Jeff- disagree with you on one point, General Patreus got to were he is on the backs of his troops, there are no great Generals only great troops, I'm a senior leader all my success is due tho the hard work of the troops.

One last thing the General has been informed that a Obama victory, means troops leaving Iraq (he undertands that), there already several COA's in the works to withdrawl- remember the will of the people must be served.

T. Phillips- another loser who's only defense is I've been there- well so have I sir- Whoopee!! other bloggers are right please do not attempt to use your honorable service as a weapon against others who disagree with your point of view-you did your job like thousands of others-get on with your life- and begin to use your mind to construct viable opinions.

What's all this talk about victory? We have already lost, when our Government flat out lied to invaded. the only people that won were Cheney's Haliburton and there huge no-bid contracts and the rest of the military contractor companies-who from a guy who has been there twice-seems like they have more contractors there, then soldiers, they for sure don't want the gravy train to end. It was and is wrong-victory-what a bloody joke.

I find it amazing that some people really cannot see the importance of the work of our military and civilian personnel in Iraq nor have the vision to see the positive domino effect that a democratic Iraq will bring for years to come. Why are people so short sighted, I don't know. I am proud to be and American, and this is the greatest country in the world, but sometimes many of our citizens can't see or think beyond the end of our nose. You can agree or disagree with the war in Iraq, (I personally believe we should have taken out Saddam in Desert Storm) but 19 million people are free from the torturing rule or a murdering madman (Saddam) and that is something for the whole world to celebrate. None of us as American citizens have ANY idea what it is like to live or try to raise a family under the rule of a madman like Saddam. Don't take your freedom for granted folks and don't take the importance of freedom in Iraq for granted. God Bless our soldiers for their selfless work Every Day!! God Bless America and our President who has had to make tough decisions and has stood for Freedom his entire presidency.

Honest to god, real Patriots fight and Die for defending their country, and stand up to their leaders when they do not follow the will of their people. I'm not sure if you people still marching in line still dont realise you have been led into an open ended occupency by the Bush Administration, or if you are sheep-in-wolves-clothing posting on here to keep the illusion up that real Vets support this Fortunate Son POS.

Who cares if Iraq is secure. The U.S. is not secure. Our economy is shot, our leaders are stealing from the people, nobody seems to value the truth. Iraq? lets start working on strengthing the society and culture of the U.S.  Obama knows the Constitution and it's potential. That's the point. The job description is to uphold the Constitution!!

you liberals disgust me.  yes, we went into Iraq based on faulty information.  this information came from Iraqi's themselves, namely Chalabi, and it was passed to us for their own gain.  that was a big mistake, but it does not diminish the fact that the dictator in power was gassing his own people that were in opposition to him.  plus, the UN asked time and time again for him to allow inspectors in to search for WMD and he would not allow it.  he even went so far to insinuate that he had them.  that inspection would have been the end of it.
there have been many innocent people killed there, and it has been horrific, but where did the weapons come from?  do you think Hussein allowed his countrymen to arm themselves with assault rifles and explosives?  Without Syria and Iran's assistance, Iraq would have been functional long ago.
We made a mistake in Iraq, but give the President credit for having the guts to hang in there and right a wrong at great personal expense to his place in history.  Leaving the people of Iraq to fend for themselves with no functioning government, and no functioning infrastructure would have been mass murder.

Jeff from Milwaukee, thank you for your service and sacrifice.  I was interested in your perspective right up to the point where you used the phrase "...Bush, in his infinite wisdom...".  The fact is, that whatever the way forward in Iraq and for that matter the world, we need thoughtful and decisive leadership.  It is my opinion that a great majority of American and foreign people are correct in their belief that the Bush administration has been a travesty of the highest order.  Any attempt to whitewash or rationalize the horrible impact the administration's (I would say "criminal") mismanagement of almost ALL of America's affairs is a disservice to its citizens.  In particular, those citizens like you, who walked the walk when it came to patriotism and duty to county.  Sometimes, when you have lost your way, it isn't enough to say "well, we're lost, we better just keep going".  At some point you have to change direction and get back on the proper path.  I cannot thank you enough for serving our country and defending my family and fellow citizens, but I also cannot overlook what I think to be reckless and callous disregard for all Americans and our principles by this tragic presidency.

I clicked on the "dead heat" poll! Where is it? I want to vote for Obama/Biden! This General will have to follow orders of the next Commander In Chief so everybody stop worrying!

The war has crippled the U.S in such a way that I wonder if we can ever recover.We've lost homes, lives, moral values, and most of all trust in the gov't that was never truely there anyway.We might have helped other countries but threw ours away in the process. We can't just blame Bush, it's the way the Gov't is set up. The Prez can be a king if he wants and nobody can do a thing about it.He could have been stopped but nobody did a thing about it so who is to blame really.

I am personally amazed at the responce by other Veterans, its good to see you all speaking out.

To those of you that say Bush started the war on lies....  You all are aware that Saddam Hussien wanted the US, but mostly his neighbors, to think he still had WMD.  He provided disinformation to keep that clouded, he did not think the US would go to war over it. He, Saddam, said these things.

   He thought wrong, but so many people believe that Bush lied, they dont even consider that the judgement was based on bad intel.  You are putting your fingers in your ears and humming any time something comes up that would conflict with your world views and preconceptions.

  IF Bush had lied it would have come out, to many people were involved in that operation.   He would have been impeached.  Since he didn't lie, at least that is my belief, then it is so much easier to let things go as they have.   How easy it has been for his opponents to let other people carry the Bush lied torch.  To me its like listening to people go on about how the Govt blew up the twin towers, oh wait let me guess you believe that to.

Isn't the real reason for the reduced violence in Iraq, due mostly to, the strategy of paying the Sunni milita/insurgents, up to $240.00 per month to stop attacking. ie.(Sons of Iraq/ awakenig council)

This war is never going to be won by the USA, our military went there to stop the WMDs, which they did not have, end of story. How can you win a war for nothing? Or is it just going to keep going to secure big business govt contracts. I have no doubt that if the worste case scenario happens and McCain is elected president, we will be next invading Iran, Syria, Pakistan, and then if we have time left over before the next election, we will be at war with Russia. Nice job Bush.

Good for Sweden, why allow them in,they will only live off the state and drain its rescourses, jst ask other EU countries about that- why would they want to leave, President Bush says iraq is the jewel of the Middle East.

The positive domino effect (from David in Ohio), what in the world is that guy talking about, learn from recent Middle East history we worked hard to have free elections in Lebanon, and how did Palastine repay the USA's hard work and belief that this would pay off big time in the Middle East Conflict- they voted Hamas into power-are you prepared for extremist to be voted into power in Iraq-because it will happen-you are painting too rosy of a piture-you actually believe those folks think like us-well from having served there I can tell you, you could not be more wrong.

What is all this talk about Victory-didn't BUSH say "Mission Accomplished" that fateful (and now very funny day)on the Aircraft Carrier.

I laugh just think about it, and I hang my  head in shame when I think about all ther innocent Iraqis lives lost and for what- Nothing!!- I am Iraqi American, the invasion by the Bush regime was evil and continue's to be a disaster for the Iraqi people, and now the Prime Minister wants American Troops out!!- so please leave-you are no longer wanted.

I will say , one thing the bloody invasion of Iraq has been a total victory for Miltary Contractors like Chenney's Haliburton-way to go-that's American "Manifest Destiny" at its best-now lets hijack and exploit ther Oil deposits, oh being a unchecked superpower is so much fun, lets see who can we invade next, maybe Iran (note to self, must lie and convince world they have WMD), easy fight, kill a bunch of innocent civilians like we did in Iraq, just more blood to grease the wheels of American Industry-only problem is Obama- he wants our soldiers to come home-says the war is wrong- we have to find a way to discredit him etc.....

Neither is the USA.

Our Military is doing a great job; now its time for them too come home-the Iraqi leadership says we are no longer wanted.

America is just so over Iraq-its done- finito, over, ended, mission accomplished, complete etc..Obama's right time to focus on Afganistan. You guys that love to occupy other countries and kill innocent civilians give us all break, gee, Hittler could have used you guys during WWII.

Such a narrow, selfish and blind view so many of you display, those that think the radical will go away, those that want to build a wall around the US.  When you have a threat that only want to kill you and your society, and has the ability to do it, you have to kill it first.  When you have a global economy that will go on inspite of anything you will do, you have to participate or others will and eventually, you will not even be in the game. Read "The Post-American World" and "The World is Flat",which documents what has and is happening to the world today.  Like the famous quote, US citizens want a strong ecomomy but they don't want change.  Get rid of the emotional and get real. These events are not a quick fix, maybe not even in our lifetime. Certainly not in the next election, and not with the current political players, democrat or republican in Washington. Reason, we have not traditionally elected senators as president, is because they do not make good presidents or decision-makers. Maybe the governor of Alaska is the best candidate.

I too served in the military under Clinton and W Bush.  The thing everyone on both sides of this debate is missing is the same thing this country has been missing for so long.  We all speak are minds but never come together unless tragedy strikes home as in 9/11.  We believe that Washington is untouchable, that what can a voice do.  Here is a perfect example.  We are arguing about patriotism and who's right or wrong; but we are arguing to no end for either side.  Being a repulican or democrat solely binds us to being led like sheep by todays incompitent leaders (in both partys).  America needs to take back it's own voice and clean up WA.  Solve it's problems here and stop outsourcing jobs.  America needs to protect it's citizens at home and not just from terrorism, but also from famine, floods and natural disasters.  Our soldiers are heroes period!; but we don't owe anything to Iraq...they owe us.  We are giving truck loads of money (literally),  over 50,000,000 was unaccounted for in Iraq, We just dropped off plastic crates of millions to warlords and thugs; same thing in Afganastan, but these stories are buried.  How does WA lose 100's of millions and not one thing is done about it and they even admit it.  This administrations crimes against humanity are so in your face and they even tell you they are doing it yet we sit by and let it happen.  We are building nothing in Iraq/Afganistan.  We are doing what we do best even here.  We are fattening the thugs of countries to prey on the week.  Just as we do at home.  The poor here and abroad are getting poorer and the rich are richer and we side with the rich because we do not want to suffer.  If I stole/lost money at work I would be fired.  So let's not be a party person, lets all be Americans, patriots and STAND.  Clean up WA. and then fix what needs fixin here before we try and fix other countries.  I always say to my children; until you can take care of yourself, you are no good to others.  Helping others is what we are here for, but if you can't feed yourself or pay your own bills, don't give your money to others.  I am not saying you can't plant food or give away a can of food.  I am saying we need to eradicate hunger hear before we eradicate it in Africa.  We need to stop crime here before we chase the criminals of the world.  We need to build our cities, streets, schools, jobs.  We need tolift our poor and help those willing to help themselves.  Stop bailing out the rich for losing thousands and help the poor make a decent living.  I am not into giving welfare to someone that can earn it.  If you can stand, work or otherwise you can pick up/clean our streets, stand at our borders, etc.  Giving money for nothing is for the ill/injured or those to old to work!  If you are a true patriot of justice and have a moral compass to help/love others than I say be a Humanist, not a party person.  Help Humanity, not side with the rich or ignore your own back yard.  Let's clean up America and put the bad guys/girls away,  Clean up our government and make this country greater than it's ever been.  Then venture out to help the rest of humanity because then we'll all be strong, we'll all have a voice and and an example of how we can help since we helped ourselves and have the means to now help others.  I am not saying America can not help anymore at all.  I am not about isolationism.  But, I am saying that this country was built by the poor, tired and the week.  They came together and became strong and worked together to become the greatest nation (in a very short time) on earth,  It's time to do that again and strengthen this nation to become a model once again for the world, not in war/but in power, not with bloodshed/but with undeniable strength since we are a nation that solved it's most basic neccessities again, life, liberty and happiness is about sharing wealth/power amongst all.  We left class rule in England.  But were reinventing it here with parties and distinguishing the poor, middle class and rich.  Stand and help yourself, then your neighbor, then your county, city and state,  Soon we can all STAND and help the world once again.  But when we are able and are one again.  Stop the killing in Iraq and if terror comes to America we squash it.  Go after the terrorist when you know where they are and you can get them with percision and small forces.  Do not tie up the entire military for someone elses cause.  The war is over and has been over according to both sides for a long time.  Let Iraq rebuild themselves and pay us for policing and staying or get out.  Build up our borders from Mexico and Canada and in every port.  Clean up our house before deciding to clean up the neighbors.  Can't help my neighbors unless I am healthy and working and can pay all my bills and have a savings,  Once I am there I will help out them and so on and so forth.  Pay it forward; so to speak.  But stop arguing and start being the solution.  Help yourself become strong, then your neighbor and then your town.  Once we can all stand and say this needs to be fixed,  Then fix it rather than say what can little ol me do we should say look what we CAN DO.  Stop fighting wars for one man or an administration and fight for America once again.  Yeah America/Iraq are better off without Sadam; but we could have went in with a team like we did with Noreaga in South America.  Now hundreds of thousands are dead and for what.  To tell othersto live like us.  Like I said clean up our backyard first and if people choose to emulate that they don't need die by the thousands to do it they just need to STAND together.  Sheer numbers are the only way to affect real change.  Stop listening and doing nothing and start grabing a problem with your neighbors (when you can all stand) and solve it; then the next problem and...pretty soon who knows maybe the world will follow suit.  If not, that is their problem.  We can enjoy paradise while knowing we tried but they didn't want it.  It is not our destiny to change everyone into thinking or living as we do.  It is our job to help others, but not by forcing them to live as we can/do.  That is communism/dictatorship.  Sharing is not by forcing, it's giving when able to give and helping.  Not hurting.  Freedom has come with a price when asked for and given by our country,  Iraq didn't ask...America is footin the bill almost 90% with Iraq in both military and monetary.  It's time we got paid to free others if that is what they want if not then they can live as they choose but we need not stay and support that.  It is time to build this nation once again and help those who help themselves here, then abroad.  It's time to get paid to sacrifice rather than sacrifice to get nothing.  Lets STAND!

I am heartbroken at the evil are country has produced around the world, since 9/11, we are a better people than this- Abel

To all those people that continue to drag out the canard that the Iraq war was started on lies by Bush;  The WHOLE world believed that Iraq had WMD because that murderous dictator wanted and needed everyone to believe that. Every government around the world and MOST of the Democrats in Congress did too.  Our government made lots of mistakes after our very successful overthrow of Hussein.  Wars are messy and decisions are sometimes made in haste to be regretted in leisure.  Did he need to be gone?  You bet!  Is the world a better place without him?  No doubt!  What most of the war protestors and backers of BHO lack, is a strategic world view and the point of view that some things are worth fighing and, if necessary, dying for. If (or when) it gets down to where these people have to chose between freedom or subservience, I doubt that they will have what it takes to stand up for what is right.  They will have to depend on those of us who have been and are willing to stand up on their behalf.  I pity them in their weakness.  Just as there is Good vs Evil, there is strength and conviction vs weakness and lack of backbone.  If people of this mind-set had been in charge, would we have won our Independence from Britain? Would we have won WWll?  How long will America stand if the American ideals are lost to Democracy( Mob Rule)?  On a side note, your thoughts carry more weight when you use correct English grammer and spelling.  Carelessness in the presentation of your ideas denotes lack of concern for others.  It is also a damning indictment of the state of education in this country today. Lack of attention to detail is rampant.  Lastly, THANK YOU to Jeff and all that have served.  Not just this war but all wars.  The left does not appreciate what it took from some of us to secure for them the right to show the world what  fools they are.          

First of all let me say up front, I applaud all of the military men and women who have gone to where ever their country felt they were needed. I fully support and appreciate you and your efforts.

What I don't support is the continued use of a generation of young men and women to further the agenda of a few select powerful people for their own gains.

The U.S. didn't invade Afghanistan to "combat terriorism" or Irag to "protect us from WMD". The one and only objective was to establish U.S. military presence in the middle east to provide a means to take control of the oil in that region. That's why we have bases in Saudi Arabia and are trying to come up with reasons to invade Iran.

Read "Crossing the Rubicon - The Decline of the American Empire at the End of the Age of Oil" by Michael C. Ruppert or visit www.fromthewilderness.com" to see more of what the handlers of Bush are really up to.

I believe a considerable amount of good is being done in Afghanistan and Iraq, but it's not being portrayed by the mainstream media for some reason. However, much more could have been done in that region if all the billions (that we can't afford) went to helping the Iraq citizens and not stuffing the pockets of corrupt corporations.

We need to pull back and concentrate on the U.S. or we'll fail from within. That said, it must be done in a manner that assists those whose countries we invaded to sustain the advancements made.

Vote your concscience, but make sure it's an informed vote, not just a judgement. This is not a popularity contest we're in. The stakes are way to high to continue with the petty name calling, labelling, finger pointing, hatred, etc.

Whether we like it or not, we are all part of both the problem AND the solution. We need to focus on the root cause of our situation and deal with it, not continue to spend countless lives and billions of dollars dealing with the results.

I see one candidate who will help us with this daunting task and one who only wants to get elected and can't see past Nov. 4th. Your choice. Make it for the right reasons and for your future, your childrens' future and their childrens' future.

Eric from Idaho,

Thank you for bring us back into perspective. I agree wholeheartedly. Nicely done.

Isn't it funny (or maybe not) how you can tell the intelligent, well thought out comments contain proper spelling and grammer? I do not favor all this country does, what with the corporate interests having so much influence on our daily lives and deciding futures for generations to come, but there comes a time when a man (or a nation)must put himself in harm's way to protect those who are powerless against those who would otherwise enslave them. Read your history. I know many who went to Iraq because they want to help and make a difference. Sometimes you have to fight for change. I wish innocent people didn't die in war, but they always have & will. I wish the rich & powerful didn't wield such great influence over the world and the direction we head, but they do. Anybody who truly wants to make a difference has to be willing to get thier hands dirty. One way is not to vote mainstream, but definitely vote. As long as we are sheep, we are powerless. As long as we stand by and watch the slaughter of innocents, no matter who the culprits may be, as long as we continue to let money and possesions and feeling good about ourselves be the driving force in our lives with little regard for our fellow man (except when it's fashonable or convenient), as long as we sit on the sidelines in our schools and universities and office buildings while some of the finest men & women this country are doing the dirty jobs that need done, I prefer we all just say "Thank You" to the troops, write our elected officials and offer guidance and /or support/critcism, as I stated earlier VOTE NON-MAINSTREAM, because the money controls the politicians world wide. And stop those who would have any free people (which all on this earth are intended to be) be thier subjects.

The war is over, and we've won it, all of the defeatists who gave up months ago have been proven wrong.  All of those that screamed the surge was a mistake were proven wrong.  And, despite an Arabic democratic government in the middle east people are still wrong in their view of this war, this was a much needed wake up call for a region of the world that feels it's ok to behave like it's the 12th century.  The war in Iraq was a successful one, and this is just the beginning of introducing freedom and democracy in this corner of the world. The soldiers that died for the freedoms of the Iraqi people will not go in vain despite your best intentions to pull them out when the situation became tough.  So quit your pathetic whining and embrace the fact that despite you, the media, and the Democratic parties inane rhetoric the correct thing has been done for the Iraqi people and the Middle East.

Re: LT TP
"Whatever the cause of the invasion, whatever we've done the past, a withdrawl that is anything less than carefully thought out, with Iraqis full prepared to take over, is grossly immoral and will cause huge numbers of unnecessary Iraqi deaths."
Grossly immoral IS the invasion and occupation of a country based on the LIES of this administration, an invasion that has IN FACT caused huge numbers of unnecessary Iraqi deaths, not to mention more than 4000 American deaths, just as unnecessary as the Iraqi ones.
Why should anyone consider the predictions of someone supporting this immoral war regarding the outcome of a FAST withdrawal? As for the invasion, it was said that the troops would be received as "liberators". Did not happen, if it did, it was for a short period, what the troops encountered was the opposite: insurgency and resistance, things a country is entitled to in the face of foreign occupying forces. There is a saying about a dead dog and an uninvited guest stinking after the third day, and it is way past noon now. So who knows, maybe a fast withdrawal would not bring the chaos you foresee, but just the opposite, think about it, after all, events have a way of unfolding themselves regarless of our predictions.
I support the troops, I want them home and safe fast, NOW if possible.
I despise this war and the criminal gang of liers who started it.

Isn't the real reason for the reduced violence in Iraq, due mostly to, the strategy of paying the Sunni milita/insurgents, up to $240.00 per month to stop attacking. ie.(Sons of Iraq/ awakenig council)

Re: Jeff S , Lavonia, MI
That is true Jeff, among some other factors, I think, and I am no expert on this, that the reason for their siding with USA, is because they saw A-Q in Iraq a far more intrusive and dangerous presence at the moment than our forces, which is something good, I believe, it shows at the very least that if in fact they hate Americans, it is not for what they are, for for what some Americans sometimes do, perfectly rational I could say; or the other way, they dont side with AQI just because they are muslim/arab.
However, the same Sunni clan/insurgency/counsel leaders have given no assurance as to their loyalty once they are sure AQI is gone for good, one of them stated "for now we are working with the Americans ..." with a stress in for now. Keeping them at our side would require skills that the armed forces as institutions, not personnel, do not have, they are supposed to destroy enemies, not make allies of them. Anyway, I do not want to sound pesimistic, but it seems to me that this blessed relative calm now in Bagdad is held together with pins, and not really supported by a sound strategy, an unpredictable Sunni insurgency, low-laying but active Shia militias, the not ready yet and also unpredictable Iraqui army/police, there is to little control over these to have a strategy, forget about a brilliant one. Again to the question, yes relative calm there is due mainly on the Sunni guerrilla decision to fight AQI, their decision, their strategy. The army saw they were good at taking care of AQI so they rolled out the cash and some war materials, I just hope they they keep being rational decide not to go after Americans just for being Americans, after all is their land, and there are indeed foreign occupying forces.
So a sudden spike of violence is possible at the moment they perceive something as not in good will from these foreign troops, despite the perception being real or imaginary. A real mess if you ask me.

    Sorry, Gayle, but Saddam Hussein was not a "radical Islamist," but rather (typical of Arab secular rulers) he hated them and saw people like Osama bin Laden as a serious threat.  So ruthless and thorough were Saddam's security forces that "Islamist" - radical Islamic fundamentalist - organizations could not establish themselves in Iraq during his rule - and Iraqis with "Islamist" attitudes kept a low profile and their mouths shut.  

    That changed, of course, in 2003 with the American invasion.  "Al Queda in Iraq" emerged to commit the worst attrocities that, more than anything, brought the sectarian feud that shattered  the hitherto tolerant and amiable relationship between Sunnis and Shias - tearing Iraqi society to shreds.  It will surely take Iraqi society a generation or more to recover.
    Yes, the "Islamist" threat is real.  But it does not lie in Iraq - and never did - but rather in Afghanistan and Pakistan, the region whence came the attacks we remember today (September 11) and the subsequent Islamist bomb attacks in London and Madrid.

The reason the coalition was formed, is that they believed the false info that was provided by the Whitehouse, as did Congress, so to say democrats voted for the war, is correct, what you fail to say is that their judgement was formed by the lies of the Whitehouse.

Yes, Iraq was invaded predicated by lies, why?, Bush told Intel services to find him a reason, so they find a sworn enemy of Saddam, and he went along and said, yea, he's got WMD, thus, we have a invasion, and scores of innocent dead.

I want to thank Jeff Hauf for his blog here and his service in Iraq. I have never been to Iraq and know nothing about what truly goes on there. Neither do most of the people posting blogs on here .

Alan in Atlanta

To those who say that Sadam Hussein lied to the world and wanted the world to believe that he still had some U.S provided WMD and that the administration believed that (down goes hook, line and sinker) and in turn lied to the world about the WMD in Iraq, I will say this:

Normally, people and governments for that matter, believe what is most convenient for them to believe.

In addition, one would think that the most sophisticated intellegence services of the most powerful country in the world should be capable of sorting true from false data, and they are, and they did, but were not listened to, not convinient, instead the CIA head rolled for doing his job, and to further the case for war, the identity of a secret operative was exposed in revange against her husband for pointing out just one of the lies underlying the invasion of Iraq. I do not know if this amounts to high treason. So far none of the traitors have been punished.
Finally, does lying to the world about the same thing, for perverse although different reasons puts both S. Hussein and G.W.Bush in some kind of same group, box?

Be well

We cannot leave, it is simple, remember Vietnam, when we pulled, Millions of South Vietnamese were slautered. If we left, everyone WE told to stand up and fight with us will be left defensless, and we will be seen as week. It would be bad for the US to lose to a regime of people, then again WW2 took 6 years and 1 day. And this has taken 7, I say finish the job, there is not pulling out now, unless you want the US to abandon Iraq and leave Millions for the slaughter, your choice.

Thank you to all the True Patriots out there, I was taught by mother and I teach my kids, that Power that goes unbridled, well in the end defile itself, Iraq (and the false whitehouse info), Patriot Act which was a good idea at the start, but the Whitehouse tried to rewrite the Constitution, no its better for the people to keep them in check, or things like Iraq get way out of hand.

One last parting shout, agree with the blogger, who said people should pay more attention, to their grammer,forget it, this is the age of the text message, the younger people have there own grammer.

Hi Tom, again you are reporting the war stories from Baghdad.I thank you for the information and the true pictures of the battle areas you have transfered to us. The truth that you took so many risks just to let us know what is going on at that region of the world. Tom, a report from you can make a big change in the people mind. I read your stories about Iraq so I will know what kind of life and condition my relatives are suffering over their. I know you will be their reporting in every hot spot of the world. Reporters like you is not just for profit but for telling the world what is going on. I will always follow up with your stories reporting and I know that there are alot of stories still to come.I know even if all soldiers leave you will be still their to tell us the rest of the story. For now I wish you all the best, take care.

The war was built on a lie and no amount of death and bravery in fighting it makes it honorable or necessitates its continuation. Thousands are in their graves and thousands more are crippled in mind and body as a result of this criminality brought about by a lying President. Impeach meant for sure but a jail sentence for Bush and Cheney and their flunky minions would be better and far more just. Voting to end the butchery and to stop this disgrace. No way will we vote for the Republican fascist ticket.

All of you people complaining about the war do not even understand how much good has actually happened over there. You have never even been there, all you know is what you've seen in the media. I have seen it first hand, and good has been done. And I personally would rather stay in Iraq, doing good things, than have, what seems, an unpatriotic president. And yes I think someone that can't even show respect to his own country flag is not only unpatriotic but treason! I wonder who that could be?

A lot of people keep saying that our intrusion into Iraq was a mistake.  Well what about doing away with one of the most brutal dictators to ever live.  What about removing 550 metric tons of yellow cake uranium, that cost you the taxpayer a bundle.  Making judgements without knowing all the facts is dangerous. Give our government leaders a little credit for having some sense, the American people don't have access to the information provided to our government leaders by our intelligence agencies. Chill!

The Iraqi government wants us out so they can turn against the Sunni Awakening groups, which are becoming a political force and hence a threat to the Shia establishment. Don't listen to them.

We ought to stay long enough to back up the Awakening so that it can turn into a full-fledged political party. Precisely BECAUSE the current Shia government is too Islamist oriented. The Awakening as a political party would pull Iraq away from Iran, and help secularize it more.

Then we can gradually draw down until we just have a couple of bases like in Kuwait.

Osama Bin Laden's intention was to Bring the Great Satan - America to Afghanistan because he felt that he could defeat us there. Unfortunatelely, despite what many Americans think, Al Qaida admitted that their frontline was in Iraq. I do not think its right that innocent people have perished and it makes me want to vomit thinking of those families and their loss, but I am greatful that our government has not stood idle waiting for our enemies to come back here like September 11th. The rest of the world may not like us, but bombings in India, Spain, and Turkey should remind the world and make conscious the reality that if we don't go to our enemies, they will come to us. If Iraq was a mistake or a lie for WOMD, I see what has been the truth - our troops killing Suicide bombers and taking sniper shots from Al Qaida in Baghdad, not Milwaukee, New York, or Seattle. We should be praying for our countries leaders to have Wisdom and to be in God's will: be it Bush, Barack or McCain. The circumstances facing our world now and in the past, must have God's hand, neither Barack or McCain can make all the right calls, know all the right decisions. But God ultimately chooses are fate - pray and then vote. Vote and then pray.

The history of America's war in Irac will not be understood for a generation because facts are far more stubborn even than opinions. While Bush and Co. will no doubt continue sanitizing the historical record as much as it is possible from the ever more ominously ubiquitous digital record, they remain nevertheless, damned out of their own mouths. But while the evidence which remains will still no doubt reveal a frightened, reactionary greedy and vengeful U.S. decade, histoty's verdict will come only after all the consequences are clear.
 Lessons follow mistakes, and errors may follow good judgement.
 There is no other set of missed opportunities and better choices to hold our political opponenents accountable to: there is only the choice to move forward from where we are so that history is improved by how we manifest it's consequences.
 Do we really hope to fail in Irac - to begrudge any news of progress - if only to prove Bush wrong and feel morally superior to the man chosen democratically to lead?(fairly - at least the second time..)On the other hand, are the liberals really cry babies to want guaranteed health care, protection from corporate greed, peace and some basic domestic attention? Let's not forget, most folks just want health and happiness - not wealth and power.
 Must one fair arguement always insult another to win? ...even where winning creates just as many loosers? History will not judge who was right in Irac...any more than it has judged the horror of the Vietnam war against it's modern economic success. History will judge human affairs as it always has: by what forces came together to make lemonade - not by the ones bitterly failing to unsqueeze the lemons.

The hatred of George W. Bush stemming from the loss of Al Gore in the election of 2000 has led a lot of people, especially the Democrats and the members of the media into losing sight of the consequences of withdrawing troops from Iraq prematurely.  All of these people including Barack Obama are promising that our trrops should be withdrawn immediately.

Whatever the reasons for the anger against George W. Bush, for his alleged "lying", his mistakes, let us not compound it and then pay a much bigger price in the near future, and I mean the VERY NEAR FUTURE.  Let us not make the very real sacrifice that our children have made in lives and limbs to satisfy our need for revenge against George W. Bush.

It is easy to listen to what we want to hear and there are enough people whose need to get even with or even, in their own minds, humiliate George W. Bush by premature withdrawal and then claim that he lost the war.  We are a nation of people who care and I distictly remember the reporting from Iraq by our own media (NBC, CBS  and ABC) in the 2-3 years before George W. Bush even started running for President, about the atrocities that Saddam Hussein was committing while under supposed UN supervision after the Gulf war of 1991.  I remeber a particular statistic that nearly 150,000 children a month were dying of starvation while Iraq was supposedly under the OIL FOR FOOD program.  I also recall the number of times our own media and intellectuals have talked about our country supporting dictators.  When the most egregious of these dictators, SADDAM HUSSEIN, was taken out, many of the SAME CRITICS have been howling against it.

    Minor quibble with Ann Marie (NV): the Bush Administration did not so much "lie" to rev up support for invading Iraq as (very cleverly) "mislead" the public - and members of the US Congress - who were "ready" to be misled.
President Bush, in speech after speech, used the words "Saddam Hussein" "Iraq" "terrorists" "Al Queda" "Osama bin Ladenn"  "attacks of 9/11" - in the same speech - usually in the same paragraph.
People not paying close attention linked - in their minds - Saddam Hussein with Islamic terrorists like Osama bin Laden.

    The Bush administration at the same time (certainly willfully) ignored the fact that secular Middle East rulers like Saddam and Islamic extremists like Osama bin Laden tend to hate each other and are "natural enemies."   (I've known this for over  t 20 years.) And the news media did not raise this point often enough.  
   Of course Bush supporters have publicly stated over the last five years that Saddam Hussein had ties to Al Queda, which is, from the evidence available, a blatent "falsehood."  

     Millions of Americans believed President Bush's case for war with Iraq because they wanted to.  Traumatized by the attacks of 9/11, they were ready to go to war against anyone they though connected with those events.  Members of Congress were no more astute and many, I think, went along because it was "politically ssmart" to do so.  (Senator Hillary Clinton wanted to look "tough on national security."

    Now we get the same "rhetorical devises" to convince the American people that the Iraq war was justified after all - because "victory" in Iraq can be achieved after all:  
    - Keep telling the public that the violence is sharply reduced in Iraq because "the troop surge" months back (Supported by Senator John McCain!) is a success.  But ignore the crucial role of the massive rejection of Al Queda in Iraq by Sunni fighters who stopped attacking Americans, formed the "Awakening Councils" and went on the American payroll.  
   And ignore the "truce" called by anti-American cleric Mouktada al Sadr.

     And do not remind people that General Petreus - and other senor American officers over there consider the security situation still "fragile" and "reversable."

    Define "victory" in Iraq to mean an American withdrawal without the place collapsing into bloody chaos.   (Do not publically recall that Iraq was invaded to 1.) make Iraq a liberal democaracy 2) a staunch US ally, and 3) a "friend to Israel"

  Finally, would the people who still support the Iraq war and who have actually been there please stop using their "in country" experience as an argument - in itself?  (I do not, after all, consider my own views on the rights, wrongs, and strategic decisions of the Vietnam War any more valid than anyone elses just because I served there - in the infantry - from October '67 to March '68.   I did not, for example get "the big picture" of the Tet Offensive of 1968 until I returned to base camp and read about it in Time Magazine.)                

I am a proud service member who have been in several wars and deployed maney times, but i tell you this just like this i do not care to go to iraq and fight this sensless war. The middle east will not change in our lifetime, history shows it never has and biblical reference point to the destruction of our country for pride and arrogance.. I am tired of republicans down playing democrats when they have been in charge of the white house in the last 30yrs more than democrats. They are the ones who led the country to destructions, reaganomics, bushes war. Come on country wake up....
i am tired of losing freinds to this ghost enemy in which we can't see..

We cant just leave iraq. we made things worse in an effort to make them better.
the question is - what will our long term policy be regarding iraq.

Will mccain or obama make a plan to get out responsibly or a plan to maintain control over their internal politics and thus their oil.

I think obama is more likely to get out responsibly and then let iraq govern itself.
we need to spend our money not in war to protect oil interests but in efforts to make us independent from foreign oil over the next 10 years.

Why dose everyone on here talk like there everyday lives are effected by the war in Iraq. America isn't at war it's at the Mall Shopping.  The U.S. Military is at war....

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