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Alec Baldwin on Iraq: "Withdraw. Regroup. Lead."
Conde Nast ^
| July 26, 2007
| Alec Baldwin
Posted on 07/29/2007 10:26:50 AM PDT by lowbridge
The fourth thing I would do as president would be to pull out of Iraq... but with serious conditions.
The US must allow the Iraqis to fight a civil war. We pull out of Iraq, but not out of the area entirely. The US should build, with the help of other nations as well, a coalition base outside of the most dangerous areas in the region. That base should be on the Pakistani border, because the Pakistanis are a shitty ally, are full of bull and need to be watched every moment and their country is a haven for Al Qaeda. The next president should travel the globe fortifying support from our allies and exhorting them to commit funds and troops to the next stage of this effort.
In that next stage, the US will say to Iraqi officials and to the Iraqi people that America will withdraw from Iraq in order to allow them to form a government. A legitimate government. An elected government. A government that will function as a legitimate trading partner with the US and the world. And one that renounces Al Qaeda and all terrorist activity in the region. The US suggests a timetable. If real progress is made, that timetable could be extended. US government officials, both State Department and intelligence, are stationed in Iraq to consult on and oversee the transition.
Meanwhile, the president is lobbying our allies, and others as well, to share in the responsibility of combating global terrorism. Other nations must increase their efforts in this area, and the next president must make that case to the world. The next president must reclaim America's mantle as a hero of democracy and as a friend to developing countries; not one who destabilizes weaker states for economic advantage or, just as disturbing, lies to its own people in order to engage in a war for oil.
There is one superseding constant here. Our enemies do not seek, in collegiate wrestling terms, an escape. They seek a reversal. They seek a move or series of moves that will put their boot heel into our neck, just as they perceive, rightly or wrongly so, that we currently have our boot heel in theirs. Our enemies are bold, vicious and unflagging in numbers. Most importantly, they value human life less than any group of people on earth. What's done is done in the Middle East. This administration made sure of that. We have many enemies there and they must be dealt with. We can address our issues in Iraq and also reestablish what was once a noble society there, albeit a tortured one. But only with truly compelling leadership in the White House.
Let the Iraqis form their government. If they don't, we attack. This time with a true coalition force. As I have maintained on this blog before, the US cannot fight everyone. We need friends. we need help. We need to play it smart. Smarter than this crowd ever had any hope of being. The damage done to the reputation of this great country can be undone. But we must have leadership on a par that we have not seen in quite some time.
Withdraw. Regroup. Lead. Attacking is always a last option. When exercised, it must always be conclusive.
TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: alecbaldwin; armchairgenerals; iraq; waronterror; wot
Hey Baldwin, Iraq doesn't share a border with Pakistan. They got Iran between them.

See, that's why you're such a...

1
posted on
07/29/2007 10:26:53 AM PDT
by
lowbridge
To: lowbridge
Another armchair general heard from ....
2
posted on
07/29/2007 10:28:04 AM PDT
by
SkyDancer
("If builders built airplanes the way FAA writes FARs then the first pilot would have been a woman")
To: lowbridge
A War College graduate no don’t. He could probably shout them out like he does his little girl.
3
posted on
07/29/2007 10:28:42 AM PDT
by
Sybeck1
(I like Rodney Carrington's recipe for World Peace.)
To: lowbridge
-at least he’s not berating his daughter via his cell phone. rme
4
posted on
07/29/2007 10:30:44 AM PDT
by
tioga
(Duncan Hunter for President.)
To: lowbridge
Alec Baldwin? Can’t comment on something with a single brain cell...
5
posted on
07/29/2007 10:32:02 AM PDT
by
Issaquahking
(Duncan Hunter for president!)
To: lowbridge
Alec Baldwin, “I’d beat Al-Qaeda like I beat Kim Bassinger.”
6
posted on
07/29/2007 10:32:10 AM PDT
by
dfwgator
(The University of Florida - Still Championship U)
To: SkyDancer
And the fourth thing I would do as president is to deport baldwin to whatever planet he came from.
7
posted on
07/29/2007 10:33:12 AM PDT
by
freeangel
( (free speech is only good until someone else doesn't like what you say))
To: lowbridge
Wow, is this guy a frikkin’ genius or what? Bet he could even captain a nuclear powered submarine!
8
posted on
07/29/2007 10:33:43 AM PDT
by
Eagles6
To: lowbridge
I think that Alec had a friend—if he has any left—write this for him.
9
posted on
07/29/2007 10:34:22 AM PDT
by
Clara Lou
(Thompson '08-- imwithfred.com)
To: lowbridge
Arec Barwin is still worthless.
10
posted on
07/29/2007 10:35:51 AM PDT
by
pnh102
To: lowbridge
Hooboy.
This boob never knows when to shut up does he?
11
posted on
07/29/2007 10:36:27 AM PDT
by
mylife
(The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
To: lowbridge
Did Baldwin really write this tripe? Good grief. In one sentence he says we need to let the Iraqis have their civil war and in another he says we need to tell the Iraqis we’re pulling out and they should form a legitimate govt. So, he’s suggesting a civil war is the proper way to do that? This actually reads like a High School Sophomore dissertation on what he would do about Iraq if he were Prez. I can only shake my head in dismay because I know to some folks out there this will look like an intelligent appraisal.
12
posted on
07/29/2007 10:36:27 AM PDT
by
saganite
(Billions and billions and billions----and that's just the NASA budget!)
To: lowbridge
Shut up and Abuse your Daughter Alec!
The Surge is Working and the nutjobs are going crazy.
Pray for W and Our Troops
13
posted on
07/29/2007 10:36:50 AM PDT
by
bray
(Member of the FR President Bush underground)
To: dfwgator
LOL - she managed to divorce him.
14
posted on
07/29/2007 10:37:04 AM PDT
by
tioga
(Duncan Hunter for President.)
To: lowbridge
Kalee to Alec
I thought you moved to Europe
15
posted on
07/29/2007 10:37:17 AM PDT
by
kalee
(The offenses we give, we write in the dust; Those we take, we write in marble. JHuett)
To: lowbridge
We need friends. we need help.We have Britain and Poland, what other help do we need?
16
posted on
07/29/2007 10:37:25 AM PDT
by
dfwgator
(The University of Florida - Still Championship U)
To: lowbridge
I am Cancelling my CONDE NAST crap ASAP!!!
17
posted on
07/29/2007 10:38:26 AM PDT
by
Suzy Quzy
(Hillary in '08.....Her PHONINESS is GENUINE !!!!)
To: lowbridge
I don’t like Baldwin. But he never said Iraq shared a border with Pakistan.
18
posted on
07/29/2007 10:39:17 AM PDT
by
BGHater
(Bread and Circuses)
To: lowbridge
In that next stage, the US will say to Iraqi officials and to the Iraqi people that America will withdraw from Iraq in order to allow them to form a government. A legitimate government. An elected government. A government that will function as a legitimate trading partner with the US and the world. And one that renounces Al Qaeda and all terrorist activity in the region. Yeah, That should work.
We cant force them into forming an American influenced Gov with military force so we should withdraw and force them to accept an American influenced Gov. Does that sum it up Alec?
19
posted on
07/29/2007 10:40:08 AM PDT
by
mylife
(The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
To: lowbridge
This from a guy who has been systematically and consitantly out maneuvered by Kim Bassinger So you can’t reach and amicable agreement with your wife but you can advise world leaders on Iraq. Nice!!
20
posted on
07/29/2007 10:42:06 AM PDT
by
ontap
(Just another backstabbing conservative)
To: BGHater
He did suggest a base “close by” and on the border of Pakistan.
In a way he has a good point. Occupying Iran would likely solve 90% of the problems.
21
posted on
07/29/2007 10:43:22 AM PDT
by
SampleMan
(Islamic tolerance is practiced by killing you last.)
To: lowbridge
If everything was the same in Iraq, with the only difference being Bill Clinton in the White House, Baldwin and his ilk would have been praising Clinton as the greatest liberator since FDR.
22
posted on
07/29/2007 10:45:02 AM PDT
by
dfwgator
(The University of Florida - Still Championship U)
To: dfwgator
23
posted on
07/29/2007 10:46:10 AM PDT
by
mylife
(The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
To: Eagles6
I wouldn’t trust him to drive a garbage truck.Why do the b-grade actors always think they have some mystic insight into the workings of the real world?
24
posted on
07/29/2007 10:47:45 AM PDT
by
Farmer Dean
(That was a hell of a thing!)
To: lowbridge
From the man who turned Smart Alec into an oxymoron.
25
posted on
07/29/2007 10:49:07 AM PDT
by
sono
(Where there is a choice only between cowardice and violence, I would advise violence - M Gandhi)
To: lowbridge
Hey Baldwin, you and your fellow Hollywierd twits get gored in here too!
26
posted on
07/29/2007 10:49:10 AM PDT
by
SandRat
(Duty, Honor, Country. What else needs to be said?)
To: lowbridge
Is this nitwit,Alec Baldwin, holding off until Labor Day to announce his run for President/Commander in Chief? I have a pet Llama named Goofus I would vote for first.
27
posted on
07/29/2007 10:50:19 AM PDT
by
CHEE
To: lowbridge
Hey Badwin, you don’t LEAD with withdraw.
Try Peace through STRENGTH.
28
posted on
07/29/2007 10:52:14 AM PDT
by
Calpernia
(Breederville.com)
To: lowbridge
>>>We need friends. we need help.
Does he think JUST the USA is fighting this war???
29
posted on
07/29/2007 10:55:47 AM PDT
by
Calpernia
(Breederville.com)
To: SandRat
30
posted on
07/29/2007 10:56:31 AM PDT
by
Calpernia
(Breederville.com)
To: Farmer Dean
>>>Why do the b-grade actors always think they have some mystic insight into the workings of the real world?
Because they stayed at a Holiday Inn Express once?
31
posted on
07/29/2007 10:57:22 AM PDT
by
Calpernia
(Breederville.com)
To: Calpernia; Farmer Dean
>>>Why do the b-grade actors always think they have some mystic insight into the workings of the real world? Because they stayed at a Holiday Inn Express once?
That and they're surrounded by sycophants who never tell them no nor offer any criticism and treat every utterance as if from God himself.
Maybe Alec could given Ahmedinejad a tongue-lashing like he gave his own daughter - that would straighten him out! Ha!
32
posted on
07/29/2007 11:02:51 AM PDT
by
Rummyfan
(Iraq: it's not about Iraq anymore, it's about the USA!)
To: Calpernia
Try Peace through STRENGTH.
YOU BET!
33
posted on
07/29/2007 11:06:01 AM PDT
by
mc5cents
(Show me just what Mohammd brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman)
To: mc5cents
34
posted on
07/29/2007 11:11:20 AM PDT
by
Calpernia
(Breederville.com)
To: lowbridge
The man’s a fricking genius. No doubt about it. The wrestling analogy is a masterpiece. I’m so impressed I pooped myself.
To: Farmer Dean
"Why do the b-grade actors always think they have some mystic insight into the workings of the real world?"Probably because the sheep of the world give them truckloads of money for the privilege of watching them at the theater. You have to be more than a bit of a narcissist to belong to that profession anyhow.
36
posted on
07/29/2007 11:27:11 AM PDT
by
Eagles6
To: lowbridge
I don’t believe Alec has ever even made a war film.
How then, has he become an expert in strategic military matters?
37
posted on
07/29/2007 11:34:55 AM PDT
by
Beckwith
(dhimmicrats and the liberal media have chosen sides -- Islamofascism)
To: Beckwith
I dont believe Alec has ever even made a war film.He was in "Pearl Harbor." (although you could question if it deserved to be classified as a 'war film.')
38
posted on
07/29/2007 11:37:51 AM PDT
by
dfwgator
(The University of Florida - Still Championship U)
To: lowbridge
This is the smartest solution ever conceived, the genius of Alec Baldwin has no parallel in history of mankind (extreme sarcasm).
39
posted on
07/29/2007 11:47:20 AM PDT
by
jveritas
(God bless our brave troops and President Bush.)
To: dfwgator
Yup! — you’re absolutely correct — saw it — most of it was historically inaccurate — that explains Baldwin’s credentials — LOL!
40
posted on
07/29/2007 11:48:22 AM PDT
by
Beckwith
(dhimmicrats and the liberal media have chosen sides -- Islamofascism)
To: lowbridge
yes we should take this man seriously
41
posted on
07/29/2007 11:50:28 AM PDT
by
finnman69
(May Paris Hilton's plane crash into Britney Spears house while Lindsey Lohan is over doing coke)
To: Beckwith
I did like him in “Glengarry Glen Ross.” Although I don’t think he had to “act” for that role.
42
posted on
07/29/2007 11:52:22 AM PDT
by
dfwgator
(The University of Florida - Still Championship U)
To: SevenofNine
To: lowbridge
I nominate Alec to go personally scout out locations in Iran or Afghanistan for a permanent “coalition” military base.
Take Sean Penn with him!
44
posted on
07/29/2007 11:58:25 AM PDT
by
silverleaf
(Fasten your seat belts- it's going to be a BUMPY ride.)
To: tioga
... but with serious conditionsUh oh....stern language??
45
posted on
07/29/2007 12:36:05 PM PDT
by
Puppage
(You may disagree with what I have to say, but I shall defend to your death my right to say it)
To: dfwgator
I always thought it was too bad ol’ Kim didn’t go postal on him and blow his balls off...
But then again, being a fat, loudmouthed, sissified a$$hole, he probably doesn’t have any...
46
posted on
07/29/2007 1:04:23 PM PDT
by
Levante
To: freeangel
Nope, North Korea would do just fine .... or give him a sex change and send him to Iran ...
47
posted on
07/29/2007 2:19:56 PM PDT
by
SkyDancer
("If builders built airplanes the way FAA writes FARs then the first pilot would have been a woman")
To: SkyDancer
Another armchair general heard from ....He should be busted in rank to Armchair Private. :-)
48
posted on
07/29/2007 2:48:05 PM PDT
by
lowbridge
(A Gun A Day Keeps The Government Away)
To: lowbridge
Did writing this article cut into his quality wife beating time?
49
posted on
07/30/2007 4:38:17 AM PDT
by
omega4179
(Was the guy's name Mohammed?)
To: lowbridge
"That base should be on the Pakistani border...."
ROFLMAO!!! Alec Baldwin joins the John Murtha School of Strategic Imbecility!
While Murtha wants to "re-deploy" 6000 miles to Okinawa (which most decidedly wants fewer, not more, US forces!), Alec Baldwin thinks we should magically find a base for 100K+ troops "on the Pakistani border"....... well let's see, that allows for (1) invasion and occupation of Iran; (2) war with Pakistan to be able to occupy and supply based in southern Afghanistan (or within Pakistan itself); or, (3) bringing India into a war with Pakistan and basing US forces (WHY???) in northern India. Never going to happen. Certainly we are not going to try the logistically absurd task of placing vast forces on Pakistan's NORTHERN border.....
So just WTF is Alec Baldwin babbling about, and why does he think that life as a mediocre actor and wife hater enables him to make grand strategic judgments?
50
posted on
07/30/2007 8:54:56 PM PDT
by
Enchante
(Reid and Pelosi Defeatocrats: Surrender Now - Peace for Our Time!!)
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