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 ...
Absolutely it's no secret we have special ops troops in Djibouti. I also read today they are expecting American boots on the ground in Somalia soon.
I heard the same thing...
It said something like we will work with "others" to deal with Iran.
Basically: Israel.
I can't help but wonder: Why is Brit calling the war in Iraq a "conflict"?
Succeeding in Iraq also requires defending its territorial integrity and stabilizing the region in the face of the extremist challenge. This begins with addressing Iran and Syria. These two regimes are allowing terrorists and insurgents to use their territory to move in and out of Iraq. Iran is providing material support for attacks on American troops. We will disrupt the attacks on our forces. We will interrupt the flow of support from Iran and Syria. And we will seek out and destroy the networks providing advanced weaponry and training to our enemies in Iraq.
Heck, yeah..."cut-and-run" talk pisses 'em off. This is the opposite.
The Iraqis will like this, too.
I missed a lot tonight; my husband is listening to the UConn basketball game on the computer and I'm trying to hear the television over the game.
There's always a learning curve in war. Look to Vietnam, Korea, the World Wars, the Civil War, and the Revolution.
Really? Interesting.
Turbin Durbin is going to give the Dems' response.
From the speech
"We are also taking other steps to bolster the security of Iraq and protect American interests in the Middle East. I recently ordered the deployment of an additional carrier strike group to the region. We will expand intelligence sharing and deploy Patriot air defense systems to reassure our friends and allies. We will work with the governments of Turkey and Iraq to help them resolve problems along their border. And we will work with others to prevent Iran from gaining nuclear weapons and dominating the region."
I agree. A difficult speech at a difficult time and he handled it very well.
BRAVO from me too!
I'm happy you agree.
WHAT???? DURBIN IS GIVING A RESPONSE??? WHAT THE HECK IS THIS???
His mom had to nurse that? Sheesh.
Ugh, now the Demonratic response.
That's how I heard it. Great job, IMO>
Only the Libtards and DUmmies will be confused.
LOL! "Confused on purpose," so to speak.
Iraq?
It's the results....
Yeah.....Durbin of all people.
How appropriate that a DICK is responding on behalf of the Democraps
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