Leaving Iraq?

[bigtree]

Pres. Obama: Responsibly Ending the War in Iraq

"Let me say this as plainly as I can: by August 31, 2010, our combat mission in Iraq will end."


Juan Cole: We're really leaving Iraq

"Obama was not signaling any diffidence about ending the Iraq War before the end of his term. He was attempting to provide for an orderly withdrawal that will ensure that U.S. troops are not drawn back in by a subsequent security collapse."


Thomas E. Ricks: Yes, we are staying in Iraq, and fooling some of the people

"The more I consider it, the more I think President Obama's Camp Lejeune speech last Friday was about how to stay in Iraq for a while, not about how to get out. I think he is doing the right thing, or at least the least wrong thing in a misbegotten war."

[babylonsister]

1. Ricks is not a mind-reader. I wish he'd stop acting like one.

His word is getting less and less believable imo.

[bigtree]

3. don't underestimate his knowledge about Iraq

It's his understanding of Obama's view of our commitment to the things Ricks believes we will take responsibility for there which should be questioned.

In my view, Ricks shouldn't be ignored. (nor, Cole)

[babylonsister]

5. I'm not underestimating his knowledge, but he doesn't know what

the future will hold. When he makes statements like this he reminds me of Rush wishing for failure. It's not productive.

Edit to add: From what I understand, Obama came to his conclusions after discussing the situation with the military in the field. I would think and hope they'd be more knowledgeable about what's going on over there.

[bigtree]

6. I disagree with his premise about staying

. . . but he's doing a service in second-guessing the president and his military establishment.

I think many folks are allowing loyalty to the president to suspend their necessary skepticism of the aims of the political and military establishment. Whatever they ultimately decide, they won't do so in a thoroughly progressive fashion unless they feel the constant pressure of our expectations.

Do you honestly believe the administration and the Pentagon would proceed as expediently as we expect if they believed we had become sanguine about the Iraq outcome?

[knowbody0]

2. the poo will hit the fan in Iraq

with or without us. like taking the training wheels off your kid's bike, it has to happen.

[bigtree]

4. true

"What we will not do is let the pursuit of the perfect stand in the way of achievable goals. We cannot rid Iraq of all who oppose America or sympathize with our adversaries. We cannot police Iraq’s streets until they are completely safe, nor stay until Iraq’s union is perfected. We cannot sustain indefinitely a commitment that has put a strain on our military, and will cost the American people nearly a trillion dollars. America’s men and women in uniform have fought block by block, province by province, year after year, to give the Iraqis this chance to choose a better future. Now, we must ask the Iraqi people to seize it."

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

7. The 50,000 armed soldiers are not there as an occupation force.

They're there to improve their tans.

The good old days of political jargon is back, "residual force".

Anyone for, "collateral damage"? "Incursion"? "Fortified Villages"? "Peace with Honor"? "Light at the end of the tunnel"?

[bigtree]

8. 'advisory troops'

new jargon :eyes: