Dear Readers,
It's about fucking time. The Obama administration has succesfully ended our ill-advised occupation of Iraq without unnecessarily endangering the lives of any U.S. military personnel or any Iraqi security forces, or even more importantly any innocent Iraqi civilians or U.S. contractors. Let us all come together as loyal Americans to celebrate this milestone in our history. The gift of freedom was given to the Iraqi people at an enormous cost to our own nation. One that sacrificed America's best and brightest and cost us untold amounts of our treasure that very nearly brought our own economy and that of the world to its knees. Libertarians, gun nuts and anti-war hippies can all agree that this is a wonderful thing. I think that all patriotic Americans can come together at this moment and salute our brave president and recognize the sacrifices and duties that have been performed by our Army, Marines and Navy.
There are ruminations from certain quarters that this is a dangerous or deluded decision? Goddess forbid. Let me preface this rant by giving credit to certain notable exceptions to this unfortunate trend. Ultra-hawk and graduate of Annapolis Naval Academy, John McCain, has issued no statement criticizing the president, his administration or the Pentagon for this momentous decision. Apparently publicly silent on this decision are Donald Rumsfeld, Karl Rove and even the lovely and talented Sarah Palin. Maybe she decided not to run for president because she's sick of stupid republicans placing personality and personal hatred above public policy. Obviously W is not going to say anything mean. This is in a very real sense a vindication for him and Cheney. Again, let's come together as Americans and celebrate.
Romney personifies the disingenuous, duplicitous and sickeningly immoral republican of today.
President Obama’s astonishing failure to secure an orderly transition in Iraq has unnecessarily put at risk the victories that were won through the blood and sacrifice of thousands of American men and women…The unavoidable question is whether this decision is the result of a naked political calculation or simply sheer ineptitude in negotiations with the Iraqi government. The American people deserve to hear the recommendations that were made by our military commanders in Iraq.
You stupid hypocrite. We have been listening to the commanders for several years. We don't really need you to interpret their words for us. You have no value. If you have no loyalty to your president, what loyalty can we expect from you as American citizens? Worthless piece of shit. You sir, are no American. You are a horrible, alien outsider who has nothing to do with the country I love.
Bachmann? Who really cares? But here goes...
[The president should] return to the negotiating table with Iraq and lead from the front and not from weakness in Iraq and in the world.
Obviously she would never have the respect to actually call him the president, but the rest of the words are hers. Maybe she should return to a middle school American history text if she desires to run for the republican nomination for president in New Hampshire or Virginia, for that matter.
Today’s announcement that we will remove all of our forces from Iraq is a political decision and not a military one; it represents the complete failure of President Obama to secure an agreement with Iraq for our troops to remain there to preserve the peace and demonstrates how far our foreign policy leadership has fallen…President Obama’s decision represents the end of the era of America’s influence in Iraq and the strengthening of Iran’s influence in Iraq with no plan to counter that influence. We have been ejected from a country by the people that we liberated and that the United States paid for with precious blood and treasure.
What do you really care about American lives or treasure, Michelle? Go away. Please don't come back. We honestly don't need you. For anything.
Jon Huntsman. The voice of sanity? Perhaps. That doesn't make him nice or loyal to his boss either one.
On the occasion of the announcement that U.S. forces will withdraw completely from Iraq by the end of the year, we should take a moment to reflect on the service and sacrifice of our brave men and women in uniform. We are forever grateful for their service to America, and are eager to welcome our troops home.
Nice statement Jon. Take a bow. Oh, there's more?
President Obama’s decision, however, to not leave a small, focused presence in Iraq is a mistake and the product of his administration’s failures. The president’s inability to reach a security agreement leaves Iraq vulnerable to backsliding, thus putting our interests in the region at risk. An ideal arrangement would have left a small troop presence that could have assisted with the training of Iraqi security forces and vital counter-terror efforts.
I think it would be a huge mistake to elect you our next president. Again, no loyalty. Reality check. Many people in Iraq and the Arab world resent an American military occupation. Just thought I would point that out in view of various terrorist organizations that are diametrically opposed to U.S. interests and had their rebirth in the hatred and resentment that grew out of Bush's unjust war in Iraq.
I don't want to go into U.S. misconduct of the war. I will recap on this much: The Navy shelling and bombardment which began the war March 17, 2003. The siege of Fallujah. Abu Ghraib. Bagram. Rendition. The American policiy of rounding up every young man in a community and imprisoning him to ask questions later. The American policy of entering a house with a hand grenade and then storming in to take prisoners. This war was the greatest shame ever brought on the American people. It is a lie that there has always been this type of warfare. Let's just all be happy that this unfortunate chapter in our history is finally over.
