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Deadly Iraq war ends with exit of last U.S. troops
CNN ^ | Sun December 18, 2011 | Moni Basu

Posted on 12/17/2011 9:58:41 PM PST by MinorityRepublican

A U.S. soldier atop an armored vehicle gives a thumbs-up upon reaching the checkpoint on the Iraq-Kuwait border.

(CNN) -- Early Sunday, as the sun ascended to the winter sky, the very last American convoy made its way down the main highway that connects Iraq and Kuwait.

The military called it its final "tactical road march." A series of 110 heavily armored, hulking trucks and Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles carrying about 500 soldiers streamed slowly but steadily out of the combat zone.

A few minutes before 8 a.m., the metal gate behind the last MRAP closed. With it came to an end a deadly and divisive war that lasted almost nine years, its enormous cost calculated in blood and billions.

Some rushed to touch the gate, forever a symbol now of an emotional, landmark day. Some cheered with the Army's ultimate expression of affirmation: "Hooah!"

Once, when hundreds of thousands of Americans were in Iraq, the main highway was better known as Main Supply Route Tampa and soldiers trekked north towards Baghdad and beyond, never knowing what danger lurked on their path.

On this monumental day, the Texas-based 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division's main concern was how to avoid a traffic jam on their final journey in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Daniel Gaumer, 37, was on this road in August 2003. It was his first time at war. He was frightened.

(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...


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To: ohioWfan

Amen! Victory is indeed sweet! Many congradulations to our military and those who fought so hard and long.....the world is better for what they accomplished...and so are we.


81 posted on 12/18/2011 2:32:05 PM PST by caww
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To: Magnum44
the last piece to be dealt with was a credible air force capable of defending its airspace from the likes of Iran.

Look...we've done way more than enough for Iraq..and we are not responsible for building them an airforce. They have their oil revenues now let them build it themselves and pay to do so. They don't want us there now so let them "fly" on their own.

Furthermore, Iraq's not about to let Iran take them on...Iran can't afford a war with Iraq...nor the problems which would generate from. They've got too much of themsleves invested...and too good a life now to let some flea bag neighbor ruin it. Not going to happen.

82 posted on 12/18/2011 2:38:16 PM PST by caww
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To: MinorityRepublican

Iraq is done for, doomed. They will fall to even more violence immediately. We never should have went there; killed, Saddam, yes, but never stepped foot in that catbox.


83 posted on 12/18/2011 2:38:16 PM PST by CodeToad (Islam needs to be banned in the US and treated as a criminal enterprise.)
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To: pterional

You ron paul bots are all the same..bunch of negative a-holes who get some sick thrill out of tearing down our country and it’s people...blaming Bush just as the democrates do, you are carrying their mantle! Fool!

Your “leader” said we are responsible for 9/11 which is insanity! ....Further we didn’t de-stabilize the area...they’ve never been stable to begin with! And we didn’t just hand the nation over to them..they voted for their leaders..end of that story.

Having read your post it’s clear why Ronny Paul Bots love him...they are as anti-american as he is!


84 posted on 12/18/2011 2:46:36 PM PST by caww
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To: silverleaf
>>But now, who will now keep track of the Iraqi civilian death toll?<<

Let's hope the jihad supporter stayed behind.


85 posted on 12/18/2011 7:56:28 PM PST by Daffynition ( *Socialism, has a record of failure so blatant that only an intellectual could ignore it*)
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To: caww

I understand your sentiment...I just have a fear that by leaving them on their own, a diplomatic failure on our part, the region will be less stable in the future. We will see if Iran or others will use threat of force to intimidate Iraq into actions counter to US interests or not.


86 posted on 12/18/2011 9:48:16 PM PST by Magnum44 (Terrorism is a disease, precise application of superior firepower is the cure)
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To: A.Hun

Amen...very well said


87 posted on 12/18/2011 10:08:15 PM PST by SpitfyrAce
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To: Magnum44
We will see if Iran or others will use threat of force to intimidate Iraq into actions counter to US interests or not.

Have you ever seen the embassy we have in Iraq? It's a city. Iraq isn't going to be threatened by Iran....and what US interests? The whole ME under Islam pretty much is against our interest...nothings changed much in that respect. Muslims are going to be what they are....which is generally opposed to the US.

The only reason they have cooperated with us is to benefit themselves and their Koran permits that....once they have what they want from us it'll be back to the usual hate America rants etc. Nothings changed.

88 posted on 12/18/2011 11:00:54 PM PST by caww
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To: MinorityRepublican
Outside of Iraq costing tax payers trillions, costing thousands of American lives, what exactly did we win?

Even the cost of fuel went through the roof..

89 posted on 12/19/2011 8:27:05 AM PST by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
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To: A.Hun
We have won the war in Iraq.

What exactly did the American people win?

I'll tell ya what they lost, but you tell me exactly what we, "Won".

90 posted on 12/19/2011 8:29:25 AM PST by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
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To: dragnet2

Iraq is not a threat to us or to the gulf States and thus to us.


91 posted on 12/19/2011 8:34:01 AM PST by bert (K.E. N.P. +12 ..... Crucifixion is coming)
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To: A.Hun
Already on this thread, there are posters who consider the war a huge waste of time, money, and men.

I can't imagine why. This country never even attacked our country, and were never a threat the U.S.

They are wrong.

No, you're wrong.

We won debilitating debt and death.

92 posted on 12/19/2011 8:36:57 AM PST by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
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To: dragnet2
There is a small silver lining.

Over 700,000 jihadis were sent to hell earlier than they would have liked, and in their own front yard, not ours.

93 posted on 12/19/2011 8:41:37 AM PST by going hot (Happiness is a momma deuce)
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To: bert
Iraq is not a threat to us or to the gulf States and thus to us.

Is this encrypted code bert? Bush speak?

94 posted on 12/19/2011 8:41:52 AM PST by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
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To: going hot

Oh yeah, we sure cleaned up.

You bet.


95 posted on 12/19/2011 8:43:53 AM PST by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
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To: dragnet2

Oh no, there is still a lot of work to do.


96 posted on 12/19/2011 8:48:25 AM PST by going hot (Happiness is a momma deuce)
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To: dragnet2

You asked , I replied

History will record that George W Bush directed his general Tommy Franks to conquer Baghdad. He did, successfully.

Bush bashing is of no comparison to the record of history


97 posted on 12/19/2011 8:52:45 AM PST by bert (K.E. N.P. +12 ..... Crucifixion is coming)
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To: bert

Conquered Baghdad?

Gezzz


98 posted on 12/19/2011 8:54:46 AM PST by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
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To: MinorityRepublican

..it will be interesting to see what happens with the Montagnards—I mean the Kurds...


99 posted on 12/19/2011 8:56:17 AM PST by WalterSkinner ( In Memory of My Father--WWII Vet and Patriot 1926-2007)
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To: Kakaze

Ahhh.... You are so right. The drive to Abadan/Bandar Shapur is short from Kuwait.

When that refinery and port city are captured or demolished it is very bad news for Iran. . they may counter attack but they will not recover


100 posted on 12/19/2011 9:01:13 AM PST by bert (K.E. N.P. +12 ..... Crucifixion is coming)
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