Cautious optimism as U.S. troops withdraw

Tim S... — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:07:33 GMT

I'm so happy to see our troops get out of Iraqi
cities and whatch them from the distance, it's pretty
good idea.

Cautious optimism as U.S. troops withdraw

Douglas Miller, Detroit, Michigan — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:32:54 GMT

Last nite it was official fire works displays celebrating our departure from the cities of Iraq. I wonder how long it will take before the fire works in Iraq turn into mortars, rockets and missiles. The Islamo-fascists led by al Qaeda are getting all fired up, and they're raring to go. It's just a matter of time before the radical Islamic gangs escalate their terrorist massacres of civilians into a full fledged campaign to topple the moderate democratic government of Iraq. But the terrorists will most likely wait until they no longer have to worry about Uncle Sam before they emerge from their ratholes in force.

Cautious optimism as U.S. troops withdraw

Brenda Wilde, Ft. Hood, Texas — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:37:10 GMT

I am very happy that this is finally happening. My son has been over there since January of this year and wont be coming home until December of this year. Every day that he is over there is frightening. I pray for all that are there an hope for there safe return.

Cautious optimism as U.S. troops withdraw

Latrisha Hernandez, San Diego, CA — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:21:35 GMT

I am happy to see some progress in this situation, but waiting to see what happens. The Iraqi forces are going to be tested to their limits but I think eventually the action will die down and they will get back to life as close as possible to "normal" as they can. I pray everyday that our troops make it home safely.

Cautious optimism as U.S. troops withdraw

Terry T. Simms Texas — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:25:38 GMT

Many thanks to the men and women who have served to bring us to this point. Let's all pray their efforts have not been in vain.

Cautious optimism as U.S. troops withdraw

T. Clark — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:34:18 GMT

It's about time. A war based on a lie that has made an absolute mess of things. Dec. 31, 2011 will mark the close of the worst example of bungled foreign policy in American history. Iraq may be a mess after we leave, but at some point they're going to have to take responsibility for their own security. We shouldn't have been there to start with, but now we can't babysit them forever. Now that we've taken the Sunnis out of power, the Shiites will side with Shiites on the other side of the border and we'll have an Iraq/Iran super state. And you thought we had problems before... Democracy. Hilarious. This is what happens when you go around fixing things that aren't broken.

Cautious optimism as U.S. troops withdraw

Michal3e Seattle WA — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:38:16 GMT

Praise god our trooo[s are safe!

Cautious optimism as U.S. troops withdraw

Military man — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:44:08 GMT

War is a never ending thing. I am deployed supporting both Iraq and Afghanistan and I wonder if there is ever going to be peace. America has tried to do all that it can to help out other countries, but what about our homeland, when do we start thinking about ourselves for once? It sucks having to wake up every night over here wondering If I am going to see the people I love ever again, or if I am going to return home in a box.

Cautious optimism as U.S. troops withdraw

Eric, Salinas, CA — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:45:43 GMT

We don't need to keep 130,000 plus troops in Iraq now that they're done patrolling the cities. The Iraqis ahve not appreciated what we've done for them and we're stupid to be wasting so much money and too many lives for their benefit. Time to bring our troops home now!

Bring Our Troops Home Now!

Cautious optimism as U.S. troops withdraw

dennis heraty, detroit, michigan — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:47:11 GMT

ITS ABOUT TIME THAT OUR BRAVE HEROS COME HOME, MY 2 SONS HAVE BOTH BEEN THERE AND IT IS SCARY EVERYDAY WHEN THE PHONE OR DOORBELL RINGS. GOD BLESS THE MILITARY

Cautious optimism as U.S. troops withdraw

T. Clark — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:54:14 GMT

Cautious optimism as U.S. troops withdraw

Leroy Mayhugh,2708 county street,2831,Chickasha Ok. — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:58:41 GMT

Bring our people home,and protect our own borders.America has for too long tried to control these other countries,with no evail.All we have done is get scr!"^D.They dont want us there,and we should let them have it,all to their self.They are not going to change,because they dont want to.As soon as we pull out,all hell will break loose.
Come home and if someone threatens us,do what we should have done in the first place and kick their asses,not just mess with them.None of those people care about the U S.

Cautious optimism as U.S. troops withdraw

Zachary S, Uniontown, OH — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:04:28 GMT

Man, I got a bad feeling about this. When there are no US troops in Iraq, wont that be when the terrorists strike? I mean, its been bad enough already, but Im sure it will get 5 times worse by next year. At least we dont have to worry about WMDs over there (unless Iran is planning something, of course). Prayers go out to the families of those killed in the recent bombings.

Cautious optimism as U.S. troops withdraw

Linda, Hamburg, NY — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:14:58 GMT

I think it's about time that the Iraqis take responsibility for their own country. How many billions of dollars have been flooded into that country, while we sit here floundering. We couldn't stay there forever; there must come a time when people are responsible for themselves. It's no different than an adult child that you have to finally tell to get out of your house and make their own way in the world.

Cautious optimism as U.S. troops withdraw

t. murphy — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:17:28 GMT

sounds like d. miller, in much the same way as the islamo-facists, is the one getting all fired up. if you are so pro war and pro remaining in Iraq, what are you doing here? get over there yourself and put up or shut up!

Cautious optimism as U.S. troops withdraw

IRMA ZIRIAX, ORANGE, TEXAS — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:29:00 GMT

"THANK YOU" to all troops who've served in Iraq, thank you to all families who've had loved ones in Iraq. The time has come for the Iraqi people to take control of their own country and to say thank you to all foreign troops for having served, and for teaching them, the Iraqi people, to stand on their own.

Cautious optimism as U.S. troops withdraw

Shirley A. Chaitan-Poma, Richmond VA — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:42:18 GMT

I would be very happy when my son comes home. This has been a very frightening experience for our family. I hope and pray for our sons and daughters
to come home safely.

Cautious optimism as U.S. troops withdraw

Kay Williams, Huntsville, AL — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:59:32 GMT

I would love to see our troops come home. My son just arrived in Iraq and is not due to come home for a year. If Gen. Schwartzkoff (sp?) had been allowed to advance in 1991 the whole matter probably would have been settled then (when my son was there the 1st time). I don't fault our entry into Iraq, but I do fault that we are still there. Please pray for all our troops to come home safely.

Cautious optimism as U.S. troops withdraw

G. Dixon, Atlanta, GA — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:00:41 GMT

Thank God for our troops and I pray for thier safe return. As an ex military AF Officer, it is clear to me that this war's primary purpose was to expand the military industrial complex. Just follow the money. Ask yourself this, why did it take nearly 7 years to train such a small force to take over the security of thier own country. This so-called war is an un-constitutional FARCE.

Cautious optimism as U.S. troops withdraw

Pete Talley, Winchester, Va — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:01:46 GMT

I agree with Irma, on a global scale, we all need to lend a hand and help when we can. I do not agree with us being there, and I think that the reasoning was wrong, but, looking at the bigger picture, if in the end the people of Iraq have a better life, then it would seem to me that that was why we really were there. I pray for the families who have lost loved ones in the war and feel that that corner of the world owes the US a debt of gratitude. No one should live in persecution and fear of death. The Iraqis will take control of their own country because they will find that they have a common cause. The preservation of Iraq as a Sovereignty and a coming together of a people. I think they call that freedom and democracy!!!! That is the underlying reason that motivated most of us as time went on during the war. I cannot imagine living in a world where I could be killed because I had a (difference of opinion) Bravo to our brave soldiers. They found purpose and resolve in a situation that most people cannot imagine. To those who would do harm to their own people, (your time will come)...

Cautious optimism as U.S. troops withdraw

diaz — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:23:34 GMT

Nice to know that the iraqi baby sitting will come to an end although iraq has still violence ongoing. iraqis will learn now the skills to survive against violence with on the job training. are we instead of bringing them home send them now to afganistan ? I herad in the news, that the next 18 months is the most time to be given to afganistan to stabilize. i am sure with that perspective, most of the troops coming out of iraq will go to afganistan. afganistan is a different story.

Cautious optimism as U.S. troops withdraw

Ray Manhattan, Kansas — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:43:42 GMT

No matter what happens, our Armed Forces need to leave Iraq! Now! All hell might break out, with opposing sides slaughtering each other, but we can say we won. Why? Because Iraq was afforded the opportunity to become a sort of Islamic democracy (unlike Iran), and if they blow it, the fault is theirs and not ours. This has to be the official explanation. Right?

No matter what, we have been in Iraq for 6 years now. We were in World War II for less than 5 years. Back then we operated on war fronts that can only be described as hugh, gigantic, and enormous. Since 1945 (to include Iraq) we have been wasting our time, money, energy, talent, and lives, fighting puny men in dinky little countries. And yet we lost! Look at Vietnam. All we have really done is ruin the good health (mental and physical) of hundreds of thousands of our people since 1945 fighting for fools who can't run a country.

Perhaps this is not fair, but we defeated Germany and Japan in World War II on a global scale, and then occupied both countries for years. But look at how successful those countries are now. Are our efforts in Iraq going to be worth all the blood spilled there? Are all the Iraqi innocent bystanders that were killed by their own crazy suicide bombers going to turn over in their graves because their politicians can't get it together?

In the meantime we apparently plan to stay in Afghanistan and hope for the same results. However, with our drawdown in Iraq we still don't know how things are going to turn out. Anyway,the big question is: Are we going to continue to be as stupid in our foreign policy as we have been since 1945? Yes, I know, it was not all stupid, but the stupid part probably outweighs the beneficial part.

Time to pack up and get home to the United States of America and fix our problems on our own soil. Will we be smart enough to do this? Somehow I doubt it, but I hope I'm wrong.

Finally, I can't resist adding that we have already been in the same direction as France, first in Vietnam (then called French Indo-China), where both of us lost. Then fighting Muslims in two countries like the French did in Algeria from 1954 to 1962, where the French lost again. But, we are all so much better than the French. Right? At least the French went to Algeria in 1830 and colonized it, and the Algerians still speak French in addition to Arabic.

Just wait until all fails in Iraq and Afghanistan because their leaders can't get it together. Get ready for the mass flow of refugees from those countries to the U.S. Hey California, got any more room for our failures like the Vietnamese you got, and all the Iranians you picked up from the debacle of 1979?

Cautious optimism as U.S. troops withdraw

Jon Delinger, Fresno, ca — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:56:42 GMT

As a father of 3 boys, 15 12 and 10 and a vet of Desert Storm I can tell you I have been watching the events around the world with a worried eye. Korea, Iraq, and Afganistan we have to be vigilant. I am glad we are withdrawing, people have to stand up and take ownership for themselves, yes even here in the US. The world is not a safe place and we should not and cannot police everywhere. At best you can make it possible to give the people the ability to protect themselves, if they do nothing then, well you get what you fight for and only what you fight for, in life.

Cautious optimism as U.S. troops withdraw

G. Dixon, Atlanta, GA — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:20:56 GMT

The "Cradle of Civilization" lies within the Middle East. What makes us (the US) the experts when it comes to defining democracy for a civilization that's been around for thousands of years?? Sadam didn't have the wherewithall to bomb or gas anyone - not until the US gladly provided him the means. This was back when he was friends with DONALD RUMSFELD and that gaggle of neo-Cons back in the day. Sadam hated Iran's influence just as much as we did back then, so we used him like a puppet. Read your history people; maybe you'll understand why Saudi Arabia has done more to fan the flames of terrorism than Iraq could have ever accomplished. Why do you think the victims of 911 are JUST THIS WEEK being prevented from suing the Saudi government? Just "Google" the topic and read it for yourself. And another thing, ever wonder why we NEVER see Iraqi news broadcasted in America? Why haven't we ever heard the side of the average Iraqi citizen? When it comes to strengthening US Foreign Relations and National Security, President Obama is correct on so many fronts. We need to start LISTENING and RESPECTING the ability of these nations to figure out thier own destiny. We should only help when ASKED. True Democracy is NEVER implemented and sustained in any proud nation at the butt of a rifle. Isn't that common sense??? I am an American female who proudly served my country. My father also fought and bled during multiple tours in Vietnam and Korea. "In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock"....one of Thomas Jefferson's quotes of Patriotism.

Cautious optimism as U.S. troops withdraw

J. Tapia — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:27:32 GMT

Brenda Wilde from Fort Hood, our prayers for your son, ours in the army also and those innocents that paid with their live for a big mistake. Douglas Miller from Detroit you are wrong, those countries have had their mini wars for centuries, you need to read. T. Clark excellent thinking.Sadam had his trial, Bush need his, our soldiers need to be safe for any just war to defend our country, not the interest of a few. Hope Afghanistan ends soon also, less money spent without a reason, a better economy here.

Cautious optimism as U.S. troops withdraw

Cristina, Brandon, Florida — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:43:56 GMT

i am happy that they are finally leaving. they have been gone for a long time and i feel that they have served there country for a long time. they are needed back home

Cautious optimism as U.S. troops withdraw

Jay Dyck, Meadview, Arizona — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:05:16 GMT

I was in favor of the U.S. going into Iraq. Sadaam Hussein was choosing us off, threatening to destroy us. It was Hussein who made the most strident claims that suggested that they had weapons of mass destruction.
After we had defeated them, it was time to leave, but we didn't. We left too soon in 1991. We could have gone in and finished the job then, and then we could have left.
Another thing that we could have done is to have shot Sadaam Hussein right there in the hole where we found him. All the thousands of poor fellows whom we had to kill because Sadaam Hussein ordered them to fight the strongest military power in the world, did they get trials? Did they have defense lawyers? Sadaam deserved no better.

Cautious optimism as U.S. troops withdraw

DOMINIQUE OKC,OK — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:58:40 GMT

SO DAMN GOOD IT'S SAD THAT THINGS DOWN THERE WONT BE SO ORGANIZED BUT THEY ARE GONNA HAVE TO LEARN ITS A BLESSING THAT OUR TROOPS ARE COMING HOME AND THESE PPLE HAVE FAMILYS OF THEIR OWN THAT THEY NEED TO PROTECT AND TAKE CARE OF THEY CANT DEVOTE THEIR ENTIRE LIFES TO IRAQ

Cautious optimism as U.S. troops withdraw

Maureen, Queen Creek, AZ — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 22:55:04 GMT

God Bless our brave and honourable Troops that they may be brought home safely to their families & let us all hope and pray they aren't called on again to fight here or elsewhere in the world.My husband was in Vietnam & was in the US Army for 8 years, we didn't know from day to day where he would be called to go next, but he was always ready to serve and I was always ready to wait, always praying he would come home safely. He did, but 55000 other men and women weren't so fortunate. Maybe if we remembered the past and how we felt in those times we, wouldn't be quite as anxious to send our brave young men and women to fight in far away places and for what, really? Who really appreciates or even remembers those lives that were lost in their behalf and in the cause of democracy and freedom? Who thinks about the children of those fallen Troops who never knew or can hardly remember their fathers and mothers? Their families, of course, but the people they fought and lost their lives for, do they?

Cautious optimism as U.S. troops withdraw

Dan B — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:07:34 GMT

T. Clark....Are you an idiot? Or just misinformed? What part of the former Iraq was not broken? The Iraq the held women down with an iron fist, the schools that had no books or learning tools, the fact that the people had no running water or electricity, or maybe the executions and mutilations of people ordered by Saddam Hussein for things like losing a soccer match in the Olympics? Maybe you should quit listening to the opinions of the ACLU and the liberal media and find out the truth for yourself @$$hole.

Cautious optimism as U.S. troops withdraw

Theodore Hughes Baltimore, Maryland — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 01:05:33 GMT

I Prayed everyday for our heroic troops being there and for there families also for enduring the tramatic experience of those loved one killed and wounded. Enough is enough, our troops have been there long enough.What also we need to take in mind is that I hope they will be well taken care of upon there return as well as there families! Mr Bush if you so happen to stumble across this lets here your thoughts on this subject matter!

Cautious optimism as U.S. troops withdraw

george sargent — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 02:30:42 GMT

america should defend america and do so on our own
territory. there is no need to be deployed all over
the world in other countries. let them fight their
own battles and win or lose, accept what happened!
democracy says the majority rules; well let democracy
do just that. we need to take care of ourselves and
let the rest of the world do the same.we cannot solve the worlds problems and we should not even attempt
such. we are in debt up to a-- because we support
operations around the globe that only hinder progress
in america. we buy more imports than we do american
products. look at walmart. they eat us for breakfast
with their production from cheap labor overseas. we
are stupid. investing in wars that go no where and
buying products made from countries with no concern
for the people that produce them. for once can we
manage to mind the business of the people who live
here and take care of our own problems at home?

Cautious optimism as U.S. troops withdraw

Drew, Ohio — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 02:37:26 GMT

This is such an historical time for the country of Iraq. I was in the Marines and I am a proud supporter of the effort over there. No one seems to recognize the symbolism. The newest country in the world and the oldest country in the world teaming up and trying to share a common goal. It's not perfect, but it's still the right thing to do. The right thing is always the hardest one.

Cautious optimism as U.S. troops withdraw

indi pillai, fort worth, texas — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 02:54:45 GMT

this is what happens when we the american people vote a fool into office and then vote him back into office again desipite all the crap he pulled. look in the mirror, we are responsible for this mess and all the suffering of innocent people and soldiers.

next time time dont vote for stupid fools, do the research, read the news, do the right thing and stop whining.

iraq is going to haunt us for a long time to come.

Cautious optimism as U.S. troops withdraw

mike o'sullivan keswick ontario canada — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 03:00:56 GMT

yes they have to stand on there own and i hope too that thing's can end in afganistan as well they too need to take care of there own problem's and bring our canadian boy's home our losses there are noted here as each one is brought to toronto canada and they have renamed the highway as the highway of heroe's

Cautious optimism as U.S. troops withdraw

Turi Gonzales — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 03:51:17 GMT

Why then, do we have son's and daughter's, specifically for me a son. Getting deployed to Iraq? I've been there, I understand the politics of reform, and Americanization (Westernization), but a pull-out, is a pull-out. Get them out and get them home. Once again, I Love my country, but this has gone on too long. We let our elected leaders (because we voted for them), make decisions like this. Send our fighting forces off to war, instead of defending our country. We are losing credibility within the world. Until we can re-establish ourselves as the best and stongest country in the world, other countries are going to beg us to step in and help them. My opinion of the United Nations; Yeah, it was a good idea in its inception, but now it's only an excuse to pass the buck to someone (United States), else. The U.N. is a puppet, and really hasn't a function for the United States of America. We have stood on out own two feet, We can stand on our own two feet, and We will stand on our own two feet. We just need to clean our own backyard, before we try to clean someone else's. "Pro Patria"! Turi Gonzales, Dixon, Missouri

Cautious optimism as U.S. troops withdraw

Kevin, Charlotte, North Carolina — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 04:17:53 GMT

I have mixed feelings about Iraq. I agree we should not be engaged in nation-building exercises around the world, because it only costs us treasure and blood, and the affected people continue to hate us anyway. However I do not think it's such a great idea to announce to the world a deadline for removing our forces because it will simply hearten terrorist groups like al Qaeda and they'll just wait for that moment to resume the insurgency with renewed vigor. We should not have gone in there in the first place, but we did, and now there is no "good" way to end it.

What I particularly hate about these nation-building exercises is that they put our military into a situation it is not really designed to handle. The military cannot leverage its real power in such situations due to the very limited rules of engagement, and this seems to embolden terrorist groups who think they've actually taken out Goliath. Trouble is, much of the world thinks so too, which is a huge propaganda victory for them. I don't believe our servicemen should be committed to any situation where they cannot leverage their full might. This would necessarily increase the threshold of what is considered an acceptable cause for the use of military force, but it would also mean that if that threshold is crossed the antagonists can expect to receive the full power of our armed forces. I hate seeing ragtag bands of zealots who don't even know how to properly aim a rifle, running around in beat up Toyota trucks thinking they're bada**es because they killed some American troops who were thrown into a situation with one hand tied behind their backs. It should be like WWII -- try to avoid war in every reasonable way, but if it's nevertheless forced upon us then respond with the means and the will to *win* it.

Cautious optimism as U.S. troops withdraw

Eddie "Longshanks" King MPRI/KOCT FOB Yankee, Kuwait — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:38:01 GMT

Drew are you high? Teamed up together? Its not like the Iraqis had a choice. I just finished a State Dept. tour of duty there, the Iraqis I came in contact with (the ones that are not on the USA payroll), can not wait for us to leave, haven't we done enough damage, the collateral damage has been horrific

Cautious optimism as U.S. troops withdraw

Megan, Tallahassee, Florida — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:31:39 GMT

I am extremely happy that we are finally pulling troops out of Iraq, even though we know some will have to stay longer the sheer fact that people are coming home makes me happy. I am a college senior and since I was a junior in high school I have had at least one member of my family deployed overseas. Currently my older brother is station in Afghanistan and is deployed on a 16 month tour. While I am sad that he is there, the fact that other sons and daughters are coming back can hold me over while my brother is away.

I do pray that the people of Iraq can gain full control of the situation in their country, the number of people that want to see their country strive outweighs the terrorist and soon they will be able to rid themselves of the terror in their country.

Cautious optimism as U.S. troops withdraw

Diana Alberti,Newport,NC — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:58:21 GMT

Unfortunately for a friend of mine he returned yesterday to Dover draped in an American flag. He was one of the four killed on Monday in Baghdad. He leaves behind a wife, three young girls, and many many friends. I can only hope that his girls will have some remembrance of what a great person he was and what made him give the ultimate sacrifice.Lets get our troops out of there. God Bless America

Cautious optimism as U.S. troops withdraw

ed guevara — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:00:51 GMT

Iraqi’s people celebrated The formal withdrawal of U.S. combat troops from cities but That might happen after this.

Iraqi security forces have a big responsibility after U.S, pullback, because many Iraqis fear will increase with the departure of U.S. troops from urban areas.

Iraqi security forces need to control violence in some cities of Iraq. Since, illegal groups fight for the power inside the government.

It’s by this, there are still people out there who do not want the government of Iraq to succeed. But it is important Iraq begins a new era and its governors and religious groups can build a new country. Despite of that many Iraqis don not believe Iraqi forces can protect their own country.