Al-Maliki: Iraqis Can Keep Country Secure

Says U.S. Forces Can Leave "Any Time They Want" Without Jeopardizing Work Of Iraqi Army And Police

(CBS/AP)  Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said Saturday that the Iraqi army and police are capable of keeping security in the country when American troops leave "any time they want," though he acknowledged the forces need further weapons and training.

The embattled prime minister sought to show confidence at a time when pressure in the U.S. Congress is growing for a withdrawal and the Bush administration reported little progress had been made on the most vital of a series of political reforms it wants al-Maliki to carry out.

Moreover, the Pentagon on Friday conceded that the Iraqi army has become more reliant on the U.S. military. The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Peter Pace, said the number of Iraqi batallions able to operate on their own without U.S. support has dropped in recent months from 10 to six, though he said the fall was in part due to attrition from stepped-up offensives.

Al-Maliki made his first public comments on Thursday's White House report on the reforms, saying his government needed time to enact the political benchmarks that Washington seeks. He insisted it was "fairly natural" that progress would be difficult considering the violence in Iraq and the deep divisions among its leaders.

"We need time and effort, particularly since the political process is facing security, economic and services pressures, as well as regional and international interference," he told reporters at a Baghdad press conference, without giving a timeframe.

"These difficulties can be read as a big success, not negative points, when they are viewed under the shadow of the big challenges. That is what should be understood in the White House report," al-Maliki said.

The report fueled calls among congressional critics of the Iraqi policy for a change in strategy, including a withdrawal of American forces. The White House insists it is too early to call its strategy a failure.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari warned earlier this week of civil war and the collapse of the government if the Americans leave. But al-Maliki told reporters Saturday, "We say in full confidence that we are able, God willing, to take the responsibility completely in running the security file if the international forces withdraw at any time they want."

But he added that Iraqi forces are "still in need of more weapons and rehabilitation" to be ready in the case of a withdrawal.

In the White House strategy, beefed-up American forces have been waging intensified security crackdowns in Baghdad and areas to the north and south for nearly a month. The goal is to being quiet to the capital while al-Maliki enacts the political reforms, intended to give Sunni Arabs a greater role in the goverment and political process, lessening support for the insurgency.

But the benchmarks have been blocked by divisions among Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds within al-Maliki's Cabinet. In August, the parliament is taking a one month vacation — a shorter break than the usual two months, but still enough to anger some in Congress who say lawmakers should push through reforms.

The divisions within al-Maliki's coalition are not only over the substance of the reforms, but also over separate disputes that have stalled even debate over such legislation as a draft bill to fairly distribute control over and profits from the vital oil sector.

Al-Maliki said some members of his coalition have not formed a "positive partnership" with the others. Al-Maliki has been talking for months of a Cabinet reshuffle that would shed Sunni and Shiite parties seen as obstructionist to form a "coalition of moderates" — though there's been no sign a change was imminent.

CBS News correspondent Allen Pizzey reports that many Iraqis give short-shrift to Washington benchmarks, because they have more basic concerns.

"It's security and it's services, and 'services' really translates into electricity," says U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker. "I think that is more important to the average Iraqi than all 18 benchmarks rolled up into one."

In Other Developments:

Two American soldiers were killed Saturday in separate attacks in the Baghdad area, the U.S. military reported. One soldier assigned to Task Force Marne was killed when a land mine detonated during a foot patrol, the U.S. command said. The statement did not say where the attack took place. Task Force Marne operates in south Baghdad and in communities to the south and southeast of the capital. Another soldier was killed when an explosively-formed penetrator detonated near a U.S. patrol in east Baghdad, the command said; another soldier was wounded.

On Saturday, the U.S. military said it captured an alleged high-level al Qaeda in Iraq cell leader at Baghdad's international airport. The suspect, believed to have organized mortar and roadside bomb attacks in the capital and nearby area, surrendered "without a struggle," the military said in a statement. It did not give details on the suspect or say whether he was travelling in or out of the country when siezed.

An Iraqi translator for Reuters was shot to death in Baghdad, an apparent victim of sectarian death squads, Reuters reported on Saturday. The London-based news agency did not identify the translator at the request of relatives, apparently to avoid publicizing the family's link to the company. The 30-year-old translator was killed Wednesday while driving with two of his brothers in southeast Baghdad, an area where Shiite and Sunni militants operate. He had been working for the agency since March and was married with two young daughters. "It appears the killing was one of the dozens of executions carried out every day in Baghdad by sectarian death squads that roam the city despite the presence of some 100,000 U.S. and Iraqi security forces in the city," the agency said in its report on his death. The latest Reuters death brings to 151 the number of journalists and media support staffers - the majority of them Iraqis - killed since the 2003 U.S. invasion, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.

A suicide bomber hit cars lined up at a gas station in the southeastern district of Rashin Camp around 11:30 a.m., setting seven vehicles on fire and damaging nearby shops, a police official said. The blast killed seven civilians and wounded 15 others, the official said. Shortages force Iraqis to stay in line for hours to fill their vehicles or buy fuel for generators they rely on for power amid the capital's frequent electricity outages.

Hours earlier, a parked car bomb detonated in the western neighborhood of Amil, reducing one apartment building to rubble and heavily damaging a second, another police official said. The 7:30 a.m. blast killed at least one person and wounded five others, and authorities were searching the wreckage for more victims, the official said. After the blast, several nearby cars were left damaged, and a metal crutch lay in the street next to a pool of blood, according to AP Television news footage of the scene.

Senior Iraqi politician Ahmad Chalabi escaped unharmed Saturday when his convoy came under an attack by mortars and insurgent gunmen as he visited tribesmen in southern Iraq, a spokesman said. Chalabi was meeting with the tribesmen in the town of Madain, on the southern outskirts of Baghdad, when the building came under mortar fire that landed near his entourage's cars outside, said Chalabi's spokesman Ayad Kazem Sabti. Chalabi and his delegation fled the building, and as they drove away in their convoy, gunmen opened fire on them, Sabti said. No one in his convoy was hurt, he said. A former prominent exile leader close to Washington, Chalabi was touted by some U.S. officials before the 2003 fall of Saddam Hussein as a possible leader of Iraq, but he is widely mistrusted among Iraqis.

Am adviser to al-Maliki said a fierce gunbattle on Friday between U.S. troops and Iraqi police that killed six policemen was the result of a misunderstanding. U.S. troops had seized a police lieutenant accused of links to Iranian-backed Shiite militants when it came under fire. Hassan al-Suneid, a legislator close to the prime minister, said American troops did not know a police checkpoint was nearby and "thought they were terrorists." He said Iraqi soldiers with the Americans also fired on the police. The U.S. military said Friday that it was the police at the checkpoint who opened fire on the Americans first, along with gunmen on nearby rooftops and at a church. U.S. troops called in warplanes for ground strikes, and six policemen and seven gunmen were killed.

The raid captured the lieutenant, who the military said was helping Iran organize Shiite militants and led a cell involved in bomb and mortar attacks on U.S. and Iraqi troops. The military did not specify that the police who fired on the Americans were linked to militias as well but said the police maintained "heavy and accurate fire" on the U.S. troops.

The battle underscored the deep infiltration of Shiite militiamen in the police force. Purging the force is one of the benchmarks, and Thursday's report acknowledged progress in it has been "unsatisfactory."

© MMVII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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See all 247 Comments

by mcvet July 14, 2007 8:07 AM PDT

Well there you have it all you Bushbots! They can provide security for themselves! ROFLMAO What a mess.... We're playing nurse maid trying to nation build all the while our Enemy has rebuilt and is ready to take us on yet again. All you Nazi's DO remember Al Qaeda don't you? I know you think your Fuhrer is superior and all that but it does seem that he LIED to you when he told you that Bin Laden wasn't important huh? Sieg Heil Bush!

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by forthepeopl1 July 14, 2007 8:28 AM PDT

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said Saturday that the Iraqi army and police are capable of keeping security in the country when American troops leave "any time they want," though he acknowledged the forces need further weapons and training.

OK THE WHAT IN THE HELL ARE WE STILL THERE, AS THE PRESIDENT HAS STATED ONCE AL-MALIKI TELLS US HE DOESN'T WANT US THERE WE WILL LEAVE.

ITS TIME FOR OUR SEN/REPS TO REMINDE HIM OF WHAT HE HAS STATED..NOW LETS GET THE F/U/C/K/ OUT OF THERE.

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by gopack443 July 14, 2007 8:34 AM PDT

COOL!!!
let's get the h*** out! I hope bush read this story! Can he read?

Reply to this comment

by panhandlpete July 14, 2007 8:43 AM PDT

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said Saturday that the Iraqi army and police are capable of keeping security in the country ......

Please, let's give him a chance. BRING OUR TROOPS HOME. If Al Qaeda follows them, we can take care of them.......the citizens of this country are well armed. If only our borders and ports were secure, the job of keeping unwanteds out would be much easier.

The PM has just made himself an enemy of those wanting to keep the fight going......REPUBS....for all they have been telling us all along is how the ME will fall apart and become a blood bath once the troops leave. Do you think the PM believed their stories? WATCH THE SPIN THAT COMES OUT OF THE WHITE HOUSE. Maybe he was supposed to say this and give the Decider a "way out",and then al-Maliki would be blamed for the aftermath.

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by amartinez7-2009 July 14, 2007 9:01 AM PDT

I woke up with the best news in years.
It goes like this:

- Mr. Bush, you can leave any time you want.
- What? You WANT me to leave?
- I said you CAN leave.
- So you don't want me to leave? You need me to stay, right?
- Mr. Bush, you can leave now.
- Hey Maliki. After I spent $400 Billions on you, you want me to stay so I can spend more on you, how does it sound? Sounds good, right? Please tell me you need me. I want to leave you on my own term, it not, I don't look good.
- Mr. President, you always look good. Just re-hang the "Mission Accomplished" banner, and play back that day's video, and voila, you're a hero again.
- Can I stay after I hang that banner again?
- Whatever you want Mr. President. You told me you are the Decider, ... for both countries.

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by deborahcox05 July 14, 2007 9:08 AM PDT

Good - let's get out now!

Stop spending my hard-earned cash on this piece of *** country!

Maybe Bush/Chaney haven't made as much money as they were hoping for yet.

Reply to this comment

by donnie900 July 14, 2007 9:12 AM PDT

That was the dumbest thing Bush and Co. ever did: Taking away their guns. You plunge a whole country into war creating a vacuum in its government.. And then you disarm them. Robbing them of any sense of self preservation and self security. Absolutely ridiculous.

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by donnie900 July 14, 2007 9:15 AM PDT

Good will has a smile on its face, and a pistol in its trousers.

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by itogood4u July 14, 2007 9:16 AM PDT

COOL!!!
let's get the h*** out! I hope bush read this story! Can he read?
Posted by gopack443 at 08:34 AM : Jul 14, 2007


How can two guys (Bush/Cheney) without a brain read???

Reply to this comment

by pastdue1 July 14, 2007 9:16 AM PDT

forthepeopl1
"... AS THE PRESIDENT HAS STATED ONCE AL-MALIKI TELLS US HE DOESN'T WANT US THERE WE WILL LEAVE.
Right! Right! Right!
Someone send President Bush and Vice President Cheney an e mail:
"Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said Saturday that the Iraqi army and police are capable of keeping security in the country when American troops leave "any time they want,, , ,"
Everyone send your congressmen and senators an e mail.
"No reason not to start drawing back, President Bush's terms have been met."

Reply to this comment

by barbaraf4 July 14, 2007 9:20 AM PDT

al-Maliki has drawn a line in the sand. He is as stupid as Bush; however, it is his country, so let's get out!

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by mh4cbs1 July 14, 2007 9:37 AM PDT

News Flash:
"Now Bush is warning that there would be " mass killings on a horrific scale", if the US was forced to withdraw. He made some 30 references to al-Qa'ida on Thursday and brushed aside suggestions that the invasion had encouraged its growth."

Remember the "bloodbath" that was supposed to happen when we left Vietnam? Well the bloodbath STOPPED when we left Vietnam after killing a couple MIILION people.

When will the spineless Dems join a few courageous true conservative Repulicans to Impeach Cheney and Bush! These lying SOBs are running our nation into the ground.

More fear and hate, endless War based on lies, we are less safe, wasted $500 BILLION, massive national debt and trade deficit....

They PARDON Libby for EXACTLY the same crimes that they IMPEACHED Clinton for - OUTRAGEOUS HYPOCRISY.

STOP these evil crazy NeoCons who hijacked the GOP! Our founders would want us to IMPEACH Cheney and Bush for LYING us into this War. (and they DID LIE - I researched everything I could, and the more I did the more obvious it became!).

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by scottyusa July 14, 2007 9:45 AM PDT

"Remember the "bloodbath" that was supposed to happen when we left Vietnam? Well the bloodbath STOPPED when we left Vietnam after killing a couple MIILION people."
I beg to differ. After we left vietnam we promised to support the vietnamese with funds. Shortly after we left our liberal democrats in congress decided to cut those funds. That is when the bloodbath started. Over 2 million were killed because we abandoned them.

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by r9119111 July 14, 2007 9:48 AM PDT

This is our Cue. Let's go.

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by roger_inkart July 14, 2007 9:53 AM PDT

Fine - add it to the ever-growing list of "Reasons to Leave Iraq."

Reply to this comment

by roger_inkart July 14, 2007 9:57 AM PDT

Shortly after we left our liberal democrats in congress decided to cut those funds.
Posted by scottyusa at 09:45 AM : Jul 14, 2007

I beg to differ - cutting off funds to Vietnam was a bipartisan effort.

Reply to this comment

by roger_inkart July 14, 2007 10:11 AM PDT

History lesson for Scotty:

June 19, 1973 The U.S. Congress passes the Case-Church Amendment which forbids any further U.S. military involvement in Southeast Asia, effective August 15, 1973. The veto-proof vote is 278-124 in the House and 64-26 in the Senate.

Ididn't realize that in 1973 there were 278 liberal democrats in the House and 64 in the Senate.

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by drummer94 July 14, 2007 10:13 AM PDT

There ya go shrub. No more excuses. Start warmin up the planes and fire up the boilers. Time to go. Even Sec. Gates was talking about what an undertaking it will be to extract the forces and equipment. The sooner we start, the sooner we'll be done.

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by roger_inkart July 14, 2007 10:15 AM PDT

To stick the dagger deeper into Scotty's belief that "liberal democrats" cut off funds to Vietnam - the Case-Church Amendment was named for its principal co-sponsors: Senators Clifford P. Case and Frank Church.

Case was a REPUBLICAN! So if you want to whine about who cut off the funds to the Vietnam war - look no further then your own party that co-sponsored the amendment.

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by Imshaken July 14, 2007 10:16 AM PDT

At last a piece of good news from Al Maliki in Iraq. According to the Iraqi prime minister America can leave whenever we want since Iraqis can take care of security. This is an opportune moment for W and Cheney to declare victory and exit stage left.

Of course, Al Qaeda, operating in Iraq thanks to "W" and Cheney will also claim victory. There's will be genuine. Al Qaeda will likely have freedom of movement and training camps, etc. after we leave. So America leaving Iraq will have a downside. Americans dying if we stay, dying later if we leave.

Thanks for creating a no-win situation "W", Cheney, Rumsfeld, et al.

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by king77shaw July 14, 2007 10:19 AM PDT

let us not forget the following Zionists who put Israel%u2019s interests over the United States when crafting, promoting and implementing the Iraq War.

Richard Perle - chairman of the Pentagon's Defense Policy Board. Chief architect of the Iraq war.

Paul Wolfowitz - Deputy Defense Secretary, dethroned World Bank head and member of Perle's Defense Policy Board, in the Pentagon. Chief architect of the Iraq war.

Douglas Feith - Under Secretary of Defense and Policy Advisor at the Pentagon. Feith is a pro-Israel extremist and is closely associated with the extremist group, the Zionist Organization of America. Chief architect of the Iraq war.

Kenneth Adelman - sits on the Pentagon's Defense Policy Board under Perle, and is another extremist pro-Israel advisor. Chief architect of the Iraq war.

I. Lewis Scooter Libby - Vice President Dikk Cheney's Chief of Staff. The chief pro-Israel Jewish advisor to Cheney.

Elliott Abrams - National Security Council Advisor. He was one of the more hawkish pro-Israel Jews in the Reagan Administration.

Robert Zoellick - our new World Bank leader and one of the more hawkish pro-Israel Zionists in the Bush (Jr) Administration who advocated invading Iraq.

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by hedonist3 July 14, 2007 10:19 AM PDT

Anybody know if al-Maliki is Sunni, Shiite or Kurd??? Couldn't that influence his agenda?

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by king77shaw July 14, 2007 10:22 AM PDT

wait, more Zionists to thank for the Iraq mess: what country are our troops fighting for?

Ari Fleischer - Former Official White House Spokesman for the Bush (Jr) Administration. Fleischer is closely connected to the extremist Jewish group called the Chabad Lubavitch Hasidics.

James Schlesinger - also sits on the Pentagon's Defense Policy Board under Perle and is another extremist pro-Israel advisor.

David Frum - White House speechwriter behind the "Axis of Evil" label. He lumps together all the lies and accusations against Iraq for Bush to justify the war.

Joshua Bolten - White House Deputy Chief of Staff

John Bolton - UN Ambassador - Former Under-Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security. Bolton is also a Senior Advisor to President Bush.

Michael Chertoff - FEMA head .. former Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division, at the Justice Department.

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by ioweign July 14, 2007 10:32 AM PDT

History lesson for Scotty:

June 19, 1973 The U.S. Congress passes the Case-Church Amendment which forbids any further U.S. military involvement in Southeast Asia, effective August 15, 1973. The veto-proof vote is 278-124 in the House and 64-26 in the Senate.

Ididn't realize that in 1973 there were 278 liberal democrats in the House and 64 in the Senate.
Posted by roger_inkart at 10:11 AM : Jul 14, 2007

I believe it was bipartisan. Case NJ (R) - Church ID (D)

We are getting there in the case of Iraq - in fact it is faster than Vietnam but still not fast enough!

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by tbweb July 14, 2007 10:32 AM PDT

Anybody know if al-Maliki is Sunni, Shiite or Kurd??? Couldn't that influence his agenda?

Posted by Hedonist3 at 10:19 AM : Jul 14, 2007,,,

al-Malik is Shiite! Yesterday Iraqi Police in full uniform ambushed a U.S. Patrol in a deadly crossfire, the U.S. had to call in air support from a C-130 Gunship to escape, 6 Iraqi Police were killed with no American casualties, so I guess our new armoured bullet proof vehicles just passed the test! I predicted this lack of loyalty and trust months ago, the Iraqi Police are loyal to Shiites, namely Muqtada al-Sadr and indirectly Shiite Iran. How scary is that? The U.S. should trust no Iraqi Police from this point forward, I knew it!! The Iraqi Government also annouced it was taking the entire month of August off to go on vacation because they need to get away from the 130 degree heat for a while! Have a nice time on vacation, U.S. Troops will continue to bake in the 130 degree heat in full battle gear and grab your mail so it doesn't build up while you're gone! Message to U.S. Forces: Don't turn your back on the Iraqi Police and don't travel alone! It is clearly time for the U.S. to leave Iraq, especially when the Iraqi Police are ambushing our forces, what the hell is that?

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by formrusmcsgt July 14, 2007 10:36 AM PDT

Considering that Maliki's assessment is nowhere close to the findings in our assessment, I know which of the two I believe to be more accurate.

On the other hand, he just put Bush in a position of overstaying a welcome as far as the world community is concerned.

How can Bush presume to justify an occupation that the prime minister of that country himself states is no longer necessary?

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by SIDNEYWILLIAMSMD July 14, 2007 10:47 AM PDT

My god...he must be lying. We know the Iraqi's are not able to take care of themselves, according to the libs. Is it possible that the impossible is about to happen, the birth pangs of a democracy. This cannot be right. So many on this very site and CBS, MSLSD, CNN and every other news service were wrong when they announced that free Iraq was impossible. This is too good to be true, will have to ask those who are waving the white flag.

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by tbweb July 14, 2007 10:52 AM PDT

Posted by doctorwho4 at 10:47 AM : Jul 14, 2007,,,

The real question is why isn't CBS reporting the ambush of a U.S. Patrol by Iraqi Police in full uniform? Where the U.S. had to call in a C-130 Gunship to escape killing 6 Iraqi Police and also the announced vacation by the Iraqi Government taking the entire month of August off to escape the 130 degree heat! Where the hell are those stories? Hmmm.

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by Imshaken July 14, 2007 10:59 AM PDT

I suspect Al Maliki has made this statement to encourage W pull American forces out. Once we leave Al Maliki will continue to allow death squads targeting of Sunnis, and he won't have to listen to American criticism.

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by condumism July 14, 2007 11:07 AM PDT

Facts once again a HUGE blow to the lies eminating from the White House and the GOP's Fascist Military Industrial Complex. FOX News definatley WILL NOT report this story to their braindead base of greedy pigs and fools.

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by ioweign July 14, 2007 11:16 AM PDT

This cannot be right. So many on this very site and CBS, MSLSD, CNN and every other news service were wrong when they announced that free Iraq was impossible. This is too good to be true, will have to ask those who are waving the white flag.
Posted by doctorwho4 at 10:47 AM : Jul 14, 2007

I don't believe anybody said it wasn't possible. Aren't we suppose to be fighting the people who attacked us on 911? 15 out of 19 hijackers on 911 were Saudi Arabian, 0 from Iraq and 0 trained in Iraq. Iraq was Bush's Choice Conflict and he was planning it 8 months before 911. I am not waving a white flag, do you remember bin Laden in Afghanistan? Bush has wasted trillons and lives in Iraq when we should have more presence in Afghanistan.

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by condumism July 14, 2007 11:22 AM PDT

What will the USA's needless Military Welfare complex do if it doesn't have a little guy to pick on? Guess they'll be heading back to Afghanistan to bomb more weddings from 30,000 feet, then blame their mistake on the Taliban. Cons that see this story as good may soon see their party of lying fascists for who they really are: war mongering liars that will dismiss this story as false.

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by gheemaster38 July 14, 2007 11:27 AM PDT

Okay Al-Maliki just gave Bush and easy out for this one.. We stayed the course-Now let's bring our people home.. claim victory.. and all join in hand and hand and sing, "we are the World"

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by pastdue1 July 14, 2007 11:27 AM PDT

"We say in full confidence that we are able, God willing, to take the responsibility completely in running the security file if the international forces withdraw at any time they want." Is this not clear?
Did President Bush make it perfectly clear that when the Iraqi government felt we were no longer needed, we would withdraw? That statement is surely documented on someone's telecast.
So, what is the debate? According to George Bush, we must withdraw!!! According to over 70% of the American people, we must withdraw!!! It is perfectly clear from all involved!!!

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by gheemaster38 July 14, 2007 11:31 AM PDT

Oh wait, Stop the course of, "We are the World" We forgot about Ban Ladin.. Oh well... Start the Music again....

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by drummer94 July 14, 2007 11:37 AM PDT

C'mon CBS. Enough with the italiacs. Making me dizzy. Please put it back to normal script.

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by j-whitman July 14, 2007 11:39 AM PDT

Bush Lovers,,, Now you can stop worring what will happen if we leave --- Iraq P.M. just negated the Bush rhetoric ---- You had better start worring WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF WE STAY ????

Reply to this comment

by tbweb July 14, 2007 11:39 AM PDT

I suspect Al Maliki has made this statement to encourage W pull American forces out. Once we leave Al Maliki will continue to allow death squads targeting of Sunnis, and he won't have to listen to American criticism.

Posted by Imshaken at 10:59 AM : Jul 14, 2007,,,

But I suspect Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Muqtada al-Sadr, all Shiites like Al Maliki promised Al Maliki that if the U.S. leaves he can remain Iraqs Prime Minister and they won't kill him! Because Al Maliki knows the Iraqi military is not ready to even be School Crossing Guards, what's he smoking and who does he think he's fooling?

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by condumism July 14, 2007 11:44 AM PDT

the USA's needless Military Welfare complex.

two cases in point: 1 - Cannon Air Force Base, Clovis, NM. 2 - Kirkland Air Force Base, Albuquerque, NM. Neither one of these centers for the US Military Welfare program add anything to the security of the USA. The only security these bases offer is job security to the local congressman (Republicons) in these districts, who would not get elected without support from the Southerner's that "occupy" these bases. and vote GOP because their daddy told them to.

WAKE UP AMERICA! YOU'RE BEING ROBBED EVERYDAY BY THE NEEDLESS US MILITARY WELFARE COMPLEX.

Reply to this comment

by omnibus66 July 14, 2007 11:47 AM PDT

Empty rhetoric! Doesn't matter if Al Maliki orders the U.S. to leave, or even if the Iraqi Parliament voted unaminously for a U.S. pullout. Bush will never leave his oil. It's what he went for, and what he means to get, if it takes a million American lives.

Reply to this comment

by ajmarine1 July 14, 2007 11:51 AM PDT

Bush will never leave his oil. It's what he went for, and what he means to get, if it takes a million American lives.

Posted by omnibus66 at 11:47 AM : Jul 14, 2007

If this was just about Iraqi oil, with what we have spent on the war, we could have bought every drop that they could ever produce from Saddam; this is about more than oil.

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by samthetvcat July 14, 2007 11:59 AM PDT

"My god...he must be lying. We know the Iraqi's are not able to take care of themselves, according to the libs. Is it possible that the impossible is about to happen, the birth pangs of a democracy. This cannot be right. This is too good to be true, will have to ask those who are waving the white flag."
Posted by doctorwho4

* * * * *

"He insisted it was "fairly natural" that progress would be difficult considering the violence in Iraq and the deep divisions among its leaders.

The divisions within al-Maliki's coalition are not only over the substance of the reforms, but also over separate disputes that have stalled even debate over such legislation as a draft bill to fairly distribute control over and profits from the vital oil sector.

Al-Maliki said some members of his coalition have not formed a "positive partnership" with the others."

* * * * *

Come on man, you said I scared you so bad you had to take a double dose of prozac and you're still fancying yourself to be the only one on this thread who's not "waving the white flag" . . . what's the deal? You seriously trust Bush more than Sens. Warner and Luger? How is that possible?!?

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by emtak1 July 14, 2007 12:01 PM PDT

AJMarine1

Stop being so logical! You may force people to come out of little happy political cave to stand up and be an American rather than a *** or an elephant.

Wouldn't want that. Could lead to consensus and maybe even success...

Reply to this comment

by emtak1 July 14, 2007 12:05 PM PDT

"The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Peter Pace, said the number of Iraqi batallions able to operate on their own without U.S. support has dropped in recent months from 10 to six, though he said the fall was in part due to attrition from stepped-up offensives."

Wow the enemy took out four Iraqi battalions? That's pretty impressive.

Reply to this comment

by ajmarine1 July 14, 2007 12:07 PM PDT

emtak1,

"Stop being so logical! You may force people to come out of little happy political cave to stand up and be an American rather than a *** or an elephant"

It sounds like you are also tired of hearing about how this was all just a snow job so Neocon's and their "rich" buddies could get richer.

I'm am Independent and it's past silly listening to all of it.

Reply to this comment

by waynabq July 14, 2007 12:12 PM PDT

If you haven't already, e-mail Congress. Cut and paste the letter below if you wish.

Dear Madam Speaker/Representative,

I implore you to take action immediately and bring impeachment proceedings against President Bush and Vice President Cheney.

They have lied to Congress and the American people to start a war in Iraq that has cost the lives of over 3600 American troops and maimed 23,000 others and has destroyed the lives of millions of Iraqi families at a cost of $500 Billion taxpayer dollars.

We now have legalized warrantless wiretaps, sanctioned torture, kidnapping, secret prisons, and an escalation of the Iraq War that's leading to more death and destruction.

This administration has openly committed treason and commutated the sentence of a convicted conspirator, Scooter Libby, who committed perjury and obstructed justice in the Wilson/Plame scandal to cover treason committed by Cheney and Bush.

If this is not an impeachable offense, I don't know what is. Now the question is, do you value your political office more than defending our Constitution?

Do you have the leadership and courage to protect our Constitution and America? Or are you going to stand idly by while the criminals in the Whitehouse go unchecked?

Please, I implore you to take action now.
Posted by waynabq at 12:02 PM : Jul 14, 2007

Reply to this comment

by vet_sk July 14, 2007 12:12 PM PDT

Maliki will not order the death squads after we pull out but they will continue for a while until people tire of the *** and it will die out. They were living with each other before we invaded in relative peace. Saddam was building the largest mosque in the world in Baghdad for the Shia and Observatories and damns for the Kurds. If Saddam had not had his bad temper and took out then of thousands of Shia and Kurds for their insurrections, he would likely be seen now as the new great Babylonian ruler.

The problem is with the oil. The Kurds want it, the Sunnis need it but the Shia own most of the ground near Kirkuk where the oil is.

What were doing now is certaily not working. We should begin pulling out and let them take over the security of their own country. Their army will rise to the occastion - because they know the consequences if they don't. That's the one point the talking heads don't realize: people rise to the occation. We could also continue to pay the Iraqis for their Army for a couple of years (just a quarter of what it is costing us to stay there now) as long as their country stays stable.

Also for this to work, we need to put Bush on the fast track out of office - letting the Iraqis who lost market share (lives, lands, stability, and oil)know that we know that we made a horrible mistake and miscalculation by invading and are willing to correct it by getting rid of the Administration (cabal) that sent is there.

Reply to this comment

by lorinkundert July 14, 2007 12:13 PM PDT

Ok Bush, since Iraq has claimed that they don't need our troops, We can now leave without any regrets.

Reply to this comment

by samthetvcat July 14, 2007 12:13 PM PDT

"AJMarine1

Stop being so logical! You may force people to come out of little happy political cave to stand up and be an American rather than a *** or an elephant.

Wouldn't want that. Could lead to consensus and maybe even success..."

Posted by emtak1 at 12:01 PM : Jul 14, 2007

The 'logic' doesn't take into account the lack of accurate forsight on the part of Bush and company who thought nation-building would be a breeze. But I agree with AJMarine that it wasn't just about the oil, it was also about control of the oil, 'crusading', and not giving $ to Saddam, avenging his daddy, etc (jmo!)

Reply to this comment

by ajmarine1 July 14, 2007 12:19 PM PDT

But I agree with AJMarine that it wasn't just about the oil, it was also about control of the oil, 'crusading', and not giving $ to Saddam, avenging his daddy, etc (jmo!)

Posted by SamTheTVCat at 12:13 PM : Jul 14, 2007

I would throw in "about changing the Middle East" with the other reasons.

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[mcvet]

Well there you have it all you Bushbots! They can provide security for themselves! ROFLMAO What a mess.... We're playing nurse maid trying to nation build all the while our Enemy has rebuilt and is ready to take us on yet again. All you Nazi's DO remember Al Qaeda don't you? I know you think your Fuhrer is superior and all that but it does seem that he LIED to you when he told you that Bin Laden wasn't important huh? Sieg Heil Bush!

[forthepeopl1]

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said Saturday that the Iraqi army and police are capable of keeping security in the country when American troops leave "any time they want," though he acknowledged the forces need further weapons and training.

OK THE WHAT IN THE HELL ARE WE STILL THERE, AS THE PRESIDENT HAS STATED ONCE AL-MALIKI TELLS US HE DOESN'T WANT US THERE WE WILL LEAVE.

ITS TIME FOR OUR SEN/REPS TO REMINDE HIM OF WHAT HE HAS STATED..NOW LETS GET THE F/U/C/K/ OUT OF THERE.

[gopack443]

COOL!!!
let's get the h*** out! I hope bush read this story! Can he read?

[panhandlpete]

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said Saturday that the Iraqi army and police are capable of keeping security in the country ......

Please, let's give him a chance. BRING OUR TROOPS HOME. If Al Qaeda follows them, we can take care of them.......the citizens of this country are well armed. If only our borders and ports were secure, the job of keeping unwanteds out would be much easier.

The PM has just made himself an enemy of those wanting to keep the fight going......REPUBS....for all they have been telling us all along is how the ME will fall apart and become a blood bath once the troops leave. Do you think the PM believed their stories? WATCH THE SPIN THAT COMES OUT OF THE WHITE HOUSE. Maybe he was supposed to say this and give the Decider a "way out",and then al-Maliki would be blamed for the aftermath.

[amartinez7-2009]

I woke up with the best news in years.
It goes like this:

- Mr. Bush, you can leave any time you want.
- What? You WANT me to leave?
- I said you CAN leave.
- So you don't want me to leave? You need me to stay, right?
- Mr. Bush, you can leave now.
- Hey Maliki. After I spent $400 Billions on you, you want me to stay so I can spend more on you, how does it sound? Sounds good, right? Please tell me you need me. I want to leave you on my own term, it not, I don't look good.
- Mr. President, you always look good. Just re-hang the "Mission Accomplished" banner, and play back that day's video, and voila, you're a hero again.
- Can I stay after I hang that banner again?
- Whatever you want Mr. President. You told me you are the Decider, ... for both countries.

[deborahcox05]

Good - let's get out now!

Stop spending my hard-earned cash on this piece of *** country!

Maybe Bush/Chaney haven't made as much money as they were hoping for yet.

[donnie900]

That was the dumbest thing Bush and Co. ever did: Taking away their guns. You plunge a whole country into war creating a vacuum in its government.. And then you disarm them. Robbing them of any sense of self preservation and self security. Absolutely ridiculous.

[donnie900]

Good will has a smile on its face, and a pistol in its trousers.

[itogood4u]

COOL!!!
let's get the h*** out! I hope bush read this story! Can he read?
Posted by gopack443 at 08:34 AM : Jul 14, 2007


How can two guys (Bush/Cheney) without a brain read???

[pastdue1]

forthepeopl1
"... AS THE PRESIDENT HAS STATED ONCE AL-MALIKI TELLS US HE DOESN'T WANT US THERE WE WILL LEAVE.
Right! Right! Right!
Someone send President Bush and Vice President Cheney an e mail:
"Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said Saturday that the Iraqi army and police are capable of keeping security in the country when American troops leave "any time they want,, , ,"
Everyone send your congressmen and senators an e mail.
"No reason not to start drawing back, President Bush's terms have been met."

[barbaraf4]

al-Maliki has drawn a line in the sand. He is as stupid as Bush; however, it is his country, so let's get out!

[mh4cbs1]

News Flash:
"Now Bush is warning that there would be " mass killings on a horrific scale", if the US was forced to withdraw. He made some 30 references to al-Qa'ida on Thursday and brushed aside suggestions that the invasion had encouraged its growth."

Remember the "bloodbath" that was supposed to happen when we left Vietnam? Well the bloodbath STOPPED when we left Vietnam after killing a couple MIILION people.

When will the spineless Dems join a few courageous true conservative Repulicans to Impeach Cheney and Bush! These lying SOBs are running our nation into the ground.

More fear and hate, endless War based on lies, we are less safe, wasted $500 BILLION, massive national debt and trade deficit....

They PARDON Libby for EXACTLY the same crimes that they IMPEACHED Clinton for - OUTRAGEOUS HYPOCRISY.

STOP these evil crazy NeoCons who hijacked the GOP! Our founders would want us to IMPEACH Cheney and Bush for LYING us into this War. (and they DID LIE - I researched everything I could, and the more I did the more obvious it became!).

[scottyusa]

"Remember the "bloodbath" that was supposed to happen when we left Vietnam? Well the bloodbath STOPPED when we left Vietnam after killing a couple MIILION people."
I beg to differ. After we left vietnam we promised to support the vietnamese with funds. Shortly after we left our liberal democrats in congress decided to cut those funds. That is when the bloodbath started. Over 2 million were killed because we abandoned them.

[r9119111]

This is our Cue. Let's go.

[roger_inkart]

Fine - add it to the ever-growing list of "Reasons to Leave Iraq."

[roger_inkart]

Shortly after we left our liberal democrats in congress decided to cut those funds.
Posted by scottyusa at 09:45 AM : Jul 14, 2007

I beg to differ - cutting off funds to Vietnam was a bipartisan effort.

[roger_inkart]

History lesson for Scotty:

June 19, 1973 The U.S. Congress passes the Case-Church Amendment which forbids any further U.S. military involvement in Southeast Asia, effective August 15, 1973. The veto-proof vote is 278-124 in the House and 64-26 in the Senate.

Ididn't realize that in 1973 there were 278 liberal democrats in the House and 64 in the Senate.

[drummer94]

There ya go shrub. No more excuses. Start warmin up the planes and fire up the boilers. Time to go. Even Sec. Gates was talking about what an undertaking it will be to extract the forces and equipment. The sooner we start, the sooner we'll be done.

[roger_inkart]

To stick the dagger deeper into Scotty's belief that "liberal democrats" cut off funds to Vietnam - the Case-Church Amendment was named for its principal co-sponsors: Senators Clifford P. Case and Frank Church.

Case was a REPUBLICAN! So if you want to whine about who cut off the funds to the Vietnam war - look no further then your own party that co-sponsored the amendment.

[Imshaken]

At last a piece of good news from Al Maliki in Iraq. According to the Iraqi prime minister America can leave whenever we want since Iraqis can take care of security. This is an opportune moment for W and Cheney to declare victory and exit stage left.

Of course, Al Qaeda, operating in Iraq thanks to "W" and Cheney will also claim victory. There's will be genuine. Al Qaeda will likely have freedom of movement and training camps, etc. after we leave. So America leaving Iraq will have a downside. Americans dying if we stay, dying later if we leave.

Thanks for creating a no-win situation "W", Cheney, Rumsfeld, et al.

[king77shaw]

let us not forget the following Zionists who put Israel%u2019s interests over the United States when crafting, promoting and implementing the Iraq War.

Richard Perle - chairman of the Pentagon's Defense Policy Board. Chief architect of the Iraq war.

Paul Wolfowitz - Deputy Defense Secretary, dethroned World Bank head and member of Perle's Defense Policy Board, in the Pentagon. Chief architect of the Iraq war.

Douglas Feith - Under Secretary of Defense and Policy Advisor at the Pentagon. Feith is a pro-Israel extremist and is closely associated with the extremist group, the Zionist Organization of America. Chief architect of the Iraq war.

Kenneth Adelman - sits on the Pentagon's Defense Policy Board under Perle, and is another extremist pro-Israel advisor. Chief architect of the Iraq war.

I. Lewis Scooter Libby - Vice President Dikk Cheney's Chief of Staff. The chief pro-Israel Jewish advisor to Cheney.

Elliott Abrams - National Security Council Advisor. He was one of the more hawkish pro-Israel Jews in the Reagan Administration.

Robert Zoellick - our new World Bank leader and one of the more hawkish pro-Israel Zionists in the Bush (Jr) Administration who advocated invading Iraq.

[hedonist3]

Anybody know if al-Maliki is Sunni, Shiite or Kurd??? Couldn't that influence his agenda?

[king77shaw]

wait, more Zionists to thank for the Iraq mess: what country are our troops fighting for?

Ari Fleischer - Former Official White House Spokesman for the Bush (Jr) Administration. Fleischer is closely connected to the extremist Jewish group called the Chabad Lubavitch Hasidics.

James Schlesinger - also sits on the Pentagon's Defense Policy Board under Perle and is another extremist pro-Israel advisor.

David Frum - White House speechwriter behind the "Axis of Evil" label. He lumps together all the lies and accusations against Iraq for Bush to justify the war.

Joshua Bolten - White House Deputy Chief of Staff

John Bolton - UN Ambassador - Former Under-Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security. Bolton is also a Senior Advisor to President Bush.

Michael Chertoff - FEMA head .. former Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division, at the Justice Department.

[ioweign]

History lesson for Scotty:

June 19, 1973 The U.S. Congress passes the Case-Church Amendment which forbids any further U.S. military involvement in Southeast Asia, effective August 15, 1973. The veto-proof vote is 278-124 in the House and 64-26 in the Senate.

Ididn't realize that in 1973 there were 278 liberal democrats in the House and 64 in the Senate.
Posted by roger_inkart at 10:11 AM : Jul 14, 2007

I believe it was bipartisan. Case NJ (R) - Church ID (D)

We are getting there in the case of Iraq - in fact it is faster than Vietnam but still not fast enough!

[tbweb]

Anybody know if al-Maliki is Sunni, Shiite or Kurd??? Couldn't that influence his agenda?

Posted by Hedonist3 at 10:19 AM : Jul 14, 2007,,,

al-Malik is Shiite! Yesterday Iraqi Police in full uniform ambushed a U.S. Patrol in a deadly crossfire, the U.S. had to call in air support from a C-130 Gunship to escape, 6 Iraqi Police were killed with no American casualties, so I guess our new armoured bullet proof vehicles just passed the test! I predicted this lack of loyalty and trust months ago, the Iraqi Police are loyal to Shiites, namely Muqtada al-Sadr and indirectly Shiite Iran. How scary is that? The U.S. should trust no Iraqi Police from this point forward, I knew it!! The Iraqi Government also annouced it was taking the entire month of August off to go on vacation because they need to get away from the 130 degree heat for a while! Have a nice time on vacation, U.S. Troops will continue to bake in the 130 degree heat in full battle gear and grab your mail so it doesn't build up while you're gone! Message to U.S. Forces: Don't turn your back on the Iraqi Police and don't travel alone! It is clearly time for the U.S. to leave Iraq, especially when the Iraqi Police are ambushing our forces, what the hell is that?

[formrusmcsgt]

Considering that Maliki's assessment is nowhere close to the findings in our assessment, I know which of the two I believe to be more accurate.

On the other hand, he just put Bush in a position of overstaying a welcome as far as the world community is concerned.

How can Bush presume to justify an occupation that the prime minister of that country himself states is no longer necessary?

[SIDNEYWILLIAMSMD]

My god...he must be lying. We know the Iraqi's are not able to take care of themselves, according to the libs. Is it possible that the impossible is about to happen, the birth pangs of a democracy. This cannot be right. So many on this very site and CBS, MSLSD, CNN and every other news service were wrong when they announced that free Iraq was impossible. This is too good to be true, will have to ask those who are waving the white flag.

[tbweb]

Posted by doctorwho4 at 10:47 AM : Jul 14, 2007,,,

The real question is why isn't CBS reporting the ambush of a U.S. Patrol by Iraqi Police in full uniform? Where the U.S. had to call in a C-130 Gunship to escape killing 6 Iraqi Police and also the announced vacation by the Iraqi Government taking the entire month of August off to escape the 130 degree heat! Where the hell are those stories? Hmmm.

[Imshaken]

I suspect Al Maliki has made this statement to encourage W pull American forces out. Once we leave Al Maliki will continue to allow death squads targeting of Sunnis, and he won't have to listen to American criticism.

[condumism]

Facts once again a HUGE blow to the lies eminating from the White House and the GOP's Fascist Military Industrial Complex. FOX News definatley WILL NOT report this story to their braindead base of greedy pigs and fools.

[ioweign]

This cannot be right. So many on this very site and CBS, MSLSD, CNN and every other news service were wrong when they announced that free Iraq was impossible. This is too good to be true, will have to ask those who are waving the white flag.
Posted by doctorwho4 at 10:47 AM : Jul 14, 2007

I don't believe anybody said it wasn't possible. Aren't we suppose to be fighting the people who attacked us on 911? 15 out of 19 hijackers on 911 were Saudi Arabian, 0 from Iraq and 0 trained in Iraq. Iraq was Bush's Choice Conflict and he was planning it 8 months before 911. I am not waving a white flag, do you remember bin Laden in Afghanistan? Bush has wasted trillons and lives in Iraq when we should have more presence in Afghanistan.

[condumism]

What will the USA's needless Military Welfare complex do if it doesn't have a little guy to pick on? Guess they'll be heading back to Afghanistan to bomb more weddings from 30,000 feet, then blame their mistake on the Taliban. Cons that see this story as good may soon see their party of lying fascists for who they really are: war mongering liars that will dismiss this story as false.

[gheemaster38]

Okay Al-Maliki just gave Bush and easy out for this one.. We stayed the course-Now let's bring our people home.. claim victory.. and all join in hand and hand and sing, "we are the World"

[pastdue1]

"We say in full confidence that we are able, God willing, to take the responsibility completely in running the security file if the international forces withdraw at any time they want." Is this not clear?
Did President Bush make it perfectly clear that when the Iraqi government felt we were no longer needed, we would withdraw? That statement is surely documented on someone's telecast.
So, what is the debate? According to George Bush, we must withdraw!!! According to over 70% of the American people, we must withdraw!!! It is perfectly clear from all involved!!!

[gheemaster38]

Oh wait, Stop the course of, "We are the World" We forgot about Ban Ladin.. Oh well... Start the Music again....

[drummer94]

C'mon CBS. Enough with the italiacs. Making me dizzy. Please put it back to normal script.

[j-whitman]

Bush Lovers,,, Now you can stop worring what will happen if we leave --- Iraq P.M. just negated the Bush rhetoric ---- You had better start worring WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF WE STAY ????

[tbweb]

I suspect Al Maliki has made this statement to encourage W pull American forces out. Once we leave Al Maliki will continue to allow death squads targeting of Sunnis, and he won't have to listen to American criticism.

Posted by Imshaken at 10:59 AM : Jul 14, 2007,,,

But I suspect Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Muqtada al-Sadr, all Shiites like Al Maliki promised Al Maliki that if the U.S. leaves he can remain Iraqs Prime Minister and they won't kill him! Because Al Maliki knows the Iraqi military is not ready to even be School Crossing Guards, what's he smoking and who does he think he's fooling?

[condumism]

the USA's needless Military Welfare complex.

two cases in point: 1 - Cannon Air Force Base, Clovis, NM. 2 - Kirkland Air Force Base, Albuquerque, NM. Neither one of these centers for the US Military Welfare program add anything to the security of the USA. The only security these bases offer is job security to the local congressman (Republicons) in these districts, who would not get elected without support from the Southerner's that "occupy" these bases. and vote GOP because their daddy told them to.

WAKE UP AMERICA! YOU'RE BEING ROBBED EVERYDAY BY THE NEEDLESS US MILITARY WELFARE COMPLEX.

[omnibus66]

Empty rhetoric! Doesn't matter if Al Maliki orders the U.S. to leave, or even if the Iraqi Parliament voted unaminously for a U.S. pullout. Bush will never leave his oil. It's what he went for, and what he means to get, if it takes a million American lives.

[ajmarine1]

Bush will never leave his oil. It's what he went for, and what he means to get, if it takes a million American lives.

Posted by omnibus66 at 11:47 AM : Jul 14, 2007

If this was just about Iraqi oil, with what we have spent on the war, we could have bought every drop that they could ever produce from Saddam; this is about more than oil.

[samthetvcat]

"My god...he must be lying. We know the Iraqi's are not able to take care of themselves, according to the libs. Is it possible that the impossible is about to happen, the birth pangs of a democracy. This cannot be right. This is too good to be true, will have to ask those who are waving the white flag."
Posted by doctorwho4

* * * * *

"He insisted it was "fairly natural" that progress would be difficult considering the violence in Iraq and the deep divisions among its leaders.

The divisions within al-Maliki's coalition are not only over the substance of the reforms, but also over separate disputes that have stalled even debate over such legislation as a draft bill to fairly distribute control over and profits from the vital oil sector.

Al-Maliki said some members of his coalition have not formed a "positive partnership" with the others."

* * * * *

Come on man, you said I scared you so bad you had to take a double dose of prozac and you're still fancying yourself to be the only one on this thread who's not "waving the white flag" . . . what's the deal? You seriously trust Bush more than Sens. Warner and Luger? How is that possible?!?

[emtak1]

AJMarine1

Stop being so logical! You may force people to come out of little happy political cave to stand up and be an American rather than a *** or an elephant.

Wouldn't want that. Could lead to consensus and maybe even success...

[emtak1]

"The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Peter Pace, said the number of Iraqi batallions able to operate on their own without U.S. support has dropped in recent months from 10 to six, though he said the fall was in part due to attrition from stepped-up offensives."

Wow the enemy took out four Iraqi battalions? That's pretty impressive.

[ajmarine1]

emtak1,

"Stop being so logical! You may force people to come out of little happy political cave to stand up and be an American rather than a *** or an elephant"

It sounds like you are also tired of hearing about how this was all just a snow job so Neocon's and their "rich" buddies could get richer.

I'm am Independent and it's past silly listening to all of it.

[waynabq]

If you haven't already, e-mail Congress. Cut and paste the letter below if you wish.

Dear Madam Speaker/Representative,

I implore you to take action immediately and bring impeachment proceedings against President Bush and Vice President Cheney.

They have lied to Congress and the American people to start a war in Iraq that has cost the lives of over 3600 American troops and maimed 23,000 others and has destroyed the lives of millions of Iraqi families at a cost of $500 Billion taxpayer dollars.

We now have legalized warrantless wiretaps, sanctioned torture, kidnapping, secret prisons, and an escalation of the Iraq War that's leading to more death and destruction.

This administration has openly committed treason and commutated the sentence of a convicted conspirator, Scooter Libby, who committed perjury and obstructed justice in the Wilson/Plame scandal to cover treason committed by Cheney and Bush.

If this is not an impeachable offense, I don't know what is. Now the question is, do you value your political office more than defending our Constitution?

Do you have the leadership and courage to protect our Constitution and America? Or are you going to stand idly by while the criminals in the Whitehouse go unchecked?

Please, I implore you to take action now.
Posted by waynabq at 12:02 PM : Jul 14, 2007

[vet_sk]

Maliki will not order the death squads after we pull out but they will continue for a while until people tire of the *** and it will die out. They were living with each other before we invaded in relative peace. Saddam was building the largest mosque in the world in Baghdad for the Shia and Observatories and damns for the Kurds. If Saddam had not had his bad temper and took out then of thousands of Shia and Kurds for their insurrections, he would likely be seen now as the new great Babylonian ruler.

The problem is with the oil. The Kurds want it, the Sunnis need it but the Shia own most of the ground near Kirkuk where the oil is.

What were doing now is certaily not working. We should begin pulling out and let them take over the security of their own country. Their army will rise to the occastion - because they know the consequences if they don't. That's the one point the talking heads don't realize: people rise to the occation. We could also continue to pay the Iraqis for their Army for a couple of years (just a quarter of what it is costing us to stay there now) as long as their country stays stable.

Also for this to work, we need to put Bush on the fast track out of office - letting the Iraqis who lost market share (lives, lands, stability, and oil)know that we know that we made a horrible mistake and miscalculation by invading and are willing to correct it by getting rid of the Administration (cabal) that sent is there.

[lorinkundert]

Ok Bush, since Iraq has claimed that they don't need our troops, We can now leave without any regrets.

[samthetvcat]

"AJMarine1

Stop being so logical! You may force people to come out of little happy political cave to stand up and be an American rather than a *** or an elephant.

Wouldn't want that. Could lead to consensus and maybe even success..."

Posted by emtak1 at 12:01 PM : Jul 14, 2007

The 'logic' doesn't take into account the lack of accurate forsight on the part of Bush and company who thought nation-building would be a breeze. But I agree with AJMarine that it wasn't just about the oil, it was also about control of the oil, 'crusading', and not giving $ to Saddam, avenging his daddy, etc (jmo!)

[ajmarine1]

But I agree with AJMarine that it wasn't just about the oil, it was also about control of the oil, 'crusading', and not giving $ to Saddam, avenging his daddy, etc (jmo!)

Posted by SamTheTVCat at 12:13 PM : Jul 14, 2007

I would throw in "about changing the Middle East" with the other reasons.