Comments on: AP: U.S., Iraq near agreement for withdrawal of combat troops by October 2010 http://hotair.com/archives/2008/08/07/ap-us-iraq-near-agreement-for-withdrawal-of-combat-troops-by-october-2010/ The world’s first, full-service conservative Internet broadcast network Tue, 14 Feb 2012 18:31:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Hot Air » Blog Archive » Report: New security agreement may see combat troops withdraw within Iraq http://hotair.com/archives/2008/08/07/ap-us-iraq-near-agreement-for-withdrawal-of-combat-troops-by-october-2010/comment-page-1/#comment-1304410 Hot Air » Blog Archive » Report: New security agreement may see combat troops withdraw within Iraq Thu, 14 Aug 2008 01:30:40 +0000 http://hotair.com/?p=21488#comment-1304410 [...] apparent compromise on last week’s proposal that would have had all combat troops out by 2010, conditions permitting. The new plan: Combat [...] [...] apparent compromise on last week’s proposal that would have had all combat troops out by 2010, conditions permitting. The new plan: Combat [...]

]]> By: coldwarrior http://hotair.com/archives/2008/08/07/ap-us-iraq-near-agreement-for-withdrawal-of-combat-troops-by-october-2010/comment-page-1/#comment-1292296 coldwarrior Fri, 08 Aug 2008 14:46:05 +0000 http://hotair.com/?p=21488#comment-1292296 Officers in the US military are part of the Executive Branch. They answer to the President/SecDef directly through the JCS and subordinate command structure. They are not part of the Legislative Branch. Reid and Pelosi do not command the armed forces. It has been a habit of Congress to get involved and insinuate themselves into military affairs with growing poor results since the late 1960's. This involvement goes beyond being the Constitutional custodians of the federal purse strings...it now goes to strategy and tactics. As Granma always said, "too many cooks..." Officers in the US military are part of the Executive Branch. They answer to the President/SecDef directly through the JCS and subordinate command structure. They are not part of the Legislative Branch. Reid and Pelosi do not command the armed forces.

It has been a habit of Congress to get involved and insinuate themselves into military affairs with growing poor results since the late 1960′s.

This involvement goes beyond being the Constitutional custodians of the federal purse strings…it now goes to strategy and tactics.

As Granma always said, “too many cooks…”

]]> By: Amy Proctor http://hotair.com/archives/2008/08/07/ap-us-iraq-near-agreement-for-withdrawal-of-combat-troops-by-october-2010/comment-page-1/#comment-1292026 Amy Proctor Fri, 08 Aug 2008 12:49:57 +0000 http://hotair.com/?p=21488#comment-1292026 MB4, you are right. I was thinking of the oath of enlistment: I, (NAME), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God. Now, "supporting and denfending the Constitution" doesn't change the fact that commanders brief the Commander in Chief and that the Commander in Chief makes the final decision. What does supporting and defending the Constitution look like to you? I'm not sure what you're point is. GEN Petraeus would know more about conditions on the ground, which is a large part of his function, than the President (or the Constitution would). MB4, you are right. I was thinking of the oath of enlistment:

I, (NAME), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.

Now, “supporting and denfending the Constitution” doesn’t change the fact that commanders brief the Commander in Chief and that the Commander in Chief makes the final decision.

What does supporting and defending the Constitution look like to you? I’m not sure what you’re point is. GEN Petraeus would know more about conditions on the ground, which is a large part of his function, than the President (or the Constitution would).

]]> By: MB4 http://hotair.com/archives/2008/08/07/ap-us-iraq-near-agreement-for-withdrawal-of-combat-troops-by-october-2010/comment-page-1/#comment-1291894 MB4 Fri, 08 Aug 2008 07:23:37 +0000 http://hotair.com/?p=21488#comment-1291894 "I, _____ (SSAN), having been appointed an officer in the Army of the United States, as indicated above in the grade of _____ do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend <b>the Constitution of the United States</b> against all enemies, foreign or domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservations or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter; So help me God." (DA Form 71, 1 August 1959, for officers.) “I, _____ (SSAN), having been appointed an officer in the Army of the United States, as indicated above in the grade of _____ do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign or domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservations or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter; So help me God.” (DA Form 71, 1 August 1959, for officers.)

]]> By: Amy Proctor http://hotair.com/archives/2008/08/07/ap-us-iraq-near-agreement-for-withdrawal-of-combat-troops-by-october-2010/comment-page-1/#comment-1291889 Amy Proctor Fri, 08 Aug 2008 06:59:03 +0000 http://hotair.com/?p=21488#comment-1291889 Officers take an oath to defend adn protect the United States against enemies foreign and domenstic and to OBEY THE ORDERS OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. Commanders inform the President, he makes the decisions. A representative government doesn't mean the military takes its orders from "the people". Officers take an oath to defend adn protect the United States against enemies foreign and domenstic and to OBEY THE ORDERS OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. Commanders inform the President, he makes the decisions.

A representative government doesn’t mean the military takes its orders from “the people”.

]]> By: MB4 http://hotair.com/archives/2008/08/07/ap-us-iraq-near-agreement-for-withdrawal-of-combat-troops-by-october-2010/comment-page-1/#comment-1291882 MB4 Fri, 08 Aug 2008 06:30:23 +0000 http://hotair.com/?p=21488#comment-1291882 <b> not</b> to the Koran, although some seem to have developed a certain fondness for kissing it. not to the Koran, although some seem to have developed a certain fondness for kissing it.

]]> By: Amy Proctor http://hotair.com/archives/2008/08/07/ap-us-iraq-near-agreement-for-withdrawal-of-combat-troops-by-october-2010/comment-page-1/#comment-1291881 Amy Proctor Fri, 08 Aug 2008 06:29:03 +0000 http://hotair.com/?p=21488#comment-1291881 PS... the good news is that if a deal is reached soon, no matter who the President is, Bush can take credit for starting and ending the war within his administration. There's nothing Obama can do about that and he'll have nothing to do with the withdrawal! PS… the good news is that if a deal is reached soon, no matter who the President is, Bush can take credit for starting and ending the war within his administration. There’s nothing Obama can do about that and he’ll have nothing to do with the withdrawal!

]]> By: MB4 http://hotair.com/archives/2008/08/07/ap-us-iraq-near-agreement-for-withdrawal-of-combat-troops-by-october-2010/comment-page-1/#comment-1291879 MB4 Fri, 08 Aug 2008 06:28:26 +0000 http://hotair.com/?p=21488#comment-1291879 <blockquote>Quibbling over 16 or 18 months isn’t the issue. The issue is whether we listen to <b>commanders on the ground</b> or not. The issue is whether our withdrawal is conditions based or politically based. I think we know which of the two Obama’s plan is based on. Amy Proctor on August 8, 2008 at 2:10 AM</blockquote> We are a representative democracy, not a military oligarchy and military officers take their oath to the <b>U.S.</b> Constitution.

Quibbling over 16 or 18 months isn’t the issue. The issue is whether we listen to commanders on the ground or not. The issue is whether our withdrawal is conditions based or politically based.

I think we know which of the two Obama’s plan is based on.

Amy Proctor on August 8, 2008 at 2:10 AM

We are a representative democracy, not a military oligarchy and military officers take their oath to the U.S. Constitution.

]]> By: Amy Proctor http://hotair.com/archives/2008/08/07/ap-us-iraq-near-agreement-for-withdrawal-of-combat-troops-by-october-2010/comment-page-1/#comment-1291874 Amy Proctor Fri, 08 Aug 2008 06:11:53 +0000 http://hotair.com/?p=21488#comment-1291874 That should be "how wrong the Obama initiatives" in the second sentence. That should be “how wrong the Obama initiatives” in the second sentence.

]]> By: Amy Proctor http://hotair.com/archives/2008/08/07/ap-us-iraq-near-agreement-for-withdrawal-of-combat-troops-by-october-2010/comment-page-1/#comment-1291873 Amy Proctor Fri, 08 Aug 2008 06:10:54 +0000 http://hotair.com/?p=21488#comment-1291873 MB4, haggling over 16 or 18 months is irrelevant. The fact that both Democrats and Republicans able to talk about troop withdrawal shows how wrong the Obama initiates to get us out of Iraq years ago were. What he wants to do now is become President and claim he ended the war. With his beligerance toward ending the war regardless of conditions on the ground shows he is not willing to end the war, but withdrawal U.S. support from it. Pulling troops doesn't equal ending the war. The war will go on with or without us but we are still in a situation in which some or possibly much of the gains our soldiers, including many of my husband's buddies, have died for can be undone. Quibbling over 16 or 18 months isn't the issue. The issue is whether we listen to commanders on the ground or not. The issue is whether our withdrawal is conditions based or politically based. I think we know which of the two Obama's plan is based on. MB4, haggling over 16 or 18 months is irrelevant. The fact that both Democrats and Republicans able to talk about troop withdrawal shows how wrong the Obama initiates to get us out of Iraq years ago were.

What he wants to do now is become President and claim he ended the war. With his beligerance toward ending the war regardless of conditions on the ground shows he is not willing to end the war, but withdrawal U.S. support from it. Pulling troops doesn’t equal ending the war. The war will go on with or without us but we are still in a situation in which some or possibly much of the gains our soldiers, including many of my husband’s buddies, have died for can be undone.

Quibbling over 16 or 18 months isn’t the issue. The issue is whether we listen to commanders on the ground or not. The issue is whether our withdrawal is conditions based or politically based.

I think we know which of the two Obama’s plan is based on.

]]> By: Travis1 http://hotair.com/archives/2008/08/07/ap-us-iraq-near-agreement-for-withdrawal-of-combat-troops-by-october-2010/comment-page-1/#comment-1291746 Travis1 Fri, 08 Aug 2008 03:27:29 +0000 http://hotair.com/?p=21488#comment-1291746 Victory! None of our brave troops died in vain. God Bless our Troops and God Bless America. Victory! None of our brave troops died in vain.
God Bless our Troops and God Bless America.

]]> By: coldwarrior http://hotair.com/archives/2008/08/07/ap-us-iraq-near-agreement-for-withdrawal-of-combat-troops-by-october-2010/comment-page-1/#comment-1291519 coldwarrior Fri, 08 Aug 2008 01:36:10 +0000 http://hotair.com/?p=21488#comment-1291519 BDU-33 on August 7, 2008 at 8:28 PM -- One of Eisenhower's biggest source of headaches, and they were, according to those around him who wrote of Eisnehower, pretty terrible, were his efforts to keep the Allies on the same sheet of music. Monty kept wandering off on his own special tangeant quite a lot... I read that piece about the Brits wanting to stay in Basra for the foreseeable future. Good for them. Now, if they decide to stay, and we decide to bug out...what then? Seems CENTCOM, and the Multi-National Force HQ in Baghdad better make sure all players are reading from the same sheet of music, and then get Washington and London to do the same. BDU-33 on August 7, 2008 at 8:28 PM –

One of Eisenhower’s biggest source of headaches, and they were, according to those around him who wrote of Eisnehower, pretty terrible, were his efforts to keep the Allies on the same sheet of music. Monty kept wandering off on his own special tangeant quite a lot…

I read that piece about the Brits wanting to stay in Basra for the foreseeable future. Good for them. Now, if they decide to stay, and we decide to bug out…what then?

Seems CENTCOM, and the Multi-National Force HQ in Baghdad better make sure all players are reading from the same sheet of music, and then get Washington and London to do the same.

]]> By: BDU-33 http://hotair.com/archives/2008/08/07/ap-us-iraq-near-agreement-for-withdrawal-of-combat-troops-by-october-2010/comment-page-1/#comment-1291393 BDU-33 Fri, 08 Aug 2008 00:28:06 +0000 http://hotair.com/?p=21488#comment-1291393 Meanwhile,<a href="http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=56611" rel="nofollow"> Britain is seeking long-term presence in Iraq</a> Meanwhile, Britain is seeking long-term presence in Iraq

]]> By: Terrye http://hotair.com/archives/2008/08/07/ap-us-iraq-near-agreement-for-withdrawal-of-combat-troops-by-october-2010/comment-page-1/#comment-1291324 Terrye Thu, 07 Aug 2008 23:54:31 +0000 http://hotair.com/?p=21488#comment-1291324 I think this will make it easier for McCain, not harder. In fact I am sure Bush would rather be the one to make this call if possible so that the next president is not totally responsible for the outcome. I think this will make it easier for McCain, not harder. In fact I am sure Bush would rather be the one to make this call if possible so that the next president is not totally responsible for the outcome.

]]> By: MB4 http://hotair.com/archives/2008/08/07/ap-us-iraq-near-agreement-for-withdrawal-of-combat-troops-by-october-2010/comment-page-1/#comment-1291291 MB4 Thu, 07 Aug 2008 23:40:00 +0000 http://hotair.com/?p=21488#comment-1291291 <blockquote> Der Feind meines Feindes ist mein Freund. Johan Klaus on August 7, 2008 at 4:15 PM</blockquote> Bis Ihnen das Geld.

Der Feind meines Feindes ist mein Freund.

Johan Klaus on August 7, 2008 at 4:15 PM

Bis Ihnen das Geld.

]]> By: MB4 http://hotair.com/archives/2008/08/07/ap-us-iraq-near-agreement-for-withdrawal-of-combat-troops-by-october-2010/comment-page-1/#comment-1291283 MB4 Thu, 07 Aug 2008 23:36:52 +0000 http://hotair.com/?p=21488#comment-1291283 <blockquote>Der Feind meines Feindes ist mein Freund. Johan Klaus on August 7, 2008 at 4:15 PM</blockquote> No hablo Aleman muy bien.

Der Feind meines Feindes ist mein Freund.

Johan Klaus on August 7, 2008 at 4:15 PM

No hablo Aleman muy bien.

]]> By: MB4 http://hotair.com/archives/2008/08/07/ap-us-iraq-near-agreement-for-withdrawal-of-combat-troops-by-october-2010/comment-page-1/#comment-1291254 MB4 Thu, 07 Aug 2008 23:23:05 +0000 http://hotair.com/?p=21488#comment-1291254 <blockquote> <i>Like many Americans, I want to know exactly what Iraq is going to provide for America in turn for our providing their independence and security to date.</i> What are you an editor for Soldier of Fortune or something? Nice mercenary attitude. Fortunately we in the Armed Forces don’t share it… major john on August 7, 2008 at 3:21 PM</blockquote> How something, especially something so costly, serves America is suppose to be a question that an American President is suppose to be asking all the time.

Like many Americans, I want to know exactly what Iraq is going to provide for America in turn for our providing their independence and security to date.

What are you an editor for Soldier of Fortune or something? Nice mercenary attitude. Fortunately we in the Armed Forces don’t share it…

major john on August 7, 2008 at 3:21 PM

How something, especially something so costly, serves America is suppose to be a question that an American President is suppose to be asking all the time.

]]> By: omnipotent http://hotair.com/archives/2008/08/07/ap-us-iraq-near-agreement-for-withdrawal-of-combat-troops-by-october-2010/comment-page-1/#comment-1291050 omnipotent Thu, 07 Aug 2008 21:56:22 +0000 http://hotair.com/?p=21488#comment-1291050 <em>Coitus interruptus</em>? Coitus interruptus?

]]> By: TallDave http://hotair.com/archives/2008/08/07/ap-us-iraq-near-agreement-for-withdrawal-of-combat-troops-by-october-2010/comment-page-1/#comment-1290932 TallDave Thu, 07 Aug 2008 21:11:14 +0000 http://hotair.com/?p=21488#comment-1290932 McCain can simply make the point that if we'd left under Obama's original plan, we'd be leaving behind a civil war rather than a country that is fairly peaceful and the closest thing in Arabia to a liberal democracy. McCain can simply make the point that if we’d left under Obama’s original plan, we’d be leaving behind a civil war rather than a country that is fairly peaceful and the closest thing in Arabia to a liberal democracy.

]]> By: tomas http://hotair.com/archives/2008/08/07/ap-us-iraq-near-agreement-for-withdrawal-of-combat-troops-by-october-2010/comment-page-1/#comment-1290854 tomas Thu, 07 Aug 2008 20:46:29 +0000 http://hotair.com/?p=21488#comment-1290854 They have to make a deal before it is too late. If Obama wins they are screwed. It is kind of sad that they have to rush this thing. They have to make a deal before it is too late. If Obama wins they are screwed. It is kind of sad that they have to rush this thing.

]]> By: Asher http://hotair.com/archives/2008/08/07/ap-us-iraq-near-agreement-for-withdrawal-of-combat-troops-by-october-2010/comment-page-1/#comment-1290810 Asher Thu, 07 Aug 2008 20:32:03 +0000 http://hotair.com/?p=21488#comment-1290810 Good Lord...Obama is lauded for suggesting that the winning team, late in the 4th quarter, should run the ball instead of throwing it downfield. In actuality, he wanted to throw in the towel at half-time. I'm guessing he had an inkling yesterday that Brett Favre wasn't going to start for the Packers this season. Brilliant! Good Lord…Obama is lauded for suggesting that the winning team, late in the 4th quarter, should run the ball instead of throwing it downfield.

In actuality, he wanted to throw in the towel at half-time.

I’m guessing he had an inkling yesterday that Brett Favre wasn’t going to start for the Packers this season.

Brilliant!

]]> By: Johan Klaus http://hotair.com/archives/2008/08/07/ap-us-iraq-near-agreement-for-withdrawal-of-combat-troops-by-october-2010/comment-page-1/#comment-1290763 Johan Klaus Thu, 07 Aug 2008 20:15:56 +0000 http://hotair.com/?p=21488#comment-1290763 <blockquote>Dolchstoßlegende redux. MB4 on August 7, 2008 at 2:56 PM</blockquote> Der Feind meines Feindes ist mein Freund.

Dolchstoßlegende redux.

MB4 on August 7, 2008 at 2:56 PM

Der Feind meines Feindes ist mein Freund.

]]> By: Flopping Aces » Blog Archive » “Near” Agreement Reached On Withdrawal From Iraq http://hotair.com/archives/2008/08/07/ap-us-iraq-near-agreement-for-withdrawal-of-combat-troops-by-october-2010/comment-page-1/#comment-1290711 Flopping Aces » Blog Archive » “Near” Agreement Reached On Withdrawal From Iraq Thu, 07 Aug 2008 20:02:21 +0000 http://hotair.com/?p=21488#comment-1290711 [...] Allah makes some predictions: Bush will, of course, emphasize that the time frame here is conditions-based (presumably with Obama’s approval), but expectations have a momentum all their own. Barring a severe deterioration in security, public pressure on the Iraqi government to enforce the timetable now that they’ve committed to it will be intense, if for no other reason than that Sadr is already making a stink about it and will demagogue it to gain leverage over them if they fail to follow through. Likely result: The IA will be pressed into a lead role before they’re ready and some of those “residual” U.S. troops will find themselves drafted back into a combat/peacekeeper role. That’s probably the most politically palatable solution for all sides, since it would maintain the all-important reduction in absolute numbers while allowing for a more vigorous presence below the radar than the timetable imagines. [...] [...] Allah makes some predictions: Bush will, of course, emphasize that the time frame here is conditions-based (presumably with Obama’s approval), but expectations have a momentum all their own. Barring a severe deterioration in security, public pressure on the Iraqi government to enforce the timetable now that they’ve committed to it will be intense, if for no other reason than that Sadr is already making a stink about it and will demagogue it to gain leverage over them if they fail to follow through. Likely result: The IA will be pressed into a lead role before they’re ready and some of those “residual” U.S. troops will find themselves drafted back into a combat/peacekeeper role. That’s probably the most politically palatable solution for all sides, since it would maintain the all-important reduction in absolute numbers while allowing for a more vigorous presence below the radar than the timetable imagines. [...]

]]> By: coldwarrior http://hotair.com/archives/2008/08/07/ap-us-iraq-near-agreement-for-withdrawal-of-combat-troops-by-october-2010/comment-page-1/#comment-1290688 coldwarrior Thu, 07 Aug 2008 19:58:14 +0000 http://hotair.com/?p=21488#comment-1290688 mjk on August 7, 2008 at 3:25 PM -- If Iraq becomes a vibrant democracy, Turkey will remain a vibrant democracy. If Iraq tumbles under trhe wheels of the bus, Turkey will follow within a very short time. mjk on August 7, 2008 at 3:25 PM –

If Iraq becomes a vibrant democracy, Turkey will remain a vibrant democracy. If Iraq tumbles under trhe wheels of the bus, Turkey will follow within a very short time.

]]> By: mjk http://hotair.com/archives/2008/08/07/ap-us-iraq-near-agreement-for-withdrawal-of-combat-troops-by-october-2010/comment-page-1/#comment-1290558 mjk Thu, 07 Aug 2008 19:25:17 +0000 http://hotair.com/?p=21488#comment-1290558 The Turks are Muslim. They have a democracy. Why can't that happen now? The Turks are Muslim. They have a democracy. Why can’t that happen now?

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