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Post by Rich Fisher on Feb 27, 2009 14:21:47 GMT -4
What do you think - good or bad idea?
>>Obama To Announce U.S. Troop Pullout Date For Iraq
(Washington, DC) -- President Obama plans to have U.S. combat forces out of Iraq by August of 2010. He's expected to make that date official in an announcement today at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. Even after the pullout, up to 50-thousand troops could be left behind to be involved with training and counterterrorism operations. A congressional aide who'd attended a White House briefing on the subject spilled the announcement beans a little early.
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Post by shadow1 on Feb 27, 2009 14:36:37 GMT -4
Being that we were already committed, IMO good or bad will be determined based on what happens after we pull out. Is it a good idea to get ours troops back home, d*mn right. Also, my guess is that the Congressional aide who leaked the information early, may become "ex-aide"
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Post by funnel101 on Feb 27, 2009 16:53:24 GMT -4
I think it's a good idea. The Iraqis need to have hope that they're going to get their country back, and our troops need to know that the end is in sight.
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Post by pete1 on Feb 27, 2009 17:23:35 GMT -4
Over 4,000 soldiers dead with many thousands more crippled. For what?
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Post by linda712 on Feb 27, 2009 17:34:13 GMT -4
I wonder if anyone has asked the soldiers what they want to do.
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Post by hisea on Feb 27, 2009 18:18:43 GMT -4
Our troops are doing a outstanding job! I can't say how proud I am to have served in the armed force with the people that are fighting for us today! God bless each and every one of them. If the job is done, bring them home! 50,000 is still a large force to deal with and help maintain control of the terrorist in Irag if needed. The fighting will go on for a long time. Its us against them.....We will defeat the terrorist!
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Post by Tommy on Feb 27, 2009 19:28:04 GMT -4
I wonder if anyone has asked the soldiers what they want to do. Thier opinion doesn't count. Soldiers obey orders - period. As far a a troop reduction, I agree that its time. The situation appears to be somewhat stable, the Iraqi's have a 600,000 man security force and armed insurgents are estimated to be about 10,000 strong. Its time for them to clean their own house and take control of their destiny.
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Post by linda712 on Feb 27, 2009 19:30:59 GMT -4
Understood they obey orders - period. They still have opinions.
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Post by bluecrabber on Feb 27, 2009 21:35:14 GMT -4
armed insurgents are estimated to be about 10,000 strong. Its time for them to clean their own house and take control of their destiny. I bet that number is woefully low. Heck, at last estimate, there is about 1 million gang members in the U.S.! I bet at least half of them are armed.. Best regards, BC
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Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2009 0:15:44 GMT -4
It's time......I'm not sure if the date is based on anything. If the Iraqis, US Military and other US agencies agree, do it then and get it over.
One thing that I would like to see happen is some type of agreement with the Iraqi government that the US would be given first and/or special consideration on all future oil sale agreements. Not necessarily extortion, but hey....we did topple Saddam for them. I remember some time back reading that the Chinese had made some oil agreement with the Iraqi's for billions of dollars. That shouldn't happen, it should be for us.
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Post by misternuke on Feb 28, 2009 1:47:14 GMT -4
Over 4,000 soldiers dead with many thousands more crippled. For what? For the Iraqi's first opportunity to vote on their own future in over 3 decades... So Iraqi families don't have to worry about their children disappearing off the streets, never to be seen again.... So Sunni and Shia citizens can sit beside each other as members of a freely elected parliament, and learn how to conduct a peaceful transition of power.... I could go on and on..... Pete1....don't know if you've ever spent any time in Baghdad, but I'll tell you that having a 'purple-fingered' voter come up to you...beaming...to let you know how happy he is that he just got to vote for the first time in his life...is all I needed to see to know that what we were doing is worth it. Hang around in the military long enough, and you get to follow orders from a wide variety of Commanders in Chief. I've fought for Bush 41 (Desert Storm), Clinton (Haiti, Bosnia) and Bush 43 (Iraq x2). Yes we do follow orders, but if you want my opinion, Iraqi Freedom was the most 'worth it' and the biggest accomplishment. I know what we've done and I'm very proud of our accomplishments there. The nay sayers need to stop trying to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Things change...the first time I was there, I probably would have told you we'd need to be there in some way for the next 20-30 years....I was there again during the 'surge', and at that point, making an announcement about a withdrawal date would have been a BIG mistake. Right now, on the other hand, things are very different on the ground over there. The Iraqi forces are really gaining confidence and skill...and most importantly, legitimacy with the Iraqi people. At this point, we can honestly start discussing dates. It inspires the citizens' confidence in thier own government now that they are capable of handling most of their own domestic flare-ups in a competent and confident manner.
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Post by linda712 on Feb 28, 2009 1:56:13 GMT -4
See, I told you they had opinions. Misternuke, you are and remain a hero. Thank you for posting. And I might also add, I have heard the same from other soldiers in conversations I've had with them over the years. None of them wanted to pull out. All said the time would be wrong. All wanted to return. One returned three times. I'm proud of our soldiers. I'm also proud of their opinions.
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Post by dej on Feb 28, 2009 4:28:43 GMT -4
While I never served in Baghdad like Misternuke, after a few years of service (from Nixon to Bush 43) I still keep in touch with people who have been, and their comments echo his. Nearly all feel a sense of accomplishment, which is the way troops are supposed to feel at the end of a mission.
Pete, while any combat casualties are regretable, none of these men & women were drafted. They were all volunteers. For the last seven years or so, peopel knew, or should have known, what they were signing up for. I suspect it may have been the same things they died for.
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Post by hisea on Feb 28, 2009 8:59:50 GMT -4
Having served for twenty years in the armed services I can tell you that all the men an woman I served with have very strong opinions of every subject that has to do with anything and everything. Most also believe in being a part of actions that are bigger then just oneself. They may not agree or even like what they are told to do but they will complete the task as best as they can (and some will die completing the task) because they believe in what they are doing is just and right!
Instead of sitting around and tearing down others, they took the call to action so others can sit at home and feel safe and secure in a country that lets you say and type" 4000 dead and thousand more crippled for what?" for you! So you can sit behind your computer or in a bar and say anything you want to because you have freedom of speech. You can complain how you feel about the war the gov't or any thing that is on your mind! Some of us decided to act and not sit back and arm chair quarterback. Enjoy your freedom of speech I know I do. You are welcome to speak as open as you want this is America!
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Post by einebierbitte on Feb 28, 2009 9:49:43 GMT -4
Once again, my heart, hat, and appreciation go out to the Armed Forces and those who have served and been there Thank you!!!
From the bottom of my heart.... Civilians just don't get it....and that's ok.....
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Post by pete1 on Feb 28, 2009 18:50:43 GMT -4
misternuke..............My hat goes off to you and all of the soldiers that serve. Especially those who paid the ultimate price, and those that have been wounded beyond repair. War is hell as you front line warriors can attest to. War is also politics, and that is the down side. I do a lot of entertaining with my guitar at old age homes. When I find a W.W.II vet I always talk to them. What they fought for then, seems different to them today. There are two Johnny Cash songs that brings a tear to my eyes every time I hear them. THE RAGGED OLD FLAG - THE BALLAD OF IRA HAYES......God Bless America.
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Post by RobMoore on Feb 28, 2009 19:42:44 GMT -4
I wonder if anyone has asked the soldiers what they want to do. Ask a soldier/sailor/marine/ what they think you should do once, and next time you order them to do something they will question it like you asked them to the first time. That switch isn't one you can flip back and forth at your leisure. Unquestioning obedience is a mandatory trait in a combat troop. It doesn't work any other way because it can't work any other way.
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Post by linda712 on Feb 28, 2009 20:09:03 GMT -4
My question was not based on the assumption that any soldier had any say in anything, and looks like it should have been worded differently. My question was based on whether the soldiers themselves actually had thoughts, i.e. opinions, and whether they were asked how they felt. Who better would be able to answer? I think that question was adequately addressed above.
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Post by bluecrabber on Mar 1, 2009 19:11:21 GMT -4
Misternuke.. thank you for your service. Some of your fellow citizens know the difference between a Navy Captain and an Army Captain. Best regards, BC 82nd Airborne
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Post by terplady on Mar 1, 2009 20:18:32 GMT -4
My Father 82nd Airborne..WWII
Thank you all.
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Post by einebierbitte on Mar 1, 2009 20:26:45 GMT -4
Misternuke.. thank you for your service. Some of your fellow citizens know the difference between a Navy Captain and an Army Captain. Best regards, BC 82nd Airborne LOL!!!!! (robmoore, don't exclude the airmen....even if you all consider it the "chairforce".....We know how to follow rules too.....LOL!!!!
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Post by RobMoore on Mar 1, 2009 21:55:27 GMT -4
Sorry, I excluded the airmen not out of disrespect, or lack of knowledge of the harm they put themselves in, but their job description didn't match the situations I was trying to portray. Those would be the footsoldier charging the hillside bunker, or the sailor making that "right full rudder" on-command, ect ect.
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Post by misternuke on Mar 1, 2009 23:38:29 GMT -4
Strange as it may sound, which branch of the service you are with is having less and less to do with the type of things you end up doing in a war zone. Every branch is pitching in. As a Sailor, I was particularly appreciative of the Maryland Guardsmen who we had at our base who were working perimiter security.....I reminded them on a regular basis which building to defend at all costs (my pad!)....since I'm sure the Governor would appreciate the all out defense of a Maryland taxpayer!!!!!
I appreciate the expressions of thanks from you all....it means a lot to hear that you are appreciated. I'll tell you what was the greatest, though, were the kind gestures to my wife and kids while I was gone. If you want to support the troops, you can do no better than to help take care of their family while they're away. Cut a lawn, shovel a driveway, babysit for an evening...it makes a HUGE difference.
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Post by einebierbitte on Mar 4, 2009 8:18:34 GMT -4
I appreciate the expressions of thanks from you all....it means a lot to hear that you are appreciated. I'll tell you what was the greatest, though, were the kind gestures to my wife and kids while I was gone. If you want to support the troops, you can do no better than to help take care of their family while they're away. Cut a lawn, shovel a driveway, babysit for an evening...it makes a HUGE difference. HEAR!! HEAR!!!
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Post by einebierbitte on Mar 4, 2009 8:22:14 GMT -4
Strange as it may sound, which branch of the service you are with is having less and less to do with the type of things you end up doing in a war zone. Every branch is pitching in. That is so true, last year my husband (AIR FORCE) spent 11 months in an Army Billet on the front lines in a combat unit..... This time around he is in a navy billet in a joint command somewhere over there... I truly can't remember the last time he deployed to an actual air force billet.....maybe Desert Storm......hmmmmm I am as bad as the next person, I have a habit as refering to all Military members as Soldiers....... But I believe we are more jointly connected today than we have ever been..
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