Posted on 01/10/2007 2:30:20 PM PST by STARWISE
Unswayed by anti-war passions, President Bush will send 21,500 additional U.S. troops to Iraq and build the American presence there toward its highest level to quell worsening bloodshed. The move puts Bush on a collision course with the new Democratic Congress and runs counter to advice from some senior generals.
Set to announce his decisions in a prime-time speech Wednesday night, Bush was to acknowledge making major mistakes in Iraq, primarily failing to deploy enough U.S. soldiers and demand more Iraqi troops and cooperation to confront the country's near-anarchy.
In advance of Bush's address, White House counselor Dan Bartlett said U.S. military operations have been "handcuffed by political interference by Iraqi leadership" — but now will proceed under rules allowing troops to confront Shiite militias as well as Sunni insurgents.
(snip)
The new Democratic leaders of Congress met with Bush and complained afterward that their opposition to a buildup had been ignored. "This is the third time we are going down this path. Two times this has not worked," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. "Why are they doing this now? That question remains."
Senate and House Democrats are arranging votes urging the president not to send more troops. While lacking the force of law, the measures would compel Republicans to go on record as either bucking the president or supporting an escalation.
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Carried live online by: C-span
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
They have the Green Light!!
Will the clear mission help with the ROE?
Me too. I want 20000+ wallet-size photos given to every new troop headed over, along with enough distributed to everyone else on the ground. He needs to be hunted down & silenced, for once and for all.
Lots of police brigades are coming to neighborhoods full of Baghdad residents.. they'll work out of the local police station. It'll be a joint effort for some time until Iraqis are 100 self sustaining defernse and security-wise..
The President looks tired. He also sounds calm and resolute.
Something was wrong...he was upcut by my local NBC station, too. Very awkward start.
Iraqi troops will have a green light. Our commitment isn't open ended. If Iraqi government doesn't follow through on its promises, they will lose the support of the American people.
WARHEADS ON FOREHEADS!
I like that!...lol
Are you listening TO President Bush?
Why in the world is the president describing the logistical details of the troop surge???
He's telling the world right now that troops will be set up at the local police stations before fanning out!
And I have a big fat gun at Maliki's head and I will fire it. This is an interpretation.
They shouldn't have leaked any of this speech....it's old news...and already been spun
5 brigades to Baghdad .. well-defined mission
Why will this succeed?
Earlier .. neighborhoods cleared, but when we left, the killers returned.
We'll now have the forces to keep the areas clean.
Green light to Iraqi forces to enter these neighborhoods.
America's commitment is not open-ended.
Now is the time to act .. the PM understands this.
Hey,Kiddo...;0)
MamaB, please accept my sincere condolences at your loss. You must have some wonderful memories of your mom. I can't even imagine the scope of her influence throughout that life span, amazing!
President Bush is setting up the methods for our TROOPS to "kick ass" in Baghdad. 'Works for me.
Amen, CT.
Howdy FRiend!
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