Cheney Gives Troops Pep Talk In Tikrit

VP Tells G.I.s In Iraq That Extended Deployments Are "Vital To The Mission"

(CBS/AP) 
Cheney spoke to several thousand mostly Army forces in a huge tent that is scheduled to be a gymnasium. He was enthusiastically cheered and greeted when he stepped up on stage, but only politely applauded when he talked about deployment extensions.

He was headed next for the United Arab Emirates on a weeklong tour of the Middle East that will also take him to Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan.

"Extremists from inside and outside the country want to stir an endless cycle of violence, and al Qaeda is operating and trying to open new fronts," Cheney said. "Some seem to have no interest in seeing the emergence of a strong, secure and democratic Iraq.

"A violent minority is trying to tear down the institutions of peaceful self-government that Iraqis are trying to build," he said.

The president recently increased military deployments from 12 months to 15 months. That meant a blanket three-month extension for nearly every one on the base, said Maj. Tage Rainsford, a public affairs officer on the base.

Said Cheney: "Many of you have had your deployments extended and that puts unexpected hardship on you and your families. I want you to know the extension is vital to the mission."

Cheney visited Iraq to assess the impact of the president's decision to send roughly 30,000 additional troops to Iraq to help stabilize the country, especially around Baghdad. In meetings with Iraqi leaders on Wednesday, he also pressed for Iraq to do more to reconcile tensions among rival Shiite and Sunni factions.

Success on the path to reconciliation, progress and peace, Cheney told the troops, "depends on Iraq's leaders themselves, and the ultimate solution in this country will be a political solution."

"But that requires basic security, especially in Baghdad, where Americans are working beside Iraqi forces to carry out our new strategy."

Cheney was not upbeat, giving a grim assessment of the war being waged, citing comments by Gen. David Petraeus, the chief U.S. commander in Iraq, who was with him.

"General Petraeus has underscored the fact that enemy tactics are barbaric ... that we can expect more violence as they try to destroy the hopes of the Iraqi people," Cheney said. But he cited some progress in terms of battling al Qaeda, seizing weapons and getting improved intelligence.

Gen. Benjamin R. (Randy) Mixon, commander of coalition forces in northern Iraq, told reporters that since President Bush announced his military buildup earlier this year, some al Qaeda and other militants have migrated from Baghdad to other areas of Iraq, including some in northern areas under his command.

As to the extensions of duty on troops at Camp Speicher, Mixon said, "They understand perfectly the reason the mission's been extended. The morale is good, in terms of staying focused on the mission. They want to know the exact day their going back. That gives them something to focus on."

"This budget battle has been particularly frustrating to us," Mixon said of congressional efforts to set timetables for troop withdrawals.

"We cannot stay here forever, we all know that," he said. He said the solution to the problem is to keep training the Iraqi army and police.

Specialist Eric Emo, 23, of Sedalia, Mo., whose Army unit is based in Fort Riley, Kan., said most of his fellow soldiers are unhappy about the deployment extensions, but understand the need for it.

In terms of hostile activity, he said, "conditions around here have gotten a lot worse." He said there has been a particularly sharp increase in the number of roadside bombs.

[tbweb]

There were 3 key messages from Iraq today that caught my attention. First there was the message from Vice President *** Cheney which was collected, clear and I support it. But even if the VP examines his own message he will notice none of what he said has to be accomplished with a U.S. presence deployed inside Iraq! Next there was the message from Army Maj. Gen. Benjamin R. "Randy" Mixon, deployed at Diyala province, sitting directly on the Iranian border which must be a nightmare all by itself, is there any wonder why 60 U.S. were killed there so far this year? His message was the Iraqi military is not up to the task and his assessment was the Iraqis were fair at best! His assessment of the Iraqi government was even worst, to being non-functional and corrupt to basically a joke! Sorry General, no more U.S. Troops, lets go home! Add the Iraqi governments planned 2 month vacation and thats a nightmare as well. Then there was the message that the Iraqi government is creating a resolution for the U.S. to leave Iraq! That will teach the U.S. a lesson for getting upset over their planned 2 month vacation, take that! Well folks my assessment is the Shiites are playing winner takes all and are not about to share anything meaningful with the Sunnis! Its time for Pres. Bush and VP Cheney to create an honorable exit strategy for the U.S. that we can all live with and take care of our business remote from this drama.

[king77shaw]

when the same corporations that make the weapons also deliver the news, you know your democracy is in trouble %u2013 General Electric (a huge military contractor) owns NBC %u2026

Stop paying for propaganda ! %u2013 CANCEL YOUR CABLE TELEVISION %u2026 you won%u2019t miss it and you%u2019ll be surprised by how much more time you%u2019ll have to enjoy the things that nourish you.

[king77shaw]

when the same corporations that make the weapons also deliver the news, you know your democracy is in trouble %u2013 General Electric (a huge military contractor) owns NBC %u2026

Stop paying for propaganda %u2013 CANCEL YOUR CABLE TELEVISION %u2026 you won%u2019t miss it and you%u2019ll be surprised by how much more time you%u2019ll have to enjoy the things that nourish you.

[king77shaw]

we have no good options in Iraq anymore - the Republican neo-con agenda that rules the party has failed America, the Iraqis and the global community at large ... the only beneficiaries have been the elitist corporate insiders and lobbyists (Exxon-Mobil, Bechtel, KBR, AIPAC, Halliburton, Blackwater) that have been making a killing while supporting the killing ... in a period of American history when we most needed leadership, we've seen the true face of the Republican party - GREED.

[starleo146]

I think when John Warner told Bush in Virginia your poll numbers are 5% is when Bush came out all of a sudden I can work with benchmarks I want to work with republicans and democrats BLAH BLAH BLAH should have thought of that before you veto ALL the money provided the troops go ahead veto again we still have OPTIONS YOU DO NOT

[randalds]

Posted by starleo146 at 02:33 PM : May 11, 2007

Thanks. It's nice to know people are reading some of my words. Other then some of the brain dead trolls that infest this site that is.

;-)

[randalds]

Posted by starleo146 at 02:33 PM : May 11, 2007

Thanks. It's nice to know people are reading some of my words. Other then the brain dead trolls that infest this site that is.
;-)

[starleo146]

Today is military spouse day Ironic isn't it do you know when our military get set to go to Iraq they check out everything donate to the survivor benefit program the military has and if they die they think there families are taken care of WRONG IF THE FAMILY (SAY HAVE A DISABLED WIFE OR HUSBAND) THAT BENEFIT IS SUBTRACTED FROM THE SURVIVOR BENEFIT SOME END UP WITH NOTHING if there is a cost of living raise that benefit is cut even more talk about ripping our troops off they are paying into this there is a bill s935 in the senate write your senator and tell them to correct this just another way to short change health care etc.

[starleo146]

jimmebear I think I figured it out Mudrose works in the government as a financial planner no wonder I am on the way to the poor house. What the h*e*l*l did she say?

[dogband]

POS Cheney, with his multiple deferments, telling foot soldiers to stay and die. FUBAR.

[starleo146]

Randalds You said it so much better than I I am just so upset with this adm. I forget how to say it I just blurt it out thank God for people like you that can get it out correctly I can't wait for toldyouso to log on and Micma It will all be said then, thanks again.

[mudrose-2009]

The U.S. military commander in charge of northern Iraqi operations today said more troops are needed to stem rising insurgent violence in Diyala province. "I do not have enough soldiers right now in Diyala province to get that security situation moving," said Army Maj. Gen. Benjamin R. Mixon, commander of the 25th Infantry Division.

Congress - Spewlosi and President Harry are you listening to your generals?

Yup, that's what they are? Part of the Rosie O'Lardass crowd. Will concoct anything and say anything like Pelosi and President Harry. MoveOn.Org. is their leadership and they dance the puppet dance. All the little trolls in tutus lock step to their rants. P.S. micma you are being watched.

[starleo146]

Instead of pep talking our troops he ought to be pep talking the Iraq parliament they probably are packing for there vacation and don't have time to listen right now don't you think it is strange they are going on vacation in the first place something just doesn't wring true here do they know something we don't We got to bring our troops home we cannot do it all especially without the Iraq gov. not even given a da** This IS A MESS

[starleo146]

I said this before and here goes again. Put a uniform on him give him a gun and let him walk in our troops shoes My Mom use to say don't tell me, actions speak louder than words so shut up Cheney go on out there and show them your one of them HAAAAA that will be the day he is all talk no action

[starleo146]

Cheney the big prosecutor of the Iraq war he was the defense secretary in the first gulf war and he thought it would be a breeze to go into Iraq him and Rumsfeld The one(Cheney) who just BULLIES HIS WAY never fought in a war and goes to Iraq and dares to give our troops a pep talk The applause were quite weak Does he think these troops can learn anything from Cheney the ATTACK DOG pep talk they are there every day of their lives for God knows how long You have more gall Cheney. These troops have been through enough without your pressure talk.

[jdubs63]

all of you need BOOTCAMP...............

[wdrussell1]

I am so happy that lars is a right wing loonie. I would hate the thought of him agreeing with me on anything.

[tbweb]

Pres. Bush needs to deal with Iraq in practical terms now and forget his idealistic philosphy. In that context some version of the Sen. Joe Biden plan makes practical sense. Divide Iraq into 3 regions, Shiite, Sunni and Kurd, divide Iraqs wealth based on population size requirements with a little extra added for administrative requirements to each side and basically treat each area of Iraq like the U.S. treats each state. There is too much animosity and no trust between Shiites and Sunnis to expect anything more than "Post It Notes" type glue when Iraq needs "Super Glue" instead. The Iraq pain is similar to the pain one feels trying to fit a size 12 foot into a size 11 1/2 shoe, you get your foot in, you can walk, but its uncomfortable and hurts just enough to let you know its a bad idea and you need to find another solution! Its lesser evil time and the lesser evil is to do what will work, break them up into 3 regions but share the wealth not equally but based on population size and requirements! The reality of that dividing wall just put up proves many are already thinking this way. The wall was a practical solution and so is dividing Iraq!

[randalds]

Here's hoping that his flight out flys really low and really slow....well within range of .....well...let's just leave it at low and lsow...

[lars008-2009]

KNOCK KNOCK GRINGO... SECURE THE DAMNN BORDER ALREADY...

Hezbollah builds a Western base
From inside South America%u2019s Tri-border area, Iran-linked militia targets U.S.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17874369/
Sources: Terrorists find haven in South America
Deep in the heart of South America, the region where Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay meet has some of the most porous borders -- and busiest black markets -- in the world.
http://archives.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/americas/11/07/inv.terror.south/
Part 1: Hezbollah south of the border
CIUDAD DEL ESTE, at the triple border of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay - This is the way savage globalization ends - at least 20,000 shops, stalls, tin shacks and mini-malls crammed into 15 blocks selling everything under the (tropical) sun. There's Little Asia - thousands of Taiwanese, mainland Chinese and Koreans. But above all there are some 20,000 Arabs of Syrian and mostly Lebanese descent (another 12,000 live in the Brazilian resort of Foz do Iguacu, across the Friendship Bridge).
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Front_Page/HH03Aa01.html
Hezbollah: A Case Study of Global Reach
http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/templateC07.php?CID=132