New Military Plan At Odds With Congress

Revised Strategy Assumes Iraqi Forces Won't Be Ready To Stabilize Nation's Security Until 2009

(CBS/AP)  A revised U.S. military plan envisions establishing security at the local level in Baghdad and elsewhere by the summer of 2008, although it likely would take another year to get Iraqi forces ready to enforce any newfound stability, U.S. officials said Tuesday.

Known as the Joint Campaign Plan, developed in tandem by Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, and his political counterpart in Baghdad, Ambassador Ryan Crocker, it reflects a timetable starkly at odds with the push by many American legislators to wind down U.S. involvement in a matter of months.

Petraeus and Crocker are due to testify before Congress in September on how the current strategy is working and whether it needs to be revised. The strategy was announced in broad terms by President George W. Bush in January, when he ordered five extra Army brigades to Baghdad to help implement it. But the more detailed campaign plan was developed in the months following — not to alter the strategy but to give it depth, with detailed avenues of approach.

Meanwhile, President Bush on Tuesday lashed out at critics who say that al Qaeda's operation in Iraq is distinct from those who attacked the United States in 2001.

"Al Qaeda in Iraq is run by foreign leaders loyal to Osama bin Laden," Mr. Bush said. "Like bin Laden, they are cold-blooded killers who murder the innocent to achieve al Qaeda's objectives."

Citing security details he declassified for his speech, Mr. Bush described al Qaeda's burgeoning operation in Iraq as a direct threat to the United States. In derisive terms, Mr. Bush accused critics in Congress of misleading the American public by suggesting otherwise.

"That's like watching a man walk into a bank with a mask and a gun and saying, 'He's probably just there to cash a check,'" Mr. Bush told troops at South Carolina's Charleston Air Force Base.

Democrats pounced on the president, reports CBS News chief White House correspondent Jim Axelrod.

"The president is trying to scare the American people into believing that al Qaeda is the rationale for continuing the war in Iraq," said Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., at a news conference.

Also Tuesday, the U.S. and Iranian ambassadors to Iraq sat down for a second round of groundbreaking of talks on stabilizing Iraq, a session marred by a tense exchange over American allegations that Iran is fueling the violence.

Col. Steve Boylan, chief spokesman for Petraeus, said the revised plan is still in the final editing stages and has not yet been put fully into effect. He said that while it sets an initial goal of achieving localized security by summer 2008, it does not make assumptions about specific levels of U.S. troops between now and then — including how long the five extra brigades will stay.

The campaign plan's timeline was first reported in Tuesday's editions of The New York Times.

Boylan stressed in a telephone interview that like any military campaign plan, this one is subject to revision as conditions on the ground evolve. Thus the summer 2008 goal, he said, should be seen as "a place holder, a mark on the wall," not an immovable commitment.

The plan envisions using locally based security initiatives, such as those that in western Anbar province have proven successful in reducing insurgent violence this year, as a starting point. Such efforts are now under way elsewhere in Iraq, including some parts of Baghdad.

That approach, it is hoped, will encourage movement at the national level to achieve political reconciliation, which is the ultimate objective.

There are early signs, however, that the Shiite-dominated government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is unwilling to move in that direction. His office has expressed anger at recent U.S. efforts to empower local Sunni groups in an alliance against the al Qaeda in Iraq insurgent group — apparently out of suspicion that these Sunni groups will become extralegal militias allied against his government.

The Petraeus-Crocker plan is based on more than military strategy. It factors in a combination of political, economic, security and diplomatic efforts — along the lines Mr. Bush has described in recent months — plus actions to be taken by the Iraqi government. That includes movement on long-stalled legislation on the distribution of oil revenues, plus measures to bring more Sunnis who were members of Saddam Hussein's Baath Party into the government, and other measures designed to promote reconciliation and build a government of national unity.

Petraeus began developing the plan shortly after he arrived in Baghdad in February to replace Gen. George Casey, whose campaign plan focused more on transferring security responsibility to the Iraqi government than on establishing security throughout the capital.

Stephen Biddle, who was a member of a group that advised Petraeus last spring on development of the strategy, said in a recent interview that he saw little chance of success if the U.S. military continued to try to establish security, unconditionally, across all of Baghdad.

A better approach, Biddle said, is to use U.S. military power more selectively in a "carrot-and-stick" approach that rewards insurgent groups that choose to accept offers of a cease-fire. They would not be forcibly disarmed; they would choose to stop fighting. Those who refuse to cooperate would be dealt with militarily.

Even that more-nuanced approach, in Biddle's estimation, stands only about a 1-in-10 chance of succeeding.

Many Democrats in the U.S. Congress have argued that the only way to force al-Maliki's government into movement on the political front is to set a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. forces. Some argue this should begin as early as this year, or at least by next spring.

[jalexson]

President Bush Should Resign If...

The Constitution assigns the President the exclusive power of being Commander in Chief of the nation's military forces. The President has the sole authority to determine whether to commit troops to battle, how to conduct the battle and when to withdraw troops. Congress may have the authority to declare war or appropriate money to fight a war, but only the President can decide if troops will fight the war.

If Congress attempts to take away President George Bush's power to determine how troops are used in a combat zone, President Bush should recognize the action as a coup that removes him from office and submit his resignation as President. Vice President *** Cheney should then follow his example and allow the person Congress has chosen as Bush's replacement, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, to become President.

Then if Congress' decision to retreat from Iraq resulted in a disaster, American voters would hold Pelosi and her fellow Democrats responsible for the disaster. Democrats want a situation in which they can claim credit for getting troops out of Iraq and they can blame George W. Bush if the action results in disaster. If Bush resigned, Democrats wouldn't be able to blame anyone else for their mistake.

.

[lars008-2009]

because shrub got us there,
Posted by drummer94 at 02:32 PM : Jul 25, 2007

nope saddam got us there...

the war is legal

the resumption of hostilities was only a matter of time since iraq broke the ceasefire agreement.....

blame saddam for iraq%u2026%u2026. Even clintoon and the dems wanted the resumption of hostilities back in 1998

"We know that he has stored secret supplies of biological and chemical weapons throughout his country." - Al Gore, Sept. 23, 2002

"Iraq's search for weapons of mass destruction has proven impossible to deter and we should assume that it will continue for as long as Saddam is in power." - Al Gore, Sept. 23, 2002

Moreover, no international law can prevent the United States from taking actions to protect its vital interests, when it is manifestly clear that there is a choice to be made between law and survival. I believe, however, that such a choice is not presented in the case of Iraq. Indeed, should we decide to proceed, that action can be justified within the framework of international law rather than outside it. In fact, though a new UN resolution may be helpful in building international consensus, the existing resolutions from 1991 are sufficient from a legal standpoint. - Al Gore, Sept. 23, 2002
http://www.gwu.edu/~action/2004/gore/gore092302sp.html

[drummer94]

The history lesson has what to do with, Sunni, Shiite, Kurds, hell, taliban and alkida slaughtering each other and because shrub got us there, American G.I.'s? If those POLITICAL ideologys were still valid, Allah would not be a factor.

[lars008-2009]

" facist nazi terrorislamic " Uh, aren't those contradictory?
Posted by drummer94 at 02:10 PM : Jul 25, 2007

It is convenient for fascist nazi Islamic muslims to forget that the "Grand Mufti of Jerusalem" went to Germany as a guest of Hitler during WWII...and begged Hitler to find the "final solution" to the jewish problem. This same Grand mufti used his influence to raise Two Muslim SS Divisions in Yugoslavia (Kosovo) and Albaina. These divisions were responsible for the murder of almost 1 Million jews, Serbs and Gypsies.

This same Grand Mufti was the maternal uncle of Yassir Arafat! The Mufti's war continues today worldwide.
http://www.sullivan-county.com/immigration/nazi_arab.htm
http://www.sullivan-county.com/id4/mufti.htm
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=grand+mufti of jerusalem

ascist nazi islamic muslims
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=nazi muslim
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=nazi islam
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=fascist islam&btnG=Search
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=fascist muslim
http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=nazi muslim&fr=yfp-t-501&toggle=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8
http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=nazi islam&fr=yfp-t-501&toggle=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8
http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=fascist islam&fr=yfp-t-501&toggle=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8
http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A0geuqkyKctFlMAArxtXNyoA?p=fascist muslim&ei=UTF-8&fr=yfp-t-501&x=wrt

[iceman_1960]

"the surge is working"

If this is success, I'd hate to see what failure looks like.

[iceman_1960]

"hahahaha
the surge is working...
it works when fascist nazi terrorislam is confronted...
hahahahaha"
- Posted by lars008 at 01:49 PM : Jul 25, 2007

Baghdad bombers target soccer celebrations, killing 50

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Car bombers targeted throngs of Iraqis Wednesday as they spilled into Baghdad streets to cheer a national soccer victory, killing at least 50 people and leaving scores more wounded.

Source:

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/07/25/iraq.main/index.html

[drummer94]

" facist nazi terrorislamic " Uh, aren't those contradictory?

[pepperp1]

Bush and the Pentagon are using our soldier%u2019s lives in this fairy tale as a political prop to avoid the crushing loses of the GOP in 08 and taunt Congress. This plan is a joke; we do not have the money, will, or troops to continue staying the course in Iraq until Bush leaves. They are just setting the GOP talkudrama hate speech sound bites so they can say.... if we had just spent another quarter of a trillion dollars on Iraq and....if we just had 3,000 more US solider to have sacrificed..... and if those soldiers would just have agreed to serve their 9th tour in Iraq, we Repugs could have won our war against Al Qaeda if not for those.....chicken dems.

What Congress needs ensure is that they do not to fall for this trap and endanger our troops further by cutting funding, there is every reason and historic proof that the current Generals and Commander in Chief have made make many, many mistakes, and that those mistakes have cost many of our soldiers and Iraqi lives. The question that would need to be answered before funding is cut is hwat is the plan is it do able, at what risk and who would oversee the effort. As with the Libby faux pardon, some would argue this ruling crowd has nothing to loose if the withdrawal plan is not managed well and many mistakes made a powerful propaganda tool to yield.

One suggestion is to bring back the competent retired Generals that Rumsfield pushed out and give them oversight of the next phase.

[iceman_1960]

"Our Prophet commanded us to fight the kaafirs" - lars008

So go fight them already.

[lars008-2009]

it is fascist nazi terrorislam stupid%u2026.

non muslims of the world unite... fight against the tyranny of the fascist nazi terrorslam imperialist empire of the darkside...

Our Prophet commanded us to fight the kaafirs when we are able and to attack them in their homelands and to give them three choices before we enter their lands: either they become Muslim and be like us, sharing our rights and duties; or they pay the jizyah (poll tax) and feel themselves subdued; or they fight, in which case their wealth, women, children and homes become permissible as booty for the Muslims.
http://islamqa.com/index.php?ref=13759&ln=eng&txt=before%20islam%20arabia%20pagan

[drummer94]

Michael "crazy legs" Vick, a mediocre player, at best. George "loony - toon" Bush. a mediocre human being, at best.

[drummer94]

The only thing "surging" for lars is his pants. He won't get up long enough to take one, and the rest is being spat out- over n over n over.

[iceman_1960]

Michael Vick has a better approval/disapproval rating than George W. Bush.

And rightly so.

Source:

http://rasmussenreports.com/public_content/lifestyle/michael_vick_57_unfavorable


IMPEACH BUSH NOW.

[iceman_1960]

That Patton speech at youtube that lars008 keeps posting, is labelled there as a PARODY.

The same author has parodies of Governor Schwarzenegger denying a pardon to Paris Hilton, and another about American Idol.

lars008 posted it as if it were a serious call to arms.

lars008's own posted sources are his own worst enemies.

[iceman_1960]

"Geeeeeeezzzz, Icedude. You don't actually read any of those rants do ya?"
- Posted by drummer94 at 01:47 PM : Jul 25, 2007

But of course.

How else would anyone know that "the surge in working" ????

Certainly not from any reliable assessment.


["hahahaha

the surge is working..." - lars008]

[lars008-2009]

please support our troops

demonic-rats won't fight the fascist nazi terrorislamic war...

Incredible! George S Patton's New Speech-Iraq & modern world
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyUX6wV1lBQ
http://www.vidspedia.com/incredible-george-s-pattons-new-speech-iraq-modern-world.html
http://www.viralvideochart.com/youtube/incredible_george_s_pattons_new_speechiraq_amp_modern_world?id=xyUX6wV1lBQ
http://noisyroom.net/blog/?p=20868
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4096841987847252972

[iceman_1960]

"Replace Bush with Michael Vick"

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Accused animal abuser, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick only has a 57% unfavorable rating.

That's better than Dubya's 65%.

Source: Rasmussen

[lars008-2009]

hahahaha

the surge is working...

it works when fascist nazi terrorislam is confronted...

hahahahaha

Poll: More Muslims Reject Bombings
Muslims around the world increasingly reject suicide bombings and other violence against civilians in defense of Islam, according to a new international poll dealing with how the world's population judges their lives, countries and national institutions.
A wide ranging survey of international attitudes in 47 countries by the Pew Research Center also reported that in many of the countries where support for suicide attacks has declined, there has also has been decreasing support for al-Qaida leader Osama bin-Laden.
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8QJ5M000&show_article=1

[drummer94]

Geeeeeeezzzz, Icedude. You don't actually read any of those rants do ya? Actually I'm glad you do a little anyway. Then you can call him on a few things (like the JFK quote) and him and his ilk usually scurry away.

[iceman_1960]

That should read "39% Favor Impeaching Bush"

Source:

http://rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/39_favor_impeaching_bush


Also, "100% favor sending lars008 to the fighting in Iraq, to personally demonstrate his Patton-esque determination to do more than keystroke for the cause of war."