http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2011/10/obama-to-speak-on-iraq-at-1245-pm/1

 

So Obama announced that he's planning to withdraw all troops from Iraq. Somehow, I feel that this will boost his approval rating, and I think he knows that...

Good election strategy. The timing is very cynical.

Timing is just it, but remember what happened today is usually forgotten within a week but the general public, but I though they also planned on some sort of release of information or something about the Osama gig earlier this year right around this time of the year.

 

Harry

I wonder how soon we're going to be questioned to go back...

Agreed I think his timing is horrendous. He's pulling this stunt wayyyy to early and it's going to bite him in the butt. It'll get his approval ratings back from the crapper, but not for long.

Agreed I think his timing is horrendous. He's pulling this stunt wayyyy to early and it's going to bite him in the butt. It'll get his approval ratings back from the crapper, but not for long.

 

And the problem is????

 

Harry

My understanding is that the President twisted what was a pretty huge loss on the part of the US diplomacy (failing to reach an understanding regarding the Status of Forces Agreement with the Iraqi leadership that would continue immunity for US military forces) into a positive by saying that he's going to bring the troops home by the holidays (which, when taken out of context, is pretty awesome).

 

Without that agreement, troops could be arrested and prosecuted by local authorities. Essentially without it, the troops are absolutely useless, and serve no purpose but eat up funding (with even training being a liability).

 

So, I totally agree that this is purely a political stunt.

I think the pulling of troops is good, however if everyone leaves and Iraq goes down the toilet our country will be to blame so either way we cant really win.

Good election strategy. The timing is very cynical.

 

Yeah and ignore that COLA increase for social security.

Qadafi is dead - why are our troops still in Libya?

 

So, it's a win that he pulls troops out that GWB put in but troops that he put in can stay there until when??

This isn't exactly new news. All US operated bases in Iraq already had scheduled closing dates varying from September with the last of them the end of December. Was that not already released to the public?

Yeah and ignore that COLA increase for social security.

 

That pisses me off. Why COLA for retirees but not Federal Workers? I thought we all had to suffer equally here?

My understanding is that the President twisted what was a pretty huge loss on the part of the US diplomacy (failing to reach an understanding regarding the Status of Forces Agreement with the Iraqi leadership that would continue immunity for US military forces) into a positive by saying that he's going to bring the troops home by the holidays (which, when taken out of context, is pretty awesome).

 

Without that agreement, troops could be arrested and prosecuted by local authorities. Essentially without it, the troops are absolutely useless, and serve no purpose but eat up funding (with even training being a liability).

 

So, I totally agree that this is purely a political stunt.

 

Jan 1st '12.....let the Shiite/Sunni slaughter begin!

Qadafi is dead - why are our troops still in Libya?

 

So, it's a win that he pulls troops out that GWB put in but troops that he put in can stay there until when??

 

Obama said y-day that we dont have any troops in Lybia....another lie!

This isn't exactly new news. All US operated bases in Iraq already had scheduled closing dates varying from September with the last of them the end of December. Was that not already released to the public?

 

Not that I am aware of, but I have other sources for this info No surprise. In any case, there still may be a last minute deal for a few thousand 'trainers', if the money is right.

Remember how many times Manas was supposed to close? The Kuwaiti desert will be populated for sometime to come, methinks

Good election strategy. The timing is very cynical.

No, the timing is stupid....there's more than enough time for Iraq to descend into total chaos and mayhem in time for the presidential election next year.

No, the timing is stupid....there's more than enough time for Iraq to descend into total chaos and mayhem in time for the presidential election next year.

 

do you really think the general electorate cares if iraq falls back into chaos? I don't think they do.

do you really think the general electorate cares if iraq falls back into chaos? I don't think they do.

 

Ayup, it will be 1975 all over again, but with no Americans in there to evac. Congress won't vote to fund another Iraq war, no matter who is in charge