Obama’s Iraq Failure

[UltimateHoboW/Shotgun]

http://blog.heritage.org/2011/10/24/...-iraq-failure/

Speaking on Friday from the West Wing, President Obama wasted no time in reminding the American people that, “As a candidate for President, I pledged to bring the war in Iraq to a responsible end,” and that as commander in chief, he was making good on that promise in time for the holidays. What the President didn’t mention, though, was the story behind the headline–that the Administration tried and failed to negotiate with the Iraqi government to extend the U.S. troop presence there in order to ensure the country’s security and stability. The sticking point for the negotiations was immunity for U.S. troops in Iraq. Heritage’s James Phillips explains:

Those negotiations stalled, Phillips writes, because Iraqi political leaders didn’t want to risk the political consequences of extending immunity for U.S. troops. And given the Obama Administration’s eagerness to withdraw from Iraq and unwillingness to confront Iran they didn’t want to put their political necks on the line. Now, as a result, U.S. security interests will suffer–bilateral U.S.–Iraqi cooperation in fighting al-Qaeda in Iraq and radical pro-Iranian Shia militias will be limited, and the ability to contain Iran will be weakened. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) criticized the Administration on Sunday, calling the withdrawal decisions “a serious mistake,” and faulted the White House for its failure to negotiate with the Iraqi government:

Great Win there "o".

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

[UltimateHoboW/Shotgun]

Originally Posted by L.A. BRONCOS FAN

Yes, and............................................... ........(typical LABF post. Pointless.)....................................... ........................

[W*GS]

The ability of the right to mangle reality to fit their dogma is stunning.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Originally Posted by UltimateHoboW/Shotgun

Great Win there "o".

I guess you consider yourself a typical representative of the Right?

Your constant spamming of the board doesn't merit response most of the time. In this case, you really show just how uneducated and ignorant you are. It's a shameful reflection on our country.

[TonyR]

So Hobo, what's your recommendation? Should we haved caved on the negotiations? Or should we stay in Iraq indefinitely? If you're going to criticize, particularly something you don't even appear to understand, shouldn't you at least offer up some solutions or alternatives?

[TonyR]

Here's a good read for you, Hobo.

http://middleeastprogress.org/2011/1...failure-again/

[DenverBrit]

So Obama honors the agreement put in place by the previous Republican administration and he's criticized by the Republicans.

Ok, got it.

[Rigs11]

Originally Posted by DenverBrit

So Obama honors the agreement put in place by the previous Republican administration and he's criticized by the Republicans.

Ok, got it.

yep, the rightards have been criticizing him for years now for not fulfilling his promise to leave iraq. Now they are criticizing him for leaving.duurrr

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

Originally Posted by UltimateHoboW/Shotgun

Yes, and............................................... ........(typical LABF post. Pointless.)....................................... ........................

[That One Guy]

Originally Posted by TonyR

So Hobo, what's your recommendation? Should we haved caved on the negotiations? Or should we stay in Iraq indefinitely? If you're going to criticize, particularly something you don't even appear to understand, shouldn't you at least offer up some solutions or alternatives?

I think the issue is that Obama pledged to end the war and then was working to extend it. I'm happy the negotiations fell through on the extension but to pretend like the end-state was the plan all along is kinda silly.

Maybe I'll try that with my wife sometime. I'll go out, see if I can get laid, and if I can't then I'll just come home and remind her how great a husband I am because I hold to my vows and don't cheat on her. Win/Win, I guess.

(Just making a point, I don't sleep around.)

[Rohirrim]

[TonyR]

Originally Posted by That One Guy

I think the issue is that Obama pledged to end the war and then was working to extend it...

I understand your point, and don't completely disagree, but I don't think they were trying to "extend it". They were trying to leave a troop presence. Fairly large difference, no?

[That One Guy]

Originally Posted by TonyR

I understand your point, and don't completely disagree, but I don't think they were trying to "extend it". They were trying to leave a troop presence. Fairly large difference, no?

Not sure I'm tracking on your logic. All we've been for years now is a troop presence and training force. That hasn't prevented us from getting caught in the crap.

[TonyR]

For neoconservatives to argue that the withdrawal of the few thousand remaining U.S. troops from Iraq significantly worsens that aspect is either obtuse or disingenuous. If they didn’t want Iran to gain significant influence in the region, they should have thought of that danger in 2002 and early 2003, instead of lobbying feverishly for U.S. military intervention against Iraq.

The United States has paid a terrible cost—some $850 billion and more than 4,400 dead American soldiers—to make Iran the most influential power in Iraq. And the pro-war camp cannot even claim a consolation prize—the emergence of a truly democratic Iraqi government. Evidence mounts that that the Maliki regime is becoming ever more authoritarian and corrupt. Such abuses as jailing (and even torturing) critics, harassing independent news media outlets and trying to bar Sunni political opponents from running for office have become increasingly common features in the “new Iraq.” And corruption has reached epidemic proportions. In essence, it appears that the United States, at great cost in both treasure and blood, has managed to replace a staunchly anti-Iranian Sunni dictator with a pro-Iranian Shiite quasi-dictator.

http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the...ence-iraq-6091

[That One Guy]

Originally Posted by TonyR

For neoconservatives to argue that the withdrawal of the few thousand remaining U.S. troops from Iraq significantly worsens that aspect is either obtuse or disingenuous. If they didn’t want Iran to gain significant influence in the region, they should have thought of that danger in 2002 and early 2003, instead of lobbying feverishly for U.S. military intervention against Iraq.

The United States has paid a terrible cost—some $850 billion and more than 4,400 dead American soldiers—to make Iran the most influential power in Iraq. And the pro-war camp cannot even claim a consolation prize—the emergence of a truly democratic Iraqi government. Evidence mounts that that the Maliki regime is becoming ever more authoritarian and corrupt. Such abuses as jailing (and even torturing) critics, harassing independent news media outlets and trying to bar Sunni political opponents from running for office have become increasingly common features in the “new Iraq.” And corruption has reached epidemic proportions. In essence, it appears that the United States, at great cost in both treasure and blood, has managed to replace a staunchly anti-Iranian Sunni dictator with a pro-Iranian Shiite quasi-dictator.

http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the...ence-iraq-6091

Should the war have been fought? Yes.

Would the war have been fought better had Gens Casey, Petreus, and camp collectively jumped in front of a train before going overseas? Yes. The way it was fought is the flaw not the fact that it was fought. They should've been looking to cut bait and give them the finger by 07-08 when it was obvious the direction things were going.

[UltimateHoboW/Shotgun]

Originally Posted by Bronco_Beerslug

I guess you consider yourself a typical representative of the Right?

No. I only rep. myself.

Originally Posted by Bronco_Beerslug

Your constant spamming of the board doesn't merit response most of the time. In this case, you really show just how uneducated and ignorant you are. It's a shameful reflection on our country.

Look. You don't like my post. Great! Don't click them. Don't read them. I love how you are "trying to set uneducated straight', but guess what I'm an adult and don't need you or the government to wipe my ass.

Why don't you go home and eat a banana.

[Spider]

Originally Posted by UltimateHoboW/Shotgun

http://blog.heritage.org/2011/10/24/...-iraq-failure/



Great Win there "o".

How in the **** do you survive in this world being this stupid ?

[Spider]

Originally Posted by UltimateHoboW/Shotgun

I'm an adult

funny shiat right there

[peacepipe]

Originally Posted by That One Guy

Should the war have been fought? Yes.Would the war have been fought better had Gens Casey, Petreus, and camp collectively jumped in front of a train before going overseas? Yes. The way it was fought is the flaw not the fact that it was fought. They should've been looking to cut bait and give them the finger by 07-08 when it was obvious the direction things were going.

that's BS,iraq was never a threat.

[Spider]

Originally Posted by peacepipe

that's BS,iraq was never a threat.

Saddam was a threat to poosies everywhere ..These people were scared shiatless ..........

[TonyR]

Originally Posted by That One Guy

Should the war have been fought? Yes.

Would the war have been fought better had Gens Casey, Petreus, and camp collectively jumped in front of a train before going overseas? Yes. The way it was fought is the flaw not the fact that it was fought. They should've been looking to cut bait and give them the finger by 07-08 when it was obvious the direction things were going.

My issue here is that Obama is being criticized for "empowering" Iran by leaving Iraq. But Iran benefitted the minute we went into Iraq. If that was a concern we never should have invaded. This cannot be blamed on Obama.

[mhgaffney]

This is the second time we have been told that US troops will be gone from Iraq. It did not happen the first time -- and I predict it will not happen now.

We did not construct a dozen or so large military bases in Iraq -- just to hand them over to the Iraqis.

We are repeating the same pattern followed by the Brits -- the Great Game.

If history is an accurate judge- -we are not leaving Iraq.

[The Lone Bolt]

Originally Posted by mhgaffney

This is the second time we have been told that US troops will be gone from Iraq. It did not happen the first time -- and I predict it will not happen now.

We did not construct a dozen or so large military bases in Iraq -- just to hand them over to the Iraqis.

We are repeating the same pattern followed by the Brits -- the Great Game.

If history is an accurate judge- -we are not leaving Iraq.

Didn't you also predict that bush would cancel the 2008 election, declare martial law, and install himself and America's first absolute dictator?

[W*GS]

Originally Posted by The Lone Bolt

Didn't you also predict that bush would cancel the 2008 election, declare martial law, and install himself and America's first absolute dictator?

He's also predicted that Teheran would be nuked, oh, about a dozen times so far...