Powell: Troops are ‘very, very stretched’; Bush wants to ‘maintain a very significant presence’ in Iraq.
Powell: Troops are ‘very, very stretched’; Bush wants to ‘maintain a very significant presence’ in Iraq.
In an interview with ABC’s Good Morning America today, former Secretary of State Colin Powell said that “the United States Armed Forces are very, very stretched.” Though GMA did not air the footage, Powell also commented on how the fact that there will be more troops in Iraq after the surge has ended than there were before it began, is an indication that “we’re going to maintain a very signficant presence” in Iraq:
It appears that after the surge is over, we’re going to go down to 140,000 troops in Iraq. That’s 10,000 more than we had before the surge. There is something of a continued surge there with that extra 10,000. And based on what Gen. Petraeus has said, he wants to let the surge troops go by July and then take 45 days to see what it looks like, and then begin a process of assessment. Well, that tells me that we know what the administration strategy is going to be through the end of the term of the administration. And that is, we’re going to maintain a very significant presence.
Watch It:
In July 2007, Powell told NPR that the military “probably can’t keep this up at this level past the middle of next year, I would guess. This is a tremendous burden on our troops.”
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The dems can’t be the ones “who don’t support the troops” if there are no more troops to support.
April 10th, 2008 at 10:57 amLet’s strain our troops to the breaking point in order to soften the blow to the war supporting Republican candidates in the election this fall. It’s pathetic that our troops will suffer and die for petty politics.
April 10th, 2008 at 11:01 amPowell told NPR that the military “probably can’t keep this up at this level past the middle of next year, I would guess. This is a tremendous burden on our troops.”
- – So? They enlisted, didn’t they?
(cough)
April 10th, 2008 at 11:04 amGeneral Powell would make a great SECDEF or SECSTATE for Obama, I’m just sayin’. Common sense triumphing over fear and the stauts quo, as presented by John McPain and friends. Consider this: Iran gets 1 or 2 or deveral nukes, Israel has over 200, we have thousands! How scared should we be? The Iranians should be scared because they know if they or one of their terrorist proxies uses the bomb, they become a nuclear target, radioactive dust. Can’t our leaders just remind them of that and leave them the f**k alone? Gotta love that Iranian oil though and their “Straights of (Oil)WhoreMuze”.
April 10th, 2008 at 11:06 amfrom Thinkfast:
DieNowForPeace Says:
April 10th, 2008 at 10:38 am
Powell: Troops in Iraq must be reduced
WASHINGTON – Former Secretary of State Colin Powell said Thursday that President Bush’s successor will have to come to grips with the reality that the United States cannot continue to keep such large numbers of troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Without taking sides in the race for the White House, Powell said, “Whichever one of them becomes president on Jan. 1, 2009, they will face a military force that cannot continue to sustain 140,000 people deployed in Iraq and the 20 (thousand) odd or 25,000 people we have deployed in Afghanistan and our other deployments.”
Shrub would rather destroy the US military to enrich his no-bid contract benefactors.
April 10th, 2008 at 11:06 amI NOTICED THERE WAS NO MENTION OF HIS SIGNING OFF ON TORTURE.
WHO CARES WHAT POWELL SAYS? THAT MAN IS A PIG AND MASS MURDERER WAR CRIMINAL. I’LL WELCOME THE DAY HE IS FOUND GUILTY AT THE HAGUE.
BUH BYE
April 10th, 2008 at 11:07 amI hope Powell has a hard time sleeping each and every night. Since he appears to be one of the few original bullsh*t spinners who actually has a conscience, his participation should be keeping him up at night!
PEACE
April 10th, 2008 at 11:11 amswilliams41 Says:
April 10th, 2008 at 11:06 am
General Powell would make a great SECDEF or SECSTATE for Obama, I’m just sayin’. Common sense triumphing over fear and the stauts quo, as presented by John McPain and friends. Consider this: Iran gets 1 or 2 or deveral nukes, Israel has over 200, we have thousands! How scared should we be? The Iranians should be scared because they know if they or one of their terrorist proxies uses the bomb, they become a nuclear target, radioactive dust. Can’t our leaders just remind them of that and leave them the f**k alone? Gotta love that Iranian oil though and their “Straights of (Oil)WhoreMuze”.
Give me a break. Powell helped SELL this damn war to the UN and the American people. He also signed off on torture during those “secret meetings” with the Principals of the NSC. He’s trying to rehabilitate his reputation, but for those of us with long memories, it’s not going to happen.
April 10th, 2008 at 11:12 amI love the smell of irony in the morning.
April 10th, 2008 at 11:13 am
Powell is not a war criminal.
April 10th, 2008 at 11:13 amSorry Powell…way too little, way too late. Obama doesn’t need this piece of Bush in his cabinet.
April 10th, 2008 at 11:14 amso, considering abc’s — what should be jaw-dropping, but sadly isn’t — story on the principals’ masturbatory torture meetings; was powell pressed on his complicity?
April 10th, 2008 at 11:15 amswilliams41 Says:
April 10th, 2008 at 11:06 am
General Powell would make a great SECDEF or SECSTATE for Obama, I’m just sayin’.
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I think Obama could find a few better choices for either of those positions. There are plenty of qualified people who HAVEN’T lied through their teeth to the UN General Assembly in order to justify an illegal occupation.
April 10th, 2008 at 11:17 amColin Powell: Trying to buy back his soul, one penny at a time
April 10th, 2008 at 11:17 amMcWars Says:
April 10th, 2008 at 11:13 am
Powell is not a war criminal.
________________
I don’t know if he is or not, McWars. But he did shill for Botch at the UN in the lead-up to the war. And he was late in coming forward w/ his objections.
I’m getting a little tired of folks like Powell and Chafee coming forward so after the fact w/ their “I was against it…” routines.
Why the HELL didn’t any of them speak up BEFORE… when it might have made a difference? Instead of a MILLION dead Iraqis later?
April 10th, 2008 at 11:18 amSpeaking of liars and the Iraq war, Diane Rehm is taking Doug Feith down a peg or two: http://wamu.org/programs/dr/
April 10th, 2008 at 11:19 amswilliams41 Says:
April 10th, 2008 at 11:06 am
General Powell would make a great SECDEF or SECSTATE for Obama,
You have to be f-ing kidding me.
Powell supported the lies that got us into Iraq, bud.
April 10th, 2008 at 11:20 amAgreed, Wayne.
Whatever credibility Powell once had on military matters, he shot completely running interference for Botch.
I don’t know if he belongs at the Hague w/ Botch and the Dickster, but I sure as HELL don’t want him anywhere near my government.
April 10th, 2008 at 11:23 amAt least Powell is willing to state the obvious — that our military is going from a solid force to a house of cards — which is more than the Bush apologists are willing to state.
Clinton and Obama both recognize the problem (as well as recognizing that Iraq will only take care of themselves with us out of the way), and both plan withdrawal. But what about McCain? He not only wants to maintain (if not escalate) our presence in Iraq for “as long as it takes”, but he wants to take on Iran as well. How does he propose to do this without personnel?
It’s been said that reinstating the draft would be political suicide for anyone who even attempts it. Does McCain believe in his cause enough to fall on his own political sword for it? He’d better come up with something if he still wants to play war.
April 10th, 2008 at 11:25 am# hussein toasterhead Says:
April 10th, 2008 at 11:17 am
swilliams41 Says:
April 10th, 2008 at 11:06 am
General Powell would make a great SECDEF or SECSTATE for Obama, I’m just sayin’.
______
I think Obama could find a few better choices for either of those positions. There are plenty of qualified people who HAVEN’T lied through their teeth to the UN General Assembly in order to justify an illegal occupation.
Like maybe Wesley Clark?
April 10th, 2008 at 11:25 amgummitch Says:
April 10th, 2008 at 11:25 am
Like maybe Wesley Clark?
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In theory, yes. Though he’s currently advising Hillary. But he’s on my short list, along with Jim Webb and Chuck Hagel.
April 10th, 2008 at 11:27 amI digress on the Powell recommendation, what was I thinking???
April 10th, 2008 at 11:28 amHow about Va. Senator Webb as an Obama VP? I am just putting out feelers…
Is mister powell now remorseful of having put so many people in their graves? Is he concerned now that he has opened every american in the world to torture and arrest and indefinite imprisonment? Is he happy to be an ex military goon that supports the torture that the troops are now subject to if they are captured?
The poor man doesn’t understand honor because he has no principles. What human garbage.
April 10th, 2008 at 11:32 amI’m getting a little tired of folks like Powell and Chafee coming forward so after the fact w/ their “I was against it…” routines.
Chafee was the only Republican that voted AGAINST the Iraq Resolution. In addition, as he pointed out in this op-ed, there was another option…an amendment offered by Sen. Levin that ultimately failed passage. By the way, Hillary, while voting in favor of the Iraq Resolution, voted no on Levin’s amendment. Someone should really question her about THAT vote!
“A mere 10 hours before the roll was called on the administration-backed Iraq war resolution, the Senate had an opportunity to prevent the current catastrophe in Iraq and to salvage the United States’ international standing. Carl Levin, Democrat of Michigan, offered a substitute to the war resolution, the Multilateral Use of Force Authorization Act of 2002.
Senator Levin’s amendment called for United Nations approval before force could be authorized. It was unambiguous and compatible with international law. Acutely cognizant of the dangers of the time, and the reality that diplomatic options could at some point be exhausted, Senator Levin wrote an amendment that was nimble: it affirmed that Congress would stand at the ready to reconsider the use of force if, in the judgment of the president, a United Nations resolution was not “promptly adopted” or enforced. Ceding no rights or sovereignty to an international body, the amendment explicitly avowed America’s right to defend itself if threatened.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/01/opinion/01chafee.html
April 10th, 2008 at 11:37 amI’m walking a fine line with backing Powell, I know, and that doesn’t come easy. Almost not shilling for this administration is the same as shilling for this administration.
I don’t want my own reluctant backing of Powell to tarnish any good cred at TP. “Bush’s War” may have locked it in, who knows. If better logic prevails, perhaps Powell should be lumped in with the war criminals and tried, if it ever comes to that.
April 10th, 2008 at 11:39 amTRoS — I don’t know if he belongs at the Hague w/ Botch and the Dickster, but I sure as HELL don’t want him anywhere near my government.
I fully agree here. He should not be returned to Government service. Powell can become a University President or a CEO for all I care, but I don’t want him back in the Government where he call ‘almost’ do the right thing.
April 10th, 2008 at 11:43 amdanishpigkartoon
flagged for deliberate racist baiting.
April 10th, 2008 at 11:44 amFlagged, Wayne!
April 10th, 2008 at 11:46 amIn an interview with ABC’s Good Morning America today, former Secretary of State Colin Powell
Why would ABC even dignify asking him any questions whatsoever especially about the War? Former Secretary of State or not, he lost all credibility by his actions. More so, by not speaking out after he left about the secret meetings pertaining to torture. If he had any decency or conscious left in him he would have.
April 10th, 2008 at 11:50 amAmerican Airlines are cancelling flights left and right to do some “re-wiring.” Call me crazy, but i can’t shake the feeling that this something untoward. Anyone else thinking the same thing or am i losing it. Be honest.
April 10th, 2008 at 11:52 amSo, now the bird sings?
April 10th, 2008 at 11:54 amrobertoroberto Says:
April 10th, 2008 at 11:52 am
American Airlines are cancelling flights left and right to do some “re-wiring.” Call me crazy, but i can’t shake the feeling that this something untoward. Anyone else thinking the same thing or am i losing it. Be honest.
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Honestly? I think it’s a massive CYA maneuver to prevent the government from issuing stricter regulation to ensure that airline mechanics actually do their jobs.
April 10th, 2008 at 11:56 amPowell knew that going into Iraq without an Arab coalition was a recipe for disaster. He knew that going in with insufficient force to seal the country was a guarantee of an insurgency. He knew that going in without an exit strategy would risk a quagmire. Despite all of that he supported a war he knew was a bad idea and stayed on until after Bush secured a second term. Does anyone seriously believe Bush would be in office today if Powell had quit in protest any time before November 2004?
The war criminal question is akin to debating angels dancing on pins unless you really believe any US prez is going to set a precedent that could end up with his/her fanny on the dock someday. Powell’s decision to place loyalty to his president over loyalty to his country however marks him as a catastrophic failure as a public servant.
April 10th, 2008 at 12:00 pmFair enough HusseinToasterhead. I guess constant search for conspiracy is leading me to that odd conclusion. I’m just waiting for the end of this insane administration so we can stop this nonesense.
April 10th, 2008 at 12:00 pmHow much fuel is AA saving by grounding those thirsty MD-80’s and filling up commuter jets, wide-bodies, 757’s and 737-800’s and rescheduling anyone who can’t be acommidated. Jet fuel is expensive these days. I guess calling it a maintinence stop is cool.
April 10th, 2008 at 12:16 pmrobertoroberto Says:
April 10th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Fair enough HusseinToasterhead. I guess constant search for conspiracy is leading me to that odd conclusion. I’m just waiting for the end of this insane administration so we can stop this nonesense.
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Understood – I regard everything I hear from this government with suspicion. But I’ve also heard some very frightening stories from my airline mechanic father-in-law about sheer incompetence on the tarmac: caps left off fuel tanks, rags left in wiring panels, that sort of thing.
Now, the fact that FAA higher-ups were instructing inspectors to ignore this sort of thing – well, you can read into that what you will. Is it a case of the fox guarding the hen house or something more sinister?
April 10th, 2008 at 12:25 pmWith stories such as that, it’s quite amazing that there hasnt been more plane crashes. Did they have to do all this maintenence at the same time on all the planes though? Seems to be utter chaos right now and will unfortunately lead to more conspiracy theories being unearthed, that you can be sure of.
April 10th, 2008 at 12:30 pmrobertoroberto Says:
April 10th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Fair enough HusseinToasterhead. I guess constant search for conspiracy is leading me to that odd conclusion. I’m just waiting for the end of this insane administration so we can stop this nonesense.
Even if you’re paranoid, it doesn’t mean they are not out to get you. =)
The crookedness is so deep, so pervasive throughout our whole system now, I put nothing to chance with these fascists. It is so bad, there is no telling what will be found once all the rocks are turned over.
And I am lumping most of the Bush Lapdog Democrats in with the “fascist group”. Those who have voted with Bush the last 7-8 years are as guilty as the Republicans, IMHO.
April 10th, 2008 at 12:37 pmrobertoroberto Says:
April 10th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
With stories such as that, it’s quite amazing that there hasnt been more plane crashes. Did they have to do all this maintenence at the same time on all the planes though? Seems to be utter chaos right now and will unfortunately lead to more conspiracy theories being unearthed, that you can be sure of.
_____
I’m sure this is part of their strategy – they want to be able to tell their customers, “hey, don’t blame us for cancelling your flight. It’s those pencil-pushers at the FAA who are making us do it.”
April 10th, 2008 at 12:38 pmPowell needs a job and is sucking up to the Freshman Senator while using color to get it. Powell will be charged with War Crimes with this information:
Members of the National Security Council’s Principals Committee — Dick Cheney, Condoleezza Rice, Donald Rumsfeld, Colin Powell, George Tenet, and John Ashcroft — approved the use of these techniques
Obama won Iowa and then Powell, Kerry and Kennedy jumped in to take charge. Obama was in Hollywood saying he supported don’t ask don’t tell, now with Powell in charge that will not be the case if Obama gets to be President. Kerry has gone on TV and announced his plan for the White House but forgot to tell Obama. What we’re seeing is again a puppet President. By the time these primaries are over everything Obama said will be changed by his advisers. Powell sit back and agreed to allowing torture and spying and now he acts like it never happen. Kerry see the chance to be President and he’s taking it. No wonder they asked Hillary to step down from the race. This group will be no better then the Bush/Cheney Crime team just new faces. But it’s nice to see how Powell can again make fools of no only Obama but the rest of the US. Powell should start his campaign fund for his legal fees first. Thanks to the notes of the inter circle meeting we know Powell lied again when he said he didn’t know anything about what the White House was doing as he tried to blame it all on Tentet.
April 10th, 2008 at 1:02 pm.
Colin Powell = Co Conspirator to WAR CRIMES!
He has NO credibility left. Why is ANYTHING he says or does in defense OF those WAR CRIMES credible? Notice that the MSMBS still pander his expertise… Ppppfffftttt!
.
April 10th, 2008 at 1:24 pmWhy would I believe anything one of ‘The Principals’ has to say? Powell went right along with the rest of those thugs to determine exactly what excrutiating form of torture would be most appropriate for our CIA to inflict on prisoners. I don’t think he’s going to like it when he’s arrested overseas for being a War Criminal. Should be arrested here, but first we have to repudiate the slug Yoo’s legal (yeah, right, legal my ass) underpinnings.
April 10th, 2008 at 1:47 pmI must have missed it, but at what point did ABC ask Powell how he feels about being an enabler for the illegal war? I mean, is there any question that, not only would we NOT be in Iraq now, but Bush would not have secured a second term, had Powell actually acted on principle and resigned knowing what he knew in 2002. As far I can surmise, Powell should lay low and not speaketh about anything unless it’s at the local Rotary Club gathering in respect of the next fund raiser, and even then that should be authorized with great care. Who cares what Powell thinks.
April 10th, 2008 at 1:47 pmAs a military man, he should know that torture is now going to be inflicted with impunity when our soldiers are captured. If we do it to ‘the enemy’ (booga-booga!), then they’ll do it to us. We’ve lost any moral authority because of this bunch of criminals. (You can actually see it on his face that he’s tortured inside…good – maybe at least his conscience is tormenting him.)
April 10th, 2008 at 1:50 pmDoes the media ever ask Gen. Toguba, Shinseki, van Riper, Admiral Fallon to offer THEIR expert opinions? Why is it always ONLY the Bush admin puppets?
April 10th, 2008 at 1:56 pm5th – they’ve got to keep ‘the message’ on message. Nobody off the reservation with their own opinions, why that would send the wrong message.
April 10th, 2008 at 2:00 pmEXCELLENT Point 5th Estate, #47, those who weren’t flat-out enablers for the most disastrous foreign policy decision in US history should be the ones getting the media attention.
Powell’s a worthless, vile slug, who should be mocked & repudiated harshly and shunned socially at every possible opportunity.
There’s no way Powell should ever be allowed to forget, or live down, his role in enabling the ongoing Crime Against Humanity called the Iraq invasion & occupation, and the sooner he stands trial at the Hague, the better off the world will be.
If Powell REALLY wants to atone for his outright lies at the UN, let him get his ass to Iraq, outside the Green Zone, lightly armed and with no security detail, just like the majority of Iraqis themselves have to live on an everyday basis.
If Powell’s desire for accountability doesn’t extend to actually serving in Iraq, then at this point he should just STFU.
There’s not a level of Hell deep, miserable or permanent enough for all those who engineered and implemented the Iraq invasion and occupation.
April 10th, 2008 at 2:44 pmI used to have a modicum of respect for Powell; however, after his shameful performance at the UN at the behest of the Bushies, and now upon learning of his participation in torture procedure meetings, I have no respect left for him. He, of all people, should have foreseen the problems that have come about as a result of the war mongering of the Bushies — he was one of them and he still is.
Cheney you Powell and all of those stars you wore on your shoulders.
April 10th, 2008 at 3:23 pmPowell lost all credibility when it became apparent that there were no WMD as he so dramaticly claimed at the United Nations,during his so called “solid evidence”,for the illegal invasion of Iraq.I didnt beleive him then and I have no sympathy for him now.He is complicit,right along with Bush/Cheney and the whole gang of neocons who had planned this disaster for years before Bush was even elected.He is a disgrace to the uniform he wears and should not br allowed to even claim the rank of General.The deaths of every American soldier and every Iraqi citizen are on his hands.He may escape prosecution here but he will not escape judgment when he stands before his maker.His punishment will fit the crime.
April 10th, 2008 at 3:56 pmIn the 2000 presidential debates, Bush said Bill Clinton had our troops overextended around the world and we should bring some home.
Powell’s speech to the UN in 2003 was mostly based on Curveball and it was known before the speech that what he was saying was false. Whether or not they kept this from Powell, I don’t know.
Powell helped coverup the My Lai massacre and lied to congress in Iran-Contra.
April 10th, 2008 at 5:54 pmIf only Condi saved her dressessohbet instead of cleaning them. But in today’s twisted America, I don’t believe anything would happen if George Bush was cetcaught in bed with a dead girl AND a live boy. And it all procedes with a cheeky grin and a sickening smugness that is as arrogant as it is insultingBedava mp3 indir.
April 11th, 2009 at 1:06 pm