Why June 30th? Why not July 30th? Why not May 30th?

[kentuck]

Rev Jesse Jackson just pointed out to Chas Krauthammer and Maj General Paul Vallely (sp?) that June 30th was chosen because of the upcoming election, not for any strategic reason. Is he correct ? Is there an added danger making military policy to fit domestic election policy?

[keithyboy]

1. Rev Jackson is correct as usual.

There is no other explanation and now Bush is hell bent on sticking to that date because to change it (in the neocon mind) would be signaling 'defeat.'

[liberalhistorian]

2. I would tend to believe Jackson's take on it,

it's the only explanation that really fits. Of course, I don't think it'll happen on June 30, I don't see how it can. And as long as our military is there, we will be in control no matter what the situation is on paper.

[ConsAreLiars]

12. Who are you calling "we"?

If you take seriously either component of your nick, you might want to be a bit less fuzzy than is suggested by using terms like "our military" or "we will be in control." This is a war initiated and carried out by a small but powerful group, and your "we" certainly does not include me or the vast majority of people here in the US. It includes the BFEE, for sure, and maybe you, perhaps, if you feel you are a part of that group. But not me or DU generally or most people.

[liberalhistorian]

13. Oh, for God's sake,

talk about going overboard! You know damn well that it was just a generic "we" and "our" referring to the American military and not meant to imply that I and DU and most people in general were the ones in control or anything like that. Yes, indeed, it's just a small, powerful group who's really in control, but that's not the way a lot of the rest of the world will see it. The military and those in charge have the "U.S.A." byline, and that is the way that they will be seen whether that's really the case or not, and whether we like it or not.

And I would appreciate not having my DU and/or liberal credentials questioned from someone with less than 1,000 posts as opposed to my nearly 8,500 posts.

[Bluebear]

3. "Stay the Course" is the new GOP mantra

Never adjust. Never admit you were mistaken. Never.

[shraby]

4. It's not a wise course to take

in nature, when there is a terrific wind, grass stays cause it bends with the wind but trees that are rigid oftentimes end up broken.

[Bluebear]

5. In the words of Mario Cuomo

... the ship of state is headed for the rocks.

The crew knows it. The passengers know it. Only the captain of the ship, President Bush, appears not to know it. He seems to think that the ship will be saved by the imperceptible undercurrents, directed by the invisible hand of some cyclical economic god, that will gradually move the ship so that at the last moment it will miraculously glide past the rocks.

<snip>

So step aside, Mr. Bush!

You've had your parade!

It's time for change! It's time for someone smart enough to know; strong enough to do; sure enough to lead.
---

Of course, this was about Bush I. Like father, like son.

[NightTrain]

6. Reagan said the same thing in 1982, when the economy was in the toilet.

His remark inspired a political cartoonist to draw a ship named the S.S. REAGANONMICS going over a waterfall, with the captain saying, "Stay the course!" :evilgrin:

[AntiCoup2K4]

7. I'm surprised even Jesse could get a word in between those 2 assholes....

Krauthammer and Vallelly - neocon shitbags that they are.

My theory of June 30 (as opposed to July or August, either of which would be in time for the election) is that Junior wanted Iraq's "Independence" conveniently timed to hijack the 4th of July and pervert it into a celebration of his stupid war.

[osaMABUSh]

8. Dick Morris said * can win the election if he pulls out of Iraq

I think I heard him say that on O'Reilly.

SO staying the course is almost certain defeat.

[OneBlueSky]

9. end of the fiscal year . . .

makes it easier for Halliburton, Bechtel and the rest to close out their books for the year . . . (sarcasm intended) . . .

[progressivebydesign]

10. Three words: FOURTH OF JULY!! aka Independence Day

It's for the ultimate photo op folks.. count on it.

[Undercutter]

11. it's a joke

the iraqi government has been asking to have control over prisons and over military. us flatly said - no. this 'transition' does not mean anything at all. the only transition will come after the general iraqi elections, and that is a big if, because chances are us will keep any remotedly anti-american elements from having any say in politics, thus increasing violence.