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Sen. Obama: Iraq is a dumb war
The Daily Register ^

Posted on 08/16/2006 7:52:40 AM PDT by slowhand520

Sen. Obama: Iraq is a dumb war By Eric Fodor Staff Writer Published: Tuesday, August 15, 2006 4:53 PM CDT E-mail this story | Print this page

JUNCTION - Sen. Barack Obama combined sharp criticism of the Bush administration and Congress with thoughts about his own priorities at a town hall-type appearance at Gallatin County schools Monday.

During a question-and-answer session, Obama pointed to many problems he perceives with the conduct of the war in Iraq.

Sometimes war is a necessary option, he said. But Iraq is, "A dumb war. We haven't thought it through," Obama said.

Enemies in Iran and North Korea, along with terrorist groups bent on doing the United States harm, are getting stronger while the U.S. is bogged down in Iraq, he said.

He was particularly critical of using civilian contractors in Iraq who make significantly more money than front-line soldiers. The practice of using private contractors is depleting our armed forces of noncommissioned officers -- more and more noncommissioned officers are seeing the opportunity to make money by doing essentially the same job for a private contractor, Obama said.

"Unfortunately, the administration believes in private contracts for everything, especially Halliburton," Obama said.

Obama also criticized Democrats who are always opposed to war, even when force is necessary. In cases like World War II and, more recently, removing the Taliban government of Afghanistan, war can be the only option.

"There are real enemies out there and we have to face them," Obama said.

It is also important to train military personnel for the situations they are most likely to face. Too much time is spent on Cold War-era tactics and weaponry and not enough on body armor, adequate helmets, making sure rotations into Iraq aren't too long and anti-terrorist warfare, he said.

When an audience member asked about impeaching President George W. Bush, however, Obama drew the line. Bush should be held accountable for mistakes in Iraq by the Congress and the American people, he said, but his actions fall short of impeachment. The country and Washington cannot continue in a highly partisan atmosphere where no work can get done, he said.

Estate tax

Obama wants to make sure family farms and small businesses can be preserved for the next generation, but he expressed opposition of eliminating the tax on estates altogether.

Congress has passed legislation that will raise the tax deduction on estates from $3.5 million and $5 million to $7 million in 2009, which Obama believes is a sufficient deduction.

"After $7 million, the family farm is going to be OK. That's my sense," Obama said.

Getting rid of the estate tax altogether, as has been proposed by conservative groups, would wipe out $1 trillion dollars in tax money, Obama said. If that happens, the government can borrow more money from foreign nations like China and Mexico, drastically cut programs like farm subsidies, schools or locks and dams, or tax the 99.7 percent of people who will never pay an estate tax.

"I'm assuming everyone in this room will pay more taxes under that scenario," Obama said.

Obama warned audience members to watch out for politicians who peddle the idea of cutting taxes without pain. Anyone who promises to cut taxes and improve services is lying, he said. A good amount of the budget is wasted, but the vast majority goes to support valuable things like Social Security, Medicare and national defense, he said.

Education and the minimum wage

Supporting education is an important priority, Obama said.

The single most important factor in job creation is education, Obama said. A well-trained work force is one key to attracting and keeping business. And with other nations catching and passing the United States in terms of education, it is more important than ever to support education beyond high school, he said.

"A high school education doesn't cut it anymore," Obama said.

The congressional vote to cut low-interest college loans this year is counterproductive, he said.

"It doesn't make sense. This is one of the areas where we have to spend money," Obama said.

The push for excellence in the classroom should go along with a push for a higher minimum wage, Obama said.

People who work full time should be able to support a family, Obama said, and not struggle in vain to make ends meet.

The minimum wage has not been raised in 10 years and currently has less purchasing power than in 1955, he said.

Arguments that increasing the minimum wage will depress job growth don't hold water when the proposed wage increase is fairly modest. A small increase in the minimum wage won't slow the economy or create unemployment, Obama said.

This was Obama's third trip to Gallatin County and his 51st town hall-type meeting, he said.

"The first time I came I went to the Scates farm. Since it was harvest time, I volunteered. They didn't really trust me, so I didn't really do any work," Obama said.

Obama seems to enjoy the relatively free-wheeling style of town hall meetings.

"It's important to get out because after a while you start representing Washington to your constituents rather than representing your constituents to Washington," Obama said.


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: muslim; obama; osama; sleeper
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I am sure our soldiers will love this one!
1 posted on 08/16/2006 7:52:42 AM PDT by slowhand520
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To: slowhand520
Well I think he is dumb.

So there.

2 posted on 08/16/2006 7:53:25 AM PDT by teenyelliott (Soylent green should be made outta liberals...)
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To: slowhand520

Oh, this from the man who insisted that Bolton said something but it was discovered he was quoting Josh Bolten.


3 posted on 08/16/2006 7:54:22 AM PDT by Peach (The Clintons pardoned more terrorists than they ever captured or killed.)
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To: slowhand520

If Mr. Obama can not see the benefit of having our troops smack dab in the middle of Muslem Central, instead of twiddling their fingers over in the states, then I am definitely glad that he has no say in determining our safety.


4 posted on 08/16/2006 7:56:25 AM PDT by ritewingwarrior (Where does free speech end, and sedition begin?)
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To: slowhand520
Yea next time we'll try 19 UN Resolutions instead of the standard 18 before starting a "dumb war". sarc
5 posted on 08/16/2006 7:56:48 AM PDT by tobyhill (The War on Terrorism is not for the weak.)
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To: slowhand520
Whenever I see this lightweight's name mentioned I think of the time when the senior Senator from Chappaquiddick referred to him as Osama Obama (I kid you not!).
6 posted on 08/16/2006 7:56:55 AM PDT by Gay State Conservative
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To: slowhand520
But Iraq is, "A dumb war. We haven't thought it through," Obama said.

I submit that Osama Obama is the dumb one! The old 'we haven't thought it through. We haven't planned it properly. We didn't do Y, instead we did X'. Aaaagh! I'm sure all those planners over at the Pentagon and on the ground in Iraq were just sitting on their hands, thinking events would just take care of themselves.

This is the Dems playbook from now to November. But I notice they are not positing what should have been done differently!

7 posted on 08/16/2006 7:57:12 AM PDT by Rummyfan
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To: slowhand520

Yet another Democrat chimes in on the war for survival of the west.


8 posted on 08/16/2006 7:57:35 AM PDT by Obadiah
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To: slowhand520

I hope he keeps it up. This guy has presidential ambitions. His comments go to show the Democrats have to be kooks from now on.


9 posted on 08/16/2006 7:57:35 AM PDT by BigSkyFreeper (There is no alternative to the GOP except varying degrees of insanity.)
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To: slowhand520
The difference between Obama and Osama is bs.
10 posted on 08/16/2006 7:57:58 AM PDT by gov_bean_ counter ( Helen Thomas on anticipating and handling a crisis: "I'll live under that bridge when I get to it.")
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To: slowhand520

What, exactly, has Obama ever done to warrant such glowing press?
Seriously, I'm not trying to be sarcastic, has he accomplished anything significant? Authored any legistation?
Climbed a tree to save a cat? Grand Marshalll of hometown July 4th parade?
Or, is he wonderful becuase Democrats and his acolytes in the media keep telling us so?


11 posted on 08/16/2006 7:58:13 AM PDT by threeleftsmakearight
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To: Peach
Oh, this from the man who insisted that Bolton said something but it was discovered he was quoting Josh Bolten.

We're seeing the true picture of Obama. That "moderate" stuff the left was raving about was all flash.

12 posted on 08/16/2006 8:00:02 AM PDT by BigSkyFreeper (There is no alternative to the GOP except varying degrees of insanity.)
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To: threeleftsmakearight
What, exactly, has Obama ever done to warrant such glowing press?

He's black and he's a Democrat.

13 posted on 08/16/2006 8:00:34 AM PDT by Fresh Wind (Democrats are guilty of whatever they scream the loudest about.)
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He should direct more concern for the headchoppers looking to reclaim their honor from his turning away from Islam. Or was that just for future conciliation?

"Like most religions, Islam in general, forbids lying. The Quran says, "Truly Allah guides not one who transgresses and lies." Surah 40:28. In the Hadith, Mohammed was also quoted as saying, "Be honest because honesty leads to goodness, and goodness leads to Paradise. Beware of falsehood because it leads to immorality, and immorality leads to Hell."

However, unlike most religions, within Islam there are certain provisions under which lying is not simply tolerated, but actually encouraged. The book "The spirit of Islam," by the Muslim scholar, Afif A. Tabbarah was written to promote Islam. On page 247, Tabbarah stated: "Lying is not always bad, to be sure; there are times when telling a lie is more profitable and better for the general welfare, and for the settlement of conciliation among people, than telling the truth. To this effect, the Prophet says: 'He is not a false person who (through lies) settles conciliation among people, supports good or says what is good.""


14 posted on 08/16/2006 8:01:08 AM PDT by kinghorse (I calls them like I sees them)
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To: Fresh Wind
He's black and he's a Democrat.

And his father was a muslim! He's the libs' trifecta!

15 posted on 08/16/2006 8:01:41 AM PDT by Rummyfan
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To: slowhand520
Skip to comments.

DFU SONG: Let's Call the Whole Thing Off (Teddy - you say Obama and I'll say Osama)
DFU SONGS | 1-2005 | Lyrics, Doug from Upland

Posted on 01/14/2005 6:48:21 PM PST by doug from upland

LET'S CALL THE WHOLE THING OFF

Keep on pouring and I'll get blotto...then I will go get in my auto
My legs quiver...my poor liver...I'm lucky I'm not dead

You say Obama and I say Osama...pass me the bottle, I'll step on the throttle
Obama, Osama, the bottle, the throttle...let's go drive on the bridge

I guess that I shouldn't speak while drunk...that's what some pundits note
And I should drive a Vee Dub...an Oldsmobile can't float

Dodd and I so love a good waitress sandwich
Pass me the mustard, and pass me the Manwich

My legs quiver...oh, my poor liver...I'm so lucky I am not dead
I'm lucky I'm not dead

My apartment last week was burgled...in my dreams, I still hear her gurgle
My legs quiver...my poor liver...I'm lucky I'm not dead

You say Obama and I say Osama...pass me the bottle, I'll step on the throttle
Obama, Osama, the bottle, the throttle...let's go drive on the bridge

I guess that I shouldn't speak while drunk...that's what some pundits note
And I should drive a Vee Dub...an Oldsmobile can't float

I'll weigh 400 if I keep on eating...artery clogging will stop my heart beating
My legs quiver...oh, my poor liver...I'm so lucky I am not dead
I'm lucky I'm not dead

16 posted on 08/16/2006 8:02:01 AM PDT by doug from upland (Stopping Hillary should be a FreeRepublic Manhattan Project)
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To: slowhand520

And this is the most articulate spokesman they have????


17 posted on 08/16/2006 8:02:18 AM PDT by Blogger (http://www.propheteuon.com)
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To: slowhand520
"Iraq is a dumb war" is a dumb thing to say and marks the person who says it as dumb.

Another thing worth pointing out is that the people who are perpetuating war in Iraq at the moment are not members of the US military, they are terrorists and infiltrators who come from Iraq and neighboring countries. "War" exists (if at all) because of their actions, not ours; if they would stop, the "war" would be over. So if Obama thinks it is a "dumb war", he should direct that comment towards the people who are actually waging war at the moment. That ain't us.

Enemies in Iran and North Korea, along with terrorist groups bent on doing the United States harm, are getting stronger while the U.S. is bogged down in Iraq, he said.

Crocodile tears. So he thinks Iran and North Korea are "getting stronger"? What does he want us to do about it then? Anything? Nope. (Other than signing pieces of paper, presumably.) Would he approve use of the military against those two nations? Of course not. Thus, whining about our military being "bogged down" is disingenuous. It's not like he wants them to be doing something else (other than coming home).

18 posted on 08/16/2006 8:02:53 AM PDT by Dr. Frank fan
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To: BigSkyFreeper

I'm already seeing Obama for President stickers in a few places.

Oh those wacky Dems...they love the Next Big Thing even if the Thing has absolutely nothing of substance in terms of ideas.


19 posted on 08/16/2006 8:03:07 AM PDT by relictele
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To: slowhand520
A dumb war. We haven't thought it through

Osama, you are a dumb candidate. It turns out you can't think a war through. You can plan, but plans can't cover everything. $h1t happens in war.

20 posted on 08/16/2006 8:03:27 AM PDT by Right Wing Assault ("..this administration is planning a 'Right Wing Assault' on values and ideals.." - John Kerry)
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