http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/30/44663.aspx The Chicago Tribune covers Bush’s remarks yesterday to National Public Radio, in which he said that Iranian aggression inside Iraq would be met with US force.  “At the same time, Bush asserted his determination to resolve what the U.S. sees asen-USCommunityServer 2.0 (Build: 60608.1)http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/30/44663.aspx#44728Tue, 30 Jan 2007 15:53:56 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:44728ex-marine,vietvet,americabush said he was going to resolve the iran problem thru diplomatic means, translation, lookout the NEW WAR is about to begin. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/30/44663.aspx#44741Tue, 30 Jan 2007 16:10:41 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:44741Pink Hill, NCThis jerk is just itching to cause another war. It is amazing that we have allowed it to get this far. Impeach and send his arse back to Crawford before we all die for his oil greed.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/30/44663.aspx#44765Tue, 30 Jan 2007 16:39:24 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:44765ex-sailorNapolean, without the brains or courage. That stupid little monkey IS gearing up for war with Iran, which will ROCK HIS WORLD, giving him the justification for using nukes. We must stop that psychotic little monster.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/30/44663.aspx#44776Tue, 30 Jan 2007 16:49:57 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:44776Paw Paw, NCHas anyone else even noticed we have approximately 138,000 troops in Iraq and now they are saying there are approximately 100,000 contractors. That's almost one contractor for every soldier and I'm sure these contractors are there doing charity work. It's truly amazing after all the money that has been spent on the Iraqi soldiers and the police they don't have protective vest or weapons. I wonder how much of that 400 to 500 billion, not counting the part we don't know about, went to the Iraq government. Honestly when you hear the stories of 200 to 300 insurgents being killed and then the U.S. military says we don't know who they were we were just called in to help the Iraqi ground forces. We already know the Shi are killing the Sunni and the Sunni are killing the Shi. But now all the Shi have to say is "this is an insurgent group or this is a cult" and they can call in the U.S. military to do their ethnic cleansing. President Bush was right send more troops to over power the Sunni's and before you know it peace. Fantastic 20% of the population (Sunni) ruled and governed Iraq without U.S. assistance and now that the 60% of the population is in control they have to have the U.S. to be their army and their police force. You called Mr. Maliki!http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/30/44663.aspx#44778Tue, 30 Jan 2007 16:52:24 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:44778Bob, DenverLast night, the Fox tv show "24" perpetuated at least two conservative myths. First, our hero Jack Bauer tortured information out of his brother(That's what I call family values!) perpetuating the myth again that torture is effective. The next incident is really troubling. A CTU staffer has her computer access restricted. Her supervisor asks the head of CTU why. He responds, "Because Nadia is of Mideastern descent she's been flagged by Homeland Security." The supervisor responds, "That's ridiculous! She's lived in this country since she was two years old. She's a registered REPUBLICAN for crying out loud!" Get it? Being a Republican is prima facie evidence that she's a loyal American. That line just wouldn't have worked if they said she was a registered Democrat, for crying out loud. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/30/44663.aspx#44786Tue, 30 Jan 2007 17:09:12 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:44786Coy Reese, Shady Spring, West VirginiaWe cannot believe one word the Bush Regime has to say regarding what or what not Iran is doing. We have been down this road before, with this immoral, corrupt Administration. Any action by the United States against Iran, must be independently verified as warranted, by those 100% disconnected from the Bush Presidency. I have emailed all of my elected respresentatives, and said as much. The Bush Administration cannot be trusted at all, ever, under any circumstances. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/30/44663.aspx#44790Tue, 30 Jan 2007 17:10:15 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:44790Robert Catalano, Salem, ORWhen I was in my 20s traveling in Europe during the late 1970s, I was embarrassed to be recognized as an American because of my country's and my personal involvement in the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal. I would see all of these "Ugly American" travelers throwing money around like evrywhere they went was Disneyland and the people in other contries were Mickey Mouse. As the years have passed and I grew older I regained my pride in my country because I looked for other things besides our political imperialism and sabre-rattling and knew that this was one great country because we had freedoms others could only dream of. Since 2000 those freedoms have eroded significantly. This Administration is an embarrassment to me and should be to most Americans. While most of us are generous and hopeful at our core, the "Ugly Americans" (those who believe we have the God given right to do anything we want in this world simply because we are Americans) have gone past ugly and are now downright grotesque. I love my country, I fought for it and I believe in it; however, at this point, we should all be embarrassed at what has happened in the last six years.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/30/44663.aspx#44806Tue, 30 Jan 2007 17:23:45 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:44806Ryan Columbus NEPink Hill, its about oil? Typical response from the left, grasping at whatever to bash bush. Its not about oil or for personal gain, it was at the beginning about Saddam and the fact that he violated the agreement after the Gulf War 17 times. He refused to let the weapons inspectors in and basically spit in the face of the UN. The info that the government recieved about WMD were taken very seriously by both sides of our government not just Bush and his supporters. The Dems for the most part backed the war in the begining and now they fliped their stance once again to suit their political agenda. If Hollywood actors are the beacon for moral leadership for the Left than I can understand why the left has been challenged about their moral issues. I think the left would be better off instead of doing an anti war march they should put their efforts into something more disastorous like a Pro life march. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/30/44663.aspx#44822Tue, 30 Jan 2007 17:38:41 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:44822Greg Ranniger, Spokane, WAPaw Paw, Those contractors of which you speak. Haven't heard from the white supremacists lately have we? Hired killers, lovely Gov't.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/30/44663.aspx#44838Tue, 30 Jan 2007 17:50:14 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:44838Stan B Counted, USAMore blaming Bush for Iranian aggression? Iran is the root of much of the Islamic extremism in the world today. It is Iran who is behind much of the sectarian violence in Iraq. They are supplying weapons, money, and fighters to continue the instability in Iraq. It is the Iranian government who is asking for war, they are already at war with us. Bush has shown remarkable restraint by not answering this aggression with an attack on Iran already. By continuing to blame Bush for the evil acts of these maniacs you play right into their hands and ensure that they will continue to employ their murderous tactics against innocent civians and our troops. It is their stated strategy. Sadly, while many of you are truly against this war for moral and ethical reasons, there are also many of you for which it is purely political. Any victory in Iraq, or elsewhere in the fight against terrorism, would spell defeat for democrat hopes to win the White House in '08. To those of you who are protesting for moral and ethical reasons, continue to make your voices heard, but please dig deeper and look at what is happening behind the scenes that isn't reported in the mainstream media. To those of you who are doing so for purely political reasons, you are giving aid and comfort to the enemy, you are doing more to cause the deaths of American soldiers and Iraqi civilians than the jihadists could ever have hoped to accomplish on their own. You are their winning strategy. You are the definition of tratior. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/30/44663.aspx#44840Tue, 30 Jan 2007 17:51:46 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:44840Sierra, San Francisco, CALet me get this straight. Iran is developing WMDs. Iran is cooperating with terrorists. We have 'secret intelligence' that proves this (it's a slam dunk). The president is going to use 'diplomacy' (even though he won't talk to 'evil doers'). Oh Yeah !! Bush/Cheney/Rove got it going on!! Bring back Rumsfeld to help plan the Iranian occupation. We'll be greeted with flowers as 'liberators' !!http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/30/44663.aspx#44844Tue, 30 Jan 2007 17:55:52 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:44844Steve Turner Cedar Falls IowaRyan. C'mon buddy, Actors and Politicians have roughly the same 'Morality', since they both wish they were what the other is. Those of us in the 'hinterland', you and I included, have more scruples than they do, we just don't get all high and mighty about them. If we patterned our behavior on their 'Morals', we'd end up as sick as they are. And so what if Saddam stiffed the UN? The GOP has stiffed it for years. It's hypocritical for them to use the UN and conveniently become its' Champion. Ease back to the center, OK?http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/30/44663.aspx#44853Tue, 30 Jan 2007 18:01:23 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:44853John B, Des Moines, IAUmm, Ryan the weapons inspectors were in Iraq, reported a complete lack of evidence of a WMD program, and were forced to leave to avoid being blown up by incoming American ordnance. As far as the Dems believing the stories of a resurgent WMD program the only mistake they made was to assume that the White House was being run by people of integrity. We were told to trust the Administration that WMDs were an imminent threat based on evidence that couldn't be revealed because it was classified and would compromise other intelligence operations. Now we know we couldn't trust the Bushies, the UN and international community were right, and the war was one of the worst ideas ever foisted upon the American public. Now we're marching to war with Iran to the same beat of "trust us, we know more than you." If Tom Delay, Newt Gingrich, and the Bush administration are the beacon for moral leadership for the Right then I can't understand why more people aren't laughing...or crying.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/30/44663.aspx#44875Tue, 30 Jan 2007 18:25:13 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:44875Garry, Omaha, NEAtention Stan B Counted. We live in an amazing country. Everyone has a right to an opinion and a right to disagree without being called a traitor. Iran's power has actually increased due to our war with Iraq. We, may at some point and time need to go to war with Iran. However, we need to look at our options, develop a strageic plan and not rush off un-prepared like we did in Iraq.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/30/44663.aspx#44885Tue, 30 Jan 2007 18:40:28 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:44885Still Crazy After All These Years"The Girl In The War"- singer/songwriter, Josh Ritter, from album the "Animal Years"http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/30/44663.aspx#44886Tue, 30 Jan 2007 18:40:55 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:44886Barbara Clemmer, Randolph, MAWe have to get rid of this administration ASAP. They ingnore the will of the people, Congress, the military, and respected American leaders of the past and just do whatever they want to do, because they are Vice President and President, and we are not. We have to take away the last refuge of their titles before they harm us and the rest of the world irretrievably.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/30/44663.aspx#44895Tue, 30 Jan 2007 18:48:29 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:44895Ryan, Columbus NeGood point Steve, I maybe drifting towards the way right somedays and I will try to see it from the left as much as I can. I know that the center is where some common ground may be found. I do however agree with Stan B in that we will be playing right into the hands of enemies if we turn and pull out now. Thats exactly what they want us to do and so do the dems. The left does not want us to win this war, it plainly does not fit their political agenda. Its my belief that if we are not taking the war to them they will most certainly be taking it to us over here. If that happens as it has already has or have we all forgotten the sting of 9-11. The Amereicans as a whole were wanting action after that occured and what will happen when it happens again? Will the left still be saying that we are not taking up the right cause of will they shift more towards the current administration foriegn policy. Im not attacking the Left fot what they believe Im just disagreeing with their views. I pray that we as a country can unite towards this very worthy cause before its to late.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/30/44663.aspx#44909Tue, 30 Jan 2007 19:02:04 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:44909Ryan Columbus NeHey Barbara the will of the people got Bush elected not once but twice. That is the will of the people. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/30/44663.aspx#44933Tue, 30 Jan 2007 19:21:20 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:44933DesmondStan B,"dig deeper." Well, bro, here is the thing. I did not support the war. Osama bin Laden was not in Iraq.I was for staying, in full force in Afhganistan, to find him. We did not. Right before the election of November, 2004, he pops up on a video tape to remind us of that fact. I listened to Colin Powell when he spoke at the U.N. I respected his opinion, felt he was speaking the truth, but still felt we should concentrate on Afhganistan. Those pesky U.N. inspectors seemed to believe Saddam had no weapons.Follow the war in Iraq every day. Have continued to follow the war in Afhganistan. In the last two weeks, I have read the Pentigon releases on a couple of major battles being fought in Iraq. Have seen those same Pentagon releases be revised. I don't feel I was any better in my opinion against the war as opposed to those who were for it. For me, it is just watching what unfolds on the ground. As for Osama, I'll be watching to see if he appears again on video, right before the 2008 election.Somewhere in the Christian Bible there is a saying, "When I was a child I thought as a child....".If the current plan works, great. We are out of there. If it doesn't, what do we do next?http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/30/44663.aspx#44944Tue, 30 Jan 2007 19:37:10 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:44944DesmondStan B, to add to my previous post, here is a lesson I learned early on in life. My mama taught us kids the difference between a truth and a lie. If we forgot that lesson, my Daddy had his belt in hand to give us a whoopin'.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/30/44663.aspx#44947Tue, 30 Jan 2007 19:38:44 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:44947caroline, miStan - Iran is what it is today because we overthrew their democratically elected government in 1957 and set up the despotic Shah as supreme dictator. The Iranians finally rose up and kicked him out of the country, setting up an Islamic based system of government. Americans have a short memory, but the rest of the world doesn't. Do you only want democracy for the rest of the world if it looks and smells like American democracy? Does America have sole rights to nuclear technology? Ask China if it thinks the US owns space. The rest of the world sees us as the greedy, ego-centric war-monkeys we are.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/30/44663.aspx#45007Tue, 30 Jan 2007 20:28:50 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:45007Steve Turner Cedar Falls IowaRyan. Don't see it from the left or the right, OK? See it from the middle. Both the Left and the Right, muddy up any good points with so much baloney, even they don't remember what the good points are. We cannot win a war in Iraq or any place else where the majority want us out of there. And as for 'fighting them here', we won't fight them here. We didn't fight them during 9/11 and we won't fight them if a couple of faceless madmen blow up someplace. We didn't fight Tim McVeigh when he killed 168 people in Oklahoma. You cannot stop a madman from doing something like that. But to go into the madman's country and tear it apart, killing children and calling them 'unavoidable collateral damage' as we go after the madman's bunch, is wrong. Is that the Legacy we want to leave our children? What do I see when I watch an American GI in agony over there? I see me, a long time ago, or my little boy, sometime in the future. The Vietnam War was wrong. This war is wrong and the war with Iran is wrong. The war with Syria is wrong. We must get out and let them do with their countries, what they want, even if we dont like it. That is the reality of the world of today. To continue to threaten them with war or Nuclear destruction, only invites more madmen. The Right Wing wants all Muslims converted, or destroyed. Is that what the Founding Fathers saw as America's place in the world? Up to this point, the Iraq war has been about profits. The next escalation will end up being about holos caustos, 'Burned Whole', and that will happen to the Whole Earth. Sad to say, the choices have never been ours.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/30/44663.aspx#45030Tue, 30 Jan 2007 20:49:36 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:45030JamieSorry Ryan, the will of the people elected Bush once; the electoral college elected him the first time. Al Gore received more popular votes than Bush. And as far as wanting action after 911, the action most of us wanted was to get Osama Bin Laden - not Saddem or Iraq who had absolutely NOTHING to do with 911. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/30/44663.aspx#45055Tue, 30 Jan 2007 21:21:58 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:45055Carrie, NW IowaRyan - I don't know of anyone, Democrat or Republican, who doesn't want the US to be successful in Iraq. Perhaps what you are sensing from the left (and from the majority of Americans) is a growing realization that this "success" is not going to happen, and it's time to minimize our losses. Not because we are cowardly, and not because we are not patriotic but because we disagree with the manner in which this war has been executed, if not the underlying principles that led us to Iraq in the first place. I hear people saying all the time that by leaving Iraq, we are playing right into "their" hands. My question for anyone who offers this as a reason for remaining in Iraq is this: how much longer do we let the terrorists dictate our actions? Do we stay another 5 years? 10 years? 20 years? Because I can almost guarantee you that, at this rate, the insurgency will still be there waiting no matter how long we delay withdrawing our troops. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/30/44663.aspx#45064Tue, 30 Jan 2007 21:30:43 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:45064bobf Wow you can sure count on Stan to be your typical hate mongering, fear chucking,scum bag Bush mouthpiece. Stan the smear man. Lets call all people traitors if they do not agree with me. You Stan are perfect example of a Nazi. Only the pure and true americans can speak. So Stan will you be the one to decide which speech will be allowed. Right only what Stan says is allowed. Sorry Stan but people like you make me sick. Why do you hate your fellow americans. It is not the peace makers that caused this mess. It was not the democrats that started this war. So why are you blaming us. America is great place, but not the america Stan envisions. In Stan's world all americans that do not agree with Stan will be branded traitors and sent to jail. Yeah, it is sweet in Stans world, everybody thinks like he does and freedom for all is lost in Stan's world. It is either Stan's way or the highway to jail. Stan, by the way do you have any facts or hard evidence that Iran is to blame for everything. Or are you just repeating what Herr Limbaugh said on the radio. I do not see any original thought in this hate filled article. They are typical republican talking points that just divides america. If you are not with me then you are against me. The author of this statement is Adolph Hitler. Funny, it was a popular phrase that Reagan and now Bush just love to use. Remeber Stan, smear and fear if you have no facts.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/30/44663.aspx#45081Tue, 30 Jan 2007 21:45:33 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:45081MICHAEL DAYTON PORT ST LUCIE FLHey Ryan, Bush did not get elected twice. The first time his daddy's supreme court handed him the keys to the White House. The second time {2004), the CEO of Dieobold made sure the fix was in for the voting machines in Ohio. (He said he would do whatever it took to get Bush elected.) As far as being truthfull goes, in addition to his deadfaced lie in the SOTU (first one)about Yellow Cake, in Buffalo N Y last year when asked about wire taps he said "Anyway it requires a warrant" knowing full well his administration was conducting warrantless wiretaps. This is complusive lying and now all of the sudden the administration has reveresed it's stand. That's not mention some of the things they have tried to do (no more overtime, turn over control of our ports to a radical Islamist government). I doubt that they will get impeached (although they should) but when oversight and investigations are completed, they will get indicted.It will take years to realize the full scope of the damage that has been done.This will go down as the most corrupt, incompetant,screw the little guy, administration in our history. If you think otherwise,you are in a state of denial. So know Barbara Alfred E didn't get elected twice. And thetr will be a price to pay for all this deception. Franicshttp://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/30/44663.aspx#45099Tue, 30 Jan 2007 22:03:00 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:45099Mad Mike Proud Army Vetbobf on the attack again. Gee bobf you fit the typical liberal profile you are unhappy and bitter and you blindly following your far left agenda claiming that we are posting typical talking points for Republicans. You call anyone who disagrees with you a Nazi...remember we're all Americans too and just because we don't agree with you doesn't mean we should be catagorized by you as homicidal maniacs. Who's the real Nazi bobf. You call us fear mongers but you are a hate monger of the worst kind. I pray for you.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/30/44663.aspx#45114Tue, 30 Jan 2007 22:09:45 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:45114Carrie, NW IowaCaroline - I could not agree with you more. I think we have an excellent system of government here, and I know I am fortunate to live in this country. That being said, I respect the fact that other nations and other cultures don't necessarily want to be carbon copies of the US. They want to chart their own course, just as we did over 200 years ago. It has often been said that you cannot force democracy from without - it has to come from within the borders of a country or it won't work. I think Iraq is turning into a prime example of that.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/30/44663.aspx#45128Tue, 30 Jan 2007 22:23:37 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:45128ex-sailorRyan from Columbus, (not to be confused with "Ryan" from MI or the one in Chicago): two felonious state Sec. of State (Harris in FL and Brown in OH) elected Bush as much as anyone. (The GAO says the Ohio vote was rigged - don't start screaming about "PROOF!" http://rockrivertimes.com/index.pl?cmd=viewstory&id=11529) And if the "will of the people" is so over-powering, why are you 20% ers ignoring the will of 80%? TO ALL YOU TRAITOR BAITORS: If we have to go to war with Iran, so beit, but it won't be under the "leadership" of that war profiteering, fascist meglomaniac and his more evil twin in the WH.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/30/44663.aspx#45137Tue, 30 Jan 2007 22:30:54 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:45137Ryan Columbus neCarrie the dems on top of the hill do not want success it does not help their cause. They cant afford for Bush's plan to have success at this point, they have bashed Bush and it would pretty bad it his plan worked. And Jamie if Osama was the only threat to this country we would be in great shape. It isnt just Osama that wants death to all Americans its more vast than that. What happens if we eventually get Osama would that region of the world no longer be at threat to the US? Steve, what if someone gets a nuclear weapon off over here? You dont think that is possible? Left, Right or Middle that can happen. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/30/44663.aspx#45143Tue, 30 Jan 2007 22:37:20 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:45143mikeeg,abdn,waGo to Impeachbush.org and let the american prople speak again very LOUDLYhttp://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/30/44663.aspx#45182Tue, 30 Jan 2007 23:03:05 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:45182Bruce, St. Helens, ORBy toppling Saddam we created a power vacuum that is going to be filled. Bush et al envisoned that a democratic state would emerge and fill that vacuum. More likely, the Shi'a Iranians will come to the aid of the Iraq Shi'a while the Saudi's, and other Sunni states will come to the aid of the Iraqi Sunnis. Throw in the Afgahns, the Pakistanis and Egypt not to mention trouble with Turkey and the Kurds and we will be well on our way to the Armagedon the Religious Right has been praying for.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/30/44663.aspx#45184Tue, 30 Jan 2007 23:04:14 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:45184Jim, Santa CruzWould one of enlightened souls from the right tell us what the plan is for the 20,000+ more soldiers we are dispatching to Iraq? Just in general, what are the goals, how many casualities do we expect, how long will it take, how much money will it cost, what is the backup plan if it doesn't work out?http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/30/44663.aspx#45213Tue, 30 Jan 2007 23:38:09 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:45213Ricardo in California Thank you bobsf ..... well written. I guess for Stan and Ryan .. there needs to be more dead americans in Iraq before they can accept the fact that the failed Bush Iraq policies is truly what has played into the hands of the enemy not the American people. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/30/44663.aspx#45261Wed, 31 Jan 2007 00:15:21 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:45261Mindi, SacramentoRyan - Columbus, Speaking for myself, I'm a democrat and don't want to lose the war in Iraq. Unfortunately, due to the current administration's enormous miscalculations (I'm being nice there)I have no faith what-so-ever that they can bring about any kind of "victory". To me, the current administration has no credibility left. What are the consequences if the Iraqi government and army do not meet the "benchmarks" talked about? There are no consequences (notice in Bush's speech, he only said the Iraqi's would lose the support of the American people, the majority already don't support the policy and we're still there, so obviously it doesn't mean that we'll leave). After 4 years, how can the Iraqi army "stand up" if it's partly made up of people loyal to organizations (militias)other than a unity government? Not enough is being done about that problem. Why in the world would Sunni's trust an army where at least some of the troops are responsible for sectarian deaths? Also, how can the Iraqi army stand up if some of their troops just don't bother to show up (which is happening)or disappear for periods of time (also happening)? How can the Iraqi goverment stand up if not even a majority of legislators are willing to show up to govern? No one is willing to answer these questions and until they are answered with some semblance of reality, I don't want my loved one's life risked another second. If this war is so important why are only military members and their families asked to sacrifice? Why isn't everyone being asked to sacrifice, either their blood or their money? One of the more insane things I've heard Bush say is that "people are sacrificing, their sacrificing their peace of mind". Utterly Outrageous. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/30/44663.aspx#45264Wed, 31 Jan 2007 00:18:10 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:45264Ryan ColumbusYou tell us Jim from Santa Cruz, its the dems that have been talking about a new plan since the last election but have nothing to give. Thats why Bush got reeleted, the dems criticized his plan and none of their own. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/30/44663.aspx#45267Wed, 31 Jan 2007 00:21:25 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:45267RYan ColumbusCarrie what about South Koreahttp://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/30/44663.aspx#45333Wed, 31 Jan 2007 01:16:02 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:45333DesmondMad Mike, I am not LOL, bobf is a blog I read. I suggest you settle it , bro, and listen and read. If you do not, I will personnally take affront on behalf of my dead cousin , 1 day in Vietnam, 30 days MIA. There are no do overs in war. People are not ressurected from the dead.And guess what, Life is Not Easy.And you cannot have it both ways.Take your pick, bro, I'll be watching you.My Daddy is dead. but he did teach me well. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/30/44663.aspx#45713Wed, 31 Jan 2007 04:24:55 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:45713Steve Turner Cedar Falls IowaRyan. The only ones who can answer your question about 'getting a nuclear weapon off over here', are Japanese. We got a couple of them off 'over there'. Only they can explain what it's like. As for a madman getting a nuclear bomb off over here, we could kill all of the madman's country, and still not stop him. That is a terrible fact, I know. But alienating more and more people by invading them, only increases the odds. One thing that always disturbed me about the aftermath of Gulf I, was the terrible conditions the children of Iraq were in. Saddam didn't seem to be helping them, at least the Shia. They should have been our first and maybe Only priority. Heal the least of them and then bow out. The likelyhood of them growing up to hate us, would've been much less. And finally, we have the McVeigh Model. How would you stop a loose nut, fallen off one of our own machines? A million to one, you can't.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/30/44663.aspx#45800Wed, 31 Jan 2007 05:34:22 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:45800Jane, Southern MississippiWhy don't we march into Iran AND North Korea and defeat their evil regimes too? Right now. Just like we did in Iraq. WE CAN MAKE THEM ALL DEMOCRACIES! WE CAN MAKE THEM OUR ALLIES! DON'T QUESTION THE PRESIDENT AND VICE-PRESIDENT! BE PATRIOTIC! And since we now have as the head of the whole shebang an Admiral, we can even fire missiles from ships at sea, as well as from the air. And of course we still have our ground troops, and maybe a Navy man will look at the ground war differently from an Army man. Probably will have fresh and untried innovative ideas. Iran and North Korea have coastlines, and Iraq is landlocked, so maybe it is God's will that the new head of our troops there is a Navy man. IT IS A SIGN! WE SHOULD CONTINUE FULL FORCE STRAIGHT AHEAD! NO MATTER WHAT! DON'T LET OTHER'S PLANS GET IN OUR WAY BECAUSE OUR WAY IS THE DECIDER'S WAY. AND IT'S THE DECIDER'S WAY OR THE HIGHWAY! NUKE EVERY COUNTRY THAT DISAGREES WITH US AND OUR WAY OF LIFE. OR AT LEAST CHANGE THE NAME OF FOODS WE EAT TO SHAME THESE CONTRARY COUNTRIES. THAT OUGHT TO STOP THE TERRORISTS. THIS WILL MAKE US SAFER, I JUST KNOW IT WILL!http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/30/44663.aspx#45940Wed, 31 Jan 2007 14:18:02 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:45940Mad MikeJane........"Why don't we march into Iran AND North Korea and defeat their evil regimes too? Right now. Just like we did in Iraq. WE CAN MAKE THEM ALL DEMOCRACIES! WE CAN MAKE THEM OUR ALLIES! DON'T QUESTION THE PRESIDENT AND VICE-PRESIDENT! BE PATRIOTIC! And since we now have as the head of the whole shebang an Admiral, we can even fire missiles from ships at sea, as well as from the air. And of course we still have our ground troops, and maybe a Navy man will look at the ground war differently from an Army man. Probably will have fresh and untried innovative ideas. Iran and North Korea have coastlines, and Iraq is landlocked, so maybe it is God's will that the new head of our troops there is a Navy man. IT IS A SIGN! WE SHOULD CONTINUE FULL FORCE STRAIGHT AHEAD! NO MATTER WHAT! DON'T LET OTHER'S PLANS GET IN OUR WAY BECAUSE OUR WAY IS THE DECIDER'S WAY. AND IT'S THE DECIDER'S WAY OR THE HIGHWAY! NUKE EVERY COUNTRY THAT DISAGREES WITH US AND OUR WAY OF LIFE. OR AT LEAST CHANGE THE NAME OF FOODS WE EAT TO SHAME THESE CONTRARY COUNTRIES. THAT OUGHT TO STOP THE TERRORISTS. THIS WILL MAKE US SAFER, I JUST KNOW IT WILL!"....You go girlfriend get down with your badself! http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/30/44663.aspx#45960Wed, 31 Jan 2007 14:34:18 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:45960Mad Mike Proud Army VetDesmond....really not sure what you mean there by your last post(8:16 PM) I think you might have hit the sauce a little too hard... I'm not sure if bobf is another moniker for you or there actually is a bobf. Either way..It doesn’t matter. Hate mongering, bomb throwing, and comparing good people to Nazi's are all issues I refuse to stand by and do nothing about. If you chose to take my comments as an attack on your fallen cousin then that's your own poor misguided decision and I must say quite pathetic on your part...if that's the case I have lost all and any respect I had for you. Do me a favor don't preach to me about war until you actually fight in one. My Daddy taught me well too...so go ahead keep watching me bro you may actually learn something.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/30/44663.aspx#46057Wed, 31 Jan 2007 15:32:42 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:46057mikeys momnow now dont be upset with him hes not really mad just very "special"http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/30/44663.aspx#46284Wed, 31 Jan 2007 17:40:52 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:46284Amy B Portland, MEIts tempting to blast away with insults at the President because people are outraged, and opposition always needs energy to overcome the establishment, but in the end, a cold, constant repitition of the facts is a very effective argument. The fact is we have to choose what course of action to take next. The majority of the people feel Bush has mis-handled the war, so he has lost the political clout to push through his personal vision. It really doesn't matter if his vision is right or wrong, the American people must make the decisions now and then live with it. If the right and left and moderate- wingers truly want to influence the decision of the People, they need to present fact based arguments. Time now for reality based decision-making. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/30/44663.aspx#46325Wed, 31 Jan 2007 18:04:35 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:46325Mad MikeWell put Amy B http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/30/44663.aspx#46610Wed, 31 Jan 2007 21:01:29 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:46610DesmondMad Mike,if your comments are suppose to be the start of my education, I will pass.