Baghdad Is Too Hot For Iraqi Leaders?

Bob Schieffer: The Iraqi Parliament's August Vacation Is Too Much

(CBS)  Weekly commentary by CBS Evening News chief Washington correspondent and Face the Nation host Bob Schieffer.

---

I am still not sure that I believe it: The Iraqi parliament is going on vacation during the month of August.

The White House offers the lame excuse that, after all, Baghdad is hot in August – sometimes 130 degrees.

May I ask a follow-up?

How much hotter do you suppose it is if you are a wearing a helmet, full body armor, carrying ammunition and walking foot patrols through Baghdad?

The last I heard, that is how American troops are spending their August in Iraq.

For me, this does it.

God help the Iraqi people because there is not much America can do to help a government that leaves Americans dying in the streets while the parliament escapes to cooler climes.

Does this mean we should pull out immediately?

No. A sudden withdrawal could set the entire region aflame. The truth is there are no good options left. But from here on, we need to put aside the dream of building a democracy in Iraq and focus solely on what is in our national interest.

It won't be pretty, but for all our good intentions, about all we can do now is try to contain this mess, pull our troops back from the middle of this civil war, and concentrate instead on the terrorist threat that this country faces around the world.

As for what kind of government Iraq needs, let their parliament figure it out. They can get right on it when the Baghdad weather turns cooler.

---

E-mail Face the Nation.

[tbweb]

I watch Bob Schieffer every week and this week Bob was noticeably irritated, because no matter what his guest said Bob kept beating the drum asking why the Iraqi Government was taking the month of August off to go on vacation. I agree with you Bob, 1 million percent! I would have also raised the issue of the Iraqi Police ambushing an American Patrol a few days ago that seems to be lost in the reporting where it took a C-130 Gunship to rescue them killing 6 Iraqi Police for them to escape! The Iraqi Governments August vacation and the ambush and deadly crossfire by the Iraqi Police on American troops spell its time to get out of Iraq to me too, things will only get worst with trust further eroding.

[cfin5]

Mr. Schieffer is dead on with this article. Of all the topics that is discussed on Iraq with folks that I know both consevative and liberal, this one trumps ALL!....I've said it before that freedom is never appreciated when given as much as it is when EARNED. This is always a historical fact!....The Iraqi people are really going to have to knuckle down and hold onto their patriotism for dear life to counter the apathy of their leaders if freedom is to thrive. Seems to me that world leaders absolutely screwup more things than they help. It's like the "upper-crust" dross of humanity telling the refined silver how to be silver.

[ioweign]

Bob - Monkey see, monkey do, "executive privilege"

[stl-mo-usa]

Mr. Schieffer,

You certainly called that one right!!!
At this point, we just need to bring our troops home & let Iraq take care of their own problems.

There is no one on this earth that deserves a vacation or "break" more than our troops.

[pastdue1]

You are right, Bob Schieffer, we all are standing around with our mouth agape at the audacity of Iraqi politicians, and also at our own politicians. However, we should not be too surprised as this seems to be how the entire "war on terror" has been conducted.
Hopefully, some of our own politicians heard you and know how disgusted the public is.

[talex26]

Bob Schieffer's Walter Cronkite Moment!!!

[lhwrites]

And of course, where do we think the commander in chief of the military will be spending his summer vacation? Too bad all 160,000 American troops can't join him in Crawford, Texas. I really don't want to hear from him anymore about how we all need to sacrifice for the war effort. The only one's paying for this war are our kids in uniform, their families, and their loved ones.

[pacalo-2009]

Thank you, Mr. Schieffer.

I've taken note for some time that, sadly, our overworked troops have nothing to smile about, yet every time I've seen Mr. Bush he looks rested and cheerful. Why is that?

[m5e6sal]

Bob Schieffer's comments this morning about Iraq's Parliment were "right on". Why doesnt the congress and the President of the United States listen to Mr. Schieffer - - an intellgent man that gets to the truth and is not afraid to express his views. Mr. Scheiffer - -have you ever thought of running for President???

[bluestardad]

WITH THESE BOZOS GONE WHO IS GOING TO MAKE THE BENCH MARKS BEFORE THE SEPTEMBER TIME TABLE?

AMERICAN TAX PAYER IS BUYING THEIR VACATION!

[endthiswar]

Thank You Mr. Schieffer for your comments on this Endless, Senseless War. Too hot for the Iraqi lawmakers, just another gruelling day for American Troops. Our war effort seems to provide access to live American targets by people who cannot find an easy way to get to America and carry out an attack on the citizens of this country.

If we leave Iraq it will get worse? For Whom?

If we leave Iraq they will follow us here? Surely our military can return to America in a way that the insurgients cannot easily follow their trail. Given all of the security measures that have been put in place since 9/11 how easy can it be for them to come here and spread the terror? A flimsy lie at best. Thanks again Mr. Schieffer, KEEP UP THE PRESSURE!

[w8lift4life]

I am a soldier's mom.I am so sick and tired of our elected officials saying they"Support the Troops" and then turn around and ignore them,or worrse-use the troops to further their own political/financial agenda.My son has been to Iraq three times,and is looking at a 4th.I have lost him.He has severe PTSD,but this is irrelevant to cowards like Lindsey Graham,who won't send their own kids.Thanks,Bob.Keep speaking out for our troops.The US media has lost it's nerve.

[learn_decide]

While I fully agree with today's commentary, I couldn't help but reflect on our own government. The members of Congress spend hours and $ endlessly debating issues and rarely solving any of our "big problems." Yet, we expect a new government with such diverse, confrontational beliefs to solve insurmountable problems in a few months. Anyone conversant with our history, know it took us a lot longer than that. Should their government take a vacation during a time of war? Absolutely not, unless like our Congress, they take this time to meet with their constituents and find a middle ground. Then we have to believe that, unlike our Legislative and Executive branches, they will take what the learn, make key decisions, fix the problems, and form a working government.

[elz523]

Only our troops, their families and ordinary Iraqis are suffering from this war. Bush and his rich buddies get the tax breaks and the vacations. If this war is worth fighting all US citizens, including Bush and his rich friends as well as the Iraqi government need to sacrifice. That is the only way to reach an acceptable conclusion to this mess.

[middleman8]

Bob you missed one little point. The Iraq people did not ask for American troops to come in to their country. These troops are all volenteers, doing what they volenteered to do. as for all the terrible armor and safety equipment the troops wear they could strip doun to rags and sandals like the Iraqi. If the american government can not be controled, why expect to control the Iraqi government?

[elz523]

Bob you missed one little point. The Iraq people did not ask for American troops to come in to their country. These troops are all volenteers, doing what they volenteered to do. as for all the terrible armor and safety equipment the troops wear they could strip doun to rags and sandals like the Iraqi. If the american government can not be controled, why expect to control the Iraqi government?
Posted by middleman8 at 07:11 PM : Jul 15, 2007

How many of our National Guard troops volunteered to do 3 year long tours of duty?

[kevin4258]

Thank you Mr. Schieffer! We need more people in the media like you who have intelligence and common sense!

[middleman8]

'How many National volunteered for 3 year tours"

No N G volunteered for tours of duty overseas. The National guard is soppossed to be what it says, To guard the nation,and to cover emergency's, not invade foregin countries overseas.
Mr Schieffer is pointing the blame in the wrong direction.

[jjulian1009]

As a Vietnam Veteran, I deeply appreciate your making the tough decision to call for the redeployment of American troops from this tragic civil war in Iraq.

I know how it feels to be caught in the crossfire of a bloody civil war for which it is plain that there are no clear and attainable objectives, if there ever were any such, to justify the death and maiming done to your brothers-in-arms and the carnage inevitably perpetrated on many thousands of innocent civilians.

It is reprehensible for America's political leadership to continue resending our troops into harm's way in order to prop up a dysfunctional "failed state" whose own people want us to withdraw and whose government's safe (and cool) politicians have not shown the slightest sense of urgency to resolve Iraq's paralytic sectarian divisions.

As long as American troops are there to do the sweating, killing and dieing for them, this current bunch of egregious Iraqi politicians will never feel compelled to take the steps required for Iraq to evolve into whatever stable form of government (or governments) that its cobbled hodgepodge of fragmented groups finally become.

[jjulian1009]

As a Vietnam Veteran, I deeply appreciate your making the tough decision to call for the redeployment of American troops from this tragic civil war in Iraq.

I know how it feels to be caught in the crossfire of a bloody civil war for which it is plain that there are no clear and attainable objectives, if there ever were any such, to justify the death and maiming done to your brothers-in-arms and the carnage inevitably perpetrated on many thousands of innocent civilians.

It is reprehensible for America's political leadership to continue resending our troops into harm's way in order to prop up a dysfunctional "failed state" whose own people want us to withdraw and whose government's safe (and cool) politicians have not shown the slightest sense of urgency to resolve Iraq's paralytic sectarian divisions.

As long as American troops are there to do the sweating, killing and dieing for them, this current bunch of egregious Iraqi politicians will never feel compelled to take the steps required for Iraq to evolve into whatever stable form of government (or governments) that its cobbled hodgepodge of fragmented groups finally become.

[johnshaft4]

Perhaps, the Iraqi "Congress" could spend the month of August in the cool Crawford, TX weather with Boy George.
This is getting surreal...

[cbs_oliver]

Iraq really doesn't belong to Iraqis as long as we remain in control and claim to be the deciders of whether they are doing things right or not.

The Iraqi leadership might as well take a vacation. Nothing they do matters to us except doing our bidding.

It's really time for us to leave.

Every day we remain we drive the Iraqis further away from order and peace and ourselves slip further and further into disgrace and dishonor.

We have done enough damage to them and to ourselves.

There must be other places we can destroy.

Bob:

Do you ever consider the fact that you might be wrong about Iraq and George Bush?

And if a holiday by the Iraqi Parliament sends you into hyperspasms, what about our Congress? What have they accomplished this session? A few courthouse names. What else? Did you give them any benchmarks for success? Unless your benchmarks were zero, they failed. And did you complain about the summer recess for our Congress while "Americans were dying in the streets?" I don't think so. But consistency is not really your bag, is it? Bashing Bush is your bag. Et tu Bobe?


Pep Slater
Newport Beach, CA

[ikez78]

Hmm...Bob...parroting DNC talking points and we shouldn't think you are biased? I thought CBS figured this out after Rather.

Why in the world should I trust your reporting at all on Iraq when all you are doing is taking one side, as always the Democrat side, and reporting only that sides point of view? Why should anyone who isn't a Democrat or interested in the whole story ever watch or believe a word you say?

I know you think there is nothing wrong with what you are doing but it's quite obvious you can't see beyond your beltway, msm, dnc little bubble as to what Iraq and the Middle East could degenerate into without a U.S. presence but try stepping out of your ideological box for a minute and thinking about it. You don't have to tell your peers.

[toldyouso21]

know you think there is nothing wrong with what you are doing but it's quite obvious you can't see beyond your beltway, msm, dnc little bubble as to what Iraq and the Middle East could degenerate into without a U.S. presence but try stepping out of your ideological box for a minute and thinking about it. You don't have to tell your peers.
Posted by ikez78 at 01:40 AM : Jul 16, 2007


Yep. Just look what Iraq and the Middle East have degenerated to WITH a US presence. Face it, we turned every Middle Eastern person into potential extremists and turned the region into a hellhole. That is what a few well placed lies, some bombs and ammo and a man with a complex about achievement and besting his own dad will net us. We do note that you can say what you will about Bob--but you seem not to have words for Al Maliki et al saying we can leave anytime AND for their vacation while Americans and the Ordinary Iraqi citizens have to suffer. Inconvenient truths? Lmao

[toldyouso21]

How many of our National Guard troops volunteered to do 3 year long tours of duty?

Posted by elz523 at 07:18 PM : Jul 15, 2007

Whatever or however the men and women in the guard serve and at whose pleasure is besides the point. at least they are being paid for their forced labor to George's vision. Plus our dead has not even reached 5K and to date, very few women and children have been murdered in our version of the Iraq war. ON the other hand, the people who actually live in the country we invaded and are occupying, never asked for this war, their deaths may number into the hundreds of thousands or even over a million and they NEVER, EVER were given a choice in our little war.

We claim to be killing them to free them--but nobody ever asked them. Some kind of freedom--dying in a war that another country started and forced all of them to be a part of. There is NO comparison. America committed an evil act and no amount of whitewashing or make up will ever change that fact about this war. This was a horror of choice--NOT for the Iraqis--we gave them no choice, but it was a choice for us. To impose ourselves at the expense of others or not. And then we want everyone else to be grateful for the hell we unleashed.

[sabbott4]

I saw Bob's commentary yesterday. I am a conservative Republican and was quite sure about this war to begin with. Now I want us to get out! We have never done nation building well and I do not see the Iraqi people stepping up to build their own country. I agree with Bob 100%. If their government is going on vacation for a month, what the hell are our troops doing in harms way over there? It's time for us to come home!

[skeezix06]

Funny thing. I caught a few minutes of Hannity and Oliver North yesterday on the radio. What did they say?... Oh yes. Our soldiers are dying so that we can have freedom and fun. I guess that means we party while they die? Some fun.

Time to leave and I don't really see any reason to be overly orderly about it.

As far as what happens to the Iraqis, well, those who could leave already have become refugees in neighboring countries and to be blunt about it, I doubt those too poor to leave will see much difference between the daily bloodbaths that we're having now and the ones they'll continue to have after we leave.

[aegle55]

Tony Snow is like his boss. He opens his mouth
and barnyard dung comes out. The US Military
is over there not by choice. The Iraqi leaders
are there because it is their country. Yes, it is hot
in August, but like some other people wrote in the
troops are in the field with full armor. Just think
'DUB'L UU and Tricky ***' only have about 553
days left. Won't that be a glorious day.!:? ./..

If the Iraqi government can take August off for a vacation then the American soldiers should get the same- a permanent one! Wonder if these leaders are packing their bags with more than their sunscreen and clothes and are in fact planning to take a permanent leave from the country they don't seem willing to take charge and govern. Support our troops? Yes, I do. I want them OUT of these disaster which Bush has created.

Another comment was made about our leaders taking vacations. I totally agree. Not only should the Iraqi leaders NOT take a vacation during war time, but neither should Congress or the President. If we are at war, OUR leaders as well as theirs should be working "overtime" to seek an end to this war and not take off for some R and R when our soldiers are fighting and dying or sustaining horrible wounds. Shame on all of them for taking vacation time during wartime.

[clestes-2009]

Bush offers the excuse that it is hot in August, so the parliment deserves a vacation?????

What crock is this??????

Here is the truth, unvarnish and plain spoken.

The Iraqi parliment, which is in deadlock, is taking 30 days off. Some US troops will DIE on the streets, every single day in August. These people are NOT serious about putting a democracy in place.

It is PAST TIME to start bringing our troops home. Even one more US death is toooo much. The sad fact is more than that will die while the Iraqi parliment vacations!!!

[clestes-2009]

ikez78

If you doubt that Schiffer is telling the truth, check it out. You will find that what he is saying is the truth. The Iraqi parliment is taking the month of August off.

So I guess you don't have a problem with them vacationing while US troops die in the effort to help them a ligit government????

[ajax52151]

I do believe we need to withdraw our troops from Iraq at this time. They are not fighting a war but trying to impose a form of government on a country that is being fought over by conflicting sectarian groups eager to impose their own form of government. We should leave Iraq but establish a strong presence in Kuwait. An American Army sitting on the Iraqi border would always be a threat to whatever political entity emerges and eventually that entity would have to negotiate with the U.S.

[willso-2009]

Come back Bob, come back to the CBS evening news.
Bravo and spot on!

[perception5]

Thanks Bob for your "dependable" liberal take on this issue.

Our Congress is also going on a month long break and we in America ALSO have very important issues to resolve.

But Bob, I never hear you or your corrupt liberal news/political station going after our own Democrat controlled Congress........I wonder why?

CBS (Corrupt Broadcasting Station) do you really think you have any "credibility left" ??

Your are only credible to those folks that you have "contaminated with your left-wing" propaganda for the past serveral decades.

Really sad......

[briannorwood]

perception5:

You still drinking the Kool-aid? In case you didn't notice, there are only about 20% of you who still think we should stay in Iraq. The rest of us have come to our senses!

[perception5]

You still drinking the Kool-aid? In case you didn't notice, there are only about 20% of you who still think we should stay in Iraq. The rest of us have come to our senses!
Posted by briannorwood at 12:17 PM : Jul 16, 2007

........briannorwood, get a clue, liberal, all Americans want our troops home no one more than our President.

The issue is what's the "best" way to accomplish that while leaving in place a government that was "elected by the people for the people"

Get it? clueless

[drummer94]

"22 bullet-riddled bodies..." in 130 degree heat? Take the departed to the ministries and see if they still think they need a vacation while this is going on. Perception5. You still don't get it. WE SHOULD NOT HAVE WENT THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE. "elected by the people for the people"-- you forgot, hand picked by George Bush.

[perception5]

"22 bullet-riddled bodies..." in 130 degree heat? Take the departed to the ministries and see if they still think they need a vacation while this is going on. Perception5. You still don't get it. WE SHOULD NOT HAVE WENT THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE. "elected by the people for the people"-- you forgot, hand picked by George Bush.
Posted by drummer94 at 12:27 PM : Jul 16, 2007


......drummer94, I guess I'm dealing with another clueless liberal.

985 Americans were killed in Iraq in 2006

16,185 Americans were killed in America in 2006

Most of the 16,185 were killed in your "deep blue" cities drummer94. Cities where liberal Democrats like you have had "one party rule" for DECADES AND GENERATIONS.

dummerboy, if you want to save "Americans" from being killed START IN YOUR OWN LOCAL "DEEP BLUE" CITY.

And the ENABLERS of these killings, 16,185 our America's CORRUPT LIBERAL MSM WOLFPACK PRESS sho refuse to "shine any light".

Really sad .......and Really TRUE.

[briannorwood]

perception5:

Look, this was a ill conceived war that was hyped by Bush/Cheney and the neocons with the mistaken idea that we could spread American style democracy throughout the middle east. They were wrong.

Second, the war was terribly managed. At every turn, where there were choices to be made, this administration made the wrong ones.

Now, 4 1/2 years later, with billions of dollars spent and tens of thousands of lives lost, we find ourselves in the middle of a civil war -- and no end in sight.

"Best" way out? Sorry pal, but the opportunity for a "best way out" is long, long passed.

Yes. It is possible (as we learned in Vietnam) to screw things up so badly that victory is indeed unattainable.

So, you can keep on hoping against hope that some miracle is going to happen, or you can accept reality.

[drummer94]

yea lackof. And in 2007 there will be another 16,000 killed. And in 2008, 2009 etc. Conservatives like you have nothing to fear except your own perception of a boogeyman. I don't want to see another 985 Americans killed in Iraq for some pervert's warped vision of grandeur. Where is your vice-chimp Cheney? Counting his blood money with the Saudi"s?

[tejasdemo]

Pathetic

[briannorwood]

drummer94:


Good question! Where the heck has Cheney been? At another undesclosed location? I guess since the insurgency is in it's final throes, he decided to go on summer vacation with the Iraqi parlement!

[clestes-2009]

perception5

What is your problem? Schiffer is only reporting the true facts.

The Iraqi parliment is taking the month of August for a vacation. Our troops are DYING every day while they are on vacation.

And that is OK with you???

And don't bleep at me about US Congress taking a vacation. We don't have foreign troops occupying our country while trying to establish a govn.

[sjc_1]

"...and focus solely on what is in our national interest."

I thought this was what it was about all along, except our national interests were never accurately outlined.

First it was WMD, then liberation, then democratization and now a peaceful Baghdad.

When the story keeps changing and we are suppose to forget what the previous reason was, it is hard to understand WHAT our national interests truly are, except the oil.

[perception5]

yea lackof. And in 2007 there will be another 16,000 killed. And in 2008, 2009 etc. Conservatives like you have nothing to fear except your own perception of a boogeyman. I don't want to see another 985 Americans killed in Iraq for some pervert's warped vision of grandeur. Where is your vice-chimp Cheney? Counting his blood money with the Saudi"s?
Posted by drummer94 at 12:42 PM : Jul 16, 2007


........ so drummerboy, you and the rest of your liberal pals are OK with 16,185 Americans being killed in America every year????

Is this what you call Social Justice ??

Really sad......... let's hear some more "EXCUSES" from the contaminated liberals.

OR are we just going to "continue" to ignore this crime???

[drummer94]

Never said that perp. Since you didn't expound on the manner of those 16000 deaths, I assume you meant murder, accidents, etc. I do get a little involved. I donate to the American cancer society ( I've taken a few hits from that killer), and the local chapter of M.A.D.D. (ditto) Politcs-wise I let my reps. know exactly where I stand on all issues facing us. They, being politicians, don't listen very well,'till the voices come together as they are now. The damage is done though, I'm afraid.

[swhit2115]

Mr. Schieffer - Replayed your commentary over many times. Absolutely great! I can only hope our politians and especially the 'White House' not only hears the message but LISTENS as well! Too hot... hmmmmm

[clestes-2009]

perception5,

All your flamboyant opinions don't mean anything. Where are the facts?

Also you didn't answer my question. Or is that you can't.