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Ear to the Ground

Obama: Iraq Drawdown Is ‘on Schedule’

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Posted on Aug 2, 2010
Obama
AP / Charles Dharapak

President Obama speaks about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan on Monday at the Disabled American Veterans convention in Atlanta.

The term withdrawal seems a bit overstated when it comes to describing the changing U.S. military strategy in Iraq, but President Obama emphasized the thematic over the technical in a speech he delivered Monday to a veterans’ group in Atlanta, during which he explicitly referenced “the end of America’s combat mission in Iraq” by the last day of this month. However, what that will actually look like may be different from how it might sound, as about 50,000 of the 65,000 American troops there now will remain in Iraq until the end of 2011.

BBC:

The remaining 50,000 troops will stay in the country in order to train Iraqi security forces, conduct counterterrorism operations and provide civilians with ongoing security, said Mr Obama.

But the president also warned the US had “not seen the end of American sacrifice in Iraq”.

He added: “But make no mistake, our commitment in Iraq is changing—from a military effort led by our troops to a civilian effort led by our diplomats.”

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By call me roy, August 11, 2010 at 1:24 pm Link to this comment

Barry Barack Hussein Soetoro Obama Thank You

That is right - I will say it, “THANK GOD FOR THE PRESIDENT.”
1. He destroyed the Clinton Political Machine - Driving a stake thru the heart of Hillary’s Presidential aspirations something that no Republican was ever able to do. Remember when a Hillary Presidency scared the daylights out of you!
2. He killed off the Kennedy Dynasty - No more Kennedys trolling Washington looking for booze and women wanting rides home. American women and Freedom are safer tonight!

3. He is destroying the Democratic Party before our eyes! Dennis Moore had never lost a race - quit Evan Bayh had never lost a race - quit Byron Dorgan had never lost a race - quit Harry Reid - soon to be GONE These are just a handful of the Democrats whose political careers Obama has destroyed! By the end of 2010, dozens more will be gone. In December of 2008, the Democrats were on the rise. In the last two election cycles, they had picked up 14 senate seats and 52 house seats. The press was touting the death of the Conservative Movement and the Republican Party. In just one year, Obama put a stop to all of this and will probably give the House, if not the Senate, back to the Republicans.
4. He has completely exposed liberals and progressives for what they are. Every Generation seems to need to re-learn the lesson on why they should never actually put liberals in charge. He is bringing home the lesson very well. Liberals tax, borrow and spend - check. Liberals won’t bring themselves to protect America - check. Liberals want to take over the economy - check. Liberals think they know what is best for everyone - check. Liberals aren’t happy till they are running YOUR life - check.
5. He has brought more Americans back to conservatism than anyone since Reagan. In one year, he has rejuvenated the Conservative movement and brought out to the streets millions of Freedom Loving Americans. Name me one other time in your life that you saw your friends and neighbors this interested in taking backAmerica!
6. His amazing leadership has sparked the greatest period of sales of firearms and ammunition this country has seen. Law abiding citizens have rallied and have provided a “stimulus” to the sporting goods field while other industries have failed, faded or moved off-shore.
7. In all honesty, one year ago I was more afraid than I have been in my life. Not of the economy, but of the direction our country was going. I thought Americans had forgotten what this country was all about. My neighbors, friends and strangers proved to me that my lack of confidence of the Greatness and Wisdom of the American people was flat wrong.
8. When the American People wake up, no smooth talking teleprompter reader can fool them! Barack Obama woke up these Great Americans! Again,
I want to say, “Thank You Barry Barack Hussein Obama!” This is exactly the kind of hope and change we desperately needed!

Thanks to “BARRY HUSSEIN ” I can no longer afford these “Luxury’s”

Donald L. Shnyder
WWII Merchant Marine Veteran
Korean War Marine Veteran

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By samosamo, August 4, 2010 at 7:55 am Link to this comment

****************


By Go Right Young Man, August 4 at 9:27 am

Great site to use for ‘homepage’.

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Go Right Young Man's avatar

By Go Right Young Man, August 4, 2010 at 5:27 am Link to this comment

samosamo, - “Go Right Young Man - I see you may well just be a fan of ‘astronomy picture of the day’, yes?”

-

Yes.  Very much a fan of the site.

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By samosamo, August 3, 2010 at 5:10 pm Link to this comment

****************


By Go Right Young Man, August 2 at 8:43 pm

I see you may well just be a fan of ‘astronomy picture of the day’,
yes?

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By ocjim, August 3, 2010 at 1:28 pm Link to this comment

Even with Obama, I don’t believe that we will have only a few troops there in a year. Look at the hundreds of thousands of troops we have in Germany, South Korea, etc, places we supposedly liberated decades ago.

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By bEHOLD_tHE_mATRIX, August 3, 2010 at 11:22 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

LOL.

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By dihey, August 3, 2010 at 11:07 am Link to this comment

Diplomats need protection. In Denmark and The Netherlands our ambassador could probably safely ride a bike alone from the embassy to the royal palaces to visit the king/queen of these countries.
The fundamental question about Iraq is not why the diplomatic personnel there will need more protection than in Denmark or The Netherlands but why there are so many diplomats “needed” in Iraq and why these apparently need upwards of 7000 armed privateers.
To me the answer is straightforward. The overwhelming majority of the so-called US “diplomats” in Iraq are intelligence persons.

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By 911truthdotorg, August 2, 2010 at 8:12 pm Link to this comment

Good old Obushbama is pulling off another bait and switch.

He’s (supposedly) withdrawing US military troops but he will replace them equally or more with Blackwater type and other military contractors.

Don’t be fooled by this. We’re there forever.

U.S. Contractor Use in Iraq Expected To Rise
http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4704826

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By Go Right Young Man, August 2, 2010 at 4:43 pm Link to this comment

Iraq:  [“As promised and on schedule.”] - President Obama Aug. 2, 2010.

Exactly as negotiated by the Bush administration and the elected Iraqi government a full 3 years prior.

Guantanamo, the Patriot Act, Domestic Surveillance, Indefinite detention, Enhanced Interrogations, Drone attacks (ten fold increase), Iraq and Iran.

Recap:  Each of the above was held up as proof-positive of an “Neo-Con cabal” in the White House prior to Nov. 2008.  “The worst constitutional crisis in over 200 years”.  The world as we knew it was quickly being dismantled by the “New-Conservatives”.

Today:  Not a “Neo-Con” in sight.

I’m sorry.  I just can’t help myself on this issue.  It seems abundantly clear just how incredibly wrong over 99% of you have been for ALMOST A DECADE?

Unbelievable.

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By Martin, August 2, 2010 at 3:41 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

As if he had a choice.
Bush and Cheney negotiated this withdrawal. While largely hidden from the American people, this is a binding contract http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2008-12-14-bush-iraq_N.htm
Bush signed it when an Iraqi reporter threw a shoe at this asshole, remember.
So now to say Obama will stick to his campaign promise is disingenuous. Unless we want to see another uprising in Iraq against our presence, we had no choice but to abide by this contract. It had nothing to do with Obama’s campaign.

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By samosamo, August 2, 2010 at 3:26 pm Link to this comment

****************


““BAGHDAD -Iraqi lawmakers say the United States is
demanding 58 bases as part of a proposed “status of forces”
agreement that will allow U.S. troops to remain in the country
indefinitely.”“

Read more:
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2008/06/09/40372/us-seeking-
58-bases-in-iraq-shiite.html#ixzz0vUPA8DTx

Whatever the final number, Iraq a colony of the u.s., the qb
sneak are the ‘permanent bases’ that have to be manned when
the drawdown happens. Not liable or obligated to this
‘drawdown’ are the private contracting mercenaries either.

In essence, Iraq remains the occupied u.s. colony that it is, until
the end of time to protect the u.s. oil interests there and to give
the u.s. staging points all along the Iranian border for that
eventual invasion of that sovereign nation.

American hegemony, confiscation of other country’s natural
resources.

Hammond Eggs, you know the oxford english dictionary must be
having a frustrating time keeping up with these new words that
keep popping out of o’s mouth and congress’ also. Thematic.
May or may not be a new word but if it is used on any of the
msm channels those poor listeners may think it has to do with
the heat.

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By glider, August 2, 2010 at 1:28 pm Link to this comment

“A transitional force of 50,000 troops will remain to train Iraqi security forces, CONDUCT COUNTER-TERRORISM OPERATIONS and provide security for ongoing U.S. civilian efforts.”

I guess the Pres can say it all depends on what the meaning of “combat” is.  Nevertheless that non-sex blow job sure felt good. Thanks for more of that good ole government “TRANSPARENCY” dude!

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By Hammond Eggs, August 2, 2010 at 12:32 pm Link to this comment

President Obama emphasized the thematic over the technical

In other words, this is yet another lie in the flash flood of lies emanating from River Obama.

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By Aarky, August 2, 2010 at 12:28 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Members of Congress havn’t asked the questions: Why do we need 50,000 troops to train the Iraqis? If we are involved in counter terrorism, doesn’t that mean we will be involved in fighting? How many private contractors will be hired, at four-five times a soldiers salary, to replace them?

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By Confused, August 2, 2010 at 11:55 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

What about the mercenaries?  Will any of them be withdrawn?  Last I checked, there were over 200,000 mercenaries in Iraq.

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