Sen. Nelson (D-Ne) says patience wearing thin with Iraqis

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Omaha World Herald

BY JOSEPH MORTON

WASHINGTON — Time is running out for an Iraqi government that continues to fall short of the performance benchmarks laid down by Congress, Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., said Tuesday.

"If they continue to fail to make progress and meet the benchmarks, we will need to fundamentally reassess what our future role might be in Iraq. We can't sustain this pace forever," Nelson said in a Senate speech.

Nelson thus far has rejected mandatory timetables for troop withdrawals. But he pushed earlier this year for passage of benchmarks on political, military and security issues, plus requirements for progress reports.

The General Accountability Office released a report in September indicating that three of the congressional benchmarks had been met, four had been partially met and 11 were not met.

Read more: http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=1100&u_sid=10171924

[TwilightGardener]

1. This from the asshole who voted AGAINST Levin-Reed in September--

fuck off, Helmet Head.

[bullimiami]

2. sure, blame the iraqis.

they govern, eat, buy bread, have electricity, all at the whim and command of george w bush and their american overseers.

nelson is a wanker.

[...of J.Temperance]

5. Senator Ben Nelson is my LEAST favorite Senator, but....

Part of why Iraq is now in the mess it's in, must be recognized as the responsibility of the Iraqi government....it's the Iraqi governments job now to ensure that Iraq is run correctly and it's the responsibility of the Iraqi government to get their own countries security in some sort of control.

What exactly ARE the Iraqi government doing? I can't see where they show any actual inclination to get off their asses and DO THINGS for THEMSELVES.

[bullimiami]

11. there is NO IRAQI GOVERNMENT. just some guys who played along well enough

to be allowed to sit in the sham government the US controls.

This is an occupied country. International law puts the responsibility for running the country and the infrastructure on the occupiers.
Stop blaming the victims.

[PassingFair]

12. Um....we BLEW UP the Iraqi government. Then INSTALLED

people willing to guard "our oil".

But go on blaming the victims. It's a GREAT political tactic.

:sarcasm:

[MasonJar]

3. Well, Senator, I am sure that the Iraqis' patience with the US wore out years

ago. Small wonder!

[hatrack]

4. Blahblahblahblah Blahblahblah Blahblahblahblahblah blahblah

Whatfuckingever, Nellie (D(R) - Nebraska)

[Solly Mack]

6. Yes...after invading for lies and trumped up evidence, occupying the country

illegally detaining and torturing the people, destroying their homes and infrastructure, and with billions of dollars gone missing that were supposed to "aid" the Iraqis,not to mention placing mercenaries in the country who get away with murder, I can see how he would be impatient with Iraqis for not waving a magic wand and repairing all that damage

[TheFarseer]

7. If they can't shape up -

then we'll have to think about this some more?! That's basically what he said. How about pulling out? He's like that parent that keep saying, "Don't make me stop this car" when everybody knows he's not going to stop the car.

[tom_paine]

8. Well, I think the only thing to do is invade them again.

THIS time, we go in like 14th Century Mongols and THAT will finally teach them to disappoint us.

(do I need to add :sarcasm: )

[hayu_lol]

9. Bill Nelson is an asshole blue dog...

for 7 years now, he has been a BushCo enabler. He has never seen a Repugnant Bill that he could not willingly and cheerfully support. If anyone or group from his state had spines, they could replace him.

That non-thinking state would be better off with a good solid conservative Repug.

[JNelson6563]

10. Those damn ingrates

We go in and obliterate their country and what do we get? Nothing but ingratitude.

Oy.

Julie

[Supersedeas]

13. a bush dog dem is feeling the bite of reality