http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/01/176335.aspx Mirroring last week’s NBC/WSJ poll, a new Gallup survey finds that 57% support a timetable for withdrawal, versus 39% who believe that US troops should stay in Iraq as long as necessary. With the president's expected veto of the war-funding bill thaten-USCommunityServer 2.0 (Build: 60608.1)http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/01/176335.aspx#176377Tue, 01 May 2007 13:38:18 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:176377JOHNNY JUSTICE ANYWHERE USANO MORE SURGES...NO MORE TIME TABLES, NO MORE OF THIS B.S...WE NEED TO GET THE "HECK" OUT OF THIS CIVAL WAR "TODAY". WE NEED TO CONCENTRATE ON AFGANASTAN. THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION IS A IS A TOTAL DISASTER, THE ABSOLUTE WORST THIS COUNTRY HAS EVER HAD.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/01/176335.aspx#176412Tue, 01 May 2007 13:49:51 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:176412Still Crazy After All These Years"Keep that Oil A Rollin'"-lyrics by Woody Guthriehttp://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/01/176335.aspx#176438Tue, 01 May 2007 14:01:50 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:176438ex-marine, viet vetA poll by VFW magazine had 85% response tht sending additional troops to iraq would not help. March issuehttp://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/01/176335.aspx#176470Tue, 01 May 2007 14:20:18 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:176470Ravine Force, Kissimmee, FLObviously the surge is failing badly. We just had the 4th highest number of casualties in a given month. Logic tells you that more soldiers equal more targets. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/01/176335.aspx#176530Tue, 01 May 2007 14:46:12 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:176530Jamie, Elmwood Park, ILCan someone tell me if it's true that the Iraq government is planning to take 8 weeks off for vacation? If so, it sets a great example of how important their own country's future is to them that right in the middle of the "surge" they take a break. Unbelievable, like everything else about this unnecessary war.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/01/176335.aspx#176554Tue, 01 May 2007 14:56:02 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:176554Lee in MVAnybody read how all the reconstruction "success stories" were actually sub-standard, already in disrepair and not maintained? Most of the power generators at the Baghdad airport are already non-functional? Sure - let's stay there until the Iraqis "stand up." 400,000 troops and 3 years, or were just slowly bleeding to death.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/01/176335.aspx#176555Tue, 01 May 2007 14:56:09 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:176555Steve Turner Cedar Falls IowaI still say, just cancel funding for the no-bid contractors and leave the military alone. We would be out of there in a week.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/01/176335.aspx#176593Tue, 01 May 2007 15:17:20 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:176593BFJ, NY There is an article in the UK Independ that is worth your attention . Can Our troops be facing anything less that what he speaks about?http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/article2488848.ecehttp://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/01/176335.aspx#176648Tue, 01 May 2007 15:43:48 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:176648JWilson, Atlanta, GAThese idiots are just going to keep sacrificing more of our soldiers to this civil war until there is no army left.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/01/176335.aspx#176664Tue, 01 May 2007 15:48:04 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:176664Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VAThe funny thing is that the surge isn't even in place yet. We're still moving these additional troops into place. Troop movements take a long time - especially when we have a ragged-out military, full of folks still trying to get over their last deployment. Will it work? Sheesh, no. In Vietnam we surged to half a million troops. Any improvements in the security situation in Iraq will be the result of the Iraqis deciding they don't want to fight anymore, and completely coincidental to our troop levels - unless they reach the point to where we can lock down the entire nation - you know, a constant presence on every streetcorner type of thing. Off the top of my head this would probably take several million troops. The flip side may also be true - any worsening could also be coincidental to our troop levels, unless we can establish that our troops' presence is provoking heightened response.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/01/176335.aspx#176688Tue, 01 May 2007 15:53:37 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:176688JWilson, Atlanta, GAJamie, if that is true, they are just following Shrub's example...he's taken more vacations then the law should allow. The Iraqis are just doing it in one big lump from the sounds of it.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/01/176335.aspx#176692Tue, 01 May 2007 15:54:02 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:176692Terry, Disabled Vet, Des Moines, IAThe only thing that this administration is hell bent on is making sure the troops are still in Iraq whn Dubya leaves office and Dubya has stated in his own words that the troops will come home after he has left office. The deal is Dubya is more concerned over his conceived legacy and making sure he has taken care of his loyal subjects. It has been pain stakingly obvious that the administration does not know what it is doing and can not even figure out how to make things better in Iraq. Dubya has claimed that the timetable and real consequences for benchmarks not met ties the hands of the military. Answer these questions: Whose administration ordered the military into Iraq with the number of troops and supplies in the first place? Whose administration has changed military leadership at the top while conducting a war when the leadership contradicted the Dubya? Whose administration led to the torture scandles? Whose administration claimed WMD in Iraq and decided to invade based on those claims? We can go on and unfortunately the buck stops at one individual Dubya. He has stubbornly stood fast with Rumsfeld/Wolfowitz/Gonzo/Rice/Rove and lastly but surely shoot you in the face Cheney. Dubya bears the full brunt of the poorest of poor leadership skills anyone could ever think of. I was taught in the Army lead by example and Dubya has done a great job of leading the most bumbling idiotic team I can think of. Yet we are still debating on what to do. The only thing we can really do if we look at the history of Iraq and invading armies of the past is leave. I wonder if the people who claim that we need to stay put would have had the same ideology during our own civil war if there was an invading army involved? If we think that we can control terrorism, then we are truly in for a real let down. All we can do is try to deter it as best as we can. This ideology of fight them over there instead of here is just plain idiot, do I have to remind people of the Oklahoma City bombing. For all of those who want us to stay and who have never served in the Armed Services before, I challenge you to put your so called patriotism to the test and seek out your Nearest Armed Services Recruiter. You all have heard that our military is stretched too thin so go and join I triple dog dare you. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/01/176335.aspx#176696Tue, 01 May 2007 15:55:18 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:176696ex-marine, viet vetIts not a surge but a slow trickle to death.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/01/176335.aspx#176842Tue, 01 May 2007 16:50:00 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:176842Dorothy"Roll with the Changes"--R.E.O. Speedwagonhttp://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/01/176335.aspx#176845Tue, 01 May 2007 16:50:39 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:176845Dorothy"Ch-ch-ch-changes...."--David Bowiehttp://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/01/176335.aspx#176957Tue, 01 May 2007 17:31:35 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:176957Sierra, San FranciscoThe Democrate just have to hang tough. Apparently, Republican support for the war is eroding. Keep sending Bush time tables. It was suggested on this blog that the Democrats end Bush's tax cuts for the rich to help pay for this war. Why not ? On NPR there was a story that Iraqi nationalists are in conflict with al-Queda. Al-Queda will be kicked out of Iraq two weeks after we leave. The ex-Baathists don't want an Islamic state for Iraq. They only cooperate with al-Queda to rid themselves of the American invaders. Time to leave.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/01/176335.aspx#177100Tue, 01 May 2007 18:29:32 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:177100Brenda, Chicago, IllI cannot understand why Mr Bush donot want a time frame to pull the troops. it seems logical that if he had a time frame to start the war then he should just as likely start to withdraw the troops as fast as he rushed to fight with Iraq. how many more months and years are we going to continue to hear we are making progress. Mr Bush take the blinders off stand up and be a man admit that you made a mistake God will forgive you and so would millions of Americans.Why are our sons and daughthers getting killed because of your hard heart in the last 6years we have been straggling the Fear fence under your administration, you want our sons and daughters to stay over there to fight, what about human lives that is being killed isn't this nation founded on some kind of morals or have that to been done away due to the war. Mr Bush bring your children home now. I think about the soldiers who have died and have wives and children and how they now have to live without much finicial support. how much is the government giving these families are they receiving free health care, free housing, free food,free electric,free gas no they are struggling where is the support for them Mr Bush,display a heart felt compassion and Bring them home.I am not closing with God bless America but God Bless the World and the people that he breathe on everyday. God since the government will not stop this war then Jesus you speak on our behalf to God to end this war and bring our people homehttp://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/01/176335.aspx#177181Tue, 01 May 2007 18:53:15 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:177181Jim Frego, Grants Pass, ORAll of the reports I have seen estimate the number of Al Qaida Forces in IRAQ to be about 2000 and not more than 3000. We have 150,000 U.S. troops, 13,000 Allied Troops and the U.S. Trained (By General PetraeuS) Iraqi Security Force is now 325,000. That's 488,000 good guys vs. 3000 Bad Guys. This disaster has lasted for 4 years and the violence is just getting worse and it takes 6 months to add 20,000 troops. Our military is BROKEN. There are over 6.5 Billion folks on this earth and about 25% are Muslims that amounts to 1,600,000,000 Muslins. What percentage are Terrorists? How about only 1 Terrorist per 10,000 Muslims. How many terrorists would that be? How about 160,000? Are we the greatest Super Power in the world going to DEFEAT THEM Militarily? If your answer is yes, please explain why 488,000 troops have not been able to "DEFEAT" 3000 Al Quaida ( TERRORISTS ) in Iraq. 47% of all Iraqi's (over 10 Million) say that it is OK to KILL Americans in Iraq. If you extrapolate that to the total Muslim Population that's over 1 BILLION that would answer that it is OK to Kill Americans. The "FREE" Nations of the World need to find ways to combat the "TERRORISTS" Ideology with means other than Bombs, Bullets and B.S. That approach is simply creating more of them every day. Maybe we should have the Republican and Democratic Propaganda Machines "SELL" America and Democracy to the Muslim World instead of using Smear Campaigns against each other. SUPPORT THE TROOPS! http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/01/176335.aspx#177397Tue, 01 May 2007 20:20:48 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:177397Rick Lapin, Albuquerque, NMOnce more, just for the record: No guerrilla force will directly confront a militarily superior entity, ever. There will be no "finish fight" in Iraq unless and until the Iraqis have coalition forces at a distinct disadvantage ala Dien Bien Phu. We concentrate our forces on Baghdad; they play along until we have committed the maximum of firepower, manpower, time, and prestige, then slip out to the provinces and run amok there for awhile -- proving once again that we just simply cannot pacify the entire nation at once. The surge is a joke ... a rob-Peter-to-pay-Paul shell game. When things get bad enough in the provinces, we will then of necessity loosen our grip on Baghdad, and the whole cycle starts all over again as they filter back into the capital. This is not rocket science, y'all -- this is how you and I would fight an overwhelmingly powerful invader, and it cannot be stopped by prayer, wishful thinking, ranting and raving about "defeatism", or PR surges that under-utilize too few troops too late to do anything but continue to line Halliburton pockets. Stop whining and look the thing square in the face, people.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/01/176335.aspx#177493Tue, 01 May 2007 21:01:13 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:177493Russell in MarylandThey should adopt Bush's negotiating tactic and just re-pass the bill unchanged.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/01/176335.aspx#177539Tue, 01 May 2007 21:25:25 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:177539Utahreb, Veyo, UTEviently the freely elected government of Iraq feels that it needs a two month vacation - that will probably mean another 200 of our troops will die and many more be wounded while we fight the Iraqi's war for them. Nice work if you can get it - let the other guy do the work.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/01/176335.aspx#177541Tue, 01 May 2007 21:25:38 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:177541Utahreb, Veyo, UTEviently the freely elected government of Iraq feels that it needs a two month vacation - that will probably mean another 200 of our troops will die and many more be wounded while we fight the Iraqi's war for them. Nice work if you can get it - let the other guy do the work.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/01/176335.aspx#178017Wed, 02 May 2007 02:42:14 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:178017Jane, Southern MississippiIf our Capitol building was bombed like their parliament area was, our congress would probably go on vacation, too. Things are really looking up in Iraq, sounds just peachy, doesn't it? When their government is afraid to meet, what does that spell? Not progress. We've already set benchmarks and not a single one of them has been met yet. Why do we just seem to do the same thing over and over and over? Do we expect different results? This "magical thinking" is just making me sick.