U.S. combat mission in Iraq officially over - Politics and War Forum

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U.S. combat mission in Iraq officially over
Thursday, September 02, 2010 9:35 PM on j-body.org
I'm surprised this was not here, oh... that's right, anything remotely positive that happens in politics today never gets posted.
Ok vultures eat up... .
Seriously, what do you have to say?

Quote:

FORT BLISS, Texas (Reuters) – President Barack Obama declared the U.S. combat mission in Iraq officially over on Tuesday but said he would not take a "victory lap" because a lot more work remained to be done inside the country.

Obama, thanking troops in Texas before delivering an evening address to the nation, said Iraq now had the opportunity to create a better future for itself, and the United States, as a result, was more secure.

"I wanted to come down to Fort Bliss mainly to say thank you. And to say, welcome home," he told troops, who shouted the traditional Army "Hooah" back to him in greeting.

"I'm going to make a speech to the nation tonight," Obama said. "It's not going to be a victory lap. It's not going to be self-congratulatory. There's still a lot of work that we've got to do to make sure that Iraq is an effective partner with us."

The White House says the removal of all but 50,000 U.S. troops and the declaration of the end to the combat phase shows Obama is fulfilling a campaign promise he made in 2008 to pull out of Iraq.

Obama hopes that message will resonate with Americans ahead of the November 2 elections in which his Democrats are struggling to keep their dominance in the Congress.

But high unemployment and slowing economic growth have eclipsed the war as the top issue in voters' minds, much as the economy did in 2008 when Obama prevailed over Republican John McCain in the presidential election.

Ben Rhodes, White House deputy national security adviser, said Obama would talk about the economy in the context of the drawdown from Iraq.

"He feels it's very important to refocus resources that we've been spending abroad over the last several years into investing in our economy and our long-term competitiveness here at home," Rhodes told reporters on board Air Force One.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs previewed the same economic theme in media interviews earlier in the day.

"The nation he truly wants to rebuild is the nation that he lives in, the United States of America," Gibbs said on ABC television. "We gain our strength abroad from our prosperity here at home. There are steps that we have to take here to continue our recovery to make sure that people are getting put back to work," he said.

The address, scheduled for 8 p.m. EDT, will be Obama's second from the Oval Office. The president used the same high-profile venue in June to discuss his administration's response to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

Obama called former President George W. Bush, who launched the war in 2003, during his flight.

SENSE OF URGENCY, NOT MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

As Obama prepared to deliver his speech, Vice President Joe Biden flew into Iraq to assure Iraqis the United States is not abandoning them. He met with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and President Jalal Talabani.

Biden's talks took place amid a political deadlock almost six months after an inconclusive election in March over forming the next government.

"Iraq should move forward with a sense of urgency," Rhodes said. "It is time to get down to some of the core issues."

The White House is aware that Obama cannot afford to come across as too triumphant. To do so could evoke comparisons to Bush's May 2003 speech aboard an aircraft carrier. In front of a "Mission Accomplished" banner, Bush announced that major combat operations were over, a move that was seen as a huge misstep after violence soared later.

More than 4,400 U.S. soldiers have died in Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003 to topple Saddam Hussein.

"Al Qaeda in Iraq is beaten, but not gone," Defense Secretary Roberts Gates said on Tuesday. "This is not a time for premature victory parades or self-congratulations, even as we reflect with pride on what our troops and their Iraqi partners have accomplished."

Obama, who opposed the Iraq war, rode a wave of anti-war sentiment that boosted his support within his Democratic Party during the 2008 campaign.

When he took office in January 2009, the U.S. military presence in Iraq was 140,000 troops and it reached a high of around 170,000 under the surge ordered by Bush.

The roughly 50,000 U.S. soldiers still in Iraq are moving into an advisory role in which they will train and support Iraq's army and police.

The effective change on the ground will not be huge because the U.S. military has already been switching the focus toward training and support over the past year. Obama has promised to pull all U.S. troops out of Iraq by the end of 2011.

Ahead of the speech, Republicans criticized Obama for what they say is a failure to acknowledge the success of Bush's troop surge in bringing down violence in Iraq. Obama had opposed the 2007 troop increase.

Obama has set July 2011 as the date for a beginning of a drawdown of U.S. forces in Afghanistan and he hopes the example of Iraq will reassure his Democratic supporters that he can keep his word.

(Writing by Jeff Mason; Additional reporting by Alister Bull and Deborah Zabarenko; editing by Vicki Allen)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20100831/ts_nm/us_iraq_obama


THE POLITICALLY INCORRECT ONE.


Re: U.S. combat mission in Iraq officially over
Friday, September 03, 2010 5:38 AM on j-body.org
It's good to see the current administration continue with this military incursion thoughtfully and deliberately. Obama has managed to take the high road in his management of a situation he didn't create. He didn't instantly pull out, he has not condemned the actions of his predecessors...he has just dealt with it in a calm, professional, compassionate manner.

In doing so, he has paid his detractors the sweetest gift of vindication possible: he proved them wrong, failed to act as they promised he would, and ultimately prevailed. While he may not have been qualified or experienced to readily handle every situation he's been faced with since taking office (and truly, what human on this earth COULD be?), Iraq is one department where his leadership capability has truly shone through.






Re: U.S. combat mission in Iraq officially over
Friday, September 03, 2010 7:39 PM on j-body.org
Next stop for them is IRAN .


Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved Acts 16:31

Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.
" Mark Twain "
Re: U.S. combat mission in Iraq officially over
Tuesday, September 07, 2010 12:49 PM on j-body.org
being that it's the war forum usually its things people disagree with or issues to start arguments. so posting something positive in the war forum isn't really what the war forum is there for is it? maybe off topic.


obama talked about pulling out troops when he got elected. thankfully he had the sence to listen to those in command and running things in our millitary to not pull them out when he said he would. he ended up putting in more to continute doing what needed to be done. at this point though calling an end to it is just more talk then anything substantial. our troops will still be over there doing pretty much the same thing they were the day before. just with a new name on the top of the orders. regardless of what goes down we will have people over there for along time. its like anything, you just have to see what happens. things could settle down and we can pull more troops out. or the @!#$ storm could start back up and we have to send more back,


http://www.flickr.com/photos/sndsgood/ https://www.facebook.com/#!/Square1Photography
Re: U.S. combat mission in Iraq officially over
Tuesday, September 07, 2010 5:22 PM on j-body.org
Take Back the Republican Party wrote:It's good to see the current administration continue with this military incursion thoughtfully and deliberately. Obama has managed to take the high road in his management of a situation he didn't create. He didn't instantly pull out, he has not condemned the actions of his predecessors...he has just dealt with it in a calm, professional, compassionate manner.

In doing so, he has paid his detractors the sweetest gift of vindication possible: he proved them wrong, failed to act as they promised he would, and ultimately prevailed. While he may not have been qualified or experienced to readily handle every situation he's been faced with since taking office (and truly, what human on this earth COULD be?), Iraq is one department where his leadership capability has truly shone through.


bill youre a tool on this one he followed the bush plan right to the end, now he will be doing so in afghanistan. the man has no moral fiber, didnt even mention bush when he was right. he fought against the surge, which worked and led to the ability to pull out, now it is going to be put in place again in the other conflict.



Re: U.S. combat mission in Iraq officially over
Tuesday, September 07, 2010 7:59 PM on j-body.org
John H wrote:Next stop for them is IRAN .


One could hope...


Chris




"An appeal to arms and the God of hosts is all that is left us. But we shall not fight our battle alone. There is a just God that presides over the destinies of nations. The battle sir, is not of the strong alone. Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it almighty God. I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death."

Speech at the Second Virginia Convention at St. John's Church in Richmond, Virginia (23 March 1775) Patrick Henry


Re: U.S. combat mission in Iraq officially over
Tuesday, September 07, 2010 8:04 PM on j-body.org
Nah, if there is are "tools" in any of this, it's all your compadres (a box of tools? lol) who predicted Obama would simply destroy the war effort as soon as he took office. Needless to say, he did not. Oops. Better reduce yourself to insulting him, as you've really nothing else to say.

Whether he voted along party lines as a senator or not (by the way, you seem to need to be reminded that the roles of a senator and president differ tremendously) he still frustrated the sh!t out of your team on this one.

As your post aptly demonstrates, your frustration is very, very evident. I like this!





Re: U.S. combat mission in Iraq officially over
Tuesday, September 07, 2010 8:09 PM on j-body.org
and this is why party lines will be the undoing of this nation.

this Us VS Them crap.

team?

the only Team Mike was\is on is the same one that I am on.


and judging by the last ROE... he did destroy the war effort.


Chris




"An appeal to arms and the God of hosts is all that is left us. But we shall not fight our battle alone. There is a just God that presides over the destinies of nations. The battle sir, is not of the strong alone. Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it almighty God. I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death."

Speech at the Second Virginia Convention at St. John's Church in Richmond, Virginia (23 March 1775) Patrick Henry


Re: U.S. combat mission in Iraq officially over
Tuesday, September 07, 2010 8:30 PM on j-body.org
INFIDEL wrote:
John H wrote:Next stop for them is IRAN .


One could hope...


Chris



The troops should be brought back home .


Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved Acts 16:31

Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.
" Mark Twain "
Re: U.S. combat mission in Iraq officially over
Tuesday, September 07, 2010 11:27 PM on j-body.org
sndsgood wrote:being that it's the war forum usually its things people disagree with or issues to start arguments. so posting something positive in the war forum isn't really what the war forum is there for is it? maybe off topic.
People will find negativity on a positive story, especially when it is involves the other party.

Quote:

obama talked about pulling out troops when he got elected. thankfully he had the sence to listen to those in command and running things in our millitary to not pull them out when he said he would. he ended up putting in more to continute doing what needed to be done. at this point though calling an end to it is just more talk then anything substantial. our troops will still be over there doing pretty much the same thing they were the day before. just with a new name on the top of the orders. regardless of what goes down we will have people over there for along time. its like anything, you just have to see what happens. things could settle down and we can pull more troops out. or the @!#$ storm could start back up and we have to send more back,

If I recall he never said pull them out on Feb/2009. He did say to get out with no indefinite time table.
Besides we do not want to repeat history like we did in the 1980s, when we went to help out the Taliban defeat the Russians and to then not help them in reconstruction on their infrastructure for Afganistan. End result, the once alias are now our enemy. Good thing we learned our history and help reconstruct the mess we made over there (which we should have never done to begin with). But since Green Zone is well established, oil buisness can flow easier now.
As of now the plan is to leave 50K non-combat troops, to then remove all of them from Iraq by Dec/2011. I hope he does this, as one less useless expensive spenditure (that only a select few benefit from) will be eliminated.

INFIDEL wrote:
John H wrote:Next stop for them is IRAN .


One could hope...

Sure do so, but use a private military like Blackwater and let it be paid by the buisness entity or the other religious group/country pay for it.




THE POLITICALLY INCORRECT ONE.

Re: U.S. combat mission in Iraq officially over
Tuesday, September 07, 2010 11:29 PM on j-body.org
Mr.Goodwrench-G.T. wrote:
sndsgood wrote:being that it's the war forum usually its things people disagree with or issues to start arguments. so posting something positive in the war forum isn't really what the war forum is there for is it? maybe off topic.
People will find negativity on a positive story, especially when it is involves the other party.

Quote:

obama talked about pulling out troops when he got elected. thankfully he had the sence to listen to those in command and running things in our millitary to not pull them out when he said he would. he ended up putting in more to continute doing what needed to be done. at this point though calling an end to it is just more talk then anything substantial. our troops will still be over there doing pretty much the same thing they were the day before. just with a new name on the top of the orders. regardless of what goes down we will have people over there for along time. its like anything, you just have to see what happens. things could settle down and we can pull more troops out. or the @!#$ storm could start back up and we have to send more back,

If I recall he never said pull them out on Feb/2009. He did say to get out with no indefinite time table.
Besides we do not want to repeat history like we did in the 1980s, when we went to help out the Taliban defeat the Russians and to then not help them in reconstruction on their infrastructure for Afghanistan. End result, the once alias are now our enemy. Good thing we learned our history and help reconstruct the mess we made over there (which we should have never done to begin with). But since Green Zone is well established, oil business can flow easier now.
As of now the plan is to leave 50K non-combat troops, to then remove all of them from Iraq by Dec/2011. I hope he does this, as one less useless expensive expenditure (that only a select few benefit from) will be eliminated.

INFIDEL wrote:
John H wrote:Next stop for them is IRAN .


One could hope...

Sure do so, but use a private military like Blackwater and let it be paid by the business entity or the other religious group/country pay for it.



THE POLITICALLY INCORRECT ONE.


Re: U.S. combat mission in Iraq officially over
Wednesday, September 08, 2010 4:47 AM on j-body.org
Mr.Goodwrench-G.T. wrote:
sndsgood wrote:being that it's the war forum usually its things people disagree with or issues to start arguments. so posting something positive in the war forum isn't really what the war forum is there for is it? maybe off topic.
People will find negativity on a positive story, especially when it is involves the other party.

Quote:

obama talked about pulling out troops when he got elected. thankfully he had the sence to listen to those in command and running things in our millitary to not pull them out when he said he would. he ended up putting in more to continute doing what needed to be done. at this point though calling an end to it is just more talk then anything substantial. our troops will still be over there doing pretty much the same thing they were the day before. just with a new name on the top of the orders. regardless of what goes down we will have people over there for along time. its like anything, you just have to see what happens. things could settle down and we can pull more troops out. or the @!#$ storm could start back up and we have to send more back,

If I recall he never said pull them out on Feb/2009. He did say to get out with no indefinite time table.
Besides we do not want to repeat history like we did in the 1980s, when we went to help out the Taliban defeat the Russians and to then not help them in reconstruction on their infrastructure for Afganistan. End result, the once alias are now our enemy. Good thing we learned our history and help reconstruct the mess we made over there (which we should have never done to begin with). But since Green Zone is well established, oil buisness can flow easier now.
As of now the plan is to leave 50K non-combat troops, to then remove all of them from Iraq by Dec/2011. I hope he does this, as one less useless expensive spenditure (that only a select few benefit from) will be eliminated.

INFIDEL wrote:
John H wrote:Next stop for them is IRAN .


One could hope...

Sure do so, but use a private military like Blackwater and let it be paid by the buisness entity or the other religious group/country pay for it.









sorry i really suck at the whole quoting thing. but i think this story most people don't see a big negative impact or feel the need to twist things much. at least i hope not.


your right he never really gave a timetable but it was somewhat implied. the media started hitting on why wasn't he pulling troops out blah blah blah and then he went and added troops which caused people to get pissed as well. i think it was a good thing though. showed he wasnt just blowing off those in the field to try and stick with his promises when he got in office. and ive always felt we should help rebuild regardless of why we were there. i mean ifyou believe we shouldnt have gone there and it was a mistake, then it makes sence that we should stay to fix our mistake that we caused, and if you believe that it was nessicary to go then you should also believe that we should help rebuild to get the country and its people back on our side.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/sndsgood/ https://www.facebook.com/#!/Square1Photography
Re: U.S. combat mission in Iraq officially over
Wednesday, September 08, 2010 2:51 PM on j-body.org
Is CA even over there?

If so, blame England, not US.

Chris




"An appeal to arms and the God of hosts is all that is left us. But we shall not fight our battle alone. There is a just God that presides over the destinies of nations. The battle sir, is not of the strong alone. Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it almighty God. I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death."

Speech at the Second Virginia Convention at St. John's Church in Richmond, Virginia (23 March 1775) Patrick Henry


Re: U.S. combat mission in Iraq officially over
Thursday, September 09, 2010 6:19 AM on j-body.org
sndsgood wrote:
Mr.Goodwrench-G.T. wrote:If I recall he never said pull them out on Feb/2009. He did say to get out with no indefinite time table.
your right he never really gave a timetable but it was somewhat implied.
Actually, he did:



The argument could be made that he was successful in sticking to his timetable and not causing problems in Iraq, but that will remain to be seen. It's only been a couple of weeks now.






Re: U.S. combat mission in Iraq officially over
Sunday, September 12, 2010 8:34 PM on j-body.org
And Yet people are still dieing?

hmm


50 years, well be done in 50 years.


Chris


"An appeal to arms and the God of hosts is all that is left us. But we shall not fight our battle alone. There is a just God that presides over the destinies of nations. The battle sir, is not of the strong alone. Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it almighty God. I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death."

Speech at the Second Virginia Convention at St. John's Church in Richmond, Virginia (23 March 1775) Patrick Henry


Re: U.S. combat mission in Iraq officially over
Sunday, September 12, 2010 9:30 PM on j-body.org
Bill Hahn said this about BHO:
Quote:

he has not condemned the actions of his predecessors.


hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaHAHN!!!


“Poor Al Gore. Global warming completely debunked via the very Internet you invented. Oh, oh, the irony!” -Jon Stewart
Re: U.S. combat mission in Iraq officially over
Sunday, September 12, 2010 10:40 PM on j-body.org
INFIDEL wrote:And Yet people are still dieing?

hmm


50 years, well be done in 50 years.


Chris

Proves the point how much they love us over there, now doesn't it?
Besides why do you care if people are dieing, where is that gung-ho attitude of: "when we signed up, we knew what might happen." Or did that Rambo-esq philosophy go down the toilet along with the ability to give credit that an end is in sight to this BS?


THE POLITICALLY INCORRECT ONE.

Re: U.S. combat mission in Iraq officially over
Wednesday, September 15, 2010 8:20 PM on j-body.org
No, Us as a Nation.


If was up to me, there would be a lot more helium there then hydrogen.


Chris




"An appeal to arms and the God of hosts is all that is left us. But we shall not fight our battle alone. There is a just God that presides over the destinies of nations. The battle sir, is not of the strong alone. Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it almighty God. I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death."

Speech at the Second Virginia Convention at St. John's Church in Richmond, Virginia (23 March 1775) Patrick Henry


Re: U.S. combat mission in Iraq officially over
Thursday, September 16, 2010 3:24 AM on j-body.org
Kevin Trudeau wrote:Bill Hahn said this about BHO:
Quote:

he has not condemned the actions of his predecessors.


hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaHAHN!!!

Do something of substance for a change...prove me wrong with direct quotes from BHO CONDEMNING the actions of his predecessors on Iraq.
Bear in mind the true meaning of the words, not some weak interpretation you apply. I'll be here.





Re: U.S. combat mission in Iraq officially over
Thursday, September 16, 2010 5:51 AM on j-body.org
i doubt he has ever came out saying anything really damning against bush on anything like that. most presidents don't bash other preidents. they keep things neat and cordial and word things not to offend anyone for the most part


http://www.flickr.com/photos/sndsgood/ https://www.facebook.com/#!/Square1Photography
Re: U.S. combat mission in Iraq officially over
Sunday, September 26, 2010 4:18 AM on j-body.org
So are they bringing back the WMD's?

Re: U.S. combat mission in Iraq officially over
Sunday, September 26, 2010 5:51 AM on j-body.org
MyKoup_owns_theZ wrote:So are they bringing back the WMD's?


wut?



Re: U.S. combat mission in Iraq officially over
Sunday, September 26, 2010 7:37 AM on j-body.org
Well, the United States invaded Iraq because Mr.Bush was100% sure that Iraq owned Weapons of Mass Destruction. So since the mission is over, I was wondering if you we're bringing them back or what.
Re: U.S. combat mission in Iraq officially over
Sunday, September 26, 2010 9:09 AM on j-body.org
i must just get confused easily, (which wouldn't surprise me) but i knew that that's y the war started. what confused me about your first response is who are you asking is bringing them back? now it sounds like your'e asking me if i am? lol like i said confused. was it a stab at obama?



Re: U.S. combat mission in Iraq officially over
Sunday, September 26, 2010 12:14 PM on j-body.org
No, a stab at Bush. First of all, I do know that the U.S did not find any WMD's in Iraq meaning thousands of innocent lives we're taken, for nothing. Maybe just a Bush revenge since his father did this in the early 90's without success, don't know.

Quote:

i must just get confused easily, (which wouldn't surprise me) but i knew that that's y the war started.


Bush decided to invade Iraq with the only motive of finding and eliminating Weapons of Mass Destruction (LOL). After a year or so of spending billions and killing people, no WMD's were found so Bush spoke on TV saying that planes, boats etc... were Weapons of mass destruction so every country now have some. (LOL) again.

He then decided to track Saddam Hussein to free their country, needing to give someking a reason for the invasion. Pretty cool.
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