Discussion: Obama On Iraq: 'I Think This Is Going To Take Some Time'

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Discussion for article #226176

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After reading Josh’s TPM Editor’s piece this morning:
Shock and Awe

I’m a bit more convinced the U.S. can have an influence on the conflict without having to put ‘boots on the ground’ to achieve a desirable outcome.

Still not clear what that outcome may eventually entail-- but we can likely agree that a cautious approach to engagement is the best course at present.

jw1

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“Obama On Iraq: ‘I Think This Is Going To Take Some Time’”

Translation: this is gonna hurt.

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The Berlin Airlift supplied 2.8 million people and lasted almost 1 year. If they can contain ISIL, let them have their Caliphate they’ll eventually turn on each other.

The Sunni Muslim extremist group that has taken over parts of Iraq recently is dependent on support from locals in the areas it wants to control. Recently one group of locals tried to leave – they wanted open roads, prisoner releases and a truce with their neighbours. In return the extremists kidnapped their leaders and burned down houses. Can this uncomfortable state of affairs between the ‘good’ and ‘bad’ wings of the group continue?

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It is reported Obama slumped in his chair and mumbled barely audibly, “President Bush was right, goddamnit, he was right all along.”

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Right about what?

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Yes it will, Mr. President, yes it will take some time. Perhaps a very long time. What I am not sure of is that it will be worth our efforts. As you noted, the Iraqis squandered a great opportunity to be a much better Country after being rid of Saddam thanks to the US armed forces. The Iraqi army has cost us hundred of millions to rebuild and train only to melt and flee at the sight of an advancing ISIS. How long does it take a coward to grow a spine?

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I’m sure republicans being the super patriots they claim to be will support our commander-in-chief. Hah!!!

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Says the armchair warrior, member of the 101st Keyboarding Brigade.

Heh.

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Why do you ask? Are you in need of one?

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Sorry. But it was your ideology that cost the U.S a trillion dollars by starting an unnecessary war assh^le.
Iraq had
#NOTHING
to do with 9/11.

Basically you’re promoting a lie by liars you agree with.
Why don’t you man-up to your party’s failed mission and the lies that have almost bankrupted our nation?

jw1

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Read the headline for the answer.

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Tough to discern because Bush was wrong about everything.

I have had to ask conservatives who have defended GWB’s policies:
‘Name one good thing that GWB did in 8 years in office. Just one.’

I mostly get blank looks and never an answer that comes without caveats.

jw1

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Bullshit. Bush was the liar telling us iraq ould be doine in weeks, liarand since your such a big fan of the bush doctrine, this is as much your fault…

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Voices in your head again? Off the Risperdal are we?

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Pretty sure his ex keeps it locked in a closet with his testes.

jw1

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It’s nice to see the trolls return on the heels of the President making the war pundits look, as usual, premature and dangerously foolish to say nothing of the right’s pitiful one-track argument style.
Had they only believed in tape recorders they could have just hit the ‘play’ button these last few weeks…

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Perhaps he’s referring to Darth Cheney. He appropriated that special heart, never demonstrated a spine of his own. That’s what other people are for.

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“It is unknowable how long that conflict [the war in Iraq] will last. It could last six days, six weeks. I doubt six months.”
–Donald Rumsfeld, 7 Feb 2003

“Major combat operations in Iraq have ended. In the Battle of Iraq, the United States and our allies have prevailed.”
–George W. Bush, “Mission Accomplished” speech, 1 May 2003

“no one saw the insurgency coming”
–L. Paul Bremer, Viceroy of Iraq under the “Coalition Provisional Authority”, 28 June 2004

Try again. You failed on that one.

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Bush caused the mess and Bush is responsible for the lack of agreement, which also was a result if the mess Bush created. As with the economy, unfunded and off budget wars, etc., it was left to this president to fix the mess, handcuffed by the deals Bush/Cheney got us into. The headline is a pretty darn accurate assessment of conditions, though those conditions were in place before 2009.

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