Iraq

CJ — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 13:23:24 GMT

Yes the GOP must fight back against an internet interest group of private citizens expressing opinion. They are really clawing and scratching for anything. If the GOP began to stand for something dignified instead of against everything they'd have a better chance(I've swear that's a familiar line).

Iraq

Gordon Johndroe — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 13:25:10 GMT

Petraeus is just another Kurt Schleicher, an army general who sought to play kingmaker in politics. He is a political general who is seeking to kick the can (and the problem of Iraq) into the next administration and is willing to say and do anything to accomplish that goal. I'm willing to bet that Petraeus will resign shortly after the new (Democratic?) administration is sworn in and go to work for the Carlyle Group. He'll make millions and position himself as a GOP candidate later on while the country goes through hell in dealing with the Iraq mess.

Iraq

Dickie Flatts — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 13:26:42 GMT

How many Republicans will be defeated at the ballot box next November because of Bush's success in drawing out the surge and keeping large numbers of troops in Iraq past Nov. '08?

The answer: lots

Iraq

HOT DAM — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 13:36:11 GMT

Betrayus = THE LAST GENERAL STANDING!

Iraq

mikeeg,abdn,wa — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 13:40:32 GMT

Thanks to bush/cheney/rove/rush and the fiasco called iraq the dems will own the whitehouse and congress for the next 20-30 years.

Iraq

No Mercy For Leftists, Washington, D.C. — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 13:49:01 GMT

Put all the leftist quislings on the front line as welcoming committee for OBL and/or his thugs when they come calling on our shores, an event courtesy of said leftist quislings. That would be quite a nice solution to our Nation's malignancy.

Iraq

jerry/corpus christi texas — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 13:51:17 GMT

Of course the democrat presidential people never said anything. George Soros would cut off their funding if they did. Hillary, Obama and John know who the real MAN is in the liberal party. Democrats are like dogs, they know who is holding their milkbone for them.

Iraq

Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 13:56:51 GMT

Looks like Hillary will get to pull the last troop out of Iraq, unless of course, a Republican wins the White House in 08. Then he won't have that to deal with as we'll be in it for at least eight more years. Whenever, if ever, we leave Iraq, I hope the last kid killed isn't from Iowa, like it was in Vietnam. This is a tough thing to have to say, but it's some other State's turn.

Iraq

JIrby, Colorado — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 13:59:08 GMT

Patraeus is another example of how Bush has co-opted a high ranking individual and turned him into his personal flunkie, as he did with Gonzo. This seems to be the first time a sitting president has abused and sullied his position in such a way. I think that it will be a point to be considered by all cadets and educated young people contemplating a future as a general in the military that his/her success as a general officer will be contingent on the whims of a clown like Bush who would see you not as someone to be respected, but as a pawn in his struggle to get his way and/or cover his ass. I think a general's position should be insulated from the machinations of such a world class fool.

Iraq

Blue state baby — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 14:11:56 GMT

Petraeus warns against rushing to failure. We are not rushing to failure. We are prolonging the failure, costing more deaths of young men, billions of dollars, and making more enemies. But keep in mind that this is bush's failure and the general is simply his lap dog.

Iraq

Class warrior, D.C. — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 14:13:56 GMT

Dione is (as usual) correct; Bush wants those troops in there until the election (if he allows it), so they can be someone else's misery, and someone else can catch the blame when we finally get smart and pull out, and the Iraqis go at slaughtering each other hammer and tongs. He's too cowardly to admit he screwed up and try to rectify the situation, he'd rather dump the mess in someone else's lap.

Iraq

Utahreb, Veyo, UT — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 14:25:11 GMT

In an article this morning (8-11-07) on page one Tony Snow said Bush "liked what he heard last week" when briefed on Petraeus' plans.

Page two - Petraeus said the plan was "....not shared with anyone in the Pentagon, the WHITE HOUSE or the Congress."

If it was not shared with the White House, how could Bush know if he "liked what he heard" last week? Of course it was shared with the White House! Anyone not blinded by the vision of oil and money can see that.

Iraq

Gary Schear, bozeman Montana — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 14:31:38 GMT

mikeeg,abdn,wa--Wishful thinking. Unfortunately Bushes War will be handed intact to a Democratic Administration and a Democratic Congress. They will either do their job and bring the troops home and accept responsibility for the inevitable result or they will stay in Iraq and continue this bloody foolishness out of fear of the political consequences. In either scenario the GOP will be able to use it as a platform to stage their comeback no later than '16.
That is why it is so important to end this War before the Criminal Buffoon skys out of the White house on Marine 1.
In the face of a paralyzed opposition party that refuses to fully fund an immediate withdrawal from Iraq, the only option is to take to the streets and try and help it along. This has very little chance of succeeding due to the general disinterest of the American people and their apparent ignorance of anything that might require the tiniest bit of critical thinking. Gives em a headache.
But that should stop those who care from trying. It won't stop me. I will be voting for the Democratic Nominee. What else can I do. I will take part in protests and demonstrations. I will participate because this whole damn mess gives ME a headache.
September 15 - Washington DC
October 27 - Coordinated nationwide actions in 10 major cities.
http://www.unitedforpeace.org/
Help out.
Carry On.

Iraq

CJ — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 14:32:46 GMT

Passing the buck is Bush's forte should we expect anything else? He's done it his whole life.

Iraq

that is how they think, don't be blind — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 14:36:22 GMT

Your general are right to pull your pathetic soldiors from our lands. Send them home now before we kill them all. Go back to america and watch your televisions, we will come. We will come and kill all of you in a bloodbath you cannot forsee. Death to the christian hordes. Death to all who appose Allah. You are to blind to see. We have been coming to give you death for a thousand years, and if it take a thousand more than it is as Allah wills. Go say your prayers we come to destroy you.

The above is ficticious, but is how they see us. We all are part of Christiandom, whether you believe in a God or not. You are part of a nation founded by people of Christian faiths. We are the enemy of islam. All societies as they have advanced beyond brutal survival moved away from thier core religious beliefs. If you don't need rain to grow your garden for survival, you tend to stop praying for rain... Do not forget thou that 90% of the islamic world lives in a survival mode. They have not left thier religous fervor behind. They have a very firm belief that islam is the one and only way. That the world will end up under the caliphate and it is every muslims duty to further that by any means. A retreat, a ceasefire, to them is only a repreave to reload and get stronger for the next fight. Whether we went into Iraq or not, whether we stay in Iraq or not, will not matter to the war on islam. No, not even on radical islam. Islam itself. You only have radical islam, and quiet islam that does not protest or temper thier radical brethern.
America do not forget that we are the target still.

Iraq

John B, Des Moines, IA — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 14:46:02 GMT

No Mercy, I see you're a fan of Michael Savage, possibly the craziest person in broadcasting today. Exactly when will bin Laden's navy sail over the horizon and launch their cruise missiles and fighter planes at American targets? I am done with standing quietly while the 9/11 tragedy is hijacked for political points and a war against people who had no part in 9/11. I am done being called a traitor (quisling) and a malignancy by fascists. Police work on a worldwide scale has, is, and will continue to pursue al Qaeda until this fringe element of a fringe element of Islam becomes a memory. It is you, sir or madame, who are a bigger threat to the America we all love than anything Osama is capable of doing.

Iraq

Robert Catalano, Salem, OR — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 14:49:55 GMT

During the Americn Revolution, the Quislings in America were called Tories. They were the ones who were afraid of losing the benefits they had received by being loyal to the British Crown. They were loyal to King George and thought the people who were formenting revolution to overthrow the king's tyranny were little more than traitors and evildoers. Looks like little has changed in this country over the past 230+ years. We still have those loyal to our preent day King George calling everyone who opposes him 'traitors' while the rel traitors to the American Revolution are those who support him. Many of those who both signed the Declaration of Independence and had a hand in writing the US Constitution greatly feared an imperial leader who would unilaterally go to war, take away civil liberties, and loot the country of its financial resources for his own gain. Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin and Alexander Hamilton must be turning over in their graves right now to see what this country's political leadership has led us to.

Iraq

Amy B Portland, ME — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 15:02:53 GMT

I will accept we need to stay in Iraq another year if Bush accepts responsibility for this bungled military action, and resigns.

Iraq

juan,ft lauderdale,fl — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 15:05:30 GMT

Petraeus who recieved a Phd on what we learned from Vietnam obviously is not worth the paper it was written on because we are just repeating history again. Another general like Westmoreland who is unwilling/unable to speak the truth but be lapdogs for corrupt and lying administrations. Throughout history and now our foreign policies has consisted of either covertly (CIA) overthrowing a democratic government and installing a military dictatorship (Chile) and/or fear mongerring (domino theory) in Southeast Asia to rationalize our 10 years misery in Vietnam. Now we are in a quarmire/fiasco called Iraq; same scenario in regards to why we are their; labeling as unpatriotic those who god forbid speak out against it and dividing the country. The only differance is the draft and OIL that continues to drive the greedy corporate/military industrial complex. It will be a cold day in hell before I allow my 16 y/o son to fight in this illegal war.

Iraq

jerry/corpus christi texas — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 15:08:20 GMT

Found this interesting.....

Cindy Sheehan arrested at Petraeus hearing
By Klaus Marre
September 10, 2007
Anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan was arrested Monday in or near the hearing room where Gen. David Petraeus and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker are testifying on the situation in Iraq, according to the U.S. Capitol Police.

Four anti-war protesters were arrested for disorderly conduct. One of them, who was not named, is being taken to George Washington Hospital “due to complaint of injury” and is also charged with assault on a police officer.

According to the information from the Capitol Police, Sheehan and the other three were shouting in a hallway.

Sheehan was the face of the anti-war movement before saying in May of this year that she would “retire” from the cause. Shortly thereafter, she announced that she would seek the congressional seat of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).

Assaulting a police officer while on federal grounds?
should be good for a two year prison sentence.

Iraq

M. Boley — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 15:21:32 GMT

So what, Jerry! Cindy got arrested. Nothing new there... she's been arrested before. What in the hell does THAT have to do with the hearings and, most importantly, what is being said?!

Yeah, assaulting a police officer (allegedly, of course) is a real horrible crime that easily dwarfs this obscene war. Nice demonstration of your 'intelligence' there.

Iraq

Chuck, NY — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 15:24:17 GMT

Jerry, you assualt our national credibility on this national stage. Go away please.

Iraq

Royce Smith — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 15:27:45 GMT

<Cindy Sheehan arrested at Petraeus hearing>

No one saw that coming.

Iraq

Rufus Gibbons, DCr — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 15:28:33 GMT

If you have noticed the four stars on Petraeus shoulder that may have something to do with his report. After the success in the first Iraqi war (The good one) a grateful congress advanced him to permanent four star rank otherwise he would have retired as a 3 star. First Petraeus was supposed to report in July then someone said"Hey lets make it coincide ith 9/11.

Iraq

Ralph Mexico, NY — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 15:31:59 GMT

Sorry folks but Bush is succeeding in his objective because while most of the politico’s are obsessed with the military involvement we are not asking Bush why he continues to ignore and avoid engaging Iran, Syria, Saudi Arabia and Turkey in a diplomatic solution. We need to stop getting duped into the ridiculous argument about staying or going and demand to know why Bush would rather keep our troops involved than negotiate with the people who can and will settle this crisis with our without us?

I believe that history will show that the moment the decision to invade Iraq was made, Syria, Iran and Saudi Arabia were handed an enormous strategic victory. This victory was compounded when the Bush administration decided to disband the Iraqi military. The only way out of Iraq is for our leadership to admit this fact and negotiate the best possible settlement. Bush has proven he is perfectly willing to let our kids die to avoid his embarrassment. This is what we should be focused on.

Iraq

Jamie, Elmwood Park, IL — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 15:35:09 GMT

Doesn't anyone find it strange that the person (General Petraeus) commanding the surge and who
will either be credited with its success or blamed for its failure also gets to "grade" its progress?
Isn't that a little like taking a test and then giving yourself an "A" without the benefit of anyone else seeing the results? The surge may have brought about relief (with the help of the tribal chiefs who decided even before the surge they would fight against the insurgents), but it certainly hasn't done anything to help the political situation, which was its stated goal - to give the Iraqi government a chance. Their best accomplishment? Taking the month of August off for vacation.

Iraq

jerry/corpus christi texas — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 15:35:14 GMT

Boley:

If this is what Moveon.org and the pink broads are all about.....flapping the gums and doing bad newspaper ads with information in which they have no idea what they are talking about, then they deserve everything they get comng to them. Then they go to a public hearing where they disrupt and flap their gums some more without even hearing what the general is saying, then they get everything they deserve, including pepper spray in the eyes if so deserved.

The liberals in congress are right, Moveon.org and the pink broads are really nothing but a bunch of %^&!

Iraq

Bush, TX — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 16:03:57 GMT

Hi, my name is Bush. I am the president of the world. Today is the anniversary of the 9/11 … you are shaky now… I am scared too. What if I was not in the elementary school of Florida? What if one of their planes did hit white house while I was there? It was so close. My two kids would lose their dear father and my wife would lose her husband. Yes, that was my mistake; I thought Saddam was behind this. Here is my reason: He tried to kill my dad. I repeatedly asked Richard: “Is Iraq behind this?” He didn’t answer yes and that was why he had to leave and MoveOn. But I guarantee you that I would stay on my path until the end of my term. My decision was made five years ago and you know me: I would not change like those flip-floppers. Tell you a secret: flip-flopper is a nickname for my opponent John K. What made me a president again in second term? Five golden words:
1. Give your opponent a bad nickname;
2. Tell people that your opponent does not believe God;
3. No abortion, no abortion, no abortion!
4. “Support my war” equals “support our troops” because war creates projects and project create spending;
5. Remember 9/11 with Iraq war.

Simple, right? I am a simple man: no flip-flop. But I am a passionate man. Let’s pray for those men and women … 3000 (in NY) + 3700 (300000 or more Iraqis) + more … for those wound as well…Let’s pray for their family and kids. I am sad; would you?

Iraq

Class warrior, D.C. — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 16:04:55 GMT

Betrayus is Westmoreland Redux, just as Iraq is Vietnam redux. And lots of people used to protest Vietnam, so Sheehan is just the anti-war movement redux, but on an unfortunately smaller scale. What goes around comes around, and we are playing out the same sad story (and it will have the same sad ending) as before. I agree we should de-fund the war and end it before the Dems take over, so the REpubs won't have them as whipping boys, but the Dems are too spineless right now, so the same sad story will have a very predictable ending.

Iraq

Lee Holmes — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 16:11:40 GMT

Then of course there are the voices of the Democrat frontrunners to be considered. Even Edwards top political handlers and advisers admit[yesterdays FR]that troops at battalion-level at a minimum will be required to stay in or near Iraq to engage in counterinsurgency operations within that nation.
Hillary also envisions troops remaining in the region,as does Biden in order to allow his partition to have any chance of success. Thus the idea that the Democrat party will ensure that ''all''of the troops will 'come home''is based upon hopeful speculation,rather than fact. Yesterdays testimony by Crocker and Petraeus shows clearly that the majority of Democrats will not succumb to the leftwingers ''My Way Or We Will Scream And Wear Funny Clothes''approach. As I observed yesterday before Dionne even touched his finger to a keyboard to write his article,the Democrats have painted themselves into a box.

''It is akin to grabbing the wolf by both ears.You didn't like it,but you didn't dare let it go'' Thomas Jefferson.

Iraq

RH Oregon — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 16:16:28 GMT

U.S. Congressman and Presidential Candidate Dennis Kucinich: The U.S. Must Pay Reparations to the People of Iraq. This is the title of the syrian taped video with D. Kucinich. ?Reparations? Piss Off Dennis...

http://www.memritv.org/clip/en/1550.htm

Iraq

rodeo, ellensburg, wa — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 16:33:53 GMT

Look, we can't leave Iraq in this mess. We broke it, we bought it. No other nations will step in and correct the colossal arrogant failure of the Bush administration. Repair will have to wait till the next President can take advantage of some international help to get a multinational force between the Iraqi factions set to tear themselves apart. We should have been spreading LIBERTY not democracy, which is difficult to explain, much less implement. Liberty is simple to understand, and worth fighting and dying for.
Second, the military (for whom Petraeus speaks) is doing a tremendous job under impossible conditions. Our soldiers will not lose the military part of this war. Unfortunately, more of them will die before this is over. I believe the Bush Administration does not care if the military is broken, their crackpot theories of "democracy" override their concern for ordinary Americans in all parts of life--homeowners, small business, farmers, the working poor. Maybe this crushing of our military is Bush's "payback" for being asked to serve during Vietnam. He has a long memory and a short fuse.
What burns my hide is that nobody responsible for this disaster will pay like our soldiers--they all go off to conservative think tanks, or "Fantastic Freedom Institutes" and "replenish the ol' coffers" and leave our system and a large part of our best and brightest, bleeding. We need both political parties, we need our checks and balances as the Founders saw them, and it will be a while before things get back to balance.
The damage to our system and way of life is immense, and I believe that it is this damage that poses the true threat to our way of life. my 2 cents

Iraq

Ken Mesle — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 16:37:33 GMT

Er Jerry,
Cindy Sheehan is a great American standing up for what she believes in. The rightwing crackers like to vilify her and belittle her message but they (you) are flat wrong. What sacrifice have you made to this misguided/evil war? I didn't think so. Gary, I'll see September 15th.

Iraq

bb — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 16:39:33 GMT

Like a general will ever admit defeat? NEVER! Thats how foolish this whole report thing is. Ridiculous!

Iraq

Susan,Miami — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 16:41:41 GMT

This fool Petraeus is just another flunky that Bush has used to make himself look better. Look what has happened to all the folks who have gotten close to and or have help Bush.....almost all have been destroyed in some way. Bush is dangerous.

Iraq

VRWC — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 16:47:12 GMT

You ninny-hammers. Lies...what lies? Accept your role as unpatriotic, apologetic, whining, defeatist who would like nothing more than to see two bit dictators and terrorist rule everywhere blaming the US for anything and everything. Go back to your debauchery and impotent governance.

Iraq

Gail, Dallas,Tx. — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 16:56:32 GMT

Petraeus is Bush`s flunkie and everyone knows it.
He (Bush) went to Iraq just to solidfy the report that Petraeus would present. The Democrats need to get off their asses and stop this maddness.
Wnhy would they not ask questions that needs tom be answered. Like what was the reason for the war in Iraq the first place (WMD)and when that was not comfirmed why did Bush keep the troops there ( Saddam Hussiem) he`s not there anymore, now so that the Iraq can have a democracy, hell from the looks of things we don`t have a democracy what we have is a bigger TYRANT/DICTATOR than Iraq had in Saddam.
The Iragis do not need us there if they question was put to a vote on what the Iraqis wanted it would be for the Americans to leave their country.
IMPEACHMENT!!........IMPEACHMENT!!.......IMPEACHMENT!!

Iraq

Lew Anderson, Little Rock — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 16:57:09 GMT

EJ Dionne writes, that before Petraeus “began his account of the 'substantial' progress brought about by the troop increase in Iraq, congressional critics of President Bush's policy had come to the depressing conclusion that the surge has done what the administration needed it to do. . . ."

What? That the surge succeeded? And the critics of the war are depressed over this fact? How distorted and deranged is the thinking of the progressives in the US? It is one thing to say that we are losing. It is quite another is to wish that we lose. And this is the position the liberals want to take. Sounds like a losing proposition for them.

The cover is getting torn off on the progressives, and it's not a pretty sight of what is underneath. As expected though, it is a bunch of people that hate America.

Iraq

Sam Adams, Naples, Fl. — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 17:50:43 GMT

Ok, everyone hold hands and play the George Bush game, to see how long we can delay the withdraw of our brave American troops. May be we should have a lottery, my bet is that he will leave 130,000 troops in Iraq until the next President, a Democrat takes office.Oh I believe everything thease people tell us, dont you ?

Iraq

Houston — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 18:09:12 GMT

Unfortunately, the Move On ad was correct in predicting that Petraeus would "betray us." Just as the ad predicted, he avoided admitting what everyone with any sense knows: the Iraq war is unwinnable. Iraq has ceased to exist as a nation. It's disintegrated into a Mad Max-like hell hole thanks to Bush's incompetent mismanagement and Bushite yes-men like Betrayus.

The next president will have no choice but to make a rapid withdrawal of US troops from Iraq in order to avoid a total breakdown of the US armed forces.

Bush thinks putting off the inevitable until after he's out of office will allow him to blame others for the Iraq debacle, but the blame lies entirely with him and his enablers. When the Repub war mongers start asking "who lost Iraq?" the answer is clear: "George W. Bush lost Iraq."

Iraq

M. Boley — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 18:09:25 GMT

Well, the ad must not have been 'bad' because it sure riled up all the Righties. Obviously, MoveOn touched a nerve! You're so angry that you cannot even give credit where credit is due. LOL!

Frankly, you fools on the Right can scream about it until your throats BURST!

Iraq

M. Boley — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 18:13:23 GMT

Good points, Class Warrior, but the main difference is that there is no draft.

Honestly, I am with Ranel on the draft issue: bring it back. Then we'll how long this war will go on.

Perhaps the draft is what's needed to jolt the American people out of its collective coma. We have been asleep for way too long which is why we have such an impotent Congress fighting a losing battle with what could possibly be the worst President EVER.

Iraq

M. Boley — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 18:19:59 GMT

That's 'RANGEL', not 'RANEL'.

LOL...

Iraq

NY — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 18:26:40 GMT

No one wins. It's a war of man.

Iraq

Gary Schear, Bozeman Montana — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 18:26:46 GMT

jerry/corpus christi texas--Point of information.
The point of Civil Disobedience as a method of dissent IS to get arrested. That was the idea.
Congress as an institution does not like to be disrupted. Members of Congress both Liberal and Conservative will defend their institution as they should.
Citizens who disagree with the Institution are entitled to use their free speech to express themselves. Congress is entitled to keep order in it's proceedings. If Citizens choose to disrupt legal proceedings of Congress then they will be subject to legal consequences. Sometimes it is important to disobey authorities to make a point. Sometimes it is worth being arrested to stand up for what you believe and stand against injustice. Sometimes that is the last recourse of people of conscience.
Believe it or not, the civil disobedience at the Petraeous testimony is an example of the system working. It is messy and frustrating but it is working.

Iraq

Houston — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 18:27:07 GMT

M. Boley [[Perhaps the draft is what's needed to jolt the American people out of its collective coma.]]

Unless the US withdraws from Iraq soon, a draft will be necessary just to keep the US army from breaking down. Also, there will have to be a big fat tax increase. Since we can't tax Bush's base, the poor downtrodden super-rich, the middle class will have to bear onerous war tax burden

Iraq

M. Boley — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 18:30:56 GMT

"As expected though, it is a bunch of people that hate America."

Well, I can only speak for myself but I can honestly say that I do not hate America. I can say in all honesty though that I hate the Far Right.

Iraq

jerry/corpus christi texas — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 18:34:47 GMT

Ahhhh Ken?

If Cindy Sheehan is so big and brave why doesn't she run for congress and get it changed?

Oh yeah she is running against nancy pelosi.....

Maybe she should run to new York and run for congress there. i think Nancy is wayyyyyy too much woman for her to handle.

I don't know about California law, but if she is found to be guilty of a felony, does that disqualify her from running for congress?

Iraq

Lee Holmes — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 18:42:59 GMT

Uh,M.Boley. When did Joe Biden become a ''Rightie''as even he condemned this ad?[ While we are about it,www.instapundit.com ,for the complete list of senators and congressmen,each and every one of them, Democrats,save the sole socialist Bernie Saunders[I-NH]that have garnered MOVEON loot.[and yes,several of these MOVEON recipients are presently serving in both committees hearing the Petraeus report]. MOVEON can now be justly referred to as the ''AIPAC''of liberal politics in America,though its demands are ultimately more damaging to the long-term health of the Republic than any support of the tiny Jewish state.[which will continue under a Democrat presidency anyway,if not by some creature created by MOVEON].

Iraq

Marsh Reynolds — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 18:50:23 GMT

Boley - Honestly, I am with Ranel on the draft issue: bring it back.

Sure, lets get that done asap. Be sure to call your congresscritters and recommend they introduce the legislation today if possible. Also make sure Reid and Pelosi both hold press conferences encouraging all to vote for it. And then lets put it to a vote in both Houses.

And once again we'll have the Democrats on the record. And once again, the Democrats can run away from their votes later on down the line.

You guys really make this too easy.

Iraq

Nomen Clature — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 19:08:31 GMT

Jamie - "Doesn't anyone find it strange that the person (General Petraeus) commanding the surge and who
will either be credited with its success or blamed for its failure also gets to "grade" its progress?"

Very strange.

Someone like Cindy Sheehan should provide the assessment.

Iraq

John B, Des Moines, IA — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 19:14:32 GMT

Once again we hear the bogus line that Liberals wish for failure in this adventure. The wishful thinking is on the Neocon side, ignoring the overwhelming evidence that this war is a failure. Including the 60% of Iraqis who say there security has deteriorated since the surge began. I don't wish for failure. I mourn the losses, rue the incompetence and blatant politicalization of the conflict, wish it could turn out differently. All the evidence tells me otherwise. That makes me sad, not happy. And it reminds me of what Alexander Campbell said; "War is a game that, were their subjects wise, kings would not play at." http://www.mun.ca/rels/restmov/texts/acampbell/ac2.html

Iraq

NY — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 19:16:15 GMT

No one wins. It's a war of man.

Iraq

Ben Purser Royal Oak, Mi — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 19:31:56 GMT

My advice to Patraeus, remember Tony Blair, the spanish prime minister, the Italian prime minister and all the others that supported this president failed policies are all side line. They lost the credibility of their countrymen and were voted out of office or simply resigned. You can not keep telling us red is green when we know red is not green.

Iraq

M. Boley — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 19:41:25 GMT

You don't 'get it', Marsh, but it's all right. I cannot have excessively high expectations of the electorate, I know. *hits self in head*

Iraq

wayneTx — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 19:46:37 GMT

I never heard such disrespect for the President of our country and our great Generals. Why would General Petraeus lie just to please the population that he is trying to protect? Keep the war over there. Is there no longer any respect for our leadership? And to be talking like this on the aniversery of our attack!

Iraq

Ben Purser Royal Oak MI — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 19:52:15 GMT

If Iraq is so much improve why was the president trip to Iraq was a national secret.

Iraq

Marsh Reynolds — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 20:01:23 GMT

No one has expections of you Boley, and yet, you still disappoint.

Iraq

Patty Cakes — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 20:15:12 GMT

"No one has expections of you Boley, and yet, you still disappoint. " Typical neo-con brain swirl - "I have no expections, but I'm disappointed." Says it all, you moron.

Iraq

Ken Mesle — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 20:17:25 GMT

uh, Jerry and Lee,
You poor boys! That nasty MoveOn.Org made fun of David Patreus. Those meanies. They shouldn't be allowed to question his honesty. Why he's never mislead us before. I think everyone needs to wrap themselves up in the flag and say a prayer for the poor little ole general. He never signed up for this job to be treated like this. Poor, Poor mistreated lying sack of neocon scum. Funny how you defend this idiot's administration and its sick values but like to attack liberal organizations and a woman who stands up to idiocy and war mongering. Poor David, liberals are so mean. oh and Jerry... What sacrifices have you made for this war? You never did answer my question. Your kind appear to be running around frightened to death that we're going to attacked. Grow up.

Iraq

Dave, AZ — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 20:21:00 GMT

General Petraeus traded his soul for a fourth star and is now paying the price. While a good general and a decent person, he got caught up in a deal with the devil and is now paying the price. He should retire now and get away from the shameless whores in this administraton.

Iraq

Lee Holmes — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 20:34:45 GMT

Ken. Your response is infantile. You will be reminded that it was this SAME MOVEON that whined and went ballistic when it was the corrupt Murtha being ''made fun of'' by Republicans who questioned his sanity more than his patriotism. Be this at is may,no full-page ad was ever taken out by a GOP PAC claiming that Murtha was ''betraying''his nation,let alone any other retired military critics of this war. Indeed,this is the first instance we have of this occurring,regarding a serving American general, since Benedict Arnold and the press pieces run on this general over 200 years ago. It is not that liberals are so ''mean'',but that they are so stupid. This is not a question of Petraeus' honesty as put forth by MOVEON but his patriotism. In this,MOVEON is no better than the the antics this nation suffered under Tailgunner Joe. They are divisive and thus offer nothing to invite the ''better angels of our nature''. Neither does the hack PRAVDA rag in which the ad was enconsed.

Iraq

M. Boley — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 20:53:20 GMT

Well, wayneTx, when someone continually and deliberately commits acts that are not in the national interest AND go against the will of the majority of the citizens AND acts as if HE knows everything AND relies on 'God' for the answers then they are not worthy of respect from yours truly.

And to jog your mind a bit... Betrayus is working for the President - not for us little 'peons' - so he damn well better stick to the President's line otherwise he's out on his ass. So he is part of the 'game' too.

Got it?

Iraq

Brandon Roy, Portland OR — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 20:54:21 GMT

Ken Mesle - They shouldn't be allowed to question his honesty.

Moveon is not questioning his honesty. They are attempting to destroy his integrity with false accusations and innuendo. Kind of like what you are (ineffectively) trying to do.

So sorry you can't tell the difference.

Ken Mesle - Grow up.

Try it yourself.

Iraq

H. Swanson, Graham, WA — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 20:58:54 GMT

Party politics FIRST! The hell with the United States of America. Both parties should be ashamed that they claim to represent the PEOPLE of the U.S.A. especially the Liberal Dems and their Liberal backers (read crooks and communists) and the conservative (?) Republicians. Take a good hard look at what is really going on in the U.S.A. and you will see that we are on the road to destruction just like Germany, Japan (WWII)and Russia. Oh Yea Rome. It is about time that we start pulling together rather than tearing us apart and that means Representing the People.

Iraq

Jamie, Elmwood Park, IL — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 21:07:45 GMT

As long as we're pointing out ads, what about the "Freedom" ads linking the Iraq war to 9/11.
Unbelievable. It has been proven that Iraq was not
part of 9/11, but the right-wing conservatives still try to say it was. Sorry, 17 Saudis and no Iraqis were in those planes.

Iraq

Ohio — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 21:37:15 GMT

Four dead.

Iraq

nuanced — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 00:04:17 GMT

Petraeus and Crocker delivered “a straight, sober, and nuanced presentation,”

Hey, I swear I had nothing to do with it!

Iraq

Mitchell Feldman, Vestal, NY — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 00:10:24 GMT

There are a lot of us who are not pacifists and see Al Qaeda as a real threat. Yet we are a group that knows that this Iraqi catastrophe is wasting our brave troops and distracting us from actually destroying the vermin where they nest. Most of us are now on the same page about the enormous disconnect between Iraq and 9/11 so lets rechart the course of our ship of state and attack the nidus. I won't comment on the stubborn nature of this president and about the way we were influenced by Chalabi (agent of Teheran) who had Cheney's ear and was influential in our pursuance of this failed policy, but I will say that the longer we wait to change course, the more time Al Qaeda will have to reconstitute. I know this march on Washington will be attended by people with many different political agendas but, no matter, I will make every effort to attend (although I just found out about it today - thanks to Gary Schear- btw call 202-544-3389 for information about buses to the rally from your area) and I urge all of those who believe this effort in Iraq to be a mistake, to attend as well. The political leaders of our country must learn that we are outraged by what we have found out today. When General Patraeus was asked by Senator Warner as to whether this effort in Iraq was making America safer, the general honestly replied, I don't know.

Iraq

Jim Frego, Grants Pass, OR Capt. US Army (ret.) — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 00:39:15 GMT

DEFINITION OF WINNING What is the Definition of Winning

1. We Kill or Capture all Al Qaeda and Terrorists in Iraq and seal the borders so more can not come in. This can be accomplished in several decades.

2. We Train and Equip the Iraqi Defense Forces to the 350,000 level with the twice the capability for the 130,000 Americans. They will then be able to provide total security for Iraq without US involvement. At the rate the Iraqis are coming up to speed this can be accomplished by 2050.

3. The Democratically elected government truly represents the people and provisional governments provide bottoms up support. Then over 80% of the Iraqis will support the government and Al Qaeda will be driven out of the country. This will probably occur sometime after 2100.

Once any one of these are accomplished we can CLAIM VICTORY!

Jim Frego
Grants Pass, OR

Iraq

leon houston tx. — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 02:36:16 GMT

Until Democrats decide to quit taking the high road they will continue to lose. Witness the attacks on character by these fools on the right that argue just for party sake without a thought about our boys and girls dying. And yes I have two nephews over there right now. So easy for you right wing guys to talk when you are here safe and sound.Just like your buddy george did during Vietnam. I say no more American blood for Iraq. They either stand or fall on there own now.

The next Dem., nominee should have ads running with bush standing on that pile of rubble repeating we will find OBL dead or alive . Yea right, every time bush got into trouble with his oil companies it was bin laden money that bailed him out. check the facts.

Iraq

Utahreb, Veyo, UT — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 11:59:42 GMT

to this is how they think - Read the items on the La Raza website and you will find that they want to take over our country, too. And the scarey thing is that there are millions of them already here! Too bad we aren't fighting them with the same energy and forces.

Iraq

Indiana — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 12:53:40 GMT

Ohio "Four dead."

Your brain cells?

Iraq

Ken Mesle — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 13:35:32 GMT

Lee and Brandon,
Gee I’m sorry. I didn’t know his reputation was beyond reproach. How many AK-47’s went missing on his watch? Was it in 2004 that he wrote an op-ed stating that we were turning the corner in Iraq? You guys sure have a low threshold regarding the integrity of a certain portion of the population. After all he has never misled us before. Oh and Lee you constantly state things that overlook the facts. I guess you never heard of the Swift Boat Veterans for truth? I think they are 527 with strong ties to the RNC and George Bush. Obviously you haven’t heard of Ambassador Fox…. or that Ken Cordiar was a member of George Bush’s election campaign steering committee…. Or that John Conaway and Adrian Cronaur were vice-chairs of the Veterans for Bush-Cheney. You also have a short memory when it comes to what these people attempted to do to John Murtha. I suppose you can say anything with authority and people will believe you. After all the only people in your eyes who are fair game are Democratic candidates. I mean come on – your side questioned the patriotism of paraplegic who lost his limbs in Vietnam. Oh and Lee – Do I have to explain why I purposely posted an “infantile response? Now follow closely... I am merely trying to point out what a childish argument it is that expressing an opinion and questioning one’s motives is somehow reprehensible.

Iraq

Texas — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 13:46:58 GMT

The real four dead:
Michigan
Notre Dame
Indiana
Cleveland Browns

Iraq

nuanced — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 14:20:45 GMT

Indiana, I believe "four dead" was a reference to the line in a CS&N song that says "four dead in Ohio." It is about the 4 unarmed innocent students at Ohio State University who were gunned down by National Guardsmen sent to suppress protest against the Vietnam war so that the killing and war profits could continue. Some people think that there is a parallel between the Vietnam war and the Iraq war. Glad you asked and grateful I could educate you.

Iraq

Mel, Illinois — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 15:47:55 GMT

Jim Frego, you may be too optimistic on the dates 'winning' can be achieved. I wonder how many times my son will be deployed by 2050? My mom has talked about driving down the road during WWII and seeing a Service Star Flag in a window in every third or fourth house. I put one up when my son was in Iraq and most of the neighbors didn't know what it was. With so few families making the sacrifices for this war, I find myself counting cars as I drive. When I reach 100 then I may have seen one other car belonging to a military family.

Iraq

Lee Holmes — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 18:30:44 GMT

Mesle:Kerry was a civilian. Not a serving fourstar general who has spent his entire adult life serving his nation and whose son is destined for Iraq or Afghanistan.[Correct if wrong,but Kerry never rose above the rank of naval Lt,the equal of an Army captain]. My assertions stand on their own merits. Further,we find that MOVEON was full of its usual crap anyway. Petreaus not only never,in one instance,''betray''his nation,but his recomendations have been backed by none other than the Democrat leader of the Senate Armed Services committee,and a fierce antiwar,anti-Bush foe,Sen.Carl Levin[Remarks,Sen.Levin NPR ''Morning Edition''Sept.12,2007]. Indeed,postmortums on the Petraeus testimony find that he was not the ''stooge''or ''mouthpiece''or ''puppet''of the administration that his cowardly detractors imagined he was.

Iraq

Don't want to think about it, Houston. — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 21:50:43 GMT

To be honest, I don’t have too much enthusiasm to discuss the war in Iraq anymore. It is completely useless.
The war was started based on Bush’s or Cheney’s own political intension. It should not start at the beginning! There is no WMD after all and Bush pushed for the war without a reason that even he himself really believes. His continuing to sell the war as “a war on terror” is certainly the most disgusting political tactics, given that so many soldiers died for such an unjustified war. It has been ill planned from the beginning. If he were well planned, he would not have celebrated the “victory” four years ago when he landed on the ship to announce “mission accomplished”. He underestimated the difficulty of the mission from the very beginning. That was the major reason why he did not plan well. The fact that he was surrounded by people like Donald Rumsfeld made the thing even worse. Having known that Iraq war is so difficult, as it is right now, would he decide to go for the war in 2003? I doubt it! Now he has to insist some victory or signs of victory to justify his decision to go to the war and the following decision of surge. He will not admit any mistakes or misjudgment on war or surge decisions. Admitting such mistake will erase all his credits, if any, of his eight years presidency.
Here is his only exit strategy: keep the rest 130000 troops in Iraq in the remaining period of his term. He said he “play” for next year’s withdrawal of his surged 30000 troop. If the next president is a Republican, he will continue the so called war on terror in Iraq for another 5 to 10 years. If the next president is a Democrat, he or she will have very little options to fully retreat all troops home in a short term. Now no matter who is the future president, it does not matter to him. He will not admit any mistake in a short term. In long term, people will gradually forget all these. Admitting a mistake now would mean a huge political setback not only for his legacy but also for his entire Republican party.
For the Democrat, I don’t think they can circulate the veto of Bush on the war voting. Bush will get his war plan to pass for certain and our soldiers will continue to die and wound for another 5 to 10 years.
It is for sure a sad ending!

Iraq

Ken Mesle — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 15:21:26 GMT

Lee,
I'd say that once Petraus wrote that op-ed he officially became a political hack by ingratiating himself to this corrupt administration. The populous should always be skeptical of military leaders. You really can’t be serious insinuating that a military general’s motives or competence shouldn’t be questioned but its okay to smear a war hero with slanderous lies. Your side changed the rules – live with it.

Iraq

Lee Holmes — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 15:53:58 GMT

Mesle: If accusing a serving general who is preparing to send his own son into combat of ''betraying''his nation is not slander,then what the hell is? Quit looking at this through a partisan lens. You will observe that the ''swiftboat veterans'',were VETERANS,including those decorated in combat. Not non-serving leftwingers whose only allegiances are in appearing at antiwar rallies with PLO and HEZBOLLAH flags.

Iraq

Ken Mesle — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 16:27:44 GMT

Lee- Let the games begin. I guess this weekend I'll be carrying a Hezbollah flag when I march in Washington...Is that what your kind will try to slander us with? General Patraus did not give an honest assessment. What were the tell tale signs of insurgent vs sectarian deaths? What criteria are used to separate two? Why won't the government or the military release true civilian casualties? You ask us to believe in something with critical facts being withheld. This will be all right with you when we have a Democratic President? It seems to me that I am not the one blindly following a partisan line and believing cooked trends and statistics. General Petraus’ uniform and decorations are indeed pretty but they are hardly worth worshiping or of swearing unquestioning allegiance. Since when did we cede civilian control of the military? I can only assume you prefer living under a dictatorship…after all you are a Bush supporter.