Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham : U.S. 'screwed up' in Iraq

[Kadie]

Sen. Graham: U.S. 'screwed up' in Iraq
15 minutes ago



CHARLESTON, S.C. - Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham (news, bio, voting record) said the United States has "screwed up" in Iraq, but the idea of the war was correct and pulling out now would lead to more bloodshed across the Middle East.

"I know Iraq is a mess and we have screwed up seven ways from Sunday," the South Carolina senator told about 300 people at the College of Charleston on Sunday.

"We underestimated how hard it would be. But the fundamental idea behind Iraq is still correct," said Graham, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

"If we back out of this fight ... your children and grandchildren will never know peace," Graham warned.

more...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060911/ap_on_re_us/brf_graham_iraq_1

[RubyDuby in GA]

1. How does one politely tell him no shit Sherlock?

I wonder if he figured it out all by himself that they "screwed up"? :eyes:

[orwell]

2. The fundamental idea...

...of invading other countries who pose no threat to you to impose your will and control their resources is still "correct." As it has been for over a century in the good old USA.

Remember...they hate us for our freedoms...

[Efilroft Sul]

3. Oh, bullshit, Senator.

"our children and grandchildren will never know peace."

First off, it wasn't the United States that screwed up in Iraq, it was the Bush administration -- and there is a difference, because so much of what this administration has said and done is unAmerican. The Bush administration lied and began a war of choice against a country that had nothing to do with 9/11. The quagmire in Iraq is a REPUBLICAN failure, a BUSH failure, and the Democrats are not obligated to continue such a failure.

Second, it's time to begin a phased withdrawal from Iraq. Along with our gradual departure, we should airlift out all Iraqis who wish to leave for safer havens. To not do so would be as irresponsible as invading Iraq. The country, if one could still call Iraq that, is a bloody mess now and will be much worse for those caught in the crossfire between warring sects after we leave. Leave Iraq, take the innocents to safety, and let the jackals have at it without us.

Third, a phased withdrawal begins the path to peace. A Democratic administration in the White House will restore much of the world's faith in us, especially if it publicly disowns the entire neocons' agenda. Furthermore, if said Democratic administration reaffirmed its commitment to bringing Osama bin Laden to justice and it beefed up law enforcement and special force operations to do so, it would put this "war on terror" into its proper perspective.

Fourth, nobody should assume that a Democratic administration will be weak on terrorism. Said administration could also state that if America is attacked again, the United States will respond with overwhelming force. In short, we'll keep to ourselves if others keep to themselves.

Finally, if the Democratic administration announced moonshot-like plans to break us of our foreign oil dependency, our money will no longer flow from us to nations that beget terrorism. Without cash flow, terror as a tool begins to die. Peace on our terms can be won. And Senator Graham and the rest of the Republican Party will be proven dumbasses.

[Blackhatjack]

4. I guess this conclusion came to the good senator in a dream last night

...because he sure as heck has voted to give Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld everything they wanted in this total failure in Iraq.

Think the coming Democratic tsnunmai in the Nov midterm elections is on his mind in making this statement?

Just look at all the Repubs distancing themselves from Bush, and trying to remake themselves in public opinion as a moderate mainstream voice.