<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?>
<?xml-stylesheet type="text/xsl" href="http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/rss.xsl" media="screen"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"><channel><title>Iraq</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/02/178438.aspx</link><description>
The Washington Post says Bush’s veto yesterday escalated “the most serious confrontation between the White House and Congress over war policy in a generation… The clash harked back to the debates of the Vietnam War era, when lawmakers likewise tried</description><dc:language>en-US</dc:language><generator>CommunityServer 2.0 (Build: 60608.1)</generator><item><title>Iraq</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/02/178438.aspx#178456</link><pubDate>Wed, 02 May 2007 13:25:15 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:178456</guid><dc:creator>Terry, Disabled Vet, Des Moines, IA</dc:creator><description>The problem with the same old song different verse is that we can keep playing the same old music in Iraq and never get anywhere.  Meaning 4 years of the same will amount to the same.  The Iraqi government must be held to a timeline or we will be there for too damn long.  The military can not rebuild a country politically end of story.  Go Congress and hold steady on a demand for a timeline.</description></item><item><title>Iraq</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/02/178438.aspx#178460</link><pubDate>Wed, 02 May 2007 13:26:44 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:178460</guid><dc:creator>Still Crazy After All These Years</dc:creator><description>"Doctor my eyes Cannot be disguised Is this the prize for having learned how not to cry?"Doctor My Eyes-Jackson Browne</description></item><item><title>Iraq</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/02/178438.aspx#178517</link><pubDate>Wed, 02 May 2007 13:46:30 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:178517</guid><dc:creator>Dennis E., Dallas, TX</dc:creator><description>When will the Republicans in Congress quit spouting all of this specious, meaningless rhetoric and support of a failed experimental policy by Bush and his neocon conspirators?  It's past time to bring the troops home.  Prospectively, based on April's numbers we could lose another 400 to 500 soldiers by the time Patraeus admits that the surge has failed.  We need to redeploy out of the urban areas and let the Iraqis settle this for themselves.</description></item><item><title>Iraq</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/02/178438.aspx#178564</link><pubDate>Wed, 02 May 2007 14:13:05 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:178564</guid><dc:creator>Douglas, Chicago IL</dc:creator><description>You can't walk into a room start a fight, turn your back and walk out!  You'll be stabbed in the back at least if your lucky.  It amazes me that people just don't grasp that concept.  I don't agree with the war, and I worry about my friends that are there.  But the last thing I want to see is another excuse by Democrats to cut money for our troops.  We lost enough of them due to Democrat cut backs in military spending that effected us in the beginning of the war.  Remember people, all the talk about no walkie talkies, no armor plating on trucks.  I've been to Iraq and our boys and girls are doing there job.  So please Democrats, don't put them in danger.  It was bad enough the food I had to eat, but I would take a bad meal if it meant that I had the equipment I needed to survive!  But of course you Democrats want that too!</description></item><item><title>Iraq</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/02/178438.aspx#178597</link><pubDate>Wed, 02 May 2007 14:22:19 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:178597</guid><dc:creator>Carrie, NW Iowa</dc:creator><description>It's good to know that Bush supports non-binding benchmarks.  Which, as Republicans pointed out with the non-binding resolutions, amount to nothing.  I sure hope the right will denounce Bush's advocacy of non-binding terms as useless like they did with the non-binding resolutions a coupleo of months ago.  Seriously, how stupid does he think Congress is?  Sure, I will go along with your benchmark but if they are not met there will be no consequences.  Great idea, Mr. President!  Let's get right on that. </description></item><item><title>Iraq</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/02/178438.aspx#178600</link><pubDate>Wed, 02 May 2007 14:25:45 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:178600</guid><dc:creator>Jamie, Elmwood Park, IL</dc:creator><description>What ever happened to training the Iraqui Army to defend their own country.  It's been FOUR years; how long does it take?  Our soldiers certainly don't get four years of training. Wasn't the Bush mantra - we'll stand down when they stand up.  This is their country and it's about time they stand up and our soliders come home.</description></item><item><title>Iraq</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/02/178438.aspx#178602</link><pubDate>Wed, 02 May 2007 14:26:04 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:178602</guid><dc:creator>William in Houston</dc:creator><description>"Mr. Bush, who has supported goals and benchmarks for the Iraqi government, might back such a measure — but only if the benchmarks are nonbinding."  What the hell...Fruitloops!!</description></item><item><title>Iraq</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/02/178438.aspx#178638</link><pubDate>Wed, 02 May 2007 14:37:30 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:178638</guid><dc:creator>John Reay, El Dorado, CA</dc:creator><description>If there is any bright spot anywhere in this utter poochscrew of a war and the Bush Administration it may be that the NeoCon foreign policy doctrine of "Swing The Big Stick Blindly At Anything That Moves" is dead.  Dick Cheney is now irrelevant.</description></item><item><title>Iraq</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/02/178438.aspx#178648</link><pubDate>Wed, 02 May 2007 14:41:05 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:178648</guid><dc:creator>Terry, Disabled Vet, Des Moines, IA</dc:creator><description>Douglas, Chicago, I really don't know where you get your information about Democrat cut backs in spending in the beginning of the war the Republicans controlled most of everything.  By the way it was Rumsfeld who if you don't remember said you go to war with what you have.  Bush even said if his commanders requested it they would get it but it never came.  So please inform us where you get your information.  By the way same old song and dance, the military can not rebuild a country politically trust me on this, I have been there.</description></item><item><title>Iraq</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/02/178438.aspx#178659</link><pubDate>Wed, 02 May 2007 14:48:10 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:178659</guid><dc:creator>ruben new york</dc:creator><description>my son is in rotc now, is painfully to see how our leaders seens not to care for the lives of the soldier that accomplish the job two months after the war started, and now their were lower to do police job. Now what is happenig is that all this guerrillas groups are running to Irak to have in their resume one American soldier.The sad part of this story is that our goverment is handle it to them I'm writing this letter and I'm crying for those that are about to lost their live for not reason at all.We done with this war long time ago there are other ways of defend our interes in Irak but no using our soldier as a shield please republican legislator grant to the democrac the vote they need to end this none sense. </description></item><item><title>Iraq</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/02/178438.aspx#178669</link><pubDate>Wed, 02 May 2007 14:55:06 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:178669</guid><dc:creator>Russell in Maryland</dc:creator><description>Douglas, I hate to be a broken record but that bad food you ate in Iraq was provided by Haliburton. They also charged millions for meals they didn't deliver. I hope you didn't drink the water -- you did read about them providing dirty contaminated water for the troops to drink? Can you blame the Democrats for that?</description></item><item><title>Iraq</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/02/178438.aspx#178676</link><pubDate>Wed, 02 May 2007 14:57:43 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:178676</guid><dc:creator>Coy Reese, Shady Spirng, West Virginia</dc:creator><description>The image of George W. Bush vetoing funding for our Troops, with the Jefferson Memorial in the background, is now erased from the memories of most.  The image of George W. Bush, in flight suit, landing on a aircraft carrier....4 years ago, proclaiming "Mission Accomplished" will be etched in our memories forever.  The ensuing insanity in Iraq boggles the mind, saddens most of us, and angers us as while.  My only hope is that Democracts do not fracture, and continue to pass spending bills, that do not include yet another blank check, and make George W. Bush, for once in
his lacklustre Presidency, take responsibility for his actions.</description></item><item><title>Iraq</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/02/178438.aspx#178684</link><pubDate>Wed, 02 May 2007 15:00:16 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:178684</guid><dc:creator>mk,mo</dc:creator><description>douglas chicago, our objective in this mess, which by the way is not a war,was to remove saddam,destroy the make believe weapons of mass destruction and set up a democratic goverment,all which have been acomplished so get a grip on reality,nothing was ever said about getting our troops killed in the middle of a religous civil conflict.There is nothing the usa can do to make these idiots get along I wish you repub's would quit trying to turn this police action into some glorious battle between good and evil,it's nothing more than a bunch of religous nuts shooting at one another just like they always have and always will only thing is we are putting american kids in the middle of it and getting them killed, noble reasons my ass</description></item><item><title>Iraq</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/02/178438.aspx#178714</link><pubDate>Wed, 02 May 2007 15:12:57 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:178714</guid><dc:creator>ex-marine, viet vet</dc:creator><description>Terry I am sure you realize the right will keep telling their lies no matter how many times the truth is shown them, I have quit trying to have a conversation with those who know better but just keep spewing the same propaganda using different names.</description></item><item><title>Iraq</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/02/178438.aspx#178758</link><pubDate>Wed, 02 May 2007 15:32:53 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:178758</guid><dc:creator>The Edge, Macon, GA</dc:creator><description>Douglas, Chicago....What a new spin....".... Democrat cut backs in military spending that effected us in the beginning of the war." Wow...the big spender Democrats CUT military spending at the beginning of the war?? How? Who was in control of Congress at the start of King George's war?? Are you saying that the Demos are the fiscally responsible party and the Repubs are the big spenders?? I know, only when it suits the neocons' distortion of reality is it true...let me guess, the real reason for our failures in Iraq-it is Clinton's fault..?</description></item><item><title>Iraq</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/02/178438.aspx#178764</link><pubDate>Wed, 02 May 2007 15:34:17 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:178764</guid><dc:creator>Amy B Portland</dc:creator><description>Douglas, Chicago IL.:  Democrats were not in the majority in Congress when we invaded Iraq or for several years prior. Democrats had nothing to do with sending troops to Iraq without body armour, etc.  Furthermore, it was Secretary Rumsfeld (R) who decided the military needed to be restructured, moving funds to high tech weaponry and ops units, downsizing the regular army. Pleae stop listening to the right wing radio jockeys. They spread misinformation like sneezes spread germs.</description></item><item><title>Iraq</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/02/178438.aspx#178766</link><pubDate>Wed, 02 May 2007 15:34:42 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:178766</guid><dc:creator>Terry, Disabled Vet, Des Moines, IA</dc:creator><description>ex-marine, viet vet, I know you are right but it feels good to slam it back in their face.  Especially when it is all on public record and or news briefings that the Wash House does.  Thanks for the vote of confidence.</description></item><item><title>Iraq</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/02/178438.aspx#178767</link><pubDate>Wed, 02 May 2007 15:35:59 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:178767</guid><dc:creator>Robert Catalano, Salem, OR</dc:creator><description>"Mission Accomplished" is now "Mission Impossible."  To all of you who think winning is possible:  we lost this war the minute Saddam was overthrown and we refused to leave.  The only politicians that made decisions instead of Generals in this war were Cheney, Bush and Rumsfeld from the beginning.  George Bush blaming Congress for this is like blaming your child he's screwed up because you beat on him/her everyday.</description></item><item><title>Iraq</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/02/178438.aspx#178785</link><pubDate>Wed, 02 May 2007 15:40:03 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:178785</guid><dc:creator>Lee in MV</dc:creator><description>"You can't walk into a room start a fight, turn your back and walk out! You'll be stabbed in the back at least if your lucky. "  I don't have to continue supporting the pathological moron who walked in to the room and started the fight, either...."But the last thing I want to see is another excuse by Democrats to cut money for our troops."  But it's OK if Bush cuts funding. ..."We lost enough of them due to Democrat cut backs in military spending that effected us in the beginning of the war. "  That, sir, is a naked lie....."Remember people, all the talk about no walkie talkies, no armor plating on trucks."  But it doesn't bother you that it was that arrogant ass Rumsfeld who said "so what"? They controlled every aspect of that war, and went ahead and started it without proper gear, and you blame the Democrats. You went ot Iraq for lunch?</description></item><item><title>Iraq</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/02/178438.aspx#178788</link><pubDate>Wed, 02 May 2007 15:41:24 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:178788</guid><dc:creator>Dog Face Soldier, Ft Hood, TX</dc:creator><description>Terry, to be a veteran, you are totally misinformed. I have seen you on here many times and all you do is spout off at the mouth. Did you learn anything about integrity, courage, LOYALTY, while you were in the military? Apparently you were never one of my soldiers. We would never spout off about our commander-in-chief. All your doing is feeding into the problems that we have today in politicians trying to run another war. I dont think your a veteran anyway. I am gettting ready with my soldiers to go on our 3rd tour, we don't mind. This is what we do and only WE know what is really going on. You sound like a disgruntled reservist or national guardsman that doesnt like being called up. I have 2 Purple Hearts but you dont see me crying. I wish all of you so-called " I support the troops but I dont support what they are doing" take that support and ...... it up .......And by the way during the initial invasion ALL troops had everything required. Maybe a couple of Natl Guard units to which had been forging readiness documents for years were not prepared. That is on the individual commander that forged those papers all those years. When you talk about Bush you spit on us also.</description></item><item><title>Iraq</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/02/178438.aspx#178821</link><pubDate>Wed, 02 May 2007 15:54:41 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:178821</guid><dc:creator>Gary Schear, Bozeman Montana</dc:creator><description>This link is to "letter From an Angry Soldier" posted on craigslist. Validity? Don't know. Factcheck.org will get to it eventually but it is still worth a read. Don't go there if profane language bothers you. Go there if the profanity of this war bothers you more.
http://www.craigslist.org/about/best/sfo/309485032.html</description></item><item><title>Iraq</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/02/178438.aspx#178924</link><pubDate>Wed, 02 May 2007 16:30:47 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:178924</guid><dc:creator>Robert C Ankeny IA</dc:creator><description>Douglas from Chicago, you are missing the point.  The Democrats have provided the funding for the troops (in fact more then Bush ask for).  It is Bush who vetoed it because it contained some language he doesn't like.  It is always his way or no way.  He's the decider and always knows best.  The Dem's will always provide the funding our troops need.  It is not the Democrats who are putting them in danger, it is Bush who sent them there and is keeping them in never-ending danger in the center of a sectarian civil war.  To this day they still do not have all the up-armored vehicles and equipment they need to do the job, because its more important to have more tax cuts at home and continue to pay for the war with a credit card for future generations to pay off.</description></item><item><title>Iraq</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/02/178438.aspx#179103</link><pubDate>Wed, 02 May 2007 17:35:24 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:179103</guid><dc:creator>bluestateken</dc:creator><description>To Amy, Robert, the Edge, Terry....I agree with you all about Douglas and his remarks.  Holy crap, with a republican controlled congress back then, this moron still finds a way to blame the democrats.
He's on the same page, intellectually as the baffoon sitting in the Oval Office.
Edwards/Obama '08</description></item><item><title>Iraq</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/02/178438.aspx#179138</link><pubDate>Wed, 02 May 2007 17:51:30 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:179138</guid><dc:creator>bobf</dc:creator><description>    Douglas you fear mongerer, where the hell did you get your information. I do not care if you been to Iraq or not , but to lie about the funding of the war at the begining of the war for political reasons is the lowest form of scum. People like Douglas that obviously lied to get a point across is just plain sick. But you know the republican mantra, tell a lie enough times and people will think it is the truth. Well thank god we have bloggers out there to call these idiots out when they try to lie and misinform. So Douglas go crawl under the rock you came from and do not come back until you can add some quality info and facts to justify your position. Hate mongers like you are worse then terrorists. Terrorists destroy people physically. Fear mongers destroy people mentally.  </description></item><item><title>Iraq</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/02/178438.aspx#179196</link><pubDate>Wed, 02 May 2007 18:07:12 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:179196</guid><dc:creator>Tabitha, San Antonio,Tx</dc:creator><description>What people fail to realize is we do need a time line for getting out of Iraq. Bush has stuck his head in the sand and refuses to see the truth.  We cannot win this war.  Just like Korea and Vietnom you cannot win a war when the men, women, and children are willing to die to get you out of their country.  If Bush had a child in the armed forces he would have a better understanding but alas he has nothing to lose and everything to gain.  By the way who owns Haliburton and all the other businesses supplying our troops?????????</description></item><item><title>Iraq</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/02/178438.aspx#179227</link><pubDate>Wed, 02 May 2007 18:21:46 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:179227</guid><dc:creator>Phil Viet Vet, Pearblossom</dc:creator><description>So Douglas from Chicago you're saying that Bush chose to send the military and our sons and daughters into harms way in an unnecessary war without the proper equipment! Yes, most of the Democrats drank from the same vat of kool-aid then but does that mean that they and we all have to continue having it jammed down our throats?</description></item><item><title>Iraq</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/02/178438.aspx#179255</link><pubDate>Wed, 02 May 2007 18:30:55 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:179255</guid><dc:creator>Terry, Disabled vet, Des Moines, IA</dc:creator><description>bluestateken, well said.</description></item><item><title>Iraq</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/02/178438.aspx#179466</link><pubDate>Wed, 02 May 2007 20:03:09 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:179466</guid><dc:creator>Dave, Sun City, AZ</dc:creator><description>As Keith Olbermann pointed out so well last night, the mission in Iraq has constantly changed by Dumbya. If this surge doesn't work, and it will not, what piece of s@#t idea is he going to pull out of his gluteus next? It is time for us to leave and let the Iraqis take complete control of their country and the consequences. God knows that they have had enough time to try and get their act together. To paraphase Lyndon Johnson "American boys shouldn't be fighting a war that Iraqi boys should be fighting." No more blood from out troops, bring them home.</description></item><item><title>Iraq</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/02/178438.aspx#179506</link><pubDate>Wed, 02 May 2007 20:20:33 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:179506</guid><dc:creator>Joe; white bear lake, mn </dc:creator><description>There [IS] a way out of this ridiculous stalemate. Nancy and Steny should place a conference call to "Rover" and inform his royal highness that unless "The Liar in Chief" gets on board with a firm, swift timetable for the withdrawl of our troops from Iraq, then The House is going to get on it's own firm timetable to begin impeachment hearings. The only downside to impeaching this "very bad egg" is that we would then be left with a much more dangerous problem occupying the Oval Office....i.e. "The Cheney" [senister background music now playing] 

It's sad, really. America is trapped between a liar and a hard place. </description></item><item><title>Iraq</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/02/178438.aspx#179742</link><pubDate>Wed, 02 May 2007 22:39:47 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:179742</guid><dc:creator>Bush spitter</dc:creator><description>Hey , Dog Face - I don't care how much you love bush or fighting in Iraq - calling someone else's service into question shows gross immaturity. If you think  spitting on bush is spitting on you, so beit.</description></item><item><title>Iraq</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/02/178438.aspx#179888</link><pubDate>Thu, 03 May 2007 00:22:15 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:179888</guid><dc:creator>mikeeg,abdn,wa</dc:creator><description>impeach bush/cheney a good double play.  The right just are not man enough to admit their mistake in iraq, they would rather see more Americans die than admit the TRUTH.</description></item><item><title>Iraq</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/02/178438.aspx#179940</link><pubDate>Thu, 03 May 2007 01:12:16 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:179940</guid><dc:creator>Jane, Southern Mississippi</dc:creator><description>We used to speak softly and carry a big stick, but now we speak threateningly while carrying toothpicks. To have non-binding benchmarks and no deadlines is stupid.  Period.  </description></item><item><title>Iraq</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/02/178438.aspx#179950</link><pubDate>Thu, 03 May 2007 01:22:11 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:179950</guid><dc:creator>Jane, Southern Mississippi</dc:creator><description>My son is a career soldier, having been to Bosnia before his two tours in Iraq.  Now he's waiting for orders for his third tour there.  When I criticize Bush, I am not criticizing the soldiers, Dog-Faced Soldier.  I want them back so they can fight another battle.  A civil war in Iraq is no place for us.  Let Iraqis fight for their own country. I think our army has done more than anybody could have hoped for with the Commander in Chief it was their misfortune to have to serve under.  </description></item><item><title>Iraq</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/02/178438.aspx#179952</link><pubDate>Thu, 03 May 2007 01:23:02 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:179952</guid><dc:creator>Terry, Disabled Vet, Des Moines, IA</dc:creator><description>Dog Face Solder, obvious you were not in the service during my time but I can tell you that you need some wall to wall counseling.  I never served in the Guard actually and I served with Honor.  I served in active duty if you want to know and I served 20 years.  So don't go spouting off the mouth youngin unless you know.  I have actually read the March issue of the VFW and 85% of the respondents stated that a surge is the wrong answer so you are a no go at this station!!!!!!!!!!!So I guess that 85% of us Veterans are wrong in questioning the dunce in chief.  I guess if you were in my squad you might have been taught to Lead By Example and I can tell you that your dunce in chief is not leading by example.  Yes soldiers can say things and they do and obviously you must be one that leads by power and not by example.  I have actually talked to soldiers in a recent visit to an active duty base an I can tell you that a lot of them who were getting ready for their second or third tour were not in step with your thinking.  I bet you probably use the UCMJ quite a bit as well.  I talk from experience not vicariously through someone else period.  I will say again the MILITARY CAN NOT REBUILD A COUNTRY POLITICALLY  PERIOD.  Roger that soldier.  As my name states I am a DISABLED VET.  Served my country with HONOR and INTEGRITY.  So nod your head North and South soldier and say roger that chief, you have been their.</description></item><item><title>Iraq</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/02/178438.aspx#179967</link><pubDate>Thu, 03 May 2007 01:34:11 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:179967</guid><dc:creator>Jim Frego, Grants Pass, OR</dc:creator><description>All 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. 

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!

</description></item><item><title>Iraq</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/02/178438.aspx#180501</link><pubDate>Thu, 03 May 2007 14:34:50 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:180501</guid><dc:creator>Gary Schear Bozeman Montana</dc:creator><description>Dog Face Soldier--Thank you for your service.  It is a debt that can never be repaid by a grateful nation. However you are wrong when you say that to criticize the President is to Criticize the Military. President Bush is not part of the Military. He is the Civilian Commander in chief chosen by US. You are sworn, as he is, to protect and defend the CONSTITUTION of the United States. You do not swear a loyalty oath to him personally. When you join the Military your job is to obey without question and execute the orders of the chain of command. The head of that chain is The President and so you must and will follow the directives of your authority. However, it is my job as a civilian citizen to monitor the people I elect because people make mistakes..sometimes huge ones. If I don't speak my mind when I believe something is wrong then I am derelict in my duty as a citizen. If I don't participate then I let you down because when you are in Uniform, you have no voice. In the finest tradition of this country, your opinion as an on duty member of the military doesn't matter. You have to realize that some of us HAVE learned from Vietnam. One of those lessons is that you don't spit on your soldiers when they are doing their duty.  You praise them and hug them and welcome them and most importantly you pay attention to the people that you elect to be in charge of them and the policies they enact. Because in the end Politicians should not use the military for their own purpose's and the President is just another politician. It is a sacred trust. </description></item><item><title>Iraq</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/02/178438.aspx#180672</link><pubDate>Thu, 03 May 2007 16:07:49 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:180672</guid><dc:creator>Ken Mesle, Sprinfield, Illinois</dc:creator><description>you know what is really scary... The criminal in chief has his finger on the launch button of our nuclear (or for you repubs nucular) arsenal.  Our relationship with the Soviets over star wars is at a low point.  Mr. Born Again may think he can get the ball rolling on the second coming.  This county can ill afford any more of this administration.  Impeach Bush/Chaney.  Long live President Pelosi. </description></item></channel></rss>