Harkin calls for troop pullout in Iraq

AP ^ | March 4 2006

[jmc1969]

Iowa Senator Tom Harkin has called for the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq, saying it's the only solution after recent religious violence in that nation.

Harkin's comments place him among the first members of Congress to publicly state that the war in Iraq has become a fight between Muslim factions.

The criticism follows a CBS poll last week that showed 65 percent of respondents disapproved of President Bush's handling of the war, his worst marks since the war started three years ago.

A White House spokesman says retreat before victory would be reckless.

[FreeReign]

It isn't going well. We are still taking battle casualties almost 3 years after the war. After WWII we occupied Germany, Italy and Japan and had 6 battle deaths for the whole year of 1946 in all theaters. Something is screwed up

...apples and oranges. It's a different type of enemy and a different type of occupation.

[Morgan in Denver]

Different war, different era, different circumstances. In WWII, we leveled the place for the most part and there were no demands to save museums, mosques or country infrastructure. Nor were there as many complaints over enemy war dead.

I would question your figure of 6 battle deaths too. Definitions may have been different if that figure is correct. At least according to the military police I served with in Germany, the figure sounds totally out of whack. Germany only had the US Military Police to control crime and provide law and order for years after WWII.

[SUSSA]

More like a different mind set prior to the occupation.

This administration didn't expect a resistance movement. The Truman administration did. Cheney said on Meet the Press there would be no resistance. He was asked, but what if there is? He answered, "There won't be."

Well here we are 3 years after the war and the resistance is still killing GIs. Are you saying it was planned that way? That isn't a good plan in my book.

[A.A. Cunningham]

[SUSSA]

I would question your figure of 6 battle deaths too.

###

See the official U.S. Army "Final Report"

http://www-cgsc.army.mil/carl/download/books/army.pdf

One of my uncles was a Col. in Germany with the occupation forces. Things were so safe by November 1946 he was allowed to bring my aunt over. Two of my cousins were born there. Twins in 1947.

[VOYAGER]

Iowa Senator Tom Harkin has called for the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq, saying it's the only solution after recent religious violence in that nation.

Another cut and run "hero" that dont know his rear end from a hole in the ground.

May the saints "presarve" us!

[EternalVigilance]

Congressman Bob Dornan, who went to Congress at the same time Harkin did in the '70's, once told me a story about him (Bob) and Sonny Montgomery walking into Sandinista HQ unannounced and watching in shock as Commie Tommy emerged from the Ortega brothers' offices where he had been having private meetings with them...in direct violation of the law.

Puts alot of things, including the famous pic you posted, into proper perspective.

[SUSSA]

Germany only had the US Military Police to control crime and provide law and order for years after WWII.

###

That’s very true but they didn’t have any casualties. In fact the population was very docile. There were many rumors floating around about a resistance movement but extensive investigations at the time found no truth in them. The biggest problem was the black market and fraternization.

This is very long but well worth reading. http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/books/wwii/Occ-GY/index.htm#contents

It is the Army’s history of the occupation. It dispels many myths.

[R.W.Ratikal]

Harkin is right. We should leave Iraq as quickly as it is safe for our troops to do so. In fact I believe that is what is going on. Of course the Bush administration cannot tell Harkin's party in Congress the exact timetable because that would be like telling the Muslims.

We can do no more for the Iraqi people. We have removed Hussein's bloody talons from around their necks, trained their military as well as it can be trained, helped them to establish a constitution, and elect a democratic government.

There is nothing more to be gained by spending more American lives and resources. The Iraqis must now step forward and determine their own destiny. Now is the ideal time for Iraq to begin to run their own country. It's not going to get any better.

The U. S. must move on in the war on terrorism to the next target, Iran.

This time we should not fight on the enemy's turf or on the enemy's terms. We must stand back and zap Iran from afar with our high-tech air and naval power. No ground troops need be sent in except to occupy the oil fields and operate them under a U. S. protectorate.

We should not offer billions of dollars to rebuild Iran. It's time we learned to let the losers pay.

When the rubble stops bouncing we can send in the Blue Helmets of the U. N. to wipe noses. After all, the U. N. should do something with the vast amount of money we give them besides have parties and live way high on the hog..

[PGalt]

Harkin's father should have pulled out.

Good idea but since he didn't, Dunghead could still remove his own head from his rear end.

[Valin]

Iowa Senator and poster boy for the National Association of Complete Idiots Tom Harkin has called for the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq, saying it's the only solution after recent religious violence in that nation.

[Go Gordon]

Says he flew for the Navy from 62 to 67 but not the type of aircraft.

Which side?

[SandRat]

Harkin is waving his family colors again

[EternalVigilance]

Uhmm...I think we got your point...heh...

[Mo1]

Harkin is a Jimmy Carter wannabe