Iraq's defense minister said Monday that his nation would not be able to take full responsibility for its internal security until 2012, The New York Times reports, and not be able on its own to defend Iraq’s borders from external threat until at least 2018. "Those comments from the minister, Abdul Qadir, were among the most specific public projections of a timeline for the American commitment in Iraq by officials in either Washington or Baghdad," writes Thom Shanker for Tuesday's paper. "And they suggested a longer commitment than either government had previously indicated.
"Pentagon officials expressed no surprise at Mr. Qadir’s projections, which were even less optimistic than those he made last year." Surprise? The war hawks all want to stay that long or, in the case of McCain, 50 years or -- why not? -- a hundred?
2 comments:
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003696041
Greg, so many posts and articles you've done and almost all that I read lean to the left. Trashing Republicans, Conservatives, the military, etc. Why not just come out of the closet and admit your a lefty?
The public doesn't mind honest journalists with an agenda, it's they dishonesty about being "unbiased" that has your industry at an all time low (funny you never write about THOSE polls) in terms of public trust.
I just discovered your blog and I'm looking forward to reading more. Having said that, there's a couple of points I'd like to make. First, in regards to the commenter, ikez, perhaps Mr. Mitchell is emulating FauxNews as they claim to be fair and balanced. Fox expects everyone to take their claim at face value despite what they hear and see. Why can't Mr. Mitchell do the same if that meme is standard now in the MSM? Furthermore, why should he make a blanket statement about his political leanings? One should be able to tell from the writing if a political view is favored over another. And even if it might be a view contrary to mine, I always enjoy a good read or writing that on occasion challenges my views and perspective. If I can't handle it or it makes me too uncomfortable then my views or beliefs aren't worth having.
Secondly, in regards to your post about the Iraqi Defense Minister claiming that we need to stay until such and such a date until they can stand on their own regarding national security. Isn't this what any government official would say if his job/position is dependent on certain aspects of the occupation? Also, forget the fact we blundered in and broke all the china, it should be obvious to a lot of American officals that our military presence on a long term basis has serious drawbacks and implications for future policy formation in the region. Add to that, there is a large segment of the Iraqi population that despises us. Why should we continue to be a catalyst for more enmity that will no doubt become transgenerational.
TrumanDem
Truman's Conscience
"The Buck Stopped Here"
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