Hi Richard! Excellent Interview with Commander Ray Odierno concerning the US Troop withdrawal. When you asked if the war in Iraq can be ended in 16 months he seemed optimistic although he wasn't setting too much of a date. Mentioning there will be a substantially smaller forces in the region does prove the Iraqi forces are attempting to handle the regions security even though progress still needs to be made. Iran has done some covert operations and should be closely watched. Having a strong influence in the region. When you stated meeting for the first time in Tikrit after the fall of Saddam and asking him how the region has changed it seemed obvious the him there have been changes over time. Especially after a period of so much violence. Hopefully, the citizens will be able to live in a peaceful region and all the troops will be out by the end of 2011.
Excellent Reporting as Always Richard!
PLEASE STAY EXTRA SAFE ALWAYS!
Lisa

THANK YOU OBAMA! Your are a GOD! THANK YOU!

May the words of Gen. Ray Odierno spread hope to American Soldiers and their Families who have given so much of their lives and spirits by carrying such an enormous burden during this horrific war. I hope our president helps secure good care and support for our Soldiers and their Family members as they reintegrate to life out of the war zones they have served so selflessly in. May there be, and may they feel lessened stigma in their seeking help for the trauma related symptoms, and a quickened response to their requests for support. Please, Mr. President, focus on not only removing all troops and bringing them home, yet also on their needs for physical, psychological and financial support as they return to their homeland. May the brave soldiers who served in Viet Nam find within themselves the strength to provide support to this new round of soldiers coming home. In my opinion many Nam vets could play a significant role in helping those returning from the middle east in so many ways. Our soldiers deserve the quality of care and services and protection that George Bush has for himself. Mr. Bush, why on earth did your plans for war not include an exit plan? How do you sleep at night knowing what your politically driven decisions have done to millions of Americans? I am so grateful our soldiers are going to be coming home for it is long over due. May it happen quickly, and as safely as possible.

My brother has been in the Army almost a year and is stationed in Ft.Lewis, WA. His Cav. Scout unit is being delpoyed to Iraq this summer, replacing a unit that went to Afghanistan instead. With the news of withdrawl, I hope and pray that my brothers plans change. And being that there is new leadership in the oval office, I'm praying that it will affect his cancel hi deployment.

wHAT GOOD IS THAT GOING TO DO THE STIMULUS PACKAGE WILL COST MORE THEN THE WHOLE IRAQ WAR.

thats good stuff little by little we begin our slow with drawl.

This is awsome!  We'll get all these kids home, safe and sound so in 3 to 5 years, they'll be well rested and ready to fight there again!  Obama is such a god!  He know's they're all tired and need some rest.  That's why he's putting the US in harms way!  WOW, I had my doubts about him at first... but he's proven me wrong.  Once Iran gets it's claws into Iraq, we'll have to go over there again to fend off a nuclear threat. We'll be soooo ready for it.  First Brother will have a smaller military, less hardward to fight with, but we'll be feeling good.

How will the pull out be characterized by the media? Will it be a feather in the cap of Pres. Obama or will credit be given to former Pres. Bush and the things he did?

The President Barack Obama is working in the good direction. An expert of International Humanitarian Law says to President Obama to give more diffusion of Human and Humanitarian Law for civilians in War Scenes.The diffusion of Rules and the Knowledge of Humanitarian and International Law are an important point or All. The Expert Marco Pizzorno trusts in Obama's Work .

What a mess.  Thanks Bush.  Glad you're gone.  Too bad it didn't happen a lot sooner.  Oh, and thanks to the American people for reelecting him.  That was brilliant.  To Iraq: I'm really sorry about all this.  It wasn't my call to make.  Best of luck to you for however little my words are worth to you.

Dear Richard,

Your recent reports from Iraq have been very encouraging - relatively peaceful elections, increased female representation in government, downturn in overall violence, but....  Isn't there still a great deal of ethnic and religious violence in the north?  Is the peaceful section known as Kurdistan now becoming destabilized?  Is the Iraqi government and/or army capable of getting these problems under control?

I always enjoy your reports, as well as your appearances with Rachel Maddow.  Stay safe and be well, always.

Bless you, Laurel

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