Comments on: Gates: I Would Recommend That The President Veto Giving Troops More Time At Home http://thinkprogress.org/2007/09/16/gates-webb-biden/ Thu, 26 Nov 2009 23:26:52 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: anonymous http://thinkprogress.org/2007/09/16/gates-webb-biden/comment-page-1/#comment-4081283 anonymous Tue, 18 Sep 2007 01:16:30 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/09/16/gates-webb-biden/#comment-4081283 we're paying a ransom, so the messianic superstar can buy a bigger shovel to make the hole he's digging bigger! we’re paying a ransom, so the messianic superstar can buy a bigger shovel to make the hole he’s digging bigger!

]]> By: WDRussell http://thinkprogress.org/2007/09/16/gates-webb-biden/comment-page-1/#comment-4079856 WDRussell Mon, 17 Sep 2007 13:25:35 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/09/16/gates-webb-biden/#comment-4079856 The faster they are sent back, the faster they can pay their small price for Boehner. The faster they are sent back, the faster they can pay their small price for Boehner.

]]> By: bilbogaggins http://thinkprogress.org/2007/09/16/gates-webb-biden/comment-page-1/#comment-4079261 bilbogaggins Sun, 16 Sep 2007 23:13:50 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/09/16/gates-webb-biden/#comment-4079261 <em>"the best way to give the troops more time at home is to WIN THE WAR! See! It’s just that simple! RETURN TO SUCCESS!!! Comment by Kryptik" </em> There's a flaw in this theory. There is no way you can "win" an occupation. We are not in a war in Iraq, we are occupying Iraq and our soldiers are in the middle of Iraq's civil war. It is un-winable. The best we can hope for is that we leave and allow Iraq to work out their problems amongst themselves. They will never do that as long as we are occupying their country. “the best way to give the troops more time at home is to WIN THE WAR!
See! It’s just that simple! RETURN TO SUCCESS!!!
Comment by Kryptik”

There’s a flaw in this theory. There is no way you can “win” an occupation. We are not in a war in Iraq, we are occupying Iraq and our soldiers are in the middle of Iraq’s civil war. It is un-winable. The best we can hope for is that we leave and allow Iraq to work out their problems amongst themselves. They will never do that as long as we are occupying their country.

]]> By: The Republic of Stupidity http://thinkprogress.org/2007/09/16/gates-webb-biden/comment-page-1/#comment-4079092 The Republic of Stupidity Sun, 16 Sep 2007 20:01:57 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/09/16/gates-webb-biden/#comment-4079092 Comment by BAN Zooey — September 16, 2007 @ 2:12 pm Let's see how long it takes for Mr P to get thrown outta here today... Comment by BAN Zooey — September 16, 2007 @ 2:12 pm

Let’s see how long it takes for Mr P to get thrown outta here today…

]]> By: BAN Zooey http://thinkprogress.org/2007/09/16/gates-webb-biden/comment-page-1/#comment-4078997 BAN Zooey Sun, 16 Sep 2007 18:12:13 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/09/16/gates-webb-biden/#comment-4078997 <em>By the way, you have great subs. Could I get a Meatball and Cheese to go? Comment by BARTLEBEE aka. WORFEUS</em> And don't forget the supersized bag of Cheetos and plenty of napkins for our buddy Worf.. By the way, you have great subs. Could I get a Meatball and Cheese to go?
Comment by BARTLEBEE aka. WORFEUS

And don’t forget the supersized bag of Cheetos and plenty of napkins for our buddy Worf..

]]> By: BearCountry http://thinkprogress.org/2007/09/16/gates-webb-biden/comment-page-1/#comment-4078994 BearCountry Sun, 16 Sep 2007 18:06:22 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/09/16/gates-webb-biden/#comment-4078994 The plan of this group of radicals is to destroy the US military. They don't believe in having any government and this is just another branch of government. Their whole purpose is to break it beyond repair to show that only contractor mercenaries can do it well. As you see, w and cheney are building up blackwater and other private militaries. These militaries are not necessarily US citizens (and probably most are not) so they are not bound by the Constitution or raised in the American tradition. If we had a draft the whole nation would be feeling the pain of this war. By having so many mercenaries from elsewhere our involvement can be minimized. The mercenaries are loyal only to their paymasters. The plan of this group of radicals is to destroy the US military. They don’t believe in having any government and this is just another branch of government. Their whole purpose is to break it beyond repair to show that only contractor mercenaries can do it well. As you see, w and cheney are building up blackwater and other private militaries. These militaries are not necessarily US citizens (and probably most are not) so they are not bound by the Constitution or raised in the American tradition. If we had a draft the whole nation would be feeling the pain of this war. By having so many mercenaries from elsewhere our involvement can be minimized. The mercenaries are loyal only to their paymasters.

]]> By: BARTLEBEE http://thinkprogress.org/2007/09/16/gates-webb-biden/comment-page-1/#comment-4078993 BARTLEBEE Sun, 16 Sep 2007 17:58:25 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/09/16/gates-webb-biden/#comment-4078993 Well he hasn't destroyed us yet Quizmos, but he sure has put a dent in us. By the way, you have great subs. Could I get a Meatball and Cheese to go? Well he hasn’t destroyed us yet Quizmos, but he sure has put a dent in us.

By the way, you have great subs. Could I get a Meatball and Cheese to go?

]]> By: Quizmos http://thinkprogress.org/2007/09/16/gates-webb-biden/comment-page-1/#comment-4078986 Quizmos Sun, 16 Sep 2007 17:44:41 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/09/16/gates-webb-biden/#comment-4078986 Anything that differs from what our Great Leader wants in his war on terror will weaken our forces, support the terrorists, and ultimately undermine the security of the United States of America, which is a treasonous act and therefore punishable by death or, as McCain would have it in the case of Move-On, sufficient to call for the deportation of all whom believe or associate with such thinking. Americans, be warned that nearly 70% of you are presently at risk of treason if you do not fall in line with your President. And all the while Bin Laden is laughing and partying somewhere in Pakistan, knowing that, from a cave, he single handedly did what even the forces of the Third Reich teamed with the Japanese could not do...destroy the western Democracies. Anything that differs from what our Great Leader wants in his war on terror will weaken our forces, support the terrorists, and ultimately undermine the security of the United States of America, which is a treasonous act and therefore punishable by death or, as McCain would have it in the case of Move-On, sufficient to call for the deportation of all whom believe or associate with such thinking. Americans, be warned that nearly 70% of you are presently at risk of treason if you do not fall in line with your President.

And all the while Bin Laden is laughing and partying somewhere in Pakistan, knowing that, from a cave, he single handedly did what even the forces of the Third Reich teamed with the Japanese could not do…destroy the western Democracies.

]]> By: criticalthinker http://thinkprogress.org/2007/09/16/gates-webb-biden/comment-page-1/#comment-4078969 criticalthinker Sun, 16 Sep 2007 17:13:16 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/09/16/gates-webb-biden/#comment-4078969 “who’s son” should be “whose son”. The possessive case of who is whose, not who’s. Comment by ecoast — September 16, 2007 @ 11:25 am Why do you point out such a meaningless typo that has no affect on the meaning of the article? I think Gates is being illogical by being against such a needed bill, what do you think? “who’s son” should be “whose son”.

The possessive case of who is whose, not who’s.

Comment by ecoast — September 16, 2007 @ 11:25 am

Why do you point out such a meaningless typo that has no affect on the meaning of the article?

I think Gates is being illogical by being against such a needed bill, what do you think?

]]> By: jb http://thinkprogress.org/2007/09/16/gates-webb-biden/comment-page-1/#comment-4078965 jb Sun, 16 Sep 2007 17:06:29 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/09/16/gates-webb-biden/#comment-4078965 Comment by pbg — September 16, 2007 @ 12:31 pm Also the massive amount of our debt owned by China and other foreign countries which we have run up to occupy Iraq and give tax cuts to the obscenely wealthy. Our country is in a very weak place thanks to GOP greed. Comment by pbg — September 16, 2007 @ 12:31 pm

Also the massive amount of our debt owned by China and other foreign countries which we have run up to occupy Iraq and give tax cuts to the obscenely wealthy. Our country is in a very weak place thanks to GOP greed.

]]> By: Doc Rock http://thinkprogress.org/2007/09/16/gates-webb-biden/comment-page-1/#comment-4078951 Doc Rock Sun, 16 Sep 2007 16:42:42 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/09/16/gates-webb-biden/#comment-4078951 There were two countervailing forces restraining Iran prior to 9/11--Afghanistan in the east and Iraq in the West that we have removed/reduced from Iran's calculus. Bush constantly waves the Al Qaida menace in our faces, but his personal vendata against Saddam combined with his handlers' lust for oil and crony capitalism led to his distraction from our incursion into Afghanistan to punish Al Qaida and the Taliban for aiding them--which much on the international community and our population supported. Our foolish invasion of Iraq without proper planning, manning, equipping, etc., gave rise to Al Qaida in Iraq and our current nightmare. Bush-Cheney-Gates wish to dump this cancer on the next administration whoever they may be and are willing to let America's finest pay in limb and life and future generations pay in treasure. This is dispiccable and those who support or don't oppose it are the real non-patriots even though they wrap themselves in a thousand flags and wear Stetson's and pointy boots to hide their Down East aristocrat Kennebunk Port roots. There were two countervailing forces restraining Iran prior to 9/11–Afghanistan in the east and Iraq in the West that we have removed/reduced from Iran’s calculus. Bush constantly waves the Al Qaida menace in our faces, but his personal vendata against Saddam combined with his handlers’ lust for oil and crony capitalism led to his distraction from our incursion into Afghanistan to punish Al Qaida and the Taliban for aiding them–which much on the international community and our population supported. Our foolish invasion of Iraq without proper planning, manning, equipping, etc., gave rise to Al Qaida in Iraq and our current nightmare. Bush-Cheney-Gates wish to dump this cancer on the next administration whoever they may be and are willing to let America’s finest pay in limb and life and future generations pay in treasure. This is dispiccable and those who support or don’t oppose it are the real non-patriots even though they wrap themselves in a thousand flags and wear Stetson’s and pointy boots to hide their Down East aristocrat Kennebunk Port roots.

]]> By: james k. sayre http://thinkprogress.org/2007/09/16/gates-webb-biden/comment-page-1/#comment-4078948 james k. sayre Sun, 16 Sep 2007 16:37:40 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/09/16/gates-webb-biden/#comment-4078948 Wrecking ball Bush trashes everything that he touches: the Republican Party in summer of 2000, our Democracy in December 2000, our Bill of Rights, 2001 - date, our Constitution, 2001 - date, World Trade Center, Afghanistan, New Orleans, Iraq and on and on Wrecking ball Bush trashes everything that he touches: the Republican Party in summer of 2000, our Democracy in December 2000, our Bill of Rights, 2001 – date, our Constitution, 2001 – date, World Trade Center, Afghanistan, New Orleans, Iraq and on and on

]]> By: pbg http://thinkprogress.org/2007/09/16/gates-webb-biden/comment-page-1/#comment-4078943 pbg Sun, 16 Sep 2007 16:31:36 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/09/16/gates-webb-biden/#comment-4078943 This is 21st century trench warfare. Field Marshal Joffre, absolutely convinced he was right and with no feelings for the men under his command, equated his ideas with France's sacred honor, and proceeded to attack the enemy where they were strongest (hint: the word you're looking for is 'weakest') and throwing hundreds of thousands of men at fortified emplacements, creating a bloodbath that dwarfed evrything before, and was far worse than any world war II battles. But Joffre just stayed the course, and an entire generation of european men died. Yes, Germany surrendered, because they were just as exhausted, but France became an empty uniform, so depleted that this generation doesn't believe that they were ever anything but a joke. Had it not been for World war I becoming a human meatgrinder, the Russian Revolution might never have happened, and we would have had neither Hitler nor Stalin. And Field Marshal Bush has equated his stupid tactics with the Honor of America, and knows he's right, and continues to throw away men to absolutely no purpose. And he's destroying the american Military, and he's causing a revolution beyond our borders that will change everything. And I'm not talking about radicalizing Islam: I'm talking about a world arising in which America has no friends, where America is despised and opposed. And with the Republicans moving our manufacturing capabilities overseas, continues damaging our middle (consumer) class, and sneers at and denigrates our scientific community? What will we have to compete with against a hostile world? If George Bush is not stoppped, he will destroy America. He's well on his way. This is 21st century trench warfare. Field Marshal Joffre, absolutely convinced he was right and with no feelings for the men under his command, equated his ideas with France’s sacred honor, and proceeded to attack the enemy where they were strongest (hint: the word you’re looking for is ‘weakest’) and throwing hundreds of thousands of men at fortified emplacements, creating a bloodbath that dwarfed evrything before, and was far worse than any world war II battles.
But Joffre just stayed the course, and an entire generation of european men died.
Yes, Germany surrendered, because they were just as exhausted, but France became an empty uniform, so depleted that this generation doesn’t believe that they were ever anything but a joke. Had it not been for World war I becoming a human meatgrinder, the Russian Revolution might never have happened, and we would have had neither Hitler nor Stalin.
And Field Marshal Bush has equated his stupid tactics with the Honor of America, and knows he’s right, and continues to throw away men to absolutely no purpose.
And he’s destroying the american Military, and he’s causing a revolution beyond our borders that will change everything.
And I’m not talking about radicalizing Islam: I’m talking about a world arising in which America has no friends, where America is despised and opposed.
And with the Republicans moving our manufacturing capabilities overseas, continues damaging our middle (consumer) class, and sneers at and denigrates our scientific community? What will we have to compete with against a hostile world?
If George Bush is not stoppped, he will destroy America. He’s well on his way.

]]> By: bobwurst http://thinkprogress.org/2007/09/16/gates-webb-biden/comment-page-1/#comment-4078937 bobwurst Sun, 16 Sep 2007 16:24:05 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/09/16/gates-webb-biden/#comment-4078937 "Let Bush have his way. If the Dems come to the rescue now and end the war the GOP will just use it against them and claim THEY lost the war. Give the GOP all the rope it wants. Comment by Billy" I have two problems with this tactic. 1- I can't support a tactic that throws away lives. How many soldiers are you willing to let die or become mulitated, or have their brains scrambled, or have their families fall apart so you can rub the war in the republcan's noses? 2-They're going to blame the dems anyway. this is bush's plan. run out the clock claiming that victory is just around the corner until someone else is in office, then, when the enevitable finally happens and president 44, or 45, or 46 finally gets the courage to admit this has been a hopeless folly from the start and pulls our troops out bush and his neocon apologists in the msm, right wing church pews, barstools and boardrooms will all claim that if only we'd stayed the course blah blah blah. It's time to call bush on his bull now. yesterday. last year. leting him continue to skate is a mistake. “Let Bush have his way. If the Dems come to the rescue now and end the war the GOP will just use it against them and claim THEY lost the war. Give the GOP all the rope it wants.
Comment by Billy”

I have two problems with this tactic.

1- I can’t support a tactic that throws away lives. How many soldiers are you willing to let die or become mulitated, or have their brains scrambled, or have their families fall apart so you can rub the war in the republcan’s noses?

2-They’re going to blame the dems anyway. this is bush’s plan. run out the clock claiming that victory is just around the corner until someone else is in office, then, when the enevitable finally happens and president 44, or 45, or 46 finally gets the courage to admit this has been a hopeless folly from the start and pulls our troops out bush and his neocon apologists in the msm, right wing church pews, barstools and boardrooms will all claim that if only we’d stayed the course blah blah blah.

It’s time to call bush on his bull now. yesterday. last year. leting him continue to skate is a mistake.

]]> By: jb http://thinkprogress.org/2007/09/16/gates-webb-biden/comment-page-1/#comment-4078934 jb Sun, 16 Sep 2007 16:16:45 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/09/16/gates-webb-biden/#comment-4078934 Time to confiscate the "ranch" in Crawford and build a facility for weary PTSD troops to rest and receive the care they need and deserve. Time to confiscate the “ranch” in Crawford and build a facility for weary PTSD troops to rest and receive the care they need and deserve.

]]> By: razzle http://thinkprogress.org/2007/09/16/gates-webb-biden/comment-page-1/#comment-4078933 razzle Sun, 16 Sep 2007 16:14:56 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/09/16/gates-webb-biden/#comment-4078933 Doc Rock: How about this? Impeachment first and get them outta here and then institutionalize them for profound psychiatric pathology?? Doc Rock: How about this? Impeachment first and get them outta here and then institutionalize them for profound psychiatric pathology??

]]> By: razzle http://thinkprogress.org/2007/09/16/gates-webb-biden/comment-page-1/#comment-4078932 razzle Sun, 16 Sep 2007 16:14:19 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/09/16/gates-webb-biden/#comment-4078932 Gates is another charlatan whose patriotism is in serious question with this flagrant "abuse" of our military! Another Bush poodle. Gates is another charlatan whose patriotism is in serious question with this flagrant “abuse” of our military! Another Bush poodle.

]]> By: Doc Rock http://thinkprogress.org/2007/09/16/gates-webb-biden/comment-page-1/#comment-4078931 Doc Rock Sun, 16 Sep 2007 16:11:36 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/09/16/gates-webb-biden/#comment-4078931 Bush-Cheney-Rumsfeld with their shortsightedness and refusal to allow, let alone follow advice from the military are breaking the Rumsfeld-pared down force which was never sufficient for the Afghanistan + Iraq missions and which leaves us nearly naked and impotent if there were a serious challenge elsewhere. Gates is right that the current Bush-Cheney mission is unsustainable , but the health of the force is also unsustainable. The all-volunteer force is crumbling and it has the administration to thank for it. And the megalomaniacs want to attack Iran??? Impeachment isn't the solution--committment to an institution for treatment is! Bush-Cheney-Rumsfeld with their shortsightedness and refusal to allow, let alone follow advice from the military are breaking the Rumsfeld-pared down force which was never sufficient for the Afghanistan + Iraq missions and which leaves us nearly naked and impotent if there were a serious challenge elsewhere. Gates is right that the current Bush-Cheney mission is unsustainable , but the health of the force is also unsustainable. The all-volunteer force is crumbling and it has the administration to thank for it. And the megalomaniacs want to attack Iran??? Impeachment isn’t the solution–committment to an institution for treatment is!

]]> By: jb http://thinkprogress.org/2007/09/16/gates-webb-biden/comment-page-1/#comment-4078930 jb Sun, 16 Sep 2007 16:11:35 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/09/16/gates-webb-biden/#comment-4078930 Comment by Billy — September 16, 2007 @ 12:05 pm The GOP will lie and blame anybody other than their own worthless selves no matter what we do. It's just what they do. Assigning blame to GOP is not a cause worth dieing for. It is clear beyond doubt to thinking people where the blame lies for this fiasco in Iraq. But I would enjoy watching a mutiny, troops taking the White House back....nice image. Comment by Billy — September 16, 2007 @ 12:05 pm

The GOP will lie and blame anybody other than their own worthless selves no matter what we do. It’s just what they do. Assigning blame to GOP is not a cause worth dieing for. It is clear beyond doubt to thinking people where the blame lies for this fiasco in Iraq. But I would enjoy watching a mutiny, troops taking the White House back….nice image.

]]> By: Billy http://thinkprogress.org/2007/09/16/gates-webb-biden/comment-page-1/#comment-4078929 Billy Sun, 16 Sep 2007 16:05:53 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/09/16/gates-webb-biden/#comment-4078929 Let Bush have his way. If the Dems come to the rescue now and end the war the GOP will just use it against them and claim THEY lost the war. Give the GOP all the rope it wants. They say victory is right around the corner? Great, can't wait to see it. Hope the troops don't mutiny on you guys much. Could be embarrassing. Let Bush have his way. If the Dems come to the rescue now and end the war the GOP will just use it against them and claim THEY lost the war. Give the GOP all the rope it wants. They say victory is right around the corner? Great, can’t wait to see it. Hope the troops don’t mutiny on you guys much. Could be embarrassing.

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