Posted on 03/08/2007 2:55:26 PM PST by naturalman1975
AUSTRALIA'S ambassador to the US, Dennis Richardson, warns that Democrats and Republicans alike believe the war on terrorism is just beginning and that the legacy of the 9/11 attacks will shape American politics for the next generation.
In an interview with The Australian, the former director-general of ASIO says that US forces will remain in Iraq for some time.
He warned that "no major US presidential candidate from either party" was calling for a complete US troop withdrawal. He said the extent of common views between Democrats and Republicans was greater than realised in Australia.
"You would be looking at a continuation of anywhere between 40,000 to 80,000 US military personnel in Iraq well into 2008 and into 2009," Mr Richardson said.
"Too many people assume that come January 2009, and the Bush presidency ends, the world is going to change all of a sudden. A lot won't change. And that tends to be glossed over."
Asked about the war on terrorism, Mr Richardson said: "In terms of how Americans think the Long War's going, I think they believe they're not yet 10 per cent through it. In terms of a conflict lasting for a generation or more, you don't get a lot of difference across the political spectrum. The political differences are over the approach to the Long War."
Mr Richardson's remarks highlight that under any new Democratic president the "Long War" against terrorism will continue, though its tactics and approach may change.
"The basic reference point for the US for a long time to come will be 9/11," he said. "A generation of US political leaders, at least, will have 9/11 as their reference point. Anyone assuming this reference point is going to disappear when President Bush goes is not taking a close interest in the US debate."
(Excerpt) Read more at theaustralian.news.com.au ...
Interesting perspective, and I hope he is correct that Democrats aren't planning on retreat.
However, the Dems and the leftists will make the long war twice as long.
This Aussie has a greater understanding of the current situation than 99% of the politicians in Washington and people in the US.
The person cited in the article is the US ambassador to Australia, Dennis Richardson, not an Aussie. His remarks are exactly on the mark.
I beg to differ, the article begins:
AUSTRALIA'S ambassador to the US,
Thus Richardson is most likely an Australian.
They may crow and whine about it, and pass meaningless legislation only to support their far-left base, but they will not retreat as many pundits think. If they do they will "own" the war, and the bloody aftermath of a cut-and-run strategy will destroy their credibility on national security even further. Recall what happened when President Johnson tried to micromanage the Vietnam war from the White House, he resigned at the end of his first term, leading to Nixon's comeback return to the White House.
My mistake, sorry.
True. I'm not sure what percentage of the American people realize this long war in upon us, but they are being misinformed by most of the media and amost all of the RAT policiticans.
bttt
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