Bin Laden raid leader: Keep commandos in Iraq

WASHINGTON - The admiral tapped to be the new commander of U.S. special operations forces says a small commando force should remain in Iraq after the end of the year, when all American troops are scheduled to leave.

Vice Adm. William McRaven was a key leader of the U.S. SEAL team operation that killed Osama bin Laden in May. He told a Senate committee Tuesday that while Iraqi leaders have not formally asked for some U.S. troops to remain, it would be "mutually beneficial" to keep some special operations forces there.

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McRaven's nomination to head U.S. Special Operations Command is being considered by the Senate Armed Services Committee. He has spent his career in special operations.

The roughly 46,000 U.S. troops in Iraq are set to leave by year's end.

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On May 1, the night of the raid that killed bin Laden, McRaven gave reports on the mission's status to CIA Director Leon Panetta, who relayed them to President Obama and his top advisers while they waited in the White House Situation Room.

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McRaven was in charge of the mission. His identity has been one of the more lower-ranking ones associated with the mission and its success, something that isn't likely to change given the SEALs' reputation as "the quiet professionals."

[lucifersshadow]

They never change their tune at all, they just want to keep those dollors flowing to the military industrial complex.

[lucifersshadow]

Sure, let's keep them there . . . as long as he is willing to foot the bill for it. If not, we can't afford it.

[you_MAY_be_right]

OK, but if our sons stay, how much is Iraq going to pay?

[rightbehind]

For what has been spent on the two corporate wars we could have put solar power on 1 of every 3 single family homes in the United States.

[cbsnacilbuper]

Wait, I thought the White House removed theirs?


Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced in October that after a nearly three-decade hiatus. the White House would once again have a solar water-heating system mounted on its roof, as well as photovoltaic cells.

Chu said the panels would be up "by the end of this spring." Spring ended Monday, and the panels aren't there

[signseeker1717]

Solar panels were originally put in place under Carter, removed by Reagan in 1986. A new system WILL be placed on the roof soon. The U.S. Department of Energy, which is managing the project, attributed the delay to the ordinary deliberate pace of the federal government procurement process (40 solar companies bidded on the project). The planning is also deliberate because of the historic significance of the White House.

[cbsnacilbuper]

More cover your ass from Obama. Watch, troops in Iraq past this year, count on it.

[signseeker1717]

Read the article - he's talking about SPECIAL OPERATIONS. Do you honestly believe the highly-decorated Vice Adm. McRaven, who has spent his entire career in special operations (since 1976), and served under presidents Carter, Reagan, both Bushes and now Obama has suddenly become some sort of political stooge to "cover" for President Obama? BALDERDASH