A reasonable exit strategy. Beats the heck out of the "we're done when we're done" line Bush gives.
The problem is that our very presence is fueling the insurgency. Every day, more insurgants (not all of whom are immigrants) are created out of anger at our continued presence there. There comes a point in time when the Iraqi government has a better shot without us there. That's not "cutting and running." That's a recognition that we can't do everything.
Murtha's argument - which I have tried to argue for him just now - has merit as I see it. He deserves to be listened to, and not just shouted down by some chicken-hawk. No one has the right to call him a coward, even if he thinks the time has come for us to leave Iraq.
Murtha is a traitor. Honorable Ameicans do not support let alone praise his perfidy.
What a load.
"The problem is that our very presence is fueling the insurgency."
And what fueled the insurgency when we left immediately at the end of the first Gulf War?
When the invasion of Iraq began, the media's favorite talking point was would we pull abandon the Iraqis like we did before? How horrible that would be.
Now they want to make George do it. (It's just like their endless pressure on W's father to raise taxes after his pledge. And it will have far more tragic results. But the media hates our country.)
"Every day, more insurgants (not all of whom are immigrants) are created out of anger at our continued presence there."
Read some of the polls in Iraq. The vast majority of the people want us there. They know if we leave they will once again be at the mercy of the Bathists and other people who were thrown out of power, but who are armed to the teeth. You simply don't know history or the current situation -- or the demographics in Iraq.
"There comes a point in time when the Iraqi government has a better shot without us there. That's not "cutting and running." That's a recognition that we can't do everything."
No kidding. Of course that is what Bush has been saying all along. BTW, have you posted similar remarks about getting out of Bosnia or even South Korea?
"Murtha's argument - which I have tried to argue for him just now - has merit as I see it. He deserves to be listened to, and not just shouted down by some chicken-hawk. No one has the right to call him a coward, even if he thinks the time has come for us to leave Iraq."
Yeah, it's such a valid argument that even he wouldn't vote for it. Sort of like Charlie Rangel voting against his own bill to reinstate the draft. In fact, exactly like it.
Murtha is a cheap political hack who was using this stunt for self-promotion. Read his book. He's a stupid self-promoting grifter.
He wants us to lose in Iraq so that he can say he was right. Just like he was right about Vietnam. (In both cases he claims we don't have enough intel to fight the war.)
If we had more people like Murtha (and you) sixty years ago we'd all be speaking German.
So why are the "insurgents" killing Iraqi's?
Dumb post of the month.
- Do you really believe that the insurgents will go away if we did?
- Do you believe that these vile people will go back to herding goats or living in some third world hell hole?
- Do you believe that these people (probably joined by the betrayed masses) will not continue killing us as we leave?
- Do you believe that these people are Iraqi patriots or people who will follow Americans where ever they go for the chance of martyrdom including our homeland?
One of the most vivid images stuck in my mind is that of the "Fall of Saigon", where the USA ran. The leftists in this country won't be happy till they see Americans, Iraq's democratically elected government and Christians frantically trying to to get on helicopters leaving the roof of the American Embassy in Baghdad.
That vision is one of suicidal treason and cowardess.
And I suppose we should trust Jack Murtha and the rest of the democrats, or maybe just you, to instruct us on when that time is reached. Thanks but no thanks. I'll just go with the people who are in charge and who's exit strategy you just copied in your first sentence. Too bad you didn't know enough about it to recognize the Bush plan when you endorsed it.