Top Commander Denounces Call for Iraq Withdrawal Deadline

[sabra]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/16/AR2005111601427.html

Top Commander Denounces Call for Iraq Withdrawal Deadline


BAGHDAD, Nov. 16 -- A top American commander in Iraq on Wednesday denounced calls by some U.S. senators and others for a deadline on withdrawal from Iraq, calling that "a recipe for disaster" for the 2 -year-old war.

"Setting a date would mean that the 221 soldiers I've lost this year, that their lives will have been lost in vain," said Maj. Gen. William Webster, whose 3rd Infantry Division is responsible for security in three-fourths of Iraq's capital.

...

"Our troops are trying to get this accomplished," Webster told a small group of reporters. "They believe they're doing the right thing. The soldiers believe they're helping."

While the United States has an exit strategy from Iraq, Webster said, he believed leaders had yet to even privately fix a plan setting dates for phased withdrawals. "I think it's a recipe for disaster," he said of the demands for such deadlines. "Setting a date is a loser."

[Barrett808]

1. But the current state of affairs already *is* a disaster

So we have...recipe for ongoing disaster, or recipe for another form of disaster as our options.

Thanks, George.

[ewagner]

2. Ah, General Webster?

Can you tell me exactly what it is "Our troops are trying to get this accomplished?"

See, General, that's the whole problem. We don't have a mission there anymore....maybe we never did.

[harlinchi]

3. Beat me to it!

What 'thing' are our troops trying to get done?

[Jacobin]

4. Bucking for that fifth star on your shoulder much?

These whackos need to be reined in

[0007]

14. Can you believe this crap? Up & down like a yo yo.

The War Criminal list continues to grow.

[Roland99]

5. Doesn't matter what the soldiers believe they'r doing and if it's helping.

This is a no-win situation and it's time to get our men and women HOME!

[acmavm]

6. This guy really needs to be quiet. This 'troops lives lost in vain if we

pull out' crap has really gotton old and stale. they would still be alive if a bunch of lying crooks, aided by a bunch of guys who enjoy war, didn't invade a country that didn't do a damn thing to deserve it. That's really dying in vain.

Believe me, I understand the military and the necessity to have one in tip top fighting shape. But the simple fact is ours is all used up. We're trying to call up reservists being treated for breast cancer and amputees. Give me a break.

[louis-t]

7. "They believe they're doing the right thing.

..The soldiers believe they're helping."
They've been lied to. So, if they KEEP dying, that makes it OK?

[vogonity]

8. What is the possibility of a troop morale breakdown?

And of course I mean no disrespect to any current or former soldiers in Iraq or anywhere else with this question. Is it possible that troop morale could reach some kind of breaking point? If it did, what could happen?

As it appears that the ** admin is suffering some sort of implosion, what effect could this have on soldiers over in Iraq?

[Justitia]

9. Do we let delusional generals make foreign policy?

Uh, no. We leave that to the delusional administration in place, but that's another story.

So, according to this war-monger, the only way to honor fallen soldiers is by KILLING MORE SOLDIERS!!!!!!

What great fucking logic. :crazy:

[TheCowsCameHome]

10. So lose another 221 to honor the 221 already gone? Are you nuts?

What is with these people?

[MadisonProgressive]

11. Just because you brainwashed your troops... WAAHHHHH!!!

[mymomwasright]

12. I really hate this one sided trash!!

Everyone should really be told that military dudes can't say anything to the negative against leadership or its mission, without violating the UCMJ. They can say positive things supporting Bush, but nothing negative. Reporters should make that fact known to the public every time a military member says this kind of stuff!!!:puke:

[SammyWinstonJack]

13. The *recipe for disaster* was invading Iraq in the first place.

Stop lying to the Troops!

[K-W]

15. But apparently having morons in command isnt a problem.

I mean really, a deadline? A tentative deadline is going to demoralize our troops?

The lack of a deadline is what is demoralizing our troops. The lack of a plan is what is shaming the momory of the dead with its promise of more deaths.

[skrunch]

16. That putz Bill Hemmer said to Barb Boxer...

"If you set a deadline to get out, wouldn't the terrorists just hang back for a year and wait for us to leave?"

Hey shithead...we're gonna get out in less than a year if they stop bombing. Fox is a great place for you.

[leesa]

21. WE are the terrorists.

[daleo]

17. If more soldiers don't die,

then the soldiers who have already died will have died in vain. Perfectly impeccable circular reasoning with no way out.

[pfitz59]

18. 'Green Zone' Cowboy......

I'm sure the General has put his life on the line (or not!)

[IndianaGreen]

19. Nearly 2,100 GIs lost their lives for nothing!

Tomorrow is not soon enough to bring all the troops home from this criminal war!

[Brundle_Fly]

20. I have NEVER heard a democrat call it a deadline.

TIMELINE TIMELINE TIMELINE TIMELINE TIMELINE TIMELINE TIMELINE TIMELINE

a timeline is a totally different animal.

[Orsino]

22. Yes, Webster, it *does* mean you're partly responsible...

...for sending troops to kill and die in vain. Iknow that it's hard to accept, but the parallels to Vietnam are so eerily apparent that even you are retreating to the cliches of that era.

Those lives are already squandered. Pretending that the cause was just does the troops or their families any particular service--and how you sleep at night is not really my concern.