Iraqi leaders call on U.S. to set withdrawal schedule

What part of "I am in favor of the war" do you not understand, Joseph?

Also, just because someone doesn't agree with your hyper-macho position on the war doesn't make him either a coward or a traitor.

Frankly, it's viewpoints such as yours that drove me away from calling myself a Republican and becoming an independent so that I don't feel like I need to defend bad policy such as you and some other Republicans advocate.

 

Frankly,

I am happy that a person who can't make up his mind on an issue as important as democracy and national security is not a Republican. It is not a hypo-macho position on the war I have taken. It is the position of the president that we will not leave Iraq until the job was done. That was your position until about a month ago. Now, you have once again changed with the wind. I am all in favor of bringing the troops home when there is victory, and not a second later, and not a second sooner. That was once your position, but again, you change with the wind. I am beginning to think you have no real convictions on the war since you change with the wind so much. My position is looking for toward national security. Your position leads to another Vietnam like defeat, and I reject all forms of cut and run policies, and Buchannan like isolationism as irresponsible and immoral.

Joseph Botwinick

 

Not so. Several months ago I was saying that we need to be pretty much out of Iraq by the end of 2006. I even posted a Libertarian Party petition link that gave a very viable pullout strategy over a year's time. I don't believe that I have ever advocated staying in Iraq indefinitely. If we can't take care of the situation in another couple of years at least, then our efforts will most likely fail.

Also, as a sovereign nation, it is ultimately up to the Iraqi people and their governmental representatives to tell us to leave if they want us out sooner than we desire.

 

Ken,

I stand corrected about your position. I apologize for mischaracterizing it. I now remember that petition. I disagreed with it then and still do now. In no way should we set a timetable for the enemy to see so they can sit back and just regroup and wait till we're gone. Yes, the Iraqis do have a responsibility to step up to the plate...but we also have a responsibility to make sure we don't leave prematurely and hand them over to the terrorists as we have done so many times before.

Joseph Botwinick

 

Apology accepted.

But what if the Iraqi people through their government tell us to leave, ready or not? As I see it, we would have no choice but to honor their demand.

 

They have not done so yet. Even the articles which have been linked which talk about the government calling for a timetable still show two things which are not often highlighted by the media:

1. Even the Iraqi government has linked the timetable to whether or not the Iraqis are able to secure their own nation.

and

2. The Iraqi government seems to think that they are becoming better able to accomplish the ultimate goal which is democracy, security, and independence. They are not setting a premature deadline, however. Why should we?

Joseph Botwinick

 

Because the American people, in increasing numbers, are calling for a timetable or at least a measurable goal.

The Bush administration needs to do much better in reporting on progress to the American people. They have done just awful in this regard.

 

I agree with your second paragraph. I see much evidence of this among liberals and anti-war folk in Congress...but not much among Americans in general. Most Americans I know, even those who might have been against the war, acknowledge the need to finish the job and then go home. The measurable goal is (and always has been clear): Train the Iraqis to secure their own nation and leave. We are doing this. I guess Bush could get on tv and give a weekly progress report...but then, the anti-war folks would then accuse him of lying and spreading propaganda and would never be happy. This is the reason they should be ignored when making foreign policy and then exposed for the obstructionists they are and defeated politicallly come election time.

Joseph Botwinick

 

Regardless of what the anti-war folks might say, I agree with the idea of detailed weekly progress reports. The president wouldn't necessarily have to be the one to do it. The military would be a better choice since they are on the ground in Iraq.

 

I agree.

 

Oh man oh man ..why don't you two have a group
hug now and sing Kumbayah..man I am tearing up.

better yet call the hogs!

http://www.houstonnutt.com/pigsoiee.mp3

now theres a group hog fer ya sometimes you

fell like a Nutt sometimes ya don't

 

Thanks. The best cheer in college football. Period.