Obama abides by Bush’s timeline for leaving Iraq, although you wouldn’t know that to hear him tell it (video)

Lil' Barry Bailout (Unexpectedly Revised Downward)

October 21st, 2011
1:38 pm

Typical Obozo…let others do the work, and if it pans out get in front of it and claim credit.

Tommy Maddox

October 21st, 2011
1:42 pm

Thank you Mr. President for honoring an Agreement struck by your predecessor.

Tommy Maddox

October 21st, 2011
1:43 pm

By the way:

Hey Iraq, you’re on your own.

Lil' Barry Bailout (Unexpectedly Revised Downward)

October 21st, 2011
1:46 pm

No doubt the Nobel Committee is preparing the next peace prize for the President who led the effort to democratize so much of the Middle East–Iraq, Afghanistan, Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, and perhaps Syria and elsewhere. President George W. Bush.

straight curve

October 21st, 2011
1:47 pm

Stop blaming Bush!

Oh, you mean he should get credit for this?

Credit Bush!

Good job, fellas.

bobmoses

October 21st, 2011
1:49 pm

“Stop blaming Bush!

Oh, you mean he should get credit for this?

Credit Bush!

Good job, fellas.”

Well yes. He signed the agreement that is making this happen.

@@

October 21st, 2011
1:51 pm

Hit on this inconvenient truth downstairs. It’s a small man who takes credit for his predecessor’s difficult decisions.

But then Obama is a small man. Small in mind and overall stature.

Wanting so badly to be Bush.

schnirt

SB

October 21st, 2011
1:52 pm

Why can’t you just give the man credit. Those who claim to be the most patriotic, are being very UNPATRIOTIC by not standing by the president in these times when America is hated all over the world. The man has kept us safe, Killed Osama and Qhaddafi (unlike Bush: (9/11 and Katrina)). Makes some level headed people wonder, what is the REAL reason for the HATE. HMMMMMMMMMM..

CJ

October 21st, 2011
1:54 pm

A little context would be helpful. Obama campaigned on pulling out of Iraq long before this agreement went into affect. This agreement was executed at a time when Obama’s victory was a foregone conclusion, and in part, in reaction to the Obama campaign. Obama’s opponent during the campaign, John McCain, criticized Obama for promising to withdraw from Iraq, campaigned against such an agreement, and gave every indication that, if elected, he would attempt to renegotiate such an agreement.

“When negotiations began, it was widely assumed that Bush would extract from the Iraqis an agreement which made the removal of U.S. troops entirely contingent upon American assessments of conditions on the ground…But Iraqi leaders, to most everyone’s surprise, took a hard line in the negotiations…the Iraqi leaders clearly kept a careful eye on the American Presidential elections and used Obama’s stance to strengthen their own hand in negotiations…Iraqis insisted on an Obama-style timeline for U.S. withdrawal instead of a Bush/McCain- style conditions-based aspirational time frame for U.S. withdrawal.”

http://lynch.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2009/01/18/sofa_not_the_surge

Lil' Barry Bailout (Unexpectedly Revised Downward)

October 21st, 2011
1:54 pm

America is hated all over the world? How can that be, three years into the Obozo administration? Didn’t they hear about his Peace Prize?

Lil' Barry Bailout (Unexpectedly Revised Downward)

October 21st, 2011
1:55 pm

Taking credit for the work of others…that’s the Obama Doctrine.

@@

October 21st, 2011
1:55 pm

It’s also important to note, the Obama’s cabinet has been negotiating for an extended stay in Iraq. Of course, that was without the knowledge of his base. Transparency doesn’t serve him well.

Under different circumstances, we’d be extending our visit to Iraq.

Inconvenient truths.

You folks are unbelievable!

October 21st, 2011
1:56 pm

Let’s see: Bush = good. Obama = bad. That’s it, right? Kyle, I have just eliminated the need for you to have a blog. Please cease now.

Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!

October 21st, 2011
1:56 pm

“Why can’t you just give the man credit.”

We do. He didn’t stray from his predecessor’s plans. Not in Iraq, not in Afghanistan, and not in chasing AQ. He gets credit for all of that. What’s your point, SB? If you can name a new initiative he started in any of these areas, please do so.

@@

October 21st, 2011
1:57 pm

SB:

Had Obama acknowledged Bush’s prior committment, I’d be giving him credit. The man’s ego is going to devour him.

Debra Cooper-Stewart

October 21st, 2011
1:57 pm

Nice try, Kyle Wingfield. Great attempt to deflect from the facts that this war was NEVER justified in the first place and the our former president of the United States, George W. Bush had us go to war without cause. But hey, you go for it. I couldn’t stand George Bush, but I’m gonna celebrate today as an American. I suggest you do the same, if you give a damn about this country. Peace, brother.

straight curve

October 21st, 2011
1:58 pm

“Well yes. He signed the agreement that is making this happen.”

Ironically, I have no problem with giving him credit for agreeing to this. I also wish that Obama had given Bush the nod in his speech.

Junior Samples

October 21st, 2011
1:59 pm

Kyle, I agree that it’s good news that our soldiers are coming home to their families. And yes, President Bush made the commitment, and President Obama followed through with it.

I am thankful to both that this hasn’t continued longer than it has.

@@

October 21st, 2011
2:01 pm

And by the by. He’s about to get a big lesson in humility. I seriously doubt he’ll be re-elected. From what I’ve read, even his media arm has turned on him. They’ve soured on “the lemon”.

Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!

October 21st, 2011
2:05 pm

“Great attempt to deflect from the facts that this war was NEVER justified in the first place and the our former president of the United States, George W. Bush had us go to war without cause.”

Debra, a deflection is used to change the subject of the column or an individual post in following comments. Kyle has done neither of these. You may argue (correctly, in my opinion) that we never should have gone into Iraq, but you cannot argue logically that any deflection has occurred on Kyle’s part.

@@

October 21st, 2011
2:06 pm

Btw, the Obama administration has been trying for months to get an extension to leave several thousand troops in Iraq after Dec. 31. Baghdad refused, and now the president comes out and says he’s removing all of ‘em. No mention of that, today, either…

‘Scuse me! I mentioned it at 1:55

I’ve BEEN mentioning it for months. The left-wing bloggers chose to ignore it. They really do live in a world of make believe.

Hey

October 21st, 2011
2:08 pm

Debra Cooper-Stewart

October 21st, 2011
1:57 pm

Of course Libya was certainly justified. Typical liberal hypocrisy.

Pete

October 21st, 2011
2:09 pm

Thank God for Barack Obama. Bush=War. Obama=Peace.

E-Roll

October 21st, 2011
2:11 pm

Since this concept is above some of your head, your’s also Kyle this is what the plan was for the Status of Forces Agreement. The plan was ALWAYS to have troops remain in Iraq after 12-31-11 not in a combat role but in an “advisor” role (sounds like the beginning of Vietnam). President Obama decided to remove all troops because the US and Iraq could not come to an agreement on prosecution of US troops for future accused crimes that may happen in the future. All of the information below came during the Bush administration and includes some information from the NY Times the same publication that you sited Kyle.

U.S. President George W. Bush hailed the passing of the agreement between the two countries. “The Security Agreement addresses our presence, activities, and withdrawal from Iraq”, Bush said. He continued that “two years ago, this day seemed unlikely – but the success of the surge and the courage of the Iraqi people set the conditions for these two agreements to be negotiated and approved by the Iraqi parliament.”[39]

Army planners have privately acknowledged they are examining projections that could see the number of Americans hovering between 30,000 and 50,000, but maybe as high as 70,000, for a substantial time beyond 2011. Pentagon planners say those currently counted as combat troops could be “re-missioned” and that their efforts could be redefined as training and support for the Iraqis.[40] Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen has also said “three years is a long time. Conditions could change in that period of time.”[41]

In a letter to U.S. military personnel about new rules of engagement, Gen. Ray Odierno said that U.S. forces would reduce their visibility but that this does not mean “any reduction in our fundamental ability to protect ourselves.” Odierno wrote that U.S. forces would coordinate “operations with the approval of the GoI (Government of Iraq), and we will conduct all operations by, with, and through the Iraqi Security Forces.” “Despite some adjustments to the way we conduct operations, the agreement simply reinforces transitions that are already underway, and I want to emphasize that our overarching principles remain the same”, he further wrote.[42]

General Raymond Odierno said that some U.S. forces would remain at local security stations as training and mentoring teams past the June 2009 deadline specified in the status of forces agreement. In contrast, Robert Gates estimated U.S. troops will be “out of cities and populated areas” by June 30. “That’s the point at which we will have turned over all 18 provinces to provincial Iraqi control,” he predicted.[43] A spokesman for Odierno, Lt. Col. James Hutton, reiterated that the soldiers staying in cities would not be combat forces but rather “enablers,” who would provide services such as medical care, air-traffic control and helicopter support that the Iraqis cannot perform themselves.[44] Odierno’s comments sparked outrage among some Iraqi lawmakers who say the U.S. is paving the way for breaching the interim agreement.[45]

When asked by Charlie Rose in a PBS interview how big the American “residual” force would be in Iraq after 2011, Secretary of Defense Gates replied that although the mission would change, “my guess is that you’re looking at perhaps several tens of thousands of American troops.”[16]

MarkV

October 21st, 2011
2:11 pm

Kyle, you must be really out of ideas how to attack Obama if you resort to criticizing that he reminds people that he has kept his promise. As a President, Obama certainly had the option to try to renegotiate the agreement. He did not do that and kept his promise. End of story.

Stevie Ray

October 21st, 2011
2:12 pm

DEBRA S-C:

I concur relative to the unnecessary wars between, let’s see: Korea (Truman), Vietnam (over-rated JFK geometrically ramped up by LBJ), Afghanistan (Cowboy) and Iraq (Cowboy). If you are suggesting that one party has an advantage over the other in volunteering death to so many kids without direct threat to our shores, you are sadly mistaken.

Yes, your boy in the WH definitely perpetuated Bush’s timetable. Also, the idea that any sitting president wants to take “credit” for work that is already in progress, especially asassinations of non-threatening nutjobs, is like me taking solo credit for a TD from the 1 yard line after a 90 yard drive.

Independent Voter

October 21st, 2011
2:13 pm

President Obama should get credit Bush destroy america when he was in office.

We are happy we have a president in office like president Obama.

Obama/Biden 2012

Hey

October 21st, 2011
2:15 pm

Obama= War in Libya, troops in Africa, ordering killing of American citizens without due process……can you imagine the hysterical outrage in the liberal community if this was not Obama doing these things.

Jefferson

October 21st, 2011
2:15 pm

Again the President has to bail out President Bush.

@@

October 21st, 2011
2:16 pm

Mark V:

As a President, Obama certainly had the option to try to renegotiate the agreement. He did not do that and kept his promise. End of story.

It was the Iraqi government that refused to negotiate.

Something I’ve noticed about Obama. He likes to let others do his dirty work. I’m assuming his cabinet members do what they’re told. If not, he’s a lousy leader.

Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!

October 21st, 2011
2:19 pm

“you must be really out of ideas how to attack Obama if you resort to criticizing that he reminds people that he has kept BUSH’s promise.

Fixed your typo, MarkV. What part of this do you NOT understand?

Stevie Ray

October 21st, 2011
2:20 pm

MARKV:

In the event your boy BO is not re-elected, will he be first US president to blame his lack of leaderhip and failure to successfully address employment issues, education problems (not to mention passing a behind the scenes healthcare bill that is not beyond the shadow of a doubt constitutional)on a prior administration. What a book that will make: How George Bush Doomed My Presidency” by BO.

Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!

October 21st, 2011
2:21 pm

“Obama=Peace.”

Yeah, those were 500 lb. flower arrangements our aircraft were dropping on Libya, right?

JF McNamara

October 21st, 2011
2:23 pm

I wonder if Bush were around would we be honoring this agreement, or would Kyle be writing about America’s need to keep global stability and keep Iran and Amhenijad in check?

Given his track record, my guess is that we’d be staying there indefinately. Having an agreement is one thing. Honoring that agreement is another.

BTW, when is Iraq oil money going to pay us back for our costs there? Why aren’t we taxing the oil companies getting the stuff out of the ground or getting some of the Iraqi governments oil money?

Hey

October 21st, 2011
2:23 pm

Liberals never let facts get in the way of their opinions.

Stevie Ray

October 21st, 2011
2:23 pm

I suspect OB’s follow up book to “Doomed” will be: It’s Not Easy Being the Only Adult in the Kindergarten (and other tales of my fickle finger of fate) by BHO…

CJ

October 21st, 2011
2:25 pm

“so now Obama gets credit not only for doing what Bush agreed to do, but for making him agree to it?”

Again, the Iraqis made him agree to it, using Obama’s position and standing at the time as leverage. As the link I provided indicates, the existing agreement was about to expire and if Bush couldn’t come to an agreement, then we would have been forced to withdraw immediately.

Chuck

October 21st, 2011
2:25 pm

Yeah. Bush signed the agreement to end the war. He also lied (or omitted the truth, same thing) to the American people and Congress to start the war in the first place. So since we’re giving Bush credit, we might as well hold him accountable for the 5,000 American lives lost, the trillion dollars squandered, and tens of thousands of Americans wounded. What did we get out of this whole mess? I have no idea! Why did we get into this mess? I have no idea! So go blame Obama. Lord knows we can’t blame Bush.

Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!

October 21st, 2011
2:26 pm

“I wonder if Bush were around would we be honoring this agreement, or would Kyle be writing about America’s need to keep global stability and keep Iran and Amhenijad in check?”

We’ll never know, will we? Just as we’ll never know if not bailing out banks and not racking up trillions in new debt might have been better for our economy in the long run.

Idle speculation is just that. And every bit as pointless.

Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!

October 21st, 2011
2:28 pm

Actually, Chuck, no one is not blaming Bush for Iraq. You have merely engaged in what is called a deflection.

Dresden

October 21st, 2011
2:31 pm

Kyle, what legitimate reason did we have to go into Iraq in the first place? No link to Al Qaeda, No WMD, No 9-11 involvement. Plain and simple, the Iraq war was not justified one bit.

@@

October 21st, 2011
2:32 pm

Don’t any of you leftists find it odd that Obama’s recent incursion (for humanitarian reasons) into Uganda follows after the discovery of oil?

Earlier this year, at least 2.5 billion barrels of crude oil were discovered along Uganda’s border. The Economist reports that the country expects to earn $2 billion a year beginning in 2015.

Could this be Obama’s WAR FOR OIL??????

Hey

October 21st, 2011
2:32 pm

Every death that has occurred since 12PM on Jan 20, 2009 is Obama’s responsibility. As commander in chief he has the authority to order every American soldier in both Iraqi and Afghanistan to withdraw and return to American territory.

Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!

October 21st, 2011
2:35 pm

“Kyle, what legitimate reason did we have to go into Iraq in the first place?”

Again, Dresden, a deflection. It has nothing to do with the subject matter of the article Kyle posted.

“No link to Al Qaeda”

Actually, a tenuous link, but not enough to invade.

“No WMD,”

Not known at the time.

“No 9-11 involvement.”

Probably not.

“Plain and simple, the Iraq war was not justified one bit.”

Correct, but still a deflection from the point Kyle is making.

Hey

October 21st, 2011
2:38 pm

Also, Obama is responsible for every civilian death that has occurred as “collateral damage” from the greatly increased drone attacks that have occurred since he became president, at his command.

Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!

October 21st, 2011
2:38 pm

“Every death that has occurred since 12PM on Jan 20, 2009 is Obama’s responsibility.”

Disagree. We have had (as outlined above) an agreement in place with a sovereign nation as to our involvement and timetable in Iraq. Likewise, certain commitments are also in place in Afghanistan. If both sides had changed those commitments, then you might be able to lay the blame on this President, but I know of no initiative to do so from either side.

AMERICAN

October 21st, 2011
2:39 pm

Stop hating on the President! Good Job MR. PRESIDENT!

Joe The Plumber too.

October 21st, 2011
2:41 pm

the democrat nightly prayer:
Heavenly obama, thank you for all you have provided today, thank you for taking from the evil rich to put food upon my table, thank you oh precious obama for caring enough for me to grace me with your image on every channel as you tour the country touching hands with mere mortals and remind us daily how it is you oh heavenly obama who gives us all we need, who leads us through our daily lives and who gives us every talking point our brainless heads share with others. Oh Lord obama, please take mercy on those heartless republicans that refuse to worship you and instead of having you provide every need have decided that hard work and self worth are the ways to have a bountiful life. Forgive them father obama for they know not what they do. In michelle’s holy name, Amen.

dorn76

October 21st, 2011
2:41 pm

Wowzers. What a bunch on this board!

So Bush made the “tough decisions” that Obama now gets credit for?

So who exactly lied our way into the country in the first place? Was it a tough decision to hoodwink the American public into a War?

Road Scholar

October 21st, 2011
2:42 pm

Kyle, so President Bush set up this “cut and run” (your words previously in objecting to leaving prematurely) in 2008?

“But it is telling about his weak political position that he offered no credit to the people who set this withdrawal in motion.

Do you mean our troops? I think he did on numerous times! W/o them doing the heavy lifting…

Hey

October 21st, 2011
2:45 pm

That’s the point, if Obama had truly wanted to end these conflicts, he would have began to renegotiate immediately upon being sworn in and ended these conflicts many lost lives ago.

straight curve

October 21st, 2011
2:48 pm

“But for a man who has spent nearly three years blaming nearly every one of his problems on his predecessor . . .”

You have got to be kidding me.
The economy collapsed under Bush.
The jobs numbers under Bush were apalling – and the “whiners” were pointing this out for years.
The Iraq War was crafted and peddled by Bush.
Virtually every economist said in ‘08 that it would take several years to recover from the recession, and that the jobs numbers would be the last to improve during this recovery.
The national debt, while subsequently untamed by Obama, skyrocketed under Bush (largely due to Baby Boomers coming of age (how dare they!) and the two wars (only one of which we actually needed to fight – and that has been the less expensive operation)).
Obama’s blame has been redistributed (rightly, wrongly, or parts of both) to Congress over the past year.

Sorry, but the point is hollow. I do wish Obama would give credit where the little credit is due, but when the facts support his assignment of blame I am not going to hold his feet to the fire for snubbing the guy who got us into the quagmire as we set up to exit it.

Jefferson

October 21st, 2011
2:49 pm

Say the President is reelected, will the humur continue?

@@

October 21st, 2011
2:53 pm

I’m also wondering why the left isn’t protesting the security contractors that remain. 9,000 is it? You can bet they’re XE (formerly known as Blackwater). After all the left’s disdain for military contractors, Obama keeps them in Iraq AND Afghanistan.

Over the years, I’ve also noticed that left-wingers are kinda flighty. What was unacceptable under Bush is now acceptable under Obama. No principles on which to stand. No solid ground either. Everyone BUT you sees it.

A bunch of one-trick ponies…END THE WAR!

Name (required)

October 21st, 2011
2:55 pm

Obama may be dumb…..but he’s not dumb enough to want to be Bush.

sparkler

October 21st, 2011
2:56 pm

Oh please Kyle….you’re grasping here. A lot like all the Republicans today wondering if Gaddafi’s death is a good thing and thanking the French for it. This sitting President gets no respect from the right and frankly it’s the most unpatriotic, un-American behavior I have ever witnessed.

Finn McCool

October 21st, 2011
2:58 pm

Oh, he didn’t mention Bush so the conservanuts go into a tizzy. Hre’s what he could have said:

We are finally leaving this money pit where we have lost countless human lives and billions upon billions of American tax dollars and we have what to show for it? Nada, zilch, zero.

Most of the 9/11 highjackers were from Saudi Arabia – but lets not atttack them, let’s attack this country over here….
A waste of gargantuan proportion.

Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!

October 21st, 2011
3:01 pm

The deflection force is strong, young Jedi . . . .

Finn McCool

October 21st, 2011
3:01 pm

I recall the conservatives wanting Bush to get credit when Bin Laden was killed, too.

“Oh, me too, me too…someone please mention me too!!!”

Someone finally pulls the trigger, calls the shot and you want the guy who didn’t pull the trigger or call the shot to get credit?

Joe The Plumber too.

October 21st, 2011
3:03 pm

sparkler, you head must have been up something back when little cindy she-man was setting up across from W’s ranch with her spun out buddies, or when the bedwetters thought the shoe being thrown at W was a real laugh. Of course it was a sitting REPUBLICAN President so it wasn’t un-American then.

Finn McCool

October 21st, 2011
3:03 pm

Hey, if St louis wins the World Series, they should give a lot of credit (maybe even part of the trophy) to the Atlanta Braves for not finishing strongly so the Cardinals could clinsh the wildcard??

You folsk are pathetic.

Hey

October 21st, 2011
3:08 pm

Thanks Finn, you make the point well, if the Braves had not collapsed the Cards most definitely would not be in the World Series

sailfish

October 21st, 2011
3:10 pm

joe the plumber

Is joe the plumber, the guy who wan’t a licensed plumber and not named joe, really your hero? You live in fantasy land if you really believe he was ever going to be a business owner. You are and hats off to that…

@@

October 21st, 2011
3:10 pm

I’m thinkin’ the left touts these victories because it’s all Obama has left. Truth is, the American public is focused on jobs and the economy. National security and foreign policy is way down on their list of priorities.

With no victories in the area of jobs and the economy, he’s doomed to one term.

Is anybody else wondering why Libya and not Syria? A humanitarian crisis exists in Syria too. My guess?

With American troops gone from Iraq, Iran has an open corridor to Hezbollah. The thought of that scares the Arabs. In other words, the Obama administration is sacrificing Syrians in their attempt to scare the Arab nations. They thought THAT fear could be used in our negotiations with the Iraqi government.

We can all sit on the SOFA and watch things unfold. Should be interesting.

sailfish

October 21st, 2011
3:16 pm

“Truth is, the American public is focused on jobs and the economy”

Too bad the republicans in congress aren’t much help, they have put down legislation that creates jobs. They are another do nothing group..

jconservative

October 21st, 2011
3:17 pm

What is the saying – “goes with the territory”?

In todays political market one side does not give the other side credit for anything. Democrats do not give credit to Republicans and Republicans do not give credit to Democrats.

sailfish

October 21st, 2011
3:18 pm

kyle

Obama gave bush and cheney the biggest pass of all – an investigation into war crimes through greenlighting systemic torture. Pelosi took impeachment off the table, let’s see if bush or cheney ever travel outside the country again??

Hey

October 21st, 2011
3:18 pm

where were the jobs when the Dems controlled the Presidency, the house and had a 60 seat Super Majority in the Senate.

Joe The Plumber too.

October 21st, 2011
3:20 pm

aah sailfish, let me see if I can break this down real simple for you, you know democrat style. Let’s see, I’m known as Joe and I am a plumbing contractor, so just like hundreds or even thousands of other guys around the country who have some variation of Joe in their names and happen to do plumbing, I am Joe the Plumber too. Hope that was simple enough for you, and if I was to pick a hero in the plumbing trade, that would be my late father, but thanks for asking.

Hey

October 21st, 2011
3:22 pm

war crimes, how about the killing of American citizens without due process. How about all the civilians Obama has caused to be killed in Pakistan as “collateral damage” through the drone attacks? Oh, that’s right this is a Dem president, he gets a pass.

@@

October 21st, 2011
3:27 pm

sailfish:

Too bad the republicans in congress aren’t much help, they have put down legislation that creates jobs. They are another do nothing group..

Last I heard, 3 Democrats and two Independents who caucus with the dems voted against Obama’s piece meal jobs bill.

Democrats voted against his initial jobs bill as well.

sailfish

October 21st, 2011
3:29 pm

@@

Nice try, filibustered to historic proportions. Where are the jobs mcconnel/boehner?

Jeffrey

October 21st, 2011
3:31 pm

The only credit anyone deserves here is for the men and women and their families who have sacrificed and fought the battles their commanders sent them to fight. Bush nor Obama deserve any credit here. The war was a mistake to begin with when Bush started it, and it was a mistake for Obama to continue it for three additional years. Now, when are we going to end the longest war in American history–the one in Afghanistan? These unpaid wars have added trillions to our debt and cost countless men and women–US, coalition and innocent Afghanis and Iraqis–their physical and/or mental health, if not their lives.

MarkV

October 21st, 2011
3:34 pm

Kyle Wingfield @2:24 pm: “MarkV: Actually, he did try to negotiate an extension for several thousand troops. He and Maliki couldn’t strike a deal, so the original plan stood.”

Kyle, that is your interpretation, not necessarily a fact. It is funny that the Republicans always stressed that what was important was the situation on the ground, but when Gates and Mullen wanted to be sure that meeting the terms of the the agreement was the best way for Iraq, even at the possible cost of Obama breaking his promise, the Republicans now try to make political hay out of that. But all of this is also irrelevant with respect to you article. The end result is that Obama has kept his promise, you cannot change that fact, and in his statement he simply stated that, as he should have. Your sniping is silly.

sailfish

October 21st, 2011
3:34 pm

Hey joe

My dad was a plumbing contractor also. If you ever go to New York gaze across the hudson river and see all the hi rises on the palisades. My dad ran that work and every job was done on time and under budget. His jobs were so well laid out, they threw away the chipping hammer. Union work, done correctly the first time…That guy on tv was a fraud.

@@

October 21st, 2011
3:35 pm

sailfish:

Other than the public trough variety, government doesn’t create jobs. It’s economic policies that open the door for job creation. Obama refuses to open that door.

MarkV

October 21st, 2011
3:35 pm

Stevie Ray @2:20 pm

Any other irrelevant silliness you have to offer?

Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!

October 21st, 2011
3:38 pm

“The end result is that Obama has kept the United State’s promise made by his predecessor.”

Fixed your typo again, MarkV.

Hillbilly D

October 21st, 2011
3:40 pm

Good for the soldiers and their families that they are coming home. It appears that it’s the Iraqis who want the deadline met and that’s a good thing, too. If things go south, they can’t rightly blame us, although they probably will anyway. Politicians play politics; it’s what they do and that goes for the entire globe, not just the U. S.

@@

October 21st, 2011
3:42 pm

Now, when are we going to end the longest war in American history–the one in Afghanistan?

Never supported that surge forward. After forcing AQ Prime outta there, we should’ve left. The Taliban’s interests are homebound. Al Qaeda’s interests are global. Bin Laden was so marginalized, he was ineffective.

Since you brought it up, I can also remember how left-wingers opposed invading a sovereign country. Pakistan’s a sovereign country and yet the left had no problem with Obama sending troops in to get Bin Laden. Neither did I. Revenge is sweet.

Hillbilly D

October 21st, 2011
3:43 pm

if the Braves had not collapsed the Cards most definitely would not be in the World Series

That’s why they play 162 games. They all count.

Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!

October 21st, 2011
3:46 pm

“That’s why they play 162 games. They all count.”

Don’t I know it! (Red Sox fan)

At least there were no reports of beer drinking and fried food eating in the Braves clubhouse during the stretch . . .

Hey

October 21st, 2011
3:47 pm

President Obama’s speech formally declaring that the last 43,000 U.S. troops will leave Iraq by the end of the year was designed to mask an unpleasant truth: The troops aren’t being withdrawn because the U.S. wants them out. They’re leaving because the Iraqi government refused to let them stay.

Obama campaigned on ending the war in Iraq but had instead spent the past few months trying to extend it. A 2008 security deal between Washington and Baghdad called for all American forces to leave Iraq by the end of the year, but the White House — anxious about growing Iranian influence and Iraq’s continuing political and security challenges — publicly and privately tried to sell the Iraqis on a troop extension. As recently as last week, the White House was trying to persuade the Iraqis to allow 2,000-3,000 troops to stay beyond the end of the year.

Dusty

October 21st, 2011
3:48 pm

Oh thanks, Kyle, for jumping on this subject right away. No use to let the liberals act like it is their show and their wonderful wizard wanked us right out of Iraq.

Nawww..this is an all American celebration for giving Iraq a free country and now our troops return home. Bush set up the schedule and cleared the way. Obama found the Iraqis are indeed independent and completed the plan Bush had made.

Time to celebrate the return of troops. Most certainly, not to be used as an election “return” of the failing Obama. Not when the country is knee deep in debt and the economy is sputtering. Yep, “hope & change” I’ve got the hope. Let us get the change!!

Hey

October 21st, 2011
3:52 pm

Final thought, God bless our troops and may he bring them all home safely and soon.

Joe The Plumber too.

October 21st, 2011
3:55 pm

@ tiberius, 126 days until pitchers and catchers report, that is some hope and change I can support, I hope it hurries up and that something changes with the Braves. Have a good weekend all, time to roll it up and slide into some family time.

MarkV

October 21st, 2011
3:57 pm

Tiberius – Your lightning rod of hate! @3:38 pm:“The end result is that Obama has kept the United State’s promise made by his predecessor.” “Fixed your typo again, MarkV.”

You attempt at cuteness is as silly as usual. No typo. Obama has kept his promise, not the promise of his predecessor.

@@

October 21st, 2011
3:57 pm

This is how it should be done.

Former President George W. Bush, whose entire presidency was defined by the September 11th attacks, said in a statement tonight that President Obama called him to inform him of the news of bin Laden’s death.

Bush called the operation a “momentous achievement” that “marks a victory for America, for people who seek peace around the world, and for all those who lost loved ones on September 11, 2001.”

“I congratulated him and the men and women of our military and intelligence communities who devoted their lives to this mission. They have our everlasting gratitude,” the former president said in a statement. “The fight against terror goes on, but tonight America has sent an unmistakable message: No matter how long it takes, justice will be done.”

President Obama informs Bush and Bush offers attaboys and appreciation for a job well done.

Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!

October 21st, 2011
4:03 pm

“Obama has kept his promise, not the promise of his predecessor.”

So, you’re denying that an agreement was ratified by the Iraqi government as negotiated by then-President Bush in 2008?

What alternate universe do you live in, MarkV?

Obama

October 21st, 2011
4:03 pm

I am not narcissistic, narcissism is a fault and I have no faults( they are all Bush’s faults)

Dusty

October 21st, 2011
4:04 pm

Hey, I love those Braves! They can’t win every year but they try hard.
They’ll do their beat again next year, win or lose. And…I’ll be right there pulling for ‘em. GO BRAVES!

Hillbilly D

October 21st, 2011
4:06 pm

Tiberius

One has to wonder what is going on with the Red Sox. All the reports that you alluded to, plus they threw Terry Francona overboard and now the ongoing soap opera that is the Theo Epstein situation. I don’t follow the AL, because I see the DH as an abomination from Hell, but I’d suspect the Sox are in for rough sailing, in the immediate future.

At least the Braves are keeping whatever problems they have behind close doors.

Hillbilly D

October 21st, 2011
4:09 pm

Dusty

You might be interested in this. Looks like the Braves have hired Greg Walker as their new hitting coach.

http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2011/10/21/walker-hired-as-braves-hitting-coach/?cxntfid=blogs_atlanta_braves_blog

Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!

October 21st, 2011
4:09 pm

“because I see the DH as an abomination from Hell”

straight curve

October 21st, 2011
4:11 pm

straight curve: Look, no one’s arguing Obama landed in a bed of roses. My only point is that he’s not unaccustomed to referring to Bush; it’s not as if he has some policy about looking only ahead, never back.

On that we can agree. It’s rather trite, however, for critics – and you may not be among them – to have calling Obama to stop (rightfully, accurately) blaming Bush for our pressing issues, only to then cry foul when Obama fails to mention Bush in this announcement. Since, as others have mentioned, Bush merely acquiesced to the locals’ demands, I find myself wondering just how much credit is truly due.

By the way, I truly appreciate your responses. It’s great to see writers engage with their readers.

Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!

October 21st, 2011
4:11 pm

And Hillbilly D, the Red Sox will always be a feast or famine ballclub; everything goes right or everything goes wrong.

Dusty

October 21st, 2011
4:11 pm

@@ 3:57

Good words from you quoting President Bush. I surely do miss his good character and his fine sense of what is right and just. That feeling no longer comes from Washington.

independent thinker

October 21st, 2011
4:14 pm

You folks are really funny- trying to give George Bush all the credit for the pullout from Iraq. That’s like giving a prostitute credit for only give you a mid case of herpes. The Republican candidate in 2008 who ran against Obama was John McCain and not George Bush. He and his party were of the firm belief we needed to stay permanently in Iraq like we are in Germany, Korea, Japan, Italy and god knows where else at great cost. Obama made a promise to get us out and he kept it.

MarkV

October 21st, 2011
4:18 pm

Tiberius – Your lightning rod of hate! @4:03 pm: “So, you’re denying that an agreement was ratified by the Iraqi government as negotiated by then-President Bush in 2008? What alternate universe do you live in, MarkV?”

I have not denied anything about the agreement as negotiated by Bush. It is irrelevant to the fact that Obama has made a promise, and has kept it.

Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!

October 21st, 2011
4:20 pm

“You folks are really funny- trying to give George Bush all the credit for the pullout from Iraq.”

Except that we’re not. But otherwise, your statement is right on point!

Maybe you might wish to actually read the responses, which merely express a wish that this President had given his predecessor a shout out for crafting the policy that he simply followed to the letter.

Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!

October 21st, 2011
4:22 pm

“It is irrelevant to the fact that Obama has made a promise, and has kept it.”

Except that the promise was based on United States policy crafted and ratified before he was President, which for some reason you seem to want to dismiss as being relevant.

Dusty

October 21st, 2011
4:24 pm

HillBilly D,

Wren makes Walker sound like a great addition and gives him an assistant too.

Another nice touch. Walker is from Georgia. Sounds good to me.

@@

October 21st, 2011
4:27 pm

It’s the end of October!!! I thought baseball season was over.

Dusty:

It’s the Southern manners vs Eastern manners thingy. I can go either way depending on the circumstances. (ISH)

Make no mistake, I’m grateful that our troops are coming home from Iraq. Afghanistan on the other hand? Never should’ve set a withdrawal date. There are none more patient than the Taliban. May as well pull out now. There’s no reason to stay.

Having said all that, Victor D. Hanson points to advantages awarded a Democratic CiC.

Wartime Democratic presidents enjoy domestic advantages conservatives do not, whether in conventional or anti-terrorism wars. If Bush were president and bombing Libya, Harold Koh would be filing writs to stop it, not filing arguments that exempt such bombing from the War Powers Act. Ditto the entire Bush-Cheney anti-terrorism protocols, which magically became orthodox around January 2009. When war crimes are defined as water-boarding three confessed terrorists rather than blowing up over 2,000 suspected terrorists (sometimes American citizens) and any collaterals in the wrong place at the wrong time, there are clearly advantages in a liberal commander in chief being immune from the anti-war hysteria. To Obama’s credit, he gauged correctly that the 2003–7 hysteria was mostly partisan, and would entirely vaporize when he flipped and continued the Bush-Cheney protocols. And it did on spec.

@@

October 21st, 2011
4:29 pm

A mid case of herpes?

Would that be somewhere in the navel area? You know that’s not what it’s for, don’t you?

schnirt

@@

October 21st, 2011
4:30 pm

Tiberius:

It looks like Mark V just wants to hang onto ONE kept promise. There have been so few…I’m willing to let him have it.

Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!

October 21st, 2011
4:31 pm

“You know that’s not what it’s for, don’t you?”

It’s not what it’s for – what – @@?

Geo

October 21st, 2011
4:35 pm

What a bunch of hypicritical clowns most of you are.

I congratulate OUR president Obama for taking credit.

This is the same as him being blamed for our economy for the unregulated government Bush allowed that got us in this financial mess.

Everyone blames Obama for this economic mess when the true cause was the failed policies of Bush and Co.

As long as you dont give CREDIT to Republicans for this economic mess, don’t get mad when Obama takes credit for this.

@@

October 21st, 2011
4:37 pm

It’s not what it’s for – what – @@?

It’s for collecting lint, not herpes.

(ISH)

MarkV

October 21st, 2011
4:42 pm

Tiberius – Your lightning rod of hate! @4:22 pm

I understand that you have difficulties with logic, but I will try to explain it in elementary terms.

One can imagine following possibilities (perhaps among others), all starting with Bush’s negotiated agreement:
1. Obama does not make any promise. He keeps the agreement. Outcome: Obama has kept Bush’s agreement.
2. Obama does not make any promise. He does not keep the agreement. Outcome: Obama has not kept Bush’s agreement.
3. Obama makes a promise of a decision different from Bush’s agreement. Outcome: Obama either keeps his promise or does not keep it (the latter may include abiding by Bush’s agreement).
4. Obama makes a promise that keeps the terms of the agreement. He keeps the agreement. Outcome: Obama has kept his promise.

Geo

October 21st, 2011
4:44 pm

Obama should get credit for the troop withdraw that Bush originated.
Just like you all give him credit for the anemic economy Bush created!!!

Odis

October 21st, 2011
4:45 pm

Are all republicans batS&%t crazy with hate?

Hillbilly D

October 21st, 2011
4:46 pm

Dusty

I don’t know a lot about Greg Walker as a hitting coach but he was a good hitter, in his playing days.

It’s the end of October!!! I thought baseball season was over.

Actually, the Winter Leagues are going strong right now. They are playing every night in Liga de Beisbol Dominicano (Domincan Professional Baseball League), Liga Mexicana del Pacifico (Mexican Pacific League), and Liga Venezuela Beisbol Profesional (Venezuelan Professional Baseball League) and the Arizona Fall League is going strong in the daytime. As a matter of fact, the Atlanta Braves’, Jose Constanza, stole 3 bases just a few nights ago, in a game against Estrellas Orientales (Eastern Stars). Jose plays for Los Toros del Este (Bulls of the East), of the Dominican League. He’s hitting .455, after 3 games.

You see, baseball never ends. (ISH)

joemama

October 21st, 2011
4:46 pm

Thank you Mr President ! Please make the necessary commitments of force, diplomacy, and law so that whoever is the next president is can do the same in Afghanistan !

Dusty

October 21st, 2011
4:48 pm

@@

Baseball season is NEVER over (for some people!).

As to the good manners of Prez Bush, I think he learned from his parents. He was born in Conn. and “raised” in Texas. Nice mixture. (You think he needed some “California?”)

As to Democratic presidents having more leeway on tough decision from liberals, I have noticed the anti-war people calmed down a lot with Obama. No big white flag demonstrations. No campouts at his vacation homes. OH, the double standard!

Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!

October 21st, 2011
4:52 pm

MarkV, we’re not talking about logic here, we’re talking about politics and statesmanship. This President is very, very cognizant of the former, and very, very ignorant of the latter.

As, apparently, are you.

MarkV

October 21st, 2011
4:57 pm

Tiberius – Your lightning rod of hate! @4:52 pm

I agree with the lack of logic on your side.

Dusty

October 21st, 2011
5:02 pm

Odis, @4:45

You posted on the wrong blog. This is not a liberal blog. Republicans here are not filled with hate. Some are filled with disappointment and chagrin which is not the same as hate. Isn’t it fine that we have free speech in this country?

As Americans, most of us do try to “get along”. Some try harder than others. Why don’t you try it?

@@

October 21st, 2011
5:08 pm

Hillbilly:

You see, baseball never ends.

Obviously! My sports knowledge needs an adjustment. I just googled. They’re playing the World Series!!??!! I guess that’s why they refer to The Boys of October…emphasis on BOYS.

J/K

Dusty:

“Yes maam” “Yes sir” in California? More like yeah..yeah..yeah..whatever.

I would’ve never said either or to my parents. Okay was acceptable though.

sailfish

October 21st, 2011
5:09 pm

That bush feller was very bad for this country. Led by his gut, but then got sucker punched. The worst of it is how he ran up the credit card and hos disciples want to blame this president for the spending. Yes, that spoiled son of a gun, born on third thinking he hit a triple only to be thrown out at home

Dusty

October 21st, 2011
5:10 pm

HillBilly D

Constanza is hitting 455 after 3 games!!!! I hope he keeps that energy going for springtime. Gonna be fun next year.

@@

October 21st, 2011
5:16 pm

hos disciples

Is sailfish drinking from a hose?

@@

October 21st, 2011
5:17 pm

Bush served two terms. Not sure Obama’s gonna given the same privilege.

@@

October 21st, 2011
5:17 pm

put a “be” in there. gonna be given

Dusty

October 21st, 2011
5:18 pm

sailfish 5:09

Looks like you got hooked with the liberal bait and thrown in with the other suckers.

Do you live in a tent on a downtown park by any chance? Just wondering.

carlosgvv

October 21st, 2011
5:19 pm

If if were up to me, ALL of our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan would be out of there in a month. In the meanwhile, I would have a heart to heart with the leaders of those two countries and tell them that our spy sattelites and other assets would be watching them for any terrorist activity that we percieved as a threat. I would further inform them that if said activities were found, it would be bombs away, and that if they were hiding in a school, hospital or mosque, it would not matter. Finally, I would make it crystal clear to them that, if necessary, they would be bombed back to the stone age. Somehow, I doubt that either Obama or any of those clowns running for the Republican nomination would have the stones to do this.

sailfish

October 21st, 2011
5:20 pm

D

Sorry ma’am didn’t mean to upset you, have a nice evening, you hear?

sailfish

October 21st, 2011
5:21 pm

Need not be so rude to a mighty fish.

Hillbilly D

October 21st, 2011
5:23 pm

@@

Baseball is a thinking man (or woman’s) game. That’s what I like about it. There are so many things going on at one time and most of them are so subtle, that a casual viewer never has a clue.

JDW

October 21st, 2011
5:29 pm

George W. Bush lied to the American people, mismanaged the ensuing Iraq War, wasted over $800 billion in taxpayer dollars, cost the lives of over 4500 US troops, injured who knows how many and wreaked havoc on the Iraqi civilian population all to create what will likely be a long-term adversary.

There I gave credit where credit is due…happy?

Dusty

October 21st, 2011
5:30 pm

S 5:21 (aka sailfish)

Upset??? Rude??? It’s just that you smell FISHY!

sailfish

October 21st, 2011
5:32 pm

Hillbilly D

“most of them are so subtle, that a casual viewer never has a clue.”

Here’s one, someone thinking ahead-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DzQ_drd1AI

sailfish

October 21st, 2011
5:35 pm

d

I don’t no what to make of that last comment? Peace be with you!

Hillbilly D

October 21st, 2011
5:35 pm

sailfish

I once saw the St Louis Cardinals get 4 stolen bases on one play, against the Cubs. It started with runners at first and second, and a double steal…………and nobody covered home.

Know your history

October 21st, 2011
5:36 pm

Hey

October 21st, 2011
3:18 pm
where were the jobs when the Dems controlled the Presidency, the house and had a 60 seat Super Majority in the Senate.

And exactly when did the Dems have a 60 seat supermajority? Can you please cite? Or are you talking about the 111th Senate (2008-2010) when there were a record number of filibusters made by the Republicans?

Dusty

October 21st, 2011
5:37 pm

JDW 5:29

My goodness, you surely did learn the liberal mantra and coughed it all up for us. I think you did fail to mention that Bush once choked on a pretzel. Liberals value such points as that.

Well, happy brain washing. You are the perfect example.

Lil' Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)

October 21st, 2011
5:37 pm

Obozo is a graceless turd.

Lil' Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)

October 21st, 2011
5:40 pm

Dems had a filibuster proof Senate after Al Franken was sworn in. If Republicans filibustered, they must have had Democrat help.

dom youngross

October 21st, 2011
5:42 pm

Good job Kyle Wingfield. Good too that so few still have the blinders on about President Obama.

Plus:

The Iraq War Ain’t Over, No Matter What Obama Says

“On January 1, 2012, the State Department will command a hired army of about 5,500 security contractors, all to protect the largest U.S. diplomatic presence anywhere overseas.”

http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2011/10/obama-iraq-eternal/

Now is the time for everyone to relentlessly get on Obama’s back to do much better than drawing down only half of the number of troops he escalated to Afghanistan by the end of 2012.

sailfish

October 21st, 2011
5:44 pm

Hillbilly

The strangest play I ever saw was with my brother. We were facing a barn burner who was throwing a no hitter. My brother got up to the plate in the 6th. The pitcher fired in a fastball and my brother smacked it into right field, it got there in about .2 seconds, the crowd oooed and we all started yelling. The right fielder caught it on one hop and threw my brother out by ten feet. Talk about a high and low in an instant

Gm

October 21st, 2011
5:47 pm

Hey kyle, you represent why Georgia is considered the backwood state of the south, you and the rest of the hicks who vote for these rep are the reason we are last in job growth, education, and moving forward to the 21st century.
I guess bush killed bid ladin, helped killed the most hated leader in libya””’
You and the rest of the tea party bigots are a disgrace to our country always trying to give bush credit for something he did not do, I am ashamed to call you and the Rush Limbaugh and the Hannities of the world Americans, you people are a bunch of jealous hating bigots, the ugly side of America.

JKL2

October 21st, 2011
5:48 pm

Odis- Are all democrats batS&%t crazy with hate?

Fixed your typo

@@

October 21st, 2011
5:50 pm

Hillbilly:

There are so many things going on at one time and most of them are so subtle, that a casual viewer never has a clue.

And some things not so subtle. (ISH)

At least in football (don’t watch it either) everybody spends most of the game clumped together. If there’s somethin’ (you know what I mean) goin’ on, I can’t see it.

Of course, the only time I can see the ball is when it’s under the center or in the air. After that, I’m at a loss. All I see is a bunch of men being drawn to some centralized location.

@@

October 21st, 2011
5:52 pm

All I see is a bunch of men being drawn to some centralized location.

Only to arise from the tangled mess bumping boobs and patting each other on the butt.

schnirt

@@

October 21st, 2011
5:55 pm

Kinda sad!

The reeling housing market has come to this: To shore it up, two Senators are preparing to introduce a bipartisan bill Thursday that would give residence visas to foreigners who spend at least $500,000 to buy houses in the U.S.

The provision is part of a larger package of immigration measures, co-authored by Sens. Charles Schumer (D., N.Y.) and Mike Lee (R., Utah), designed to spur more foreign investment in the U.S.

First our jobs go overseas, and now the politicians are bringing wealthy foreigners over here to buy our houses because we can’t.

JKL2

October 21st, 2011
5:59 pm

gm- You and the rest of the tea party bigots are a disgrace to our country

I guess you really miss Tucker and her daily race-hating columns. Thanks for supporting our president based on the color of his skin.

FedUpWithPeopleAndTheirIdeas

October 21st, 2011
6:01 pm

This person had it correct and this country did not listen.

” continues to advance his idea of the dangers of sectionalism and expands his warning to include the dangers of political parties to the government and country as a whole.

….he also argues that every government has recognized political parties as an enemy and has sought to repress them because of their tendency to seek more power than other groups and take revenge on political opponents.

…goes on to acknowledge the fact that parties are sometimes beneficial in promoting liberty in monarchies, but argues that political parties must be restrained in a popularly elected government because of their tendency to distract the government from their duties, create unfounded jealousies among groups and regions, raise false alarms amongst the people, promote riots and insurrection, and provide foreign nations and interests access to the government where they can impose their will upon the country.”

Hillbilly D

October 21st, 2011
6:03 pm

You and the rest of the tea party bigots

Bigotry takes many forms. Perhaps a look in the mirror……….

Michael H. Smith

October 21st, 2011
6:03 pm

Oh no, don’t tell me obumer isn’t going to blame Bush for the end of the Iraq war Kyle ?!

Next maybe obumer will be re-writing the union label song as well as re-inventing the Internet and Al Gore too.

Hillbilly D

October 21st, 2011
6:06 pm

And some things not so subtle. (ISH)

You know you love it. (IWH)

Know your history

October 21st, 2011
6:08 pm

Lil’ Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)

October 21st, 2011
5:40 pm
Dems had a filibuster proof Senate after Al Franken was sworn in. If Republicans filibustered, they must have had Democrat help.

Franken was sworn in on into the Senate on July 7, 2009. During this time, Kennedy was too sick to even vote, and the badly ailing Kennedy was unable to vote and break filibusters. The Senate was in session from July 9 to August 2nd. Kennedy died on Aug.25, 2009. A five week supermajority if Kennedy would have been well enough to vote.

And the Republicans still set a new filibuster record in the 111th Senate!

JKL2

October 21st, 2011
6:08 pm

Hillbilly- I once saw the St Louis Cardinals get 4 stolen bases on one play, against the Cubs.

As you said, it was the Cubs…

I saw a game every year old Busch Stadium was in existence. Mike Shannon spoke at my high school graduation. Now I’m going to watch them win the toe ring. Go Cardinals! Thanks Braves (doing tomahawk chop in your honor).

FedUpWithPeopleAndTheirIdeas

October 21st, 2011
6:30 pm

I read all these comments and relize that you do not see the final outcome. Who cares who gets the credit. Our sons and daughters are coming home. This is a typical problem with this country. ME ME ME.
Stop working against each other and work as one. I see ideas the Dems and Rep, and both have valid points at times. Instead I want to be elected so Lie to get elected. I listen and most people have no idea of whats going on. I have a hard time my self to figure politics out.

Why have I never heard of polititions taking salary pay cut.
“We the people have to suffer and not the elected people who work for us.”

@@

October 21st, 2011
6:35 pm

Hillbilly:

“IT”??????

Please continue with your sports discussion. I’ll be thinking out loud if it’s okay with everyone.

Iraq’s parliament speaker has proposed that Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iran and Iraq hold conferences on a regular basis aimed at forming an understanding on political stability and security in the region after the U.S. withdrawal from Iraq is complete. It is not clear yet whether the proposed summits will take place, but each party has its own interests it would like to secure in Iraq, and Iraq itself is hoping to avoid becoming the battlefield where regional rivalries play out. However, because of Iraq’s sectarian divisions, it will be difficult for the Iraqis themselves to agree on what an understanding should look like, and the country’s geographic location in the heart of the Middle East make it the natural battleground for influence for its more powerful neighbors. Iran is in the strongest position in Iraq, but the potential for regime change in Syria — Tehran’s closest ally — could put a damper on its aims.–STRATFOR

It’s like I said earlier. Win or lose, the outcome in Syria could be a game changer. Only thing is, I don’t know who, if anyone, gets the trophy.

Hezbollah Considers a Future Without Syria’s Assad

BonQuisha

October 21st, 2011
6:36 pm

“…he offered no credit to the people who set this withdrawal in motion.”

You mean the former administration, that invaded Iraq on the pretext of ‘weapons of mass destruction’? If BHO didn’t act now, judging by the reactions coming from the GOP candidates if one of them won the next election we might be there forever.

@@

October 21st, 2011
6:37 pm

Now I’m going to watch them win the toe ring.

They wear toe rings!!??!!

ME TOO!!!!!!!!!

@@

October 21st, 2011
6:42 pm

BonQ:

You mean the former administration, that invaded Iraq on the pretext of ‘weapons of mass destruction’?

Follow the thread ^^^ UP! That one really has become stale.

Tell the Truth and Shame the Devil

October 21st, 2011
6:43 pm

President Obama announced we will abide by the agreement the Bush administration struck in fall 2008 to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq by the end of 2011.

It does not matter who struck the agreement; what does matter is who carried it out and succeed!

Talk is cheap as we all know (capturing Bin Laden, weapons of mass destruction, 7.12 billion dollars spent on the war in Iraq, on and on and on)!

Tell the Truth and Shame the Devil

October 21st, 2011
6:50 pm

@JKL2 October 21st, 2011 5:59 pm

White people have been voting for white people for centuries. Now the shoe is on the other foot and they don’t like it. Get over it. Blacks can vote for blacks if they choose too.

Whats good for the goose is……well you know.

BonQ

October 21st, 2011
6:56 pm

@@
October 21st, 2011
6:42 pm
BonQ:
“That one really has become stale.”

oooh, I think I touched a nerve!

@@

October 21st, 2011
7:06 pm

BonQ:

I think I touched a nerve!

Nope! It’s a matter of systematic desensitization.

Hold the Champagne for Libya and Iraq « Verus Politics: Truth and Reason

October 21st, 2011
7:27 pm

[...] the potential fate of the country and the return on investment there, let’s not forget that the Obama administration is simply adhering to the agreement that the Bush administration put in pla…. Anyone excited about the current President’s decision should also thank former President [...]

H. Crew

October 21st, 2011
7:47 pm

This president does not instill confidence. His mouth runs away with him. After saying he would leave no more than 5,000 troops in Iraq, there was no reason for Iraq’s leaders to negotiate further. This president runs from losses while our brave men and women fought for a cause. He is a political opportunist and nothing more.

JDW

October 21st, 2011
7:48 pm

Dusty 5:37

You are entitled to you opinion but facts are facts

Bullet County

October 21st, 2011
10:25 pm

Kyle,
Here’s a partial scorecard for President Obama who is “Strong on terror and national security.” Here’s the list:
1. Bin Laden – fish food
2. Al Alwahri (Al Qaeda’s number 2) – done
3. Somali pirates – Who Dat?
4. End to torture (which is against international law)
5. Winding down the Iraq and Afghanistan wars (saving us billions that the GOP says we can spend, but won’t spend a dime to help the citizens that created the wealth in the first place)
6. Gadhafi – history, good riddance
Surely you’re aware of the Clown Contingent’s (aka GOPers running for president) responses to the Iraq drawdown that Bush negotiated and Obama had the wisdom to execute. They were the very ones falsely criticizing (but then all they do is critize our POTUS) our POTUS for going around the world “apologizing for America,” being “weak on terror, dithering,” and “leading from behind.”
Well, President Obama does more than talk he get results, results that would be higher if the GOPers weren’t able to obstruct on the domestic side like they can’t on the foreign policy side. It’s time the American people remedy that by voting them out en masse next year and say goodbye to the GOPers who want and are doing their best to crash the economy for political gain. They just voted unanimously to kill the jobs bill that’s so sorely needed. Its obvious that the Clown Contingent would have us in Iraq forever and ever and they can’t wati to bomb, bomb, bomb Iran.

JKL2

October 21st, 2011
10:38 pm

@@- They wear toe rings!!??!!

Since they already have ten, the next one is going to have to be a toe ring.

JKL2

October 21st, 2011
10:45 pm

Tell the truth- Now the shoe is on the other foot and they don’t like it

First, either your name is a lie or you are clueless. I would hope you would vote for someone who was competent. Not that we had very good choices this time, but obama was elected as much by his skin color as anything he said. I thought the idea of equal rights is that we are all equal. The Demwits racial and class warfare has done nothing but divide this country farther apart than it has ever been outside of the civil war. So much for the “great uniter” theory.

Obama to make announcement on Iraq – msnbc.com | | SociaMore

October 22nd, 2011
1:25 am

[...] of Iraq WarMTV.comObama: U.S Troops Will Be Withdrawn from Iraq by the End of the YearThe AtlanticAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -CNN (blog)all 2,562 news [...]

Now with Ten Percent More Flavor

October 22nd, 2011
9:30 am

Kyle,

As I recall, Obama has tried repeatedly to get you anti-Democrats to acknowledge all that is (or was) Bush’s. NOW, you come along and want to cherry-pick. So typical.

Odis

October 22nd, 2011
1:05 pm

Dusty- You obviously don’t read the comments in there blogs and drink the toxic kool-aid that the republicans keep serving up. Keep drinkin it my friend, eventually it will catch up to ya!

JKL2. sorry dude, I had it right the first time and you just proved my point.

Hope can any clear thinking educated person not see what the republicans are up to? Take your head out of the sand people. How can you keep supporting politicians that are against the American people and are only in it for the greed? WAKE THE F UP!

Sbinf

October 23rd, 2011
6:53 am

So….Obama should credit Bush for removing troops from a war that never should have been started (by Bush). This logic would be absolutely hilarious if you weren’t actually serious.

JKL2

October 23rd, 2011
4:23 pm

Odis- WAKE THE F UP!

How can any clear thinking, educated person not see what the democrats are up to? Take your head out of the sand people. How can you keep supporting politicians that are against the American people and are only in it for the greed.

All the hate and violence is coming from the left.

Obama abides by Bush’s timeline for leaving Iraq, although you wouldn’t know that to hear him tell it (video)

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Obama abides by Bush’s timeline for leaving Iraq, although you wouldn’t know that to hear him tell it (video)

177 comments Add your comment

About Kyle Wingfield

Search this blog

Recent Posts

Archives

More from the AJC

Search by blog topic

Blogroll

Guidelines for this blog

My special series on MARTA

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Tell us what you think about the site

Subscribe »

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