Iraq to US - please come back

[kalm]

What should he be doing?

What IS he doing?

I don't know. I don't follow his daily briefing/strategy meeting schedule. I assume Ivy does.

[travelinman67]

Many liberal pundits, like WashPo's Ruth Marcus, are faulting Obama for his almost pathological detachment regarding Middle Eastern issues -- Iraq most recently, but Syria and Iran in this calendar year. Obummer is attending tony fundraisers and giving speeches on climate change while the world burns. He retreats from the exercise of the Chief Executive's clearest Constitutional powers -- those of Commander in Chief -- while extending his flagrantly unconstitutional approach to domestic governance by administrative fiat. I guess Americans get the leadership they deserve, but I take no joy in this. The guy is a disaster.

What should he be doing?

Most ignorant post in CS.com history.


Only thing I would add to Ivytalk's remark, Obama actions have virtually all negatively impacted the U.S. culture, economy, social fabric, quality of life, and sovereign strength.

Go back and review his history.

But for 38% of the electorate who still blindly "support" Obama because:

He's black
They loathe conservatism
They're anarchists
They hate America

Obama's approval rating would be in single digits...

...and those folks are the sub-10% extremists who would have supported Hitler merely because he had a "D" or "R" following his name.

[GrizFanStuckInUtah]

The right answer is to get the hell out. Some fights aren't winnable, and this is one of them.

The people who served didn't waste their time and lives. They did their job well and can be proud. The politicians failed when they started a war that didn't need to be started. The military performed admirably.

I am going to assume for the sake of argument that this is what we should do. To me the problem becomes, how do you plan to do this? We apparently have not done this or have planned for it very, very poorly. To me this is a huge disservice to those that have really paid the price. The politicians certainly haven't paid the price and have little vested interest in anything other than adding to global warming by flapping their gums. To me this is a perfect time for someone to step forward and show real leadership but I for one am not going to hold my breath.

[Bronco]

Once he changed the rules of engagement because it wasn't fair to the terrorists it was time to get out Everything this guy touches turns to crap including the obscene increase in military deaths since taking office in 2009.

But not to worry he's on the job

Obama 'Paying Close Attention' to Iraq While Golfing
Jay Carney

[travelinman67]

Once he changed the rules of engagement because it wasn't fair to the terrorists...

I've been reviewing footage if the ISIS advance over the past week...mostly through middle eastern jihadist websites (Youtube pulled most of the vid down due to "violent content"). Much of what's been written in western press is grossly understated. ISIS massacred thousands over the past two weeks. There's footage of ISIS soldiers walking down a street, asking civilians if they worship, and in midsentence, they're shot. Beheadings, mass executions, random attacks on homes and motorists...

...the ISIS soldiers are unequivocally committing war crimes.

Americans can sit around and debate passivity, moral responsibility or economic motive until the end of time, but ignoring the necessity of global participation in internationally codified "war conduct" rules, ie, Geneva Accords and Protocols, is inexcusable. Every developed nation must act promptly to intercede and arrest genocidal conflicts. If necessary, the genocidal aggressors must themselves be eliminated.

What has occurred in northern Iraq over the past two weeks is genocide (murder of non-combatants who are non-sunni muslim: All non-religious, non-sunni are killed).

Surviving agressors can be tried in The Hague in the upcoming decades, however, the genocide must be immediately interrupted. Politics and personal philosophies be damned.

My family has two Purple Hearts and one combat death over the last three generations: We understand the sacrifice of war.

Worse than that sacrifice, is trying to live with the shame and cowardice of failing to prevent atrocities, due to fear or peer pressure.

Our nation is defended by over half million men and women who live by an ethos of a duty to protect those who cannot protect themselves.

I pray Obama intercedes.

[ASUG8]

While the White House statement emphasized Obama would continue to consult with Congress, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said the President "basically just briefed us on the situation in Iraq and indicated he didn't feel he had any need for authority from us for the steps that he might take."

House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California agreed with McConnell's assessment, adding she believed congressional authorization for military force in Iraq back in 2001 and 2003 still applied.

http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/19/politics/ ... ?hpt=hp_t1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[kalm]

What should he be doing?

Most ignorant post in CS.com history.


Only thing I would add to Ivytalk's remark, Obama actions have virtually all negatively impacted the U.S. culture, economy, social fabric, quality of life, and sovereign strength.

Go back and review his history.

But for 38% of the electorate who still blindly "support" Obama because:

He's black
They loathe conservatism
They're anarchists
They hate America

Obama's approval rating would be in single digits...

...and those folks are the sub-10% extremists who would have supported Hitler merely because he had a "D" or "R" following his name.

Good for you

So really, what would President T-man be doing differently regarding Iraq and Syria?

[travelinman67]

Most ignorant post in CS.com history.


Only thing I would add to Ivytalk's remark, Obama actions have virtually all negatively impacted the U.S. culture, economy, social fabric, quality of life, and sovereign strength.

Go back and review his history.

But for 38% of the electorate who still blindly "support" Obama because:

He's black
They loathe conservatism
They're anarchists
They hate America

Obama's approval rating would be in single digits...

...and those folks are the sub-10% extremists who would have supported Hitler merely because he had a "D" or "R" following his name.

Good for you

So really, what would President T-man be doing differently regarding Iraq and Syria?

What was done late today: Insertion of our Special Forces ODA teams...WH said 100 troops (12 man units) but depending on the number of teams, add 1/2 support per member to run a basic counterinsurgency strategy. Numbers about right...6-7 teams could probably control the entire battlespace. The sooner they get there, the sooner this is over.

I'm hoping the plan is to eliminate ISIS, and not just drive them back into Syria. ISIS, are the undisciplined former al Qaeda soldiers...who will continue killing civilians until they stop breathing. This will be ugly...which is why I remarked in another thread, the media should take a few weeks off and go focus on the Kardashians.

[GannonFan]

So we're sending 300 special ops troops in. It's like we're Sparta all of a sudden. I haven't seen the second movie yet so I'm not sure what our plan's going to be once we get to that point.

[YoUDeeMan]

http://thedailyshow.cc.com/videos/a6yqr ... about-iraq

There's not a single Republican or Conservative on this site that will watch that clip... NOT ONE

That clip was a worthless, partisan circle jerk.

The guy's job is to attack anyone with an R next to his name so that the host's frothing liberal idiots can slap each other's backs while buying the advertiser's products.

Anyone who considers that real news, or even more informative than network news (which is also pathetic), needs their head examined.

[YoUDeeMan]

I did serve in Desert Shield/Storm but I am trying to look at it objectively.

For some of us, these wars are not already forgotten and we still have people deployed.

I don't profess to be an expert in foreign affairs but what I am saying is, we have a huge investment and how do you look the people in the eye that paid that price and say sorry we wasted your time and lives. I am anxiously waiting for a plan, any plan. We can't just do nothing, that is the one option we can't leave on the table. I really do not want Obama to fail on this, I really don't.

A sign of intelligence is recognizing when to change direction and stop throwing effort into something with little or no return.

There are people in this world that pay for a meal, and then insist on eating the entire meal, even after they are full, because, in their mind, they have already paid the price for the meal and it would be a waste of money (their investment) not to finish the food.

Duh. Finishing the meal makes you fat...it is not good for you in any way. It does not minimize your perceived loss, nor does it add additional value to the money you've already spent.

Since we can't change the past, at this point I don't give a rat's arse how many lives were lost in Iraq...those lives are gone and can't be brought back. Body counts and money already invested should NEVER be a part of our decision making. The only thing to think about is what are we willing to risk GOING FORWARD.

Iraq is about Sunnis and Shias fighting over power. That's it. Nothing more. If you can't see that, you haven't been paying attention.

We can ally ourselves with either faction, but in the end, they will eventually screw us over for their own interests.

Our interest is the oil. That's it. Nothing more. The political issues are simply part of the power game.

Steward & Co. focus on our removal of Sadaam and the instability of Iraq...while ignoring Obama's removal of the leaders of Egypt and Libya (and the support of brutal, yet US friendly, regimes).

Obama will do the bidding of our energy suppliers.

CHANGE!

[Ibanez]

Nancy Pelosi said yesterday that the 2002 Authorization for the Invasion of Iraq gives Obama all the power he needs to act. It's great to know that they are for it after being against but after being for it.

[GannonFan]

Nancy Pelosi said yesterday that the 2002 Authorization for the Invasion of Iraq gives Obama all the power he needs to act. It's great to know that they are for it after being against but after being for it.

Yeah, that was a doozie on her part. She's a good example on the left side like what's seen on the right side - you have whackos in office that have no chance of being voted out of office because their districts are so gerrymandered.

[CID1990]

Nancy Pelosi said yesterday that the 2002 Authorization for the Invasion of Iraq gives Obama all the power he needs to act. It's great to know that they are for it after being against but after being for it.

Yeah, that was a doozie on her part. She's a good example on the left side like what's seen on the right side - you have whackos in office that have no chance of being voted out of office because their districts are so gerrymandered.

what the hell kind of constituency is THAT?

the dried up granny dusty vadge voting bloc?

who knew

[GannonFan]

Yeah, that was a doozie on her part. She's a good example on the left side like what's seen on the right side - you have whackos in office that have no chance of being voted out of office because their districts are so gerrymandered.

what the hell kind of constituency is THAT?

the dried up granny dusty vadge voting bloc?

who knew

Uh, the vote for anyone who has a "D" next to their name constituency. There are just as many vote for whoever has an "R" next to their name districts as well.

[Seahawks08]

There's not a single Republican or Conservative on this site that will watch that clip... NOT ONE

That clip was a worthless, partisan circle jerk.

The guy's job is to attack anyone with an R next to his name so that the host's frothing liberal idiots can slap each other's backs while buying the advertiser's products.

Anyone who considers that real news, or even more informative than network news (which is also pathetic), needs their head examined.

Keep spouting your ignorance.

http://thedailyshow.cc.com/videos/8oq0a ... uyers-club

http://thedailyshow.cc.com/videos/s9vg7 ... -privilege

[CID1990]

what the hell kind of constituency is THAT?

the dried up granny dusty vadge voting bloc?

who knew

Uh, the vote for anyone who has a "D" next to their name constituency. There are just as many vote for whoever has an "R" next to their name districts as well.

I was just trying to figure how you gerrymander for Nancy Pelosi

that sounds creative as a motherfvcker

[Ibanez]

Nancy Pelosi said yesterday that the 2002 Authorization for the Invasion of Iraq gives Obama all the power he needs to act. It's great to know that they are for it after being against but after being for it.

Yeah, that was a doozie on her part. She's a good example on the left side like what's seen on the right side - you have whackos in office that have no chance of being voted out of office because their districts are so gerrymandered.

Yup. I find it comical that she is using the authorization. I guess the democrats voted before they read the authorization.

[kalm]

There's not a single Republican or Conservative on this site that will watch that clip... NOT ONE

That clip was a worthless, partisan circle jerk.

The guy's job is to attack anyone with an R next to his name so that the host's frothing liberal idiots can slap each other's backs while buying the advertiser's products.

Anyone who considers that real news, or even more informative than network news (which is also pathetic), needs their head examined.

You of all people should enjoy that clip. The fact you don't is very dissapointing. For shame Cluck, for shame...

[Chizzang]

There's not a single Republican or Conservative on this site that will watch that clip... NOT ONE

That clip was a worthless, partisan circle jerk.

The guy's job is to attack anyone with an R next to his name so that the host's frothing liberal idiots can slap each other's backs while buying the advertiser's products.

Anyone who considers that real news, or even more informative than network news (which is also pathetic), needs their head examined.

I say "not one Republican or Conservative will watch it" for one reason
Indeed there are some issues with it - but Republicans and conservatives won't watch it because they simply do NOT want to hear that perspective

They want to completely dismiss that point of view regarding this NEVER ENDING WAR

[houndawg]

Once he changed the rules of engagement because it wasn't fair to the terrorists...

I've been reviewing footage if the ISIS advance over the past week...mostly through middle eastern jihadist websites (Youtube pulled most of the vid down due to "violent content"). Much of what's been written in western press is grossly understated. ISIS massacred thousands over the past two weeks. There's footage of ISIS soldiers walking down a street, asking civilians if they worship, and in midsentence, they're shot. Beheadings, mass executions, random attacks on homes and motorists...

...the ISIS soldiers are unequivocally committing war crimes.

Americans can sit around and debate passivity, moral responsibility or economic motive until the end of time, but ignoring the necessity of global participation in internationally codified "war conduct" rules, ie, Geneva Accords and Protocols, is inexcusable. Every developed nation must act promptly to intercede and arrest genocidal conflicts. If necessary, the genocidal aggressors must themselves be eliminated.

What has occurred in northern Iraq over the past two weeks is genocide (murder of non-combatants who are non-sunni muslim: All non-religious, non-sunni are killed).

Surviving agressors can be tried in The Hague in the upcoming decades, however, the genocide must be immediately interrupted. Politics and personal philosophies be damned.

My family has two Purple Hearts and one combat death over the last three generations: We understand the sacrifice of war.

Worse than that sacrifice, is trying to live with the shame and cowardice of failing to prevent atrocities, due to fear or peer pressure.

Our nation is defended by over half million men and women who live by an ethos of a duty to protect those who cannot protect themselves.

I pray Obama intercedes.

Patent nonsense (although I am truly touched by your concern for our muslin brothers).

[travelinman67]

I've been reviewing footage if the ISIS advance over the past week...mostly through middle eastern jihadist websites (Youtube pulled most of the vid down due to "violent content"). Much of what's been written in western press is grossly understated. ISIS massacred thousands over the past two weeks. There's footage of ISIS soldiers walking down a street, asking civilians if they worship, and in midsentence, they're shot. Beheadings, mass executions, random attacks on homes and motorists...

...the ISIS soldiers are unequivocally committing war crimes.

Americans can sit around and debate passivity, moral responsibility or economic motive until the end of time, but ignoring the necessity of global participation in internationally codified "war conduct" rules, ie, Geneva Accords and Protocols, is inexcusable. Every developed nation must act promptly to intercede and arrest genocidal conflicts. If necessary, the genocidal aggressors must themselves be eliminated.

What has occurred in northern Iraq over the past two weeks is genocide (murder of non-combatants who are non-sunni muslim: All non-religious, non-sunni are killed).

Surviving agressors can be tried in The Hague in the upcoming decades, however, the genocide must be immediately interrupted. Politics and personal philosophies be damned.

My family has two Purple Hearts and one combat death over the last three generations: We understand the sacrifice of war.

Worse than that sacrifice, is trying to live with the shame and cowardice of failing to prevent atrocities, due to fear or peer pressure.

Our nation is defended by over half million men and women who live by an ethos of a duty to protect those who cannot protect themselves.

I pray Obama intercedes.

Patent nonsense (although I am truly touched by your concern for our muslin brothers).

Specifically, what part is "nonsense"?

[houndawg]

Nancy Pelosi said yesterday that the 2002 Authorization for the Invasion of Iraq gives Obama all the power he needs to act. It's great to know that they are for it after being against but after being for it.

Yeah, that was a doozie on her part. She's a good example on the left side like what's seen on the right side - you have whackos in office that have no chance of being voted out of office because their districts are so gerrymandered.

She's getting close to her expiration date.

[GannonFan]

Yeah, that was a doozie on her part. She's a good example on the left side like what's seen on the right side - you have whackos in office that have no chance of being voted out of office because their districts are so gerrymandered.

She's getting close to her expiration date.

I don't think dying in office is really the same as being turned out because she's no longer effective. Granted, same end result.

[travelinman67]

Iraq to acquire Russian aircraft...http://m.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-28042302

Saudis (Sunni) supplying (Sunni) ISIS...
Syria Air Force bombing ISIS controlled Iraq air strips to prevent resupply...
Iran sending troops and artillery to bolster Shiite Iraqi leader Malliki..
Now, while Kerry fiddles in Brussels, Saudis (secretly) activate their military and begin mobilizing N. of Riyadh...

With the announcement of the Russian aircraft purchase, Malliki has in effect told the U.S. to go to hell.

Another Obama foreign policy fail.

Will someone please get a message to Kerry he can come home before he does any more damage.