WASHINGTON, Sept. 5, 2008
Bush To Unveil Iraq Troop Level Plan
President Expected To Follow Pentagon Advice To Withdraw Up To 8,000 Troops By January
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U.S. Army soldiers from Hawk Company, 3rd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, patrol in a village near Muqdadiyah, about 60 miles north of Baghdad in Iraq's volatile Diyala province, Aug. 2, 2008. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)
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Interactive Battle For Iraq The government, the insurgency, key players, background and photos.
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Photo Essay Week In Iraq Photos A daily diary with scenes of the latest attacks and snapshots from the effort to rebuild a nation.
The closely held plan forwarded by top Pentagon advisers calls for keeping 15 combat brigades in Iraq until the end of the year, according to senior defense officials. It would also send a small Marine contingent to Afghanistan in November to replace one of two units slated to head home then.
Mr. Bush is scheduled to make remarks Tuesday at the National Defense University in Washington. White House press secretary Dana Perino says he has been talking with his national security team and will be consulting with members of Congress about Iraq.
Under the Pentagon recommendations, one combat brigade - numbering between 3,500 to 4,000 troops - will leave Iraq after the first of the year and will not be replaced. In addition, at least one Marine battalion will leave and not be replaced, as well as a few thousand support forces, defense officials said.
Those forces could include military police officers and other support troops that went to Iraq over the past year to support the large military buildup ordered by Mr. Bush in early 2007 to quell the growing violence.
The new plan being reviewed by Mr. Bush may disappoint some Congress members and others who expected a larger, faster reduction of troops in Iraq, considering the significant downturn in violence. According to defense officials, violence has plunged by about 80 percent since last year's peak.
Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, delivered his recommendations to military leaders about two weeks ago. He had initially argued to maintain the current force levels in Iraq - about 146,000 troops, including 15 combat brigades and thousands of support forces - through June, according to defense officials.
Officials discussed details of the plan on condition of anonymity because Mr. Bush has not yet made a final decision.
"The question on the president's mind has been, 'How do we make sure that we cement those gains and not jeopardize those gains and be able to continue the process of return on success?"' said Perino.
If Mr. Bush adopts the recommendations, it would be left to the next president to execute further troop reductions in Iraq and a greater buildup in Afghanistan. Several more combat brigades are scheduled to leave Iraq during the first half of next year, and decisions must be made on whether or not to replace them.
Commanders have repeatedly asked for more troops in Afghanistan, where there has been a resurgence of the Taliban and a growth in violence.
Mr. Bush's term ends in January. Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama has advocated pulling all U.S. combat forces out of Iraq within 16 months of the new president taking office. GOP nominee John McCain has said he would rely on the advice of U.S. military commanders to determine the timing and pace of troop reductions. Both candidates have said more troops are needed in Afghanistan.
In other developments:
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- Is Oprah a Racist, or part of the liberally biased media, or is she just discriminating against moms with special needs kids?
Oprah refuses to interview Sarah Palin on her TV show because she choses her race over her gender! What happened to Equal Opportunity? Oprah interviewed Obama, Clinton, but refuses Sarah Palin the first woman in history to be nominated as a Republican VP? Maybe Oprah is just racist or prefers to not support other women? This is absolutely divisive. I''''m going to Oprah.com to email them and tell them what I think. I hope everyone goes to Oprahs website and emails her to demand that she invites Sarah before November!
Posted by praiseallah1
Perhaps Oprah doesn''t like Palin? Ever think of that?
She may be turned off by Zealot Bible Church Evangelicals. I definately would be in agreement with her! - Reply to this comment
- President Bush will announce his decision on future troops levels in Iraq next week and is expected to largely follow the recommendations of military leaders to reduce the number by up to 8,000 by mid-January.
It George Bush follows the advice of the military leaders it will be the First Time he has done so.
I don''t believe a word Mr Bush says anylonger. - Reply to this comment
- Bush & Cheney spying on the Prime Minister is a no brainer. Risk of Oil contracts with Russia.
The reason the US wants to stay in Iraq is they don t want the Russians signing contracts for Iraqi oil.
Before the Iraq invasion & occupation Russia was one of Iraqs largest oil customers. Russia is the second largest supplier of Oil on the planet. They are the Saudis competition.
The Saudis and BIG OIL used Bush to get rid of Saddam because he was undercutting their oil sales and profits by selling cheap to Russia. This caused a depression of oil market prices which hit historic lows prior to the Iraq invasion. - Reply to this comment
- The "surge" working? Like a pill to reduce the aids symptoms after you infect someone.How nice.
- Reply to this comment
- Bush with a plan? Like wiley coyote with his plan.
- Reply to this comment
- THE SURGE HAS SUCCEEDED SAID OBAMA, HE WAS WRONG THE WHOLE TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!
THE SURGE HAS SUCCEEDED SAID OBAMA, HE WAS WRONG THE WHOLE TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!THE SURGE HAS SUCCEEDED SAID OBAMA, HE WAS WRONG THE WHOLE TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!THE SURGE HAS SUCCEEDED SAID OBAMA, HE WAS WRONG THE WHOLE TIME!!!!!!!!!!!! HE FINALLY ADMITTED!!!
DO YOU REALLY WANT A PRESIDENT WHO ADMITS AFTER A YEAR THAT HE WAS WRONG THE WHOLE TIME? - Reply to this comment
- Is Oprah a Racist, or part of the liberally biased media, or is she just discriminating against moms with special needs kids?
Oprah refuses to interview Sarah Palin on her TV show because she choses her race over her gender! What happened to Equal Opportunity? Oprah interviewed Obama, Clinton, but refuses Sarah Palin the first woman in history to be nominated as a Republican VP? Maybe Oprah is just racist or prefers to not support other women? This is absolutely divisive. I''m going to Oprah.com to email them and tell them what I think. I hope everyone goes to Oprahs website and emails her to demand that she invites Sarah before November! - Reply to this comment
- Is Oprah a Racist, or part of the liberally biased media, or is she just discriminating against moms with special needs kids?
Oprah refuses to interview Sarah Palin on her TV show because she choses her race over her gender! What happened to Equal Opportunity? Oprah interviewed Obama, Clinton, but refuses Sarah Palin the first woman in history to be nominated as a Republican VP? Maybe Oprah is just racist or prefers to not support other women? This is absolutely divisive. I''m going to Oprah.com to email them and tell them what I think. I hope everyone goes to Oprahs website and emails her to demand that she invites Sarah before November! - Reply to this comment
ABOUT SARAH PALIN:
http://webpages.charter.net/suasponte/
If you really want to know Sarah Palin''s history (in detail) this is a "must read". It was written by Anne Kilkenny, a resident of Wasilla, Alaska.- Reply to this comment
- PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE
QUESTION: "WAS THE SURGE A SUCCESS?"
OBAMA: "DEPENDS..."
(that''''s how you answer rhetorical absolutes by using the word ''''depend'''', always use that first when calling up junkyard dogs like Sean Hannity who try to box you in)
OBAMA: (finishes) " IF THE SURGE WAS TO ALLOW BREATHING SPACE FOR RECONCILIATION, THAT HASN''''T HAPPENED...IF IT WAS TO BRING VIOLENCE DOWN, THAT WASN''''T THE REASON FOR THE SURGE".
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Posted by whitemale08 at 09:16 PM : Sep 05, 2008--
Because the first thing you''ve got to do when arguing with Republicans is "take away the ''absolute'' from the argument itself.
That leaves no where for these clowns to go because they stupidly believe in ''absolutes''.
Trust me, it''s my secret I use to defeat every Republican talking point. - Reply to this comment
- PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE
QUESTION: "WAS THE SURGE A SUCCESS?"
OBAMA: "DEPENDS..."
(that''s how you answer rhetorical absolutes by using the word ''depend'', always use that first when calling up junkyard dogs like Sean Hannity who try to box you in)
OBAMA: (finishes) " IF THE SURGE WAS TO ALLOW BREATHING SPACE FOR RECONCILIATION, THAT HASN''T HAPPENED...IF IT WAS TO BRING VIOLENCE DOWN, THAT WASN''T THE REASON FOR THE SURGE". - Reply to this comment
- P.S. Now some of you might ask "well if the purpose of the surge was to STAY IN IRAQ, then what''s the purpose of STAYING IN IRAQ?"
And the answer is simple: For the same reasons why the British East Company Financial Empire wanted us to stay in Vietnam; "to destroy our conventianal military no matter how long it took" and "to rely on contractors or a private mercenary to replace our military that can be contracted to differen countries around the world"
That my friends is the real reason, just like the Roman Empire contracted the Pratorean Guard. - Reply to this comment
- WAKE UP AMERICA!!!
HOW MANY TROOP WITHDRAWAL PLANS HAVE WE HEARD OF FOR THE LAST 6 YEARS?????
WE''RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE!!!
Has violence went down recently? Sure. But it''s still an occupation. AND YOU CAN''T WIN AN OCCUPATION!!!
I love how Obama last night on Oreilly conceded that the "surge" worked beyond anyones imagination but that the overall goals of reconciliation has not happened which was the "purpose of the surge".
Again, Bush lied to us about the "purpose of the surge" just like he lied about WMD.
THE SURGE WAS NOT TO "WIN THE WAR IN IRAQ" OR "GET THE JOB DONE FOR VICTORY"....
THE PURPOSE OF THE SURGE WAS "TO STAY AND STAY AND STAY IN IRAQ FOR A 100 YEARS"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
IF YOU REPUBLICANS CAN''T SEE THAT THEN YOU ARE STUPID STUPID BEYOND BELIEF TO BELIEVE THESE LYING PHONY POLITICIANS!!!!!!! - Reply to this comment
- Maybe making that info SIMPLE so the GULLIBLE CON BELIEVERS might understand would help.
A review of Obama''s tax plan shows he''ll REDUCE TAXES by THIS MUCH.
$161 to $227 THOUSAND PER YEAR: WILL GO DOWN BY $2,789
$112 to $161 THOUSAND PER YEAR: WILL GO DOWN BY $2,204
$66 to $112 THOUSAND PER YEAR: WILL GO DOWN BY $1,290
$38 to $66 THOUSAND PER YEAR: WILL GO DOWN BY $1,042
$19 to $38 THOUSAND PER YEAR: WILL GO DOWN BY $892
Under $19 THOUSAND PER YEAR: WILL GO DOWN BY $567
Ref: http://money.cnn.com/2008/06/11/news/economy/candidates_taxproposals_tpc/index.htm
Granted, taxes on a AFTER "write offs" income of $227 THOUSAND PER YEAR the taxes do go up a WHOOPING $12 until you make $603 THOUSAND PER YEAR.
So much for the (Mc)SAME/PAIN "tax cut" LIE!!! - Reply to this comment
- HAHAHAHAHA
HILARIOUS IF IT WASN''T SO STUPIDLY IRONIC!!!!
And McSame want to KEEP our troops FIGHTING ND DYING TO PROTECT THE RED CHINESE OIL FIELDS !!!
We spent a TRILLION DOLLARS and COUNTLESS LIVES DESTROYED to GIVE AWAY the IRAQ OIL to the RED CHINESE - along with OUR ECONOMY so WE CAN''T COMPETE!!!
McCain - PROVIDING and PUSHING for VICTORY IN IRAQ FOR THE CHINESE!!!
PRO-SURGE FOR RED CHINA McCain!
HAHAHAHA
Palin claims the surge has SUCCEEDED in ways NOBODY could have seen BUT McCain did.
"TERRIBLE and FAR REACHING CONSEQUENCES" but McCain SAVED the IRAQI OIL FIELDS for RED CHINA. (wonder if the Chinese have HIM on their PAYROLL)
SAME/PAIN for the GULLIBLE!!!! - Reply to this comment
- REAL SWEET for the CHINESE!
American TROOPS fighting and DYING to PROTECT CHINESE OIL FIELDS!!
HEY - McCain wants to KEEP them there FIGHTING AND DYING to PROTECT RED CHINESE owned OIL FIELDS TOO!!! - Reply to this comment
- Might it be Bush is finally "pulling out" from reaming Iraq because they''re SELLING their OIL FIELDS to CHINA!
At least THEY can AFFORD to PAY now that WE''VE emptied our treasury to them, the Bin Laden HOMELAND Saudi Arabia and the PROFITEERING CORPORATIONS moving to the Middle East!!
Iraq reaches oil agreement with China
ReutersPublished: August 28, 2008
BEIJING:
Iraq and China have agreed on the terms of a $3 billion oil service contract, the Iraqi oil minister said Wednesday, announcing his country''s first major oil contract with a foreign company since the fall of Saddam Hussein.
Iraq and the Chinese state-run oil company, CNPC, have agreed on the renegotiated terms of a deal signed in 1997 to pump oil from the Ahdab oil field, Shahristani said. CNPC is the biggest oil and gas company in Asia.
"Finally we have reached an agreement," Shahristani said. "The total investment of the project is expected to be about $3 billion."
With high oil prices and strong competition for access to some of the world''s cheapest oil to produce, Iraq has been negotiating from a position of strength.
CNPC would own 75 percent of a joint venture to be set up for the contract and Northern Oil of Iraq would own 25 percent, Shahristani said. - Reply to this comment
- ''Bush To Unveil Iraq Troop Level Plan..."
...just in time for the elections. Yep, foreign policy based on politics has long been a Bush administration trademark. - Reply to this comment
- Are we sending them to Georgia to fight the Russians?
- Reply to this comment
- The Iraq government should not be surprised at the "secret tapping of phones and hidden bugs" heck Bush and his horde have been doing it to AMERICANS FOR YEARS!
Now that Sadaam Insane is gone, they have every right to say " Get Out" to Bush and His Oil Company Pals.
We have been "saved enough" - Reply to this comment
Best-selling author Mitch Albom on his first nonfiction work since "Tuesdays with Morrie."
