Saturday, July 19, 2008
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Getting the Timing Right
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Posted by:
Carol Platt Liebau at
7:07 PM
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No doubt the MSM isn't going to rest until every American man, woman and child knows about this one: Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki appeared to agree with Barack Obama's plan calling for troop removal in about 16 months.
Well, one of out three isn't bad. Surely the Prime Minister wouldn't have agreed with Barack that it was a "mistake" to liberate the country from Saddam Hussein, or that the surge was the wrong strategy. The success of the surge, in fact, is what allows the Prime Minister to be claiming victory over Al Qaeda at this point, after all. But don't expect to see any of that pointed out by the press.
But the larger point is this. I respect PM Maliki for his courage in doing a difficult and dangerous job. But my chief concern when it comes to America's role in Iraq -- and determining what that should be -- isn't doing what the Prime Minister wants, whether it's for his own political reasons or (hopefully) for what he deems to be in the best interests of his own country.
My chief concern is America, and doing what's in America's best interests. Leaving Iraq quickly would be a wonderful thing. But most important is leaving Iraq in a way that allows us to meet our objectives -- first and foremost, making sure that the country is secure, able to defend itself, and resistant to Al Qaeda's threats or Iran's blandishments.
If we can achieve that in six months, then all the better -- bring the troops home. If it takes 24 months or even longer, then it strikes me as a foolish squandering of the sacrifices our troops have already made to pull out at 16 months . . . yes, even at the behest of PM Maliki.
Getting the timing right for America is the most important thing -- more important than getting it right either for Maliki or Obama. When I'm voting for a President, I want someone who's going to be looking after America's interests first, whether it jibes with the wishes of Maliki or not.
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Good to see who else wants Obama to win.
They just forgot to include the positive development part.
SPIEGEL: Would you hazard a prediction as to when most of the US troops will finally leave Iraq?
Maliki: As soon as possible, as far as we’re concerned. US presidential candidate Barack Obama is right when he talks about 16 months. Assuming that positive developments continue, this is about the same time period that corresponds to our wishes.
via hot air
http://hotair.com/archives/2008/07/19/maliki-obamas-16-mont h-timetable-sounds-good/ |
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The White House got to him. Maliki is now saying that he was "misunderstood, mistranslated, blah blah blah." That didn't take long, did it? Now the story will be about how Bush and McCain pressured Maliki into saying something he didn't say. Oh, I love the political instincts of the cons. |
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His freaking name is Barack Hussein Obama,you know birds of a feather.... |
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I believe Malaki said what he meant -- I believe he is now in the tank with Iran -- they are "neighbors and fellow Shi-ites" after all -- Iran is also closely aligned with Russia and China -- (The Security Council of the UN!!) -- Russia has a major grudge against the US because it was outspent into oblivion and defeated by Ronald Reagan -- China loves $$$$$$$ more than anything else and it has continuously bombarded our country with suspect/poisonous products which we so gladly buy and consume because they are cheap -- China has never been held accountable for anything that I can remember in my lifetime -- Russia is wheeling and dealing its natural gas resources and inciting fear among the inflated, enlightened Euros who -- if they ever came close to a confrontation -- would definitely call on the good old USofA to bail theim out -- None of us should ever forget the sacrifice of our brave young men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan -- Don`t withdraw! -- It would not only be offensive to the many lives that have been lost -- It would be surrendering to Iran, Russia and their ilks -- It would be a weakness, an appeasement -- But should it ever come to withdrawl, make a lake out them -- Starting with the oil fields in Iraq and continuing into Pakistan -- What are they going to do? -- Kill us? -- They already hate us and, believe it or not, no Obamessiah can change that message -- God Bless America -- |
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If anything is undermining our efforts in Iraq is this 'fight them over there so we don't have to fight them over here' attitude. I know Iraqi expats with family in Iraq, and one of their biggest complaints has always been this idea that America is using Iraq like its' personal latrine, without regard for the Iraqi people and their interests.
Everytime idiots like the author make these assertions that what the Iraqi people want is immaterial, they help to ensure that the Iraqis will in fact kick us out before the fundamentals have been reconciled.
Also, very good news today, the Sunni bloc is returning to the Parliment! |
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In the words of Gomer Pyles: Surprise, surprise, surprise. ;-). |
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Only inexperienced people fall for the first print.
Yes, there are never translation challenges.
Must be Rove.
Hope you enjoyed the moment.
BTW, will Obama admit he was wrong about the surge?
heh |
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according to Dredge. It was misinterpreted. |
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You guys seriously don't know what to do with yourselves, do you? Whether it's "his words were mistranslated" vs "that was Bush's plan all along!" vs "all Muslims think alike" vs "who cares what the Iraqis think!" vs "the international media's in the tank for Obama", it appears that the jig really is up. Bush wanted to spread freedom, and this is what he got....the PM of a sovereign nation telling him to stick it where the sun don't shine. PRICELESS! Keep going wingnuts, I want to hear you SQUEAL! |
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Just in case all of you missed it.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/07/19/almaliki.obama/
No socialist for the white house please. |
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this is old news, and the Iraqi PM didn't dispute anything Maliki said. Sorry wingnuts, but you lose on this one BIG TIME!!! |
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Hey You RW Let Me Leave You With This In (09)You Want Be Paying (4:50) Per Gal Gas Will Come Down When Barack Win I Can Promise you that For The last (8yrs)Have Been Very Very Bad yrs LORD Help My Country You See What Bush And His Crew Have Done To my Country Please LORD Some Of Us Can't Take Another (4yrs) Of The Same Thing LORD You Said In The Book Of James YOU HAVE NOT BECAUSE ASK NOT I'm Asking You From My Heart Don't Let RW Still This Election This Time In JESUS Name AMEN |
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It takes a lot of guts for Carol to come right out and say that we're not doing anything for anybody except number one. America first, every one else is last. Every corner of the planet is fair game for American military adventurism.
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a day. It wasn't based on anything militarily credible, he threw out a number to appease the anti-war wackos. So what if Barry's timeline fine with Maliki. I've never liked Maliki. However, Barry's reason for withdrawl is wrong, wrong, wrong (leave Iraq irregardless of the consequences). Above all, you lefties are idiots for acting like schoolyard brats on recess. I look forward to the coming months when the majority of decent Americans wake up to the fact that Barry will Carterize everything and he is nothing more than a politial tumbleweed that rolls whichever way the wind blows. |
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The problem with democracies is of course campaigning. Maliki is in the impossible position of campaigning in his home country and trying to please both Obama and McCain.
Maliki of course wants the American troops around at some level for the next few years, but he still lives in a country that is still trying to reastibklish some pride. The idea of indefinate stay is not a good campaign slogan. At the same time he knows that Obama may be president and does not want to get him upset either.
Actually I think he is playing this brilliantly. He knows that if McCain gets into office he is ok. He also know that of Obama gets into office he can always say the "situation" on the ground does not allowf for American troops to leave so soon and by the way the Iranians are stirring up trouble.
Either way he is in control of his destiny as long as he does not go too far in either direction.
I guess Americans are not the only people adept at politics. |
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