Petraeus: Escalation Not Done By September, 50-Year Iraq Presence A ‘Realistic Assessment’
Petraeus: Escalation Not Done By September, 50-Year Iraq Presence A ‘Realistic Assessment’
Today on Fox News Sunday, Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, agreed that lawmakers will be able to have a “reasonable and a realistic sense” of whether the escalation is “working or not working” by September. “I’ve said that all along. I started saying that back in January. I think we’ll have had by then our forces in the mix for a good several months.”
Later in the show, however, Petraeus admitted that he didn’t expect the “surge” to be done by September, the date set for Petraeus’ supposedly make-it or break-it report to Congress. Asked by host Chris Wallace whether he believed “the job would be done by the surge by September,” Petraeus responded, “I do not, no.” Watch it:
Asked in a follow up question if that meant “enhanced troop levels would continue for some months after that and into 2008,” Petraeus refused to answer. “Again, premature right now,” said Petraeus. “A number of options out there. And I’m not about to announce what we might do here today, I’m afraid.”
Petraeus then went on to endorse the “Korea model” for Iraq, which envisions keeping troops in the country for decades. “[T]ypically, I think historically, counterinsurgency operations have gone at least nine or ten years,” said Petraeus. “I think in general that that’s probably a fairly realistic assessment,” Petraeus said of the Korea comparison.
Transcript:
WALLACE: Let’s explore that. General Odierno, your number two, said this weekend that the Washington politicians need to give the surge more time. Do you think by September you’re going to “have a reasonable and a realistic sense of how the surge has gone, whether, in fact, it is working or not working?
PETRAEUS: I think we will have a sense of that, Chris. i’ve said that all along. I started saying that back in January. i think we’ll have had by then our forces in the mix for a good several months. We’ll have some sense of how we have done in these various sanctuaries that al Qaeda has had in the past that we are now entering for the first time in which we will endeavor to stay. we’ll have a sense of how we’ve done in some of these tough neighborhoods in Baghdad and how we are doing also, all of this in partnership with our Iraqi security force counterparts in Diyalla province and some of the other areas of the country. […]
WALLACE: There are reports that you and General Odierno would like the surge to continue until at least early 2008, that if it’s going to work, it needs to continue into early next year. is that true?
PETRAEUS: We’ve got a number of different options that we have looked at, Chris, and it really is premature at this point in time to try to prejudge that. again, i would suspect that late in the summer, early September, that we will provide some recommendations on the way ahead up our chain of command as well.
WALLACE: But you surely don’t think the job would be done by the surge by September, do you, sir?
PETRAEUS: I do not, no. I think that we have a lot of heavy lifting to do. The damage done by the sectarian violence in the fall and winter of 2006 and early 2007, as I mentioned, was substantial. And this is a tough effort.
WALLACE: So then it would be fair to assume that the enhanced troop levels would continue for some months after that and into 2008.
PETRAEUS: Chris, again, premature right now. A number of options out there. And not about to announce what we might do here today, I’m afraid. […]
WALLACE: Let me look out even further than that, General. Some administration officials have talked about needing to make and basically squaring with the American public saying, look, this is going to be a long-term commitment and comparing it to the situation in South Korea where we have had thousands of troops for decades. Do you see this to stabilize and achieve what we want in Iraq as that kind of a long-term commitment?
PETRAEUS: Well, I think the real question, Chris, is at what level. I think — I think just about everybody out there recognizes that a situation like this with the many, many challenges that Iraq is contending with is not one that’s going to be resolved in a year or even two years. in fact, typically, I think historically, counterinsurgency operations have gone at least nine or ten years. The question is, of course, at what level, how much will we have to continue to contribute during that time, how much more can the Iraqi security forces and the Iraqi government pick up as it goes along, and I think that’s the real question. And I’m not sure what the right analogy is, whether it’s Korea or what have you. I think all that the folks in Washington were trying to indicate by that was that there’s some possibility of some form of long-term security arrangement over time, and I think in general that that’s probably a fairly realistic assessment, assuming that the Iraqi government, in fact, does want that to continue and, of course, it is very much up to them and their sovereignty is paramount in all of this.
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92 Responses to “Petraeus: Escalation Not Done By September, 50-Year Iraq Presence A ‘Realistic Assessment’”
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Now why would Iraqis get the feeling that the US had invaded Iraq to become a permanant occupier?
Where would that belief come from?
-GSD
June 17th, 2007 at 11:22 amThat’s fine by me. It’s been more than 50 years since the Korean War. Anyone NOT on the “Ignore List” watch Tim Russert interview our Ambassador to Iraq this morning?
June 17th, 2007 at 11:22 amFor the record, 50 years is not “permanant”.
June 17th, 2007 at 11:23 amAnother “eternal war”….what a surprise?? Another total “blunder” for this country under Bush….what a shock??
June 17th, 2007 at 11:25 amWell he doesn’t sound very credible, does he?
June 17th, 2007 at 11:26 am50 years too long…..that’s what this will be! No question!!
June 17th, 2007 at 11:26 amThis “Korea model” will destroy the GOP.
Jake, you are an idiot, and it shows with every word you write.
June 17th, 2007 at 11:26 amThis country doesn’t have 50 years if it keeps it’s present pace. I’d say we’ll be fortunate to last through the remainder of King George’s “reign of terror”. Things are beginning to look pretty depressing with these Thugs in charge.
June 17th, 2007 at 11:27 amVerbalKint: “Jake” who??? I don’t see any posts from Jake on my special screen.
June 17th, 2007 at 11:27 amAlso, for the record, no one said the job would be done by the surge by September — they said we should know if the surge is working — good thing TP was not around for our own Revolutionary War. Noted historian, David McCullough has said he thinks we would have lost that war had today’s press been reporting in 1776.
June 17th, 2007 at 11:28 amI’ve got “instant troll obliteration” so all troll posts are automatically deleted. Got get yourself one today! Treat yourself to a “happy father’s day”.
June 17th, 2007 at 11:28 am50 years! How the Hell many Friedman units is that?
June 17th, 2007 at 11:29 amSo more lies, smoke & mirrors, and endless spin…..I’d rather spend the day in the pool myself. Ta ta, good folks at TP! Catch ya later!
June 17th, 2007 at 11:29 am“… And I’m not about to announce what we might do here today,
I’m afraid.â€
scares ME too…
June 17th, 2007 at 11:29 amLandSurveyor:
The clip above (from FoxNews no less) sounded credible to me. Was there something else that was not credible to you? Did you happen to catch “Meet the Press” this morning?
June 17th, 2007 at 11:30 amWe will certainly do anything for oil in this country. No matter how many American kids are killed and how many trillions of dollars are wasted, we’ll secure the oil for the campaign contributors. Thats whats most important in ‘merika.
June 17th, 2007 at 11:30 am∞Ω:
It’s less time than the U.S. has been in Korea. You haven’t been all upset about that, have you?
June 17th, 2007 at 11:31 amFor you youngsters, the Korean War cease-fire was established on July 27, 1953, by which time the front line was back around the proximity of the 38th parallel, and so a demilitarized zone (DMZ) was established around it, still defended to this day by North Korean troops on one side and South Korean and “permanant” American troops on the other. No peace treaty has been signed to date, technically leaving the North and South Korea at war.
June 17th, 2007 at 11:34 amFor the math challenged, that’s MORE than 50 years ago.
June 17th, 2007 at 11:35 amJake I’m not gonna debate with you. I don’t think American peace or security runs through Canaan that’s all. And I don’t watch Sunday morning news or cable “news”.
June 17th, 2007 at 11:36 amRun along you anti-Patriot and electioneer throught the Justice Department. Your days are numbered, traitor.
Gen. BetrayUs strikes again. Who can believe any of Bush’s Crooks on America’s Fiasco in Iraq? Shameful.
June 17th, 2007 at 11:36 am“Traitor”? I’m not even a registered Republican. That sounds like a personal attack. But, please, keep labeling us Independents and Reagan Democrats as “traitors” if you want to make sure we don’t vote for your side in 2008.
June 17th, 2007 at 11:38 amin 50 years every Iraqi will be long dead at this rate
already 4.5 % of the population is dead
June 17th, 2007 at 11:42 amFor the record, I want to apologize to everyone on TP. I had another bout of insomnia last night and while thrashing around I thought, “At least we haven’t had Jake around lately, leaving his trail of irrelevant slime across the comments section.”
Clearly, I am at fault for Betelgeusing Jake.
Mea culpa.
June 17th, 2007 at 11:42 amWho do they think they are kidding? We have permanent military bases throughout the region and are building a Taj Mahal look-a-like embassy. We will be there way more than fifty years!
June 17th, 2007 at 11:44 amJake,
If you take the Republican parties position on nearly every issue, why should we see you as independent? You may call yourself that, but you are not acting as though you are. Your voice is that of a party line Republican.
June 17th, 2007 at 11:45 amahh … the Roman model. It works for a few hundred years… lots of foreigners get killed… lots… but through pure military might we dominate their everyday lives. Then our own arrogance weakens us from the inside and all those that hate us for hundreds of years of abuse take advantage of our internal decay.
Or maybe the Nazi Germany model… I guess that depends if we do something that crosses a red line for Russia and/or China…
Either way it is not the American way. Korea was a mistake just like Vietnam… only we didnt insist on ‘winning’ in Korea. The middle east has factors involved that makes the situation very different from Korea or Vietnam… Israel is probably the biggest (racism against Jews and racism against arabs)… next in line is extremist religions Shiite/Sunni which makes it impossible for us to simply pick a side like we did in Korea and Vietnam. Then there is oil…
If we would just launch a damn Manhattan project and free ourselves from oil then we could concentrate on an unbeatable defensive military and no longer have to project ourselves into the middle of the middle east. Hell we might even be able to act as an honest broker between Israel and the arabs.
June 17th, 2007 at 11:46 amJake, The Republic Party is the one for you! they are the party to keep blood flowing! Get your war-priapism on!
Oh yeah, because you gave permission to keep labelling you idiotic paternalistic Raygun democrats like you who voted for the Gipper’s cheap jingoistic, nationalistic bullshit as “traitors”…
Jake you are a traitor.
Sincerly,
June 17th, 2007 at 11:46 amJake’s Right Wing Nipple
Well Jake if you’re the face of the Democratic party then I’ll vote for Nader. How’s that sound? You can’t come in here and arbitrarily keep reinventing yourself. You own the demise of your party. And I don’t attack people you whiny baby. I’m a civil man and the super majority you self delusioned troll. “Reagan Republican”!! What a hoot.
June 17th, 2007 at 11:46 amAnd the campaign to prepare people for the coming September deadline already began.
June 17th, 2007 at 11:46 amRAINY DAY’S AND SUNDAY’S ALWAY’S BRING ME DOWN…So time to bring my self up and hug some tree’s, run the Bear and read what friendly poster’s have to say…Ignore the black hearted little troll’s, send them back under the bridge through bordom of playing with them selve’s, or not…I am scrolling through to check name’s before I read post’s these day’s..Double speek, indoctrination and war amonging attitude’s is how we got to this evil place…We can end it. Turn away from the evil and work for the good..Tell someone you love them and go hug a tree….Blessings
June 17th, 2007 at 11:47 amJake,
“But, please, keep labeling us Independents and Reagan Democrats as “traitors†if you want to make sure we don’t vote for your side in 2008.”
You say this as though you voted for Democrats in ‘06? Is that what you want us to believe? Because I don’t.
June 17th, 2007 at 11:47 amDrop kick me Jesus through the goalposts of Life.
Damn, missed again!
June 17th, 2007 at 11:50 amIt’s less time than the U.S. has been in Korea.
Comment by Jake
There is no way an honest person would compare Korea to the situation in Iraq.
June 17th, 2007 at 11:51 amIn his dark heart, like a jealous lover, Jake lays in bed at night knowing HIS WAY IS THE BEST! If only they would listen!. And visions of electioneering fairies dance in his head!
June 17th, 2007 at 11:52 amThe difference between Iraq, and Korea, are stunning. The South Koreas, appreciate the presence of the US, at a clearly defined DMZ (de-militiriazed zone.) We also despite what Jake would like you to think, don’t have several 100 US troops being killed by the North Koreas every year, and the troops stations in South Korea, don’t have an insurgency trying to kill them.
The two situations just don’t match up.
June 17th, 2007 at 11:53 amThat’s where the last big deposits of oil are. That’s where a billion or so people want to blow up the US. That’s where all this Bible prophecy stuff is located.
You do have to wonder a bit about how it all comes together there (ME), and even before the oil was deposited, it was a center of life.
Footnote: Dubai probably has its share of hot babes too.
June 17th, 2007 at 11:56 amCrazy talk. The USA will be long gone before these 50 years are over. Don’t believe me? Watch out for a red/blue breakup à la Yougoslavia in a decade or so.
June 17th, 2007 at 11:59 am50 years…this is big time imagination .
Iraqis will not agree to this.
Remember….Iraqis are not Koreans,and pay attention to where Iraq is ,and don’t forget the religious factors that are deeply rooted in that part of the world,and its effect on Iraqis daily life.
Don’t forget also that Iraq is part of the Arab world(325 Millions),and the Islamic world of (1.4 billions of people), who will not allow this.
50 years in Iraq at 10 billion dollars a month,will be enough to get us broke, before we get to the year 50 of this plan.
June 17th, 2007 at 12:01 pmCorporate militarist strategy for now until eternity:
Stall
June 17th, 2007 at 12:02 pmFeint
Dodge
Obfuscate
Divert
Lie
Stall some more…………….
I would almost consider the Korea situation to be stabilized when comparing to Iraq. Duh.
June 17th, 2007 at 12:04 pm“It’s less time than the U.S. has been in Korea.
Comment by Jake
There is no way an honest person would compare Korea to the situation in Iraq.
Comment by ∞Ω — June 17, 2007″
considering the source, you hit it right on the nose.
June 17th, 2007 at 12:11 pm50 years at around 1,000 US troops dead a year? 50,000 dead troops. I hope they start recruiting in ‘Redstate’ America first. Also in Liebermanville or Neo-CONnecticut.
-GSD
June 17th, 2007 at 12:16 pmThis guy is as looney as the Bushies in DC!
Can they please go to another planet?? SOON!!
June 17th, 2007 at 12:22 pmWhy does everyone seem to ignore the real plans behind Bushco’s push to invade Iraq and to stay in the middle east perpetually? PNAC
And, For the Record: Jake is a dumba$$ Bush ballwasher.
June 17th, 2007 at 12:27 pmRealistic until about Jan 09, asshat.
June 17th, 2007 at 12:29 pmKorea was a war that was fought between the North(Communists) and the (Non Communists) in the south.
After over 3 years of war, a line was drawn between the two fighting parties,and there was no shooting since the mid-fifties of 20th century.
Here in Iraq ,we have been fighting over four and half years,and we still don’t have anybody to talk to,and know little about whom we are fighting.
Where and when can we draw a similar line on this conflict,and with party or group?!
This conflict has no similarity at all to Korean war. !
June 17th, 2007 at 12:31 pmwhy are we still talking about a surge then?
if “9″ years is typical of insurgency fighting, and there’s talk of permanant presence, and the “long war” and all that, then why in the hell are they still saying “surge” on tv?
I think that even the democrats in the end are with the program, because if they weren’t, it would be easy to counter. You just go on tv and say it’s a lie, there’s no surge, it’s all about money and oil, and we are building massive bases and an embassy, clearly illustrating something beyond a surge.
June 17th, 2007 at 12:51 pmi have a question for all you right wing assclowns: what every happened to “i seriously doubt it will take longer than six months”? What ever happened to ” i am not intonation building”? you and your ilk have ZERO credibility. interestingly enough, ole jakie-poo finally reveals his identity. an “independent democrat”, seems like jake is slimy-assed joe LIEberman posting on think progress.
June 17th, 2007 at 12:58 pmThis son of a bitch should be fired along with Pace. He is a sock puppet of the crime family. The only reason he is in the position he is in is because he was willing to do their bidding. Fire his worthless ass.
June 17th, 2007 at 1:49 pmYes the Dems are complicent with the program. They could have shut this crap down, and chose not to.
June 17th, 2007 at 1:52 pmIt’s less time than the U.S. has been in Korea.
Comment by Jake
When you get your nose out of Dubya’s ass crack, would you mind kissing my ass and calling me satisfied?
June 17th, 2007 at 1:53 pmOver 2100 days since there has been an Islamic Fascist attack on the United States.
We’re winning in Iraq.
June 17th, 2007 at 1:57 pmApparently Jake is too stupid to recognize that the Korea model does not fit the situation in Iraq in any way, shape, or form.
June 17th, 2007 at 2:01 pmOver 2100 days since there has been an Islamic Fascist attack on the United States.
We’re winning in Iraq.
Comment by muckdog — June 17, 2007 @ 1:57 pm
Well, dumb*ss, since an “Islamic Fascist attack” on the U.S. has never emanated from Iraq your two sentences seem to be completely unrelated. As for the notion that we are winning in Iraq, it is psychotic to believe so. But this sort of extreme idiocy is to be expected from a global warming denier.
June 17th, 2007 at 2:03 pmOver 2100 days since there has been an Islamic Fascist attack on the United States.
We’re winning in Iraq.
Comment by muckdog — June 17, 2007 @ 1:57 pm
And the attackers on that day were all from Saudi Arabia. Why did we go after Saddam? You guys get more ignorant as time goes on. Is it the reichwingnuts you listen to? Why don’t you read a book, dumbass.
June 17th, 2007 at 2:08 pmaccording to wallace ’squaring’ with the american people is telling them 5 years into the war that ‘oh, and by the way, lol, we’re going to be in iraq for the next 50 years’. i guess that’s the case if you’re a bush apologist. weren’t we told 6 weeks, perhaps 6 months? how many of us would love to give wallace a father’s size backhand when he says appalling apologies for bush posed as questions?
June 17th, 2007 at 2:24 pmOver 2100 days since there has been an Islamic Fascist attack on the United States.
We’re winning in Iraq.
Comment by muckdog — June 17, 2007 @ 1:57 pm
NOW THAT’S A NON-SEQUITUR! ROMNEY, PAY ATTENTION!
June 17th, 2007 at 2:28 pmBush will replace him soon as he can’t lie right. Now for America to stay in Iraq for 50 years and spend money at the rate we’re spending look for anothing country to take over the US. Any person with a brain can figure out when you keep spending and not get money back you soon become broke. Billions have been spent of a US building in Iraq, 2 billion a day is spent for Iraq leaders, contractors and big business. Do the math at the rate we’re spending now in Iraq in 50 years we will have given Iraq/Afghan
June 17th, 2007 at 2:30 pmover 30 QUADRILLION dollars. Which would make the United States of America broke. Even the 2% of the rich Americans like Paris and the Bush girls would take their money out of the US.
We’re winning in Iraq.
Comment by muckdog
What kind of drugs are you taking to make yourself so delusional?
June 17th, 2007 at 3:01 pmSo in other words, not only is Bush’s invasion of Iraq a huge f**k-up, but it’s a huge 50-year f**k-up. What a legacy.
June 17th, 2007 at 3:51 pmtake your pick. 50 years of an Iraq presence or incremental capitulation to Islamic radicalism.
June 17th, 2007 at 3:57 pmThere, I fixed it for you.
June 17th, 2007 at 4:11 pm“The idea that it’s going to be a long, long, long battle of some kind I think is belied by the fact of what happened in 1990,”
—–
“Five days or five weeks or five months, but it certainly isn’t going to last any longer than that,” he said. “It won’t be a World War III.”
- Donald Rumsfeld
June 17th, 2007 at 4:46 pmUS presence in Iraq will last as long as the Iraqi oil does.
June 17th, 2007 at 4:50 pm50 years? Now what is so familiar about that number?
Ah! It couldn’t possibly be related to this, could it?
June 17th, 2007 at 4:52 pmHey,if Bush,Cheney,Petraeus want to stay in Iraq for 50 years,give em each a AK47 and 1 bullet and let em…
June 17th, 2007 at 5:16 pmA major reason why societies have wars are over resources. This goes down to the very primal nature of man and conflict. You have something I want or need, I’m big enough to take it so I take it!
The USA is very reliant on oil. Without affordable gasoline a portion of the population in the United States would die in a few months.
How do you get your food? The grocery store.
How does the grocery store get their food? It’s shipped in the cargo of semi-trucks from around the country. Most food sold isn’t grown locally, unless it’s region specific food through local farmers markets.
How do semi-trucks get around the country? Gasoline.
We also use oil for a lot more things, like… Fertilizer! In fact all major non-organic Fertilizers are dependant on oil as an ingredient.
What about the farmers? They use giant farming machines, most of them (aside from the biodiesels) use diesel fuel to plow the field and plant the crops!
Plastic, asphalt, pesticides, detergents, synthetic clothing, etc are all made from black gold.
So if we start running out of oil (read Hubert’s Peak / Peak Oil) food, as well as a lot of other things, becomes more and more expensive. Truckers go on strike, food supply lines stop and you all starve to death.
In short we’re in Iraq, we need oil, stop being weak. We’re already commited - it’s sink or swim. Get the job done at all costs.
However, I do think it was a mistake when we first went in there (I mean who REALLY believed that entire fiasco about WMD at the various UN speeches… not me). Double-talk.
June 17th, 2007 at 6:21 pmComment by 93 — June 17, 2007 @ 6:21 pm
Eat shit. That is not what this country is about. You drank the kool aid and now you can go to hell.
June 17th, 2007 at 6:38 pmkasinca,
That wasn’t a very well formed response. I may hold a cruel, cold, and impersonal viewpoint, but that’s nature.
So tell me what is this country about? And where is this hell I’m going to?
Countries are extended forms of individual security. Countries are a result of fear. The family joins with other families to protect their resources (food, water, land, oil, metals, etc.). Several groups of families join together and form a tribe. They then form a state, which then forms a nation. The nation is in fear of other nation and thus creates armies, tanks, bombs, battleships, attack helicopters, and ultimately nuclear weapons.
The countries primary focus is to protect and ensure the survival of it’s people. As well as to continue it’s way of life.
The economy of the US is based on cheap and affordable oil. We have the largest system of roads and transportation. We are more dependant on oil than anything else. Without cheap oil the US economy would crash (and it probably will either way). I could further explain this but I doubt it would do either of us any good.
Terrorism won’t be the downfall of America, the lack of it’s peoples will shall be it’s downfall. We’ve grown liberal and soft, like the Romans, and lack the will to fight.
So we pull out of Iraq and then Iran (it’s enemy for the past few decades) comes down and takes it’s resources over. It’s too late to pull out I’m afraid.
June 17th, 2007 at 6:49 pmComment by 93 — June 17, 2007 @ 6:49 pm
This country was about principles at one time. The dumbasses like you have been brainwashed by the neo-conservatives and the talking heads who carry water for the PNAC and now they have morons like you believing that we are what the USSR was for fifty years. We fought a revolutionary war to get away from an empire. Now we say it is okay to make unilateral attacks on soverien nations to take their resources? All for the profits of the military industrial complex and oil companies? Have you ever served in the military? If not, pick up your ignorant ass and go enlist…you will definitely learn something the cowards of the reichwing is not telling you…they are all warmongering cowards who have never served. We failed in Iraq because what we are doing is wrong.
You are an ill-informed moron.
June 17th, 2007 at 7:00 pmKasinca,
I’m curious, why is it that the favorite response to people who support Bush and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq is to ask them if they have ever served in the military and if not go enlist? I see that response alot on this site and I’m just wondering why that is so. The very same can be said for you since your right to free speech is brought to you by soldiers.
June 17th, 2007 at 7:25 pmNow we say it is okay to make unilateral attacks on soverien(sic) nations to take their resources?
It depends on your viewpoint on what’ s important. Is it better for the USA to turn into a third world country or invade a nation and take it’s resources?
Have you ever served in the military?
No. Nor do I plan on enlisting. The idea of being shot at isn’t very appealing to me.
Again you miss my point, I’m not saying we should have gone to war over oil, but we’ve already crossed that road. What’s done is done.
I was trying to point out why (in my opinion) the US went to war in the first place, and why at the time it may have been a good idea, a way of adverting disaster. But now we see the cost.
After that statue of Saddam was pulled down, had the nation of Iraq remained stable it would have been a GREAT idea for everyone involved. The Iraqi people get free of an oppressive regime, the USA gets a nice trading partner in a troubled region. However, that’s not what happened.
Now we’re there. If we do pull out of the region what do you think will happen? Do you think Iraqi’s will stop dying when the people (US troops) trying to protect them leave? Do you think the world will appericate the US going into a country then leaving it in chaos? What about Iran? Will it just sit there and do nothing as we withdraw?
And why do you insult me because my opinion differs with yours? Please calm down.
June 17th, 2007 at 7:56 pmhas anyone asked the
June 17th, 2007 at 8:38 pmcheneyUU. administration how much a 50 year occupation will cost or would the “Iraqi people’s†oil revenues pay for it, maybe we could ask wolfie, he’s a banker, he would knowWe, the American people, have been watching this tragedy unfold and wondering precisely what driver(s) will determine how long our troops have to stay in Iraq.
President Bush and his administration have so far failed to explain this, relying on vague talking points such as, “as they stand up, we’ll stand down” and excusing their failure to articulate the mission on the difficulty involved, i.e. “this is hard, hard work,” “it won’t happen overnight,” etc.
I submit that there is a very real driver behind our commitment in Iraq and that the reason it is not being clearly stated is that Bush and his minions lack the courage to come right out and say it:
WE ARE THERE FOR THE OIL. That is the reason for the occupation of Iraq and that has always been the reason. They are trying to get us to accept the idea that our forces will remain in Iraq for decades, because they expect that the oil will continue flowing from the ground for decades and they have no intention of leaving while the oil continues to flow.
Those who fail to recognize this obvious truth, fail to recognize it because they lack the courage to see it. Those who fail to acknowledge it, do so because the lack the honesty to admit it.
June 17th, 2007 at 10:25 pm#70 & 71- I tell chickenshit chickenhawk cowards to enlist because I served in the war that Dubya, Cheney, Rove and the rest of the thugs who started this fiasco didn’t.
I wonder why people can watch six years of lies about the reasons for invading a third world power that had no defense when it should be clear to anyone with a brain that we are there for the profits of the military industrial complex (Haliburton, Blackwater, et al) and the oil companies. The Republican Party is trying to wield the government (which they hate) with the Corporations (which they love). They use the same soldiers and national guard units over and over to minimize the effect on the American Public. They use the reichwingnut talking heads to spread propaganda.
It sickens me to read warmongers like yourself, 93, justify a war that you are unwilling to experience. I have a very low opinion of people who love wars that they will not participate in. That is why you read that from me. I have less respect for those who are willing to give up our principles, liberty, and way of life for fear mongering.
I served in the military and it was my understanding that what we were doing was making the United States a beacon on the hill. We were spreading good and defending good against evil. All I have seen since Ronald Reagan lying, warmonger, cowardice. We are no better than those we accuse of doing the same as our actions.
If you are truly a reichwingnut, I ask you to expect this kind of response on a progressive board. I consider the 28% who support this crime family to be bottom dwelling, knuckle dragging, troglodytes with no clear understanding of our constitution or our way of life.
If you will excuse me, I have spent too much time on you morons.
June 17th, 2007 at 10:26 pmGen. BetrayUs says September means nothing and we’re in in Iraq for 50 Years. Mitch McConnell looked at a 2008 calendar and now he says, “We’ll have a new plan is September.” “We’re not there forever.”
Watch Mitch try to distance himself from Bush and the War. Watch Bush and BetrayUs throw Mitch under the bus. Buh-bye Mitch.
June 17th, 2007 at 10:28 pmHarry Reid never misses an opportunity to stick both feet in his big mouth. (kasinca, did you volunteer or were you drafted?) Harry reminds me of the morons on Capitol Hill during WWII who were incensed at some of General Patton’s behaviours. Please keep this pathetic loser in the limelight - it will go far protecting America from an incompetent bunch of defense booobs…..
June 17th, 2007 at 10:45 pmThe issue is not HOW LONG WE ARE IN IRAQ??
The issue is WHY SHOULD THE AMERICAN PEOPLE continue to pay in AMERICAN LIVES, AND AMERICAN DOLLARS.
Will the AMERICAN PEOPLE allow the Politicians on the Hill send our youth into HARMS way for 50 years.
The Terrorists have PROVEN that they can KILL CIVILIANS AND AMERICANS.
Does any rational man think that they will EVER STOP KILLING???? Because a politican tells themn to quite.
GOD BUSH AND HIS CRONIES HAVE created a new world order..
Is then a solution to IRAQ????
I think not… IF GOD BUSH AND THE HILL commit the US to maintaining
June 17th, 2007 at 10:51 pman active military role in IRAQ. The PEOPLE of America should impeach the entire HOUSE, SENATE AND ADMINISTRATION FROM TOP TO BOTTOM.
For the record, 50 years is not “permanantâ€.
Jake, you’re right! Fifty years is NOT permanent! Neither is 100 years. Or 1,000 years. Actually, come to think on it, even two billion years is not permanent!
June 17th, 2007 at 11:01 pmWar in Iraq = $8 Billiion/month
Cost to fill up my tank this morning with regular gas (at $3.25/gallon) at Costco = $52.00
June 17th, 2007 at 11:06 pmI think the counterinsurgency in Ireland went on for about 800 years. Does that get averaged into the estimates?
June 17th, 2007 at 11:15 pmHarry Reid never misses an opportunity to stick both feet in his big mouth. (kasinca, did you volunteer or were you drafted?) Harry reminds me of the morons on Capitol Hill during WWII who were incensed at some of General Patton’s behaviours. Please keep this pathetic loser in the limelight - it will go far protecting America from an incompetent bunch of defense booobs…..
Comment by valiant venus — June 17, 2007 @ 10:45 pm
I was RA in the US Army…but that never mattered before cowards in the crime family bagan attacking those who really served. I have more time in Vietnam than the entire crime family of thugs.
Why would a woman be a knuckle dragging troglodyte. It goes against everything female. You must be one sick puppy. Now please excuse me.
June 17th, 2007 at 11:25 pmWhat is wrong with these people? Get out of Iraq and stay out! It’s not a difficult concept.
June 18th, 2007 at 12:16 amThere are terrorists in Iraq now. And if they’re there, it means they’re not here. Much better to have them over there, IMHO.
And if the Democrats win in 2008, do you really think that they’ll pull the troops out of Iraq?
The answer is NO THEY WON’T.
So don’t kid yourselves. They’re saying whatever it is you want to hear, but they’re doing the opposite. As Democrats usually do.
June 18th, 2007 at 1:35 amLMAO. Comedy gold.
June 18th, 2007 at 8:26 amForgetting the fact that’s a literal impossibility you can’t even manage to impeach Cheney.
June 18th, 2007 at 8:29 amYou may as well be talking about elves, you’re so disconnected from reality.
Wake - UP…. General Petraeus :
Your military is on ” WORK OVER-LOAD “, where are you going to acquire your next batch of soldier slaves? From suicide watch trailers? Or better yet not give the help they need and remove them from Iraq Occupation killing fields?
You are a slave driver that hasn’t “MANPOWER PLANNED” this out, you fool. You will take the entire Army down into further failuers.
End result more senseless deaths of US Soldiers. Can you live with that on your brain?
You are LIABLE for the deaths of these soldiers!!
You are a failure and only as good as Bushs lunchmeat from yesterday. You better look at Pace……pawn 65.
The Cat
June 18th, 2007 at 8:32 amWith all that we know now there are still people wanting more war. This is sick and immoral and very republican. The Republican party has ruined our reputation around the world and drained our money, and allowed innocent people to die. Now they want to occupy another country to force democracy down a tribal community while taking away our constitution. ALL FOR OIL. Yet still the Republicans don’t find this impeachable and continue to back this failed policy and president. This whole debacle can be placed at the feet of the Republican party and George Bush and his cronies. They are all traitors to America yet they lie and shift blame to anyone else. Crooks and Liars the whole lot.
June 18th, 2007 at 9:42 amAnd yet another officer losing his career by selling his soul - I guarantee that before the Bushies are gone (unless, God willing they are impeached and thrown out) in 2009, Petraeus will follow all the others who have sucked up to power and found that it is bitter.
June 18th, 2007 at 1:24 pmRidiculous on it’s face! Iraqi’s need a strong dose of cold water smack dab in the face and if this general and his neocon buddies think Joe Taxpayer will support this megafiasco for another 50 years these people are dead wrong! Everyone: PLEASE CALL & WRITE YOUR SENATOR AND CONGRESSMEN. Lets be sensible and get the heck out of the mideast. They will have to continue to sell their oil at market prices no matter what.
June 18th, 2007 at 1:33 pmI am a witness that was doing some private intelligence data with a group of experts. I am the only one who has not identified nor, do I know, who supposedly has been detained at either Guantanmo Bay cuba military prison Camp Delta, or at Camp Lejeune that was supposed to have been guilty parties in conjunction with a misaligned 9-11-01 investigation.
June 22nd, 2007 at 5:29 pmI have heard thru the grapevine that supposedly persons I worked with have been charged with war crimes, yet when I have contacted the US attorneys office, despite having been the witness or working in conjunction with the govt investigation.. I HAVE NOT BEEN TOLD WHO WAS DETAINED.
I find this a travesty that a former prostitute DEBBY MEYERS who stole my identity and passed herself off as me may have MISINFORMED A MILITARY TRIBUNAL as to who the supposed perps were. I have never been asked on an offical basis, and am always told there wasnt any investigation.
How does a woman who commits identity theft , and passes herself off as a 9-11-01 witness to a terrorist cell, which SHE WASNT.. get to pick the suspects..
What happened to arresting criminals instead of hiring them into the US govt to cover the corrupted asses of creeps who should have been fired years ago, but were connected to the white house..
Im still here and am unable to ascertain who was in fact arrested and charged with war crimes.
peachsurprize@yahoo.com