analysts behind the lines, but as rifle-carrying participants. Diving for cover might make them think a little differently. War wouldn’t be just a video game or theoretical any more.


  151. Merlin Says:

    #17 Comment by po — May 8, 2007 @ 1:03 pm

    “Too bad they don’t really know what they set out to do when they went there.”

    Do you really believe this?
    Good grief, man. Of course they knew, and they still do today. Their philosophy and mission has never wavered one iota.The short term mission was to control Iraq and then to watch the ME dominos fall (in the “arc of instability, as they call it.) Their medium range goal is complete control of the ME and all the energy resources there. The long range goal is world domination. That is why we are not getting out of Iraq! It is the critical first step in their plan and it can’t fail or they are dead in the water.

    This is not a conspiracy theory. Listen to what they say, (like both Bush and Rice on C. Rose,) in the big picture.

    That is why Rice is such a horrible person along with this cabal of neocons. Look into their Straussian neocon history and everything they say and do, then and now, fits in like pieces of a puzzle.


  152. Dave E. Says:

    “Dave E. - good luck with those sons of yours! Are they militarily-inclined? Maybe it would help if you steered them into some specialty that could keep them out of harm’s way just in case?”

    Comment by margaret

    No - both my brother and I spent 20+ years in the AF - Vietnam-era. At one point, I might have steered them in that direction, but with this idiocy ongoing, I would not right now. I have no problem with their serving for the right reason (and as as long as all are asked to sacrifice equally). That’s the problem right now. We have enough of the right age to do whatever we need to do, but have never asked that they step up. This war is being fought in a way that the “elite” are do not have to give much of anything (unless they REALLY want to, but even then, it’s up to them).


  153. Arlington Acid Says:

    We won’t leave until the supertanker “Condi Rice” is steaming away with the last of Iraq’s oil, en route to China.


  154. Mr. President Says:

    But nobody can answer the question, “If it doesn’t happen, what?”

    What an epiphany!!


  155. Merlin Says:

    Continuing from my post from #146

    Answer these questions (and more) and the big picture that BushCo is painting comes clear.

    Why is BushCo building permanent bases in Iraq?
    Why has BushCo constructed the largest embasy in the world in Iraq?
    Why did BushCo have Bremmer write the laws that are today governing Iraq?
    Why is BushCo threatening Iran and talking tough on Syria?
    Why was Bolton put in as ambassador to the UN?
    Why was Wolfowitz put in as the world Bank president?
    Why did BushCo promote the Isreali invasion of Lebanon?
    Why was Powell pushed out?
    What is the surge really about?
    Why can’t BushCo “see” the error of their way?
    Why is there no Plan B?

    And there are a lot more questions you could ask. Each one worthy of an essay to explain the connection to the big picture (which, by the way is really called PLAN A). Plan A really exists and is faithfully being carried out as all the events over the last 6 years have shown. Look at Plan A! It is huge and its terrible.

    Nothing that is happening is stupid, happenstance or done out of ignorance. Plan A was conceived and first put into action back in the Nixon Administration by the same crazies that are in power today. Happily for us and the world, Plan A has been carried out very badly, (thanks for small favors) and that is why it is going down.


  156. benj Says:

    Condolleezza Rice is a genuinely dumb human being.


  157. margaret Says:

    “I have no problem with their serving for the right reason”

    Comment by Dave E. — May 8, 2007 @ 4:09 pm

    And that is the crux of the matter isn’t it? If Iraq was a true threat to the U.S. that would have been a whole ‘nother matter now wouldn’t it? Do your sons buy the line that we need to ‘nuke Iran’ or any of the nonsense about Iran being an imminent threat?


  158. valiant venus Says:

    So Dave - you don’t believe in an all volunteer armed service?

    BluePuP Any expression in non-parochial schools by Christians or Jews result in the ACLU threat of a lawsuit - but if Muslim “children” request a “prayer room”, the accommodation of their religion is defended on the basis of “diversity”. I do wish the moderate Muslim community would stand up to the radical hijackers of their religion.

    Re: your assertion about Jews. Many Jews are very liberal, but for the first time in contemporary history more than a handful of Jews vote for Repubs due to the anti-Israel stance of many progressives. I admire the Book of Matthew. So what do you do with the rest of your Bible - cut, paste, and BURN?


  159. Lee Says:

    Sure, we have no intention of leaving Iraq……

    Until we’ve obtained every last drop of oil under the Iraqi desert. Then (and only then), we’ll be like a sheepherder and get the flock out of there.

    My best wishes to the troops stuck in Iraq, due to a buckaroo-minded, spoiled brat, horrible excuse of a p(r)esident. Grant at his most drunken state has nothing on Dubya.


  160. Mr. President Says:

    Why is BushCo building permanent bases in Iraq?

    For permenant Iraqi security

    Why has BushCo constructed the largest embasy in the world in Iraq?

    an embassy??? is he??? well, that would mean, he was plotting to have an on going international relationship!!! how dare he!!!

    Why did BushCo have Bremmer write the laws that are today governing Iraq?

    Look, you can’t just give a bunch of out of control, violent, people free reign. They have to be deserving of freedom and independence, this is at the heart ofthe issue, and it is why we have not left yet.

    Why is BushCo threatening Iran and talking tough on Syria?

    Because their shady, and what’s his face in Iran is a koran-thumping nutjob

    Why was Bolton put in as ambassador to the UN?

    He was qualified for the job

    Why was Wolfowitz put in as the world Bank president?

    ditto, stop asking stupid questions

    Why did BushCo promote the Isreali invasion of Lebanon?

    Israel has a right to defend their freedom, we support that, stop asking stupid questions

    Your last questions are, in fact, “begging the question”. You should take a long walk in the woods, clear your head, try to relax… sober up, maybe? - then think real hard before you open your mouth


  161. Mr. President Says:

    Merlin, are you really jimbo dude???

    come on…


  162. Merlin Says:

    Mr President
    Our sweet trollie is here again. And with more of its useless tripe. Back, I say, back, back to the “West Hollywood all male gym” with you, obnoxious pest. Trolls are like cockroaches, The more you skoosh the more new ones arrive. But watch out, prez, “Troll Hunter, Private Eye” is on your case.


  163. Merlin Says:

    Last installment from # 46 and #50

    Plan A also includes the domestic front.

    Why the pressure to change the SCOTUS to a strongly conservative bench?
    Why the push to put hundreds of evangelical trained lawyers in the federal system?
    Why the wire tapping and skirting of FISA?
    Why the extensive use of fear BushCo has used since 911?
    Why the attempted destruction of Social Security?
    Why the changes leading to Attorneygate?
    Why the abandonment of New Orleans?
    Why the use of signing statements?
    Why the recess appointments of unapprovable candidates?

    The list of questions goes on and on.

    Looked at as individual incidents, you come up with answers like arrogance, petty power play, stupidity, incompetence, no compassion, petty partisan politics etc. But look for one, just one, idea or plan that includes all of them and there is only one answer. That answer is a real and thought out PLAN A, that BushCo will (and MUST) pursue to their bitter end.

    They have been telling us just that all along. There is only Plan A! Rice said it to a Senate Sub-committee. Iraq is not isolated. It is part of a much larger picture, she said (i.e. Plan A). (Sorry I can’t remember when this happened. Will try to track it down. Anybody remember that?) We just need to really pay attention, listen and look at the big picture.

    OK prez, go to it, write more of your tripe. I love reading your “intelligent” responses.
    BwaaaaHaaaaHaaaa


  164. Vino Says:

    She isn’t competent as a liar.


  165. Bluedog49 Says:

    By the way, there’s another thread today about the fact that Chevron knowingly took part in kickbacks to Saddam Hussein for oil. Rice was on the Chevron board when this was going on.


  166. Bjobotts Says:

    Doubt if anyone will ever read this comment but I am just so angry. Rice is lying, manipulating, self-serving embarrassment to this country. Bush charged right into an ambush and this slow escalation splurge keeps us in the shooting gallery. Rice does what she is told and her “royalty” attitude mocks justice as she runs from her subpoena. I’m disappointed in Rose for letting her get away with ‘not’ answering his questions but talking around them. He didn’t call her on her crap. What about ignoring Iran’s email offering support at the beginning of the occupation. Ignoring Iraq’s neighbors for 5yrs refusing to engage talks with them. “The speech was cleared…ladeda, ladeda” and Rose just sat there. She talked around the point rather than saying we’re staying in Iraq no matter what the Iraqis do until Bush is out of office. All those dead people meant nothing to her, her conscience is just one big rationalization. She should be barred from ever holding public office again. She should be jailed but nooo…she’ll probably teach and write books and never be held accountable for her treachery. She doesn’t deserve the respect Rose was showing her. I would have thrown up every time she said, “Now Charlie, Charlie…”. Her condescending attitude was sickening. She so deserves the fate she was responsible for bringing on so many Iraqis. How much longer must we endure this kind of ilk


  167. Merlin Says:

    #56 Comment by Mr. President