A light moment in Baghdad, sort of

Sean, Torrington CT — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 16:24:43 GMT

"It's getting better". Yeah. I was 29 when the USA booted UN Weapons Inspectors out of Iraq, and I suspect I'll be 59 by the time they manage to keep the electricity on all the time.

You know what, I'm almost rooting for failure. I was lied to so many times about the reasons for war, the plans post invasion, and the time-line that I WANT to see the liars fail. I want to see a Muslim theocracy take over, boot out the USA and become buddy-buddy with the other ME regimes the USA has played tough-guy with.

Petty, yes, but I can live with that. Just a shame that our loyal soldiers got roped into this dishonorable conflict.

A light moment in Baghdad, sort of

Dennis, Oregon — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 16:38:49 GMT

Thats crazy to think that one bank would hold so much money. I just wonder if the other banks will think twice about how much cash they keep on hand.

A light moment in Baghdad, sort of

The Blacksheep — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 16:40:18 GMT

That'll buy a lot of weapons & explosive vests for the Insurgency! Admit it we made a mistake and bring our boys home! They ought to do to Bush what they did to Saddam! He is the worst President in US History and is creating more hatred towards the US daily.

A light moment in Baghdad, sort of

Aaron M — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 16:43:56 GMT

What civilized bank in the world today let's a few guards, especially in a country such as Iraq, just "stay overnight" at the bank by themselves? Without closed circuit tv cameras recoding everything? With access to the main bank vault? I mean, aren't the keys to the vault usually in the hands of the bank managers? These are very simple questions that ANYONE in the world today would have to think off hand. Speaking of cameras....I'm wondering why we haven't tried to set them up around parts of the major cities such as Baghdad? The police forces can watch and tape them daily! This would help in my opinion because we could start to see WHO exactly is committing crimes, who is aiding and turning a "blind eye" towards them and they can then be punished. I was a US Marine in 2nd btn/5th mar when we first took over Baghdad. I remember when there were banks that we had to watch over because they had large sums of American dollars in them BEFORE we were helping them out. The camera's seem to work rather well in other countries such as Britain where they have them everywhere so it seems.

A light moment in Baghdad, sort of

CJ Herron, Pearl, MS — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 16:59:12 GMT

I want to remind the voters across the USA about the behavior of our previous president compared to that of Mr Bush. Lets take time and reflect on what we have to be proud of and stop dissing this wonderful public servant. I for one say a big THANK YOU to Mr Bush and you are doing a GREAT JOB. I am Proud to be a Republican.

A light moment in Baghdad, sort of

Mike Vance, Indianapolis, Indiana — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 17:04:17 GMT

I wonder how many MIGS that will buy al-Qaida

A light moment in Baghdad, sort of

Fatima, Los Angeles, CA — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 18:08:05 GMT

Very telling....The US loses $300 million and Iraq loses $176,000.....The facts folks, just the facts.

A light moment in Baghdad, sort of

Danielle Skrabalak Binghamton, NY — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 18:11:01 GMT

The war in Iraq is not going to be "won" by us (USA); we are a global village now and we need help--why isn't the United Nations (aka other countries) helping us--they're trying save the Great Coral Reef but Iraq is just as important!

A light moment in Baghdad, sort of

AllanH, Atlanta, GA — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 18:25:49 GMT

The $300 million bank robbery illustrates our failure in bringing civilized behavior to Iraq. Appropriately, Saddam’s last action before our attack was his release of all non-political prisoners from Iraqi jails reflecting his criminal mentality.
Saddam’s legacy of over 20 years of governmental and cultural abuse has turned Iraq into a “culture of crime” (using “religious” and nationalist justifications) where the “good people” are either dead, emigrated, or in hiding. Our soldiers are caught in the cross-fire, and our oil dependency is paying for ALL sides of the conflict.
The only way to bring “peace” to Iraq is to disarm Iraq door-to-door and border-to-border. And we need to recognize our inability to provide sufficient arms or resources and that we have made a total muck of this war.
However, there is a “solution.”
After decades of fighting Iraq’s oil competition by Iran and Saudi Arabia, Iran and Saudi Arabia have out-sourced their war with Iraq to the US. We need to also “out-source” our war and have China send in the 350,000 “Peace Keepers” to disarm the country door-to-door and border-to-border.
China is the ONLY country with the manpower, credibility, resources, technical skills to rebuild the country, and self-discipline to do it. China needs the increased stature as a "world peacemaker." China needs the outlet for its unemployment.
And they need the Iraqi oil even more than we do.

A light moment in Baghdad, sort of

David Powell, Ocean City, NJ — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 18:39:41 GMT

Some folks are being honest about the Bush haters. They _are_ rooting for failure because they would rather see many more butchered than face the possibility of ever admitting that Bush did something right. Vanity over the security of the US and the future of democracy in the Mideast. Some priorities. Ditto those saying Bush who removed Saddam deserves the same fate (hanging) as Saddam himself, who butchered tens of thousands, while UN "Oil for food" officials took millions to enable him to do so. Vanity over real important things here. Ignorant.

A light moment in Baghdad, sort of

Will A, Newtown, CT — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 18:43:18 GMT

CJ Herron, explain what Clinton has to do with the present situation? I'm no fan of the guy, but HE didn't get this country involved in a trillion-dollar nightmare (Vietnam, anyone?) with no end in sight, that has turned world opinion against the USA. That would be Mr Bush's doing. Well done, Dubya - keep fighting the good fight and turning the Middle East into more of an abyss...

A light moment in Baghdad, sort of

Scott Covert — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 18:46:19 GMT

Someone forgot a comma, the total us money in that bank was around 300 thousand, not 300 Million.

At any rate 1/2 million in cash can buy a lot of trouble.

A light moment in Baghdad, sort of

jorge — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 18:48:04 GMT

To Aaron M: Mount surveillance cameras around Baghdad?? Sure, go ahead but make sure you draw up a legally binding will and pay off your outstanding debts first because you won't be coming back--and you won't succeed in mounting even one camera. I guarantee it.

To Danielle Skrabalak: The rest of the world is not going to help us in Iraq because they told the US not to invade because it would be a huge mistake. Bush told them that if they didn't want to help then they "can stand back and watch." So guess what? They're standing back and watching.

To AllanH: I seriously doubt China wants to shoulder the war effort for us and I seriously doubt there is anything we could say or do to convince them that they must. China is making money from the US in this war since Bush has borrowed a great deal of money from them fighting it. I don't foresee China ruining that little windfall for themselves, do you?

A light moment in Baghdad, sort of

3611 Dead Americans - are you proud of that? — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 18:50:49 GMT

CJ - Oh let's see, Bill Clinton messed around a bit, no one killed. Everything that comes out of Bush's mouth is a lie, thousands slaughtered. Great job Bushie, that's a lot to be proud of. The only thing he has managed to do well is brainwash a nation of imbeciles! Stupid is as stupid does.

A light moment in Baghdad, sort of

Lisa, Jacksonville, Florida — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 18:51:15 GMT

To CJ Herron,

You must live on a different planet and know a different George W. Bush....Your support of this president is outrageous!

A light moment in Baghdad, sort of

Sean, Torrington CT — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 18:56:44 GMT

We kicked the UN out of Iraq, remember? REMEMBER? They're letting the USA fail and laughing at us. Thanks Bush voters! You're the people who got us a president who over-works his army but doesn't have the balls to start a draft. Then, when those brave men and women get home, they get horrible low-buck healthcare.

I hope CJ Heron was being sarcastic.

I told you fools that invading Iraq to set up 'democracy' was doomed to failure. Things turned out even worse than I had imagined in 2003.

*shrug* I can afford expensive gas and higher taxes to pay for thiws boondoggle. Can you?

A light moment in Baghdad, sort of

P Charlotte NC — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 18:57:25 GMT

Several people and I agree, bring our military home, who ever is over there that wants control, let them fight it out amoung themselves and who ever is left if they want assistance (other countries has to agree to help also) we will help them. I am tired of helping everyone else and when diasters hits us, no one offers their help.

A light moment in Baghdad, sort of

Michael Sadusky, Holiday, FL. — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 19:00:44 GMT

I can't believe that CJ Herron is really serious comparing Clinton to Bush. The impeachment of Clinton was a partisan sham that cost the country a lot of money. Bush should have been impeached. I don't see how he can sleep at night knowing that he has sent thousands of Americans to their deaths and many more thousands of Iraqi civilians have died because of the Bush-Cheney Gang.

A light moment in Baghdad, sort of

don stack, w. orange, nj — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 19:10:07 GMT

its 300 million iraqi dinars, not dollars......about $500,000 US

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Marcy — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 19:18:55 GMT

Remember please that the early reason Osama-bin Ladin gave saying that he could defeat the US was our withdrawal from Nam. He's right! America has lost its will to protect the freedoms that have been so hard won. Now the "insurgents" have an gained yet another undisclosed amount they have just ripped off (who knows given the conflicting reports). As if they needed it with the Saudi's funding their every move. Since so much of America is too cowardy to actually win a war anywhere any more, watch for the "American Hiroshima" Osama is promising this summer. Due to our lack of resolve to get rid of the radical Muslims abroad and among us (the Trojan Horse is within our walls), I'm afraid we won't learn a lesson from London and our attack looks like it is building along the borders of Pakistan. This one is probably threatening the use of nuclear weapons, probably already in the US through our porous borders to carry off the deed. We might still have a chance if we close the borders. Shoot violators on sight. Bomb all the Al-Qiada camps along the Pakistani border and seriously consider bombing the nuclear weapons plants in Iran. We have to get serious about winning in other words. Our enemy is counting on us NOT doing anything significant while the left says terror is a license plate cover.

A light moment in Baghdad, sort of

G.J. Mac — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 19:22:27 GMT

we can win, just drop daisey cutter bombs where ever we find insurgents, dam the collateral dammage. destroy the insurgent base and cut off the head of this ugly monster

A light moment in Baghdad, sort of

Joe Baltz, Erie, PA — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 19:23:44 GMT

CJ, Bill Clinton may have played it fast and loose with the definition of "sexual relations", but he did manage to consider the ramifications of invading Iraq. Look at his record, he used airstrikes not invation. He did not sanction the murder of countless US soldiers and Iraqi civillians. This is not a Republican vs Democrat issue, this is an issue of morals and common sense. Both presidents' actions in their personal lives can be questioned, cocaine use and excessive drinking for Bush, but at least Clinton managed foreign policy with some common sense, Bush can't even read his CIA intel reports. I hope you are still proud of Bush when he is indicted for war crimes. This war he lead us into is criminal and much worse then Vietnam. Now, no matter what we do the war will eventually spill onto american soil. Bush has created more terrorists then he has brought to justice. Bush has done the country and the world a disservice. Hopefully one day a president will be elected, of either party, that has the balls to share with the people all of the secrets Bush has kept from us. Perhaps then the so called religious right will finally see how they were duped.

A light moment in Baghdad, sort of

Alan Kowal, Wayne NJ — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 19:24:26 GMT

Rooting for failure ??? Are you an idiot ???

A light moment in Baghdad, sort of

Vera Hope — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 19:33:40 GMT

I have little doubt that since the discrepancy involves US dollars -- obviously some of the billions of dollars that this administration has sent and of which billions have disappeared into pockets everywhere -- this pathetic puppet government wants to hide the amount lost. I makes him look bad -- and the entire puppet government we set up there. Of course our administration will minimize it too.

After all, if this government can't even protect a bank, how will they ever provide adequate security for anything?

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Fred, Oregon — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 19:35:37 GMT

Did none of you guys read the article...not just the headline...but the whole article...it wasn't $300 million US dollars...it is $300 million Iraqi Dinars...worth about $500,000 US dollars...a far-cry from 300 million.
Yeah it sucks that the money was stolen, and will it end up in the hands of the terrorists? It more then likely. But read the story before you go and put your foot in your mouth before you read the ENTIRE story.

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Kathy in Oregon — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 19:39:15 GMT

Mr./Ms. Herron - I would be HAPPY to compare the behavior of the previous president to this one. I cannot think of one area in which the present administration compares favorably with the Clinton presidency except adherence to his marriage vows, and since I am not married to the man, I can live with that.

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Ryan, Ansonia, Ohio — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 19:41:52 GMT

I hear all this stuff about being lied to regarding the Iraq war. No WMDs, etc. Does anyone ever consider that Iraq had WMDs and Saddam used them. Also, there are some "underground" reports that prior to the U.S. liberation of Iraq, satellite photos showed convoys of Trucks driving to Syria. They are also reporting that Russia helped them move the weapons to Syria. Maybe just maybe, Bush does not want to reinstate the Cold war by alleging these scenarios against Russia. Which these allegations if true would not surprise me due to the latest dealings with the Russian government and their refusal to extradite the suspected killer of the former Russian spy.

A light moment in Baghdad, sort of

Ryan — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 19:44:02 GMT

Did any of you read the story? $300 million in U.S. dollars was not taken. Typical anti bush, read the headline and start bashing. Granted the amount stolen is bad, but don't be so lazy that you don't read the entire article.

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Bill Meher, NY New York — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 19:49:55 GMT

This only goes to prove you can bring a camel to water, but you can't make him drink. It was a grand experiment trying to bring freedom and civilization to Iraq, but people have to be ready for freedom. Those people have been in a state of Slavery to someone even before Xerxes king of Persia (yes that's from 300).

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Fred, Oregon — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 19:54:54 GMT

Here is another thing I love about all the Bush haters..."Oh let's see, Bill Clinton messed around a bit, no one killed."...Are you brain dead?!?!? Anyone remember Kosovo? A whole hell of a lot of Serbians died. Nobody remembers that because all the media attention was focused on Monica and the Blue Dress.

You libs need to get a clue. I am neither Republican or Democrat. I hate Bush the President as much as I hated Clinton.

The entire country is going to hell in a handbasket and nobody cares...all they want to do is point the finger. When is somebody going to stand up and fight for Americans...instead of the Lobbist's on BOTH SIDES?

A light moment in Baghdad, sort of

joanneshieldswreadingPA — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 19:55:43 GMT

We need to turn this horrible mess over to the United Nations. What's to win in Iraq? Our military has been hoodwinked, our people are being killed every day, as are the Iraqis and their country and culture are being destroyed.This is a GLOBAL ideology/religious war that is, and will continue to impact on the whole world. If you think this is the case do what you can about it, rather than bitch and moan. Share your ideas about solutions with the politicians (since we seem to be short on statesmen/stateswomen.) At age 72 my e-mail ability is what I have and I do use it!Our amazing democratic republic has surived bozos and dunderheads in the past,because we united and pulled together to contribute to the positive in our country and the world.

A light moment in Baghdad, sort of

Herb Bultemeier — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 20:02:01 GMT

MARCY has it right , WAKE UP.

A light moment in Baghdad, sort of

Debbie — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 20:07:09 GMT

If this robbery is really for true, couldn't it have been fueled by the negativity of some Americans? The taliban takes the defeatist attitude of some and it fires them up thinking it represents most Americans. They become more aggressive--thinking they are getting through to the morale of America. Doesn't it seem possible that Clinton's lack of action with Bin Laddin led way to the egotistic attack on the US. He feared no recourse for his actions. The UN surely was stepping back in fear.

A light moment in Baghdad, sort of

Ken Barker, Atl — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 20:08:21 GMT

I am shocked at the first statement made here, "You know what, I'm almost rooting for failure. I was lied to so many times about the reasons for war...", why are people rooting for our defeat? We need to start looking past Republican and Democrat and realize that we are on the same side, like it or not. We have been and will continue to be indiscriminately killed by terrorists who do not like the freedoms we stand for. They view us as a threat and they aren't going to stop if we all turn to hippies and don't want to fight anymore.

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A supporter of America's mission in Iraq — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 20:16:04 GMT

Cameras would be a good thing if you can guarantee they won't be stolen or destroyed by a populace that has a lot of poverty among its ranks. The insurgents know what cameras are for and don't think they won't try to get rid of them when they see them looking at their ugly mugs. I spent 18 months in Baghdad working as a government contractor and saw first hand the poverty of the people. As for "The Blacksheep", he misses the boat entirely as well,as a wealth of others who despise the President. The conflict was only started after assessing the best intelligence our intelligence community and Europe had to offer on whether it warranted going to war. Mr. Bush himself stated at the start that it was going to be a long, lengthy process and lives were going to be lost. No one can really prepare for occupying another nation or its people nor is it ever going to be easy doing it. Mistakes were made but that's part of being human unlike the "perfect" Democratic Congress leadership who it seems likes to do a lot of blamethrowing and make unrationalistic statements about Bush's foreign policies. All of the Democratic politicians crawfish everytime they are asked about how they voted on Iraq when it first started and offer no real solutions or answers on how they would do it different. I truly never thought that the first thing a Democrat who is elected president would do and that's order a retreat. America has never run from anyone and anyone who embraces our failure in Iraq is a traitor to this country and a disgrace to the honor of those who gave their lives so we can have the freedoms we do. From day one in Bush's first term, leading Democrats have opposed every piece of legislation that were enacted to help us, most noteably, the tax cuts because they did not want us to have them. Now since they have been in the majority, their main goal is to destroy the president and forget about the issues that got them elected. If they fail at one attempt, then another soon follows the first. Blacksheep, if you don't like this country, then do us all a favor and leave it. oh, and be sure to look out for any ropes along the way

A light moment in Baghdad, sort of

Mike, Boston — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 20:22:19 GMT

Thank you for reminding us about the behavior of our previous president. However, I personally prefer someone lying to me about infidelity than about phantom WMD and motives for war. The former doesn't get soldiers killed.

It's called perspective.

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Stephan, Dublin — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 20:23:55 GMT

The collective lack of insight and I dare say intelligence about the real world beyond your shores as displayed on these blogs is astonishing. Comfy Americans who know nothing of the fate of millions who are not free would deny that same freedom to those millions. What an astonishingly arrogant and misinformed attitude...but then again, you are Americans. You who lost hundreds of thousands of dead in wars for the freedom of humanity now shy from a tiny fraction of that because you face an enemy who slaughters defenseless women and children on purpose... Where is your moral outrage for that? Have you forgotten the thousands they killed in New York, Madrid, London, Beslan and Baghdad? You act like Iraq is a choice, not a war. You are winning the war against a brutal foe and you want to quit? Fortunately, your soldiers don't lack for courage and you may muddle through despite it all.

If you desert the Iraqi's now, like you did the Somali's and Vietnamese, you deserve the death and destruction it will bring on your heads at home...and the eternal shame it will cast on the American ideals of freedom and democracy for all.

A light moment in Baghdad, sort of

Bre, Phoenix, Az — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 20:34:07 GMT

I really enjoy the way Bush has become the fall guy for our inept congress. They approved the war and I don't want to here that they were lied to (they have been lying to us for years). Let Bush deal with Iraq, (Just what is the job of a US military person; kill or be killed, that is their job). Now how about congress dealing with the US needs like ILEGAL immigration, border protection, keeping jobs within the US instead of months of debate over a non binding resolutions. As bad as this may sound I would rather keep Bush and replace every Professional Politition with an idiot.

By the way anyone know how much our last bank robbers in the US got away with? In the last 4 years how many law enforment in this contry have given there lives in the call of duty,(less than the number of troop lost in Iraq)

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Michael, Texas — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 20:40:21 GMT

The original story said $300 million US and that was the whole story when the first comments were posted. The story was corrected after the first posts, so don't go complaining about that detail!
Let's pull out, let those idiots kill each other and then we can deal or not deal with whoever is left. They're going to kill each other whether we are there or not. Remember, they don't have the same morals we do and they do not need to. They are living their lives they way they grew up and not amount of US democrocy is going to change them. It's not "right or wrong" - we have our beliefs and they have theirs and the twain shall never meet.

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Devon — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 20:40:35 GMT

How Clinton got us involved in Iraq? See, if Clinton hadn't been President and relected for another term and built up enough cash surplus along with international prestigue, Dumbya wouldn't have been able to invade Iraq unilaterally and get himself up to his neck in this quagmire! So, if you wanna blame someone, don't pick on poor lil George. Go after Bill Clinton! Boy I wish I was a Repugnican. They NEVER make mistakes that can be blamed on someone else. I mean, look at the Justice Department, the State Department, the Pentagon! And when someone really DOES make a mistake like converting 300 million dinar to dollars, they STILL look for some way to blame it on Bill Clinton! Life must be so very simple for the simple-minded.

A light moment in Baghdad, sort of

mike — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 20:45:25 GMT

If we had taken care of this problem right after 9/11 with the full power of the USA and you know what I mean I dont think we would be in the situation we are in now.

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Doug, Idaho — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 21:08:45 GMT

Kathy in Oregon - I was in the middle of the Clinton administration at a high level and I would rather have a govt that conducts itself based on principle (Bush) rather than on political expediency (Clinton). Clinton is directly responsible for 9/11, the abondonment of Somalia and the catastrophic downsizing of the US military. I was there and saw it happen close up. Bill Clinton also risked his entire Presidency and the security of the country on a relationship with an intern. Can you imagine what would have happened had a foreign power discovered Monica before she went to the papers herself? He could not help it...and we elected him, knowing he cheated on his wife and displayed other unethical conduct which should have made everyone aware of what he was capable of.

Clinton was a disgrace who got ONLY one thing done - Welfare Reform, in 8 years. He was lucky in Kosovo - because the Europeans finally helped there. He ran away from Somalia after a day that we lost 18 heroes in a successful mission that killed or wounded 1000 of the enemy and won us two Medals of Honor. Clinton saw it as a defeat, abandoned the Somali people and disgraced the men and women who put their lives on the line.

Clinton abandoned nearly a million people to their fate in the Rwandan genocide, something we alone could have stopped. See the movie sometone.

In response to brutal attacks against our embassies and their host nation innocents he flung cruise missles at camels in Afghanistan and Sudan, doing nothing but making Osama try harder. The result was 9/11. thanks Bill.

Bush has made some mistakes, but history will look back and judge that he at least did what he thought was best for the safety and security of the American people and the freedom of people around the world. Clinton did worse than nothing - he ran security policy based on polls and politics...which in the end gets people killed...in his case, over a million.

Anyone who would like more details (unclassified) is welcome to contact me anytime - post a response and your e-mail.

A light moment in Baghdad, sort of

bruce — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 21:19:33 GMT

all this talk about cutting off the head of the enemy?....ok...and when we do were would u like Bush's head displayed?....there was no reason to invade iraq...and definately no reason to stay....if osama truly has any influence in Iraq its because he saw a chance to AFTER Bush invaded....Bin Laden was our enemy....Bush went after Sadam for his own personal agendas (and to make Haliburton money)...we were MUCH better off when Clinton was in office....u judge him for infidelity but pardon Bush for the countless deaths of thousands....theres and our innocents are paying the price...and i agree...Bush is by far the worst president we have ever had.....America's popularity around the world is at an all time low and Bush is the cause...it will take decades to undo the damage he has caused

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Lisa McNeil,Alpharetta,Georgia — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 21:20:18 GMT

Dear Michele, It does seem funny to think about at first, but it is a serious problem of money being used for terror operations. If there was such a thing as a lottery in Baghdad I would hope one of you would win so that all of you could leave that region safely. I suppose it was something interesting to contemplate, but then the realty of what is really going on this region sinks into ones mind. Always stay safe all who work in the Middle East Bureau! Peace to all!

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bruce,alabama — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 21:26:53 GMT

and after Bush admitting they were wrong about the WMD's (if he evcer actually believed it to begin with) Ryan wants to suggest that photos shopw trucks moving the weapons with russia's help?....and why in God's name would we believe any report that comes from this adminastration? just another line being fed to us by these war criminals....as stated before....its just a shame our military people are paying the price...bring our men and woman home and let those ppl govern themselves.....

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Audie Trammell, Nixon, Texas — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 21:34:05 GMT

i am ashamed to be here reading this. About nine out of ten post are negative. Lets remember an overwhelming majority of our leaders voted the same as the administration. The only differance is the conservatives are mature enough to stick it out. I just hope th enext administration has enough courage to see through with what they believe. And please stop bringing up the war for oil argument as it is silly. It would be cheaper to buy oil elsewhere in the world than to try to get it out of Iraq.

A light moment in Baghdad, sort of

bruce — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 21:38:36 GMT

and Doug....you're rant is so ridiculous as to not even warrant response

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bruce — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 21:43:57 GMT

but we will see how history truly judges Bush....if we survive his presidency...i do however agree that its time we all pull together and be the Americe we were all once proud to be.....Bush and politicians do things like this cause we as a ppl are not pulling together and trying to improve our government....at least we only have another year of bubba calling the shots....and now he is even instrycting his former aides not to cooperate with the congress in the firing of the federal judges....Bush and Cheney have consistantly shown that they think they are above the law....and clinton didnt risk our security over his affair with an intern....the rebuplicans did with their senseless withc hunt against him....time to forget democrats vs republicans and just be americans

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PC — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 21:44:04 GMT

Oh ye of narrow minds and dim vision....."I was lied to", "we don't belong there", "bring our men and women home"......big question for you- who's going to finish the job if we listen to you?? You? I doubt it. Your friends? If they are of the same attitude as you, then they will be just as worthless in finishing this job. So who? Don't worry about Iraq? Is that what you think? They never had weapons of mass destruction and we were lied to? Tell me, what would you think if we had NOT followed the intelligence and acted decisively? You would be here calling my CIC the worst President in history for ignoring the WMDs that Saddam had; clearly in violation of UN resolutions! You would be crying "why didn't anyone do something?" when one of those weapons fell into the hands of Al Quada and was used against America. So, if I get this right, you would complain IF he didn't do anything and the intelligence was there, showing Saddam had the weapons, and you ARE complaining because we DID do something, and when we did, we found that the intelligence wasn't all that it was made out to be? So basically, no matter what my boss does, you will complain. Gee....aren't you glad that those very people that you want to forsake in Iraq won't have that same right IF we fail?? I hope you sleep well, knowing that if your ideas were followed, we would have a civil war that kills MILLIONS of innocent people. Sleep on that.

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Sean, Torrington CT — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 21:57:05 GMT

Just as American Conservatives don't care about the poor Americans, this American Liberal doesn't care about the poor Iraqis who could not flee Iraq.

The only sympathy I have for Iraqis is that they were unwitting pawns in Bush's plan. If the Iraqis stood up to Saddam and over-threw him themselves, this same sectarisn struggle with the same death tolls would occur.

Clinton never lied to the American People in order to start a war with people who were not a threat to the USA.

Bush could have been a humanitarian hero if he had done something about the Sudan, but he chose to ignore the genocide there.

Would Jesus have invaded Iraq to 'free' the people there?

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Monde — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 21:59:53 GMT

We rely too much on the govt. to do things for us, we have gotten lazy, there are 300 million citizens in the U.S. and a handful deciding what becomes of us, this is all our fault and we deserve what we are getting whatever party we support. Shame on us !!

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Holly, Vancouver, WA — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 22:03:06 GMT

Someone blamed Clinton for Kosovo??? That is like blaming the Queen of England for the Gaza strip. Kosovo was the result of the same sepratist, BS disguised as religion that most other wars were. No one remembers when the Muslims attacked Europe eons ago. Everyone thinks their way is right.

BOTTOM LINE:
We entered a country that did not directly attack us, overturned their government, FOR WHAT...money and oil. Now they are trying to justify entering Iran. No wonder they hate us. IPMEACH! NOW!

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Michael, Irving, Texas — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 22:11:22 GMT

This are article has suggested something to me that might help this conflict. IRAQ SHOULD STOP ALLOWING THE USE OF CASH. Face it only criminals need cash. If all monetary interchanges were to be electronic, insurgents, kidnappers, and criminals would certainly have a hard time operating. This could be done technologically and plays to one of the strengths of one of the most competent units of the US government-the Department of Treasury.

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KayP, Tempe AZ — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 22:13:44 GMT

The Clinton - Bush comparison is red herring. Whatever stupid thing Clinton did -- nobody was mained or killed, only his reputation. Bush's prevarications have brought us 27,000 seriously wounded military and 3700 (?) deaths. Since this surge - AFTER he was told the Irazi government would NOT ever be able to sit up, let along stand up -- 787 Americans have died, 891 coalition forces -- now, just now did Monica Lewinsky and her thong underwear cause anyone to die?

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Brad, Denver, Colorado — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 22:30:27 GMT

I'm not sure why I'm wading into this snakepit, but I guess it's because I can't resist poking a little fun in a "dust-up" with so little basis in fact. What started as an only partially accurate story about a bank robbery in Iraq degenerated into a mudslogging (notice the clever contraction of mud slinging and blogging...mudslogging) of silly proportions. Get a grip on yourselves, folks. One person's worst president is the next person's favorite and neither person seems able to support their opinion with reasoned arguments. So paraphrasing, "What's the point, Kenneth?"

I will foolishly offer my own position on the story at hand and invite all manner of scorn and derision. I believe that a large sum of money was stolen and will no doubt be used for some purpose other than that intended by its rightful owners. The chances are good that the money will buy someone guns, grenades, rocket launchers, mortars, food, clothes, bandaids, gasoline, or a plane ticket out of Iraq. Who knows? I don't. What I do know is that we as a country need to reassess the dialogue we're engaged in. We need to decide if we want to mimmick the political polarization so prevalent in the world today or are we going to moderate the extremes? If in an argument you feel strongly one way or another, good, excellent, bravo! But, you stop and consider your position and the reasoning underpinning that position. Formulate an intelligent argument and then have a polite and respectful exchange of ideas with someone of the opposite position. Then do the counterintuitive thing and consider their argument may have some iota of truth or even just possibly have some elements of correctness. That other person isn't automatically a blithering idiot if they disagree with you and trying to characterize them as such merely demeans the entire discussion.

Let's crawl out of the pit and remember that somewhere near half of the country believes something different than I/you/we do. Let's not let anyone tell us what to believe or not to believe nor let them demean us if we don't agree with them on an issue. Let's gather facts, guesses, speculation, other people's opinions then cogitate, reason and formulate our own opinion. Then, after all of that, go forth have have a spirited debate armed with reason and passionate belief...

Me?

I'm a former Marine.

My son heads to Marine boot camp in August.

I'm a registered Republican.

I voted for Bush.

I originally supported the invasion of Iraq.

I now believe the invasion was a mistake and believe we should have devoted the resources to rebuilding Afghanistan.

I believe we need to engage the international community, including Iraq's neighbors Syria, Turkey, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan to help devise an exit strategy that helps stablize the region.

I believe that America is at war with an ideology that is fundamentally opposed to our way of life and that we will have to eventually decide if our way of life is worth dying for. I believe we've been engaged in this war for more than twenty years and we will be engaged for many years to come. I believe it will come back to our shores eventually and the opponent doesn't care who dies, only that the number is as large as possible.

I believe that Bill Clinton loves America as does George Bush. I don't believe that either is or was a particularly good or bad President. They both made mistakes with our foreign policy and armed forces. They both did good things with foreign policy and our armed forces. History will judge better than we can at this moment.

I believe we can mend the national heart with some earnest, honest and respectful (yet spirited) debate.

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George Sanders, Oregon — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 22:42:30 GMT

Invading Iraq was a huge mistake. Killing Sadam was a big one too. Yes, the man was evil but, it's that kind of leader that Iraq needs. The US will never succeed anywhere in the middle east. Just look at recent history. Every middle east country that the US has aided has turned right around and taken a big dump on us.

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Mike, Orange County, Ca. — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 22:53:03 GMT

Blah, Blah, Blah everyone of you are just as self serving as the president or anyone else quit your complaining about who is president or who is in charge and do something about it. The real reason we are in this mess starts at home with AMERICANS not getting out a voting in the first place! There is no one to blame but yourself..........

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Chris, Cypress CA — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 22:54:25 GMT

Bre in Phoenix:
From the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (www.nleomf.com):
"A total of 1,635 law enforcement officers died in the line of duty during the past 10 years, an average of one death every 53.5 hours or 163 per year. There were 155 law enforcement officers killed in 2005."

Let's go with the 163 police officers that die in the line of duty per year. Now, here are statistics from the Iraq Coalition Casualty Count (icasualties.org):
(year - US Military Deaths)
2003 - 486;
2004 - 849;
2005 - 846;
2006 - 822;
2007 - 608;

Before making an inane argument, please do some simple fact checking.

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Rick Holboke — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 23:00:00 GMT

In response to blacksheep. You lefties just dont get it. The worst President was jimmy carter. If he would of taken care of business in the 70s and not spent his time kissing the back sides of the Iranian and palastinians and Clinton would have gotten serious about the threats Bush could have learned the saxaphone and chased girls instead of trying to save the USA for fools like you.

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Don C Colorado Spring, CO — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 23:00:12 GMT

At one time I was somewhat of a student of history. One observation I made was that we rarely learn from it.

Tyranny is never placated. It pursues its agenda relentlessly until it achieves its goal or is defeated. The most infamous tyrant of the modern era is Adolf Hitler. Despite given several concessions in hope of averting war... well, everyone knows how effective that was. Perhaps Al-Qiada is a kinder, gentler form of tyranny.

A historical fact:

"The Democrats controlled the House of Representatives nearly uninterrupted from 1931 until 1995 and won most presidential elections until 1968." Source:wikipedia.org

Isn't it fair to say that what America is today is a result of 76 years of Democratic ideology?

To understand how we got to where we are we must know how we got there. And don't ever forget that almost all politicians are liars, regardless of party. The starry-eyed fantasy that one can remain unstained in the dirty world of politics is nothing but a pipe dream.

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Dan Douville, Riverside, CA — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 23:03:17 GMT

It is so easy to sit there and criticize President Bush... Do some of you think you can do a better job? He is doing the best he can under the circumstances. Of course, no one likes to hear about Americans being killed, but I guess a lot of you have forgotten September 11. Do you really think Al Quaeda is done? Do you think they will just go away? Would you rather have them here is America? All you pacifist are going to find out some blood will have to be spilled here, very sad but true. This country needs to be together, not constantly bitching about this and that. In WWII, the country was together, and look what we did. What are we doing now? Running home with our tail between our legs is what most of you would like. Get with the program! We have to fight!@

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R Rydberg, Alexandria, MN — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 23:54:35 GMT

Do you really think pulling out of Iraq, leaving those poor civilians alone, is going to protect the people of the US and convince the terrorists to leave the US and Europe alone? Is anyone following the terrorist blogs here? Does anyone proposing a pullout understand this is a war to the death of one or the other? This war knows no boundaries. There is no method low enough that won't be considered. The passionate ignorance, anti Bush, anti US rhetoric and refusal to learn from history is truly a hallmark of the eventual fall of this nation. Praying, hoping and working for the failure of our policy in Iraq to fuel the election of politically, historically and logically incompetent politicians is treasonous. I sincerely hope and pray that the terrorists will lay down their weapons and stop planning to blow up our capitols, cities, our water plants, nuclear power plants, subways etc. Unfortunately, that is not the mindset of that part of the world anymore. Please undertand, pulling out of Iraq is the tip of the iceberg. You are sentencing the rest of the population in that country to die. Millions of them. They looked to us for a different way of life. That will be denied if we pull out. Expecting results in that country overnight is ludicrous. Saddam cut the head off of every person that had the intellectual capacity to think their way out of a paperbag. Education takes time. Children are being brainwashed into bomb carrying puppets. It takes time to offset that. After the first Gulf War, there were millions killed by Saddam as he marshaled his power. How many millions more killed are an acceptable figure if we pull out? Are you ready to fight on your own turf? I hope your gun is ready because they are coming--ready or not, and it will be a battle to the death. This is the logical outcome of an emotional, ignorant reponse to a premature pullout.

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-E- — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 00:03:35 GMT

mysteriously during the Clinton admin China went from missiles that exploded on the launch pad to the ability to make it into space and even reach us with MERV capabilities. They even offered to trade Beijing for LA in a nuclear exchange over Thaiwan (remember Thaiwan, our strong allies for years?). Also one of the first things Clinton allowed while in office was the transfer of 3-D lathes and supercomputers (you know, the ones for making nukes) from the State department to the Commerce department (who then PROMPTLY sold them to communist China).
If Clinton was not screwing around in OUR oval office, he might have accepted Osama on one of the multiple occasions he was offered. Maybe avoiding the attacks on 9/11.

Bush is a DA also, sending our National Guard over to Iraq so he can let millions of criminals enter our country illegally? How will that make us safe? First, we need to protect our American borders from unknown people with unknown intentions from crossing it freely. In Iraq, they need to cordon off trouble zones with barbwire, leaflet the place saying get out, search all people leaving (including women in burkas to make sure the cowards are not dressing like women to escape), and turn the place into a parking lot. After that is done, go in and rebuild it with Iraqi oil money. Our air superiority would go along way towards slowing down those murderers in Afganistan and Pakistan also. Only after serious air assaults, shold we consider sending our military in.

If you are hoping that the US looses and more soldiers die, especially to prove a political point, then perhaps consider another country to claim as your own. There is free speech, but that sounds like treason.

If only we could elect someone who has worked an honest day in their life, not spent it suckling at the teat of Lady Liberty. We need Diogenes lamp, to help us find an honest man (or woman).

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Barry, Fayetteville, NC — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 00:08:21 GMT

The guy from Ireland has a good point

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Tony, Oklahoma City — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 00:44:56 GMT

Remember people, Bush would not be the only "loser", or the only American to feel the ramifications. Every American from now until the end of time will have to face the consequences of OUR actions. Bush may have made the final decision, but it was a decision EVERY AMERICAN allowed him to make - we are all to blame here! We need to get rid of the Fed.Res., Lobbyists, and Foreign Interference in Domestic Policy and take out country back!

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Pavey, Oak Hill WV — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 00:45:18 GMT

CJ I agree. Bush is a much better president than Clinton. Everyone else must realize that we are not the ones pressing the buttons or pulling the triggers killing off the soldiers. The Iraq War in terms of killed isnt that bad. We've lost perhaps 3,600 men and they compare that to Vietnam in which 50,000 died.. Get a grip guys. He is a great president and is doing his job. Proud to be a republican!

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gary, Portland, OR — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 00:57:59 GMT

Stephen, we ALL take the blame for whatever happens in the world. Because we're all a part of it. When we lock our doors and don't listen to the cries of terror in our own back yards, then when they come in our back door to kill us, wonder why? Everyone should LOVE everyone! We don't have to be enemies. All we really have are one another. Does anyone out there know how many barrels of oil it takes to make just the casing for a nuclear bomb? I don't! But I could tell you that it would feed a hundred children for a hundred days. Our leaders are in control, and we control them? RIIIGGHHHT!!

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lydia — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 01:05:03 GMT

joahnesshield "We need to turn this horrible mess over to the United Nations." Bush and his coalition of the dummies went without the UN approval and declared a preemptive war against Iraq. He knew full well that he didn't have the support for this illegal war, so instead of the UN he formed his coalition of the dummies because Chalabis suckered him into believeing that Iraqis would be out in force waving and cheering with flowers and kisses. He has gone to great lengths to emasculate the UN so why would the UN rescue from the quagmire of his own making. The innocent women and children who are dying like flies and must live another day under Bush's quagmire are in my prayers.
doug of idaho: Bush and Cheney are thieves. Their sole reason for invading Iraq was to line their pockets by stealing the resources of the people. Don't fool yourself for one minute that either of these parasites cares a damn about anything or anyone if they can't make a buck out of it.
Lewinsky was a plant! Bill allowed her to give him a BJ. I don't know a lot of men who would have resisted some woman on her knees. Bush on the other hand is a dangerous fool who no one would want to give a BJ.

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Alexander Novikov — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 01:22:39 GMT

To all: I would like to remind you that your US government is a check and balance system. Bush does not have dictatorship powers. You have a congress who could have stopped him from invading Irag, but let me remind you that your representatives in congress fully allowed him to do so, as did the Supreme Court and every one of the 250 million American Citizens. Yes, Bush may have made some bad moves some bad decisions, well, there's about 6 billion people on this planet who do the same thing every day, make mistakes, make bad decisions. Get your heads out of your US cans and look around. The world does not revolve around you. What you do is just like what everyone else does, it effects everyone, and what the American public and government has done is let the War in Iraq be a failure by sitting back in their comfy little lawn chairs in their peacefully land of freedom not giving a rats rear end about anyone else, just like it allowed Vietnam to be a failure in the same way and just like it allowed the events following World War Two to happen to countries consumed by the Iron curtain, by saying, oh, that's not our business, we shouldn't get involved. Yeah just like the guy crossing the stree that the car infront of you just ran over and then ran, you'd just comfortably sit in your nice airconditioned car, avoid the bloody mess and continue on your way to work because, it's not your fault. It wasn't your car. You don't know the guy, why should you help? Wake up. Pull your heads out of your rears. American needs to learn to finish what was started, not just war, but in marrages, schooling, work, you name it. Your wonderful examples and such brilliant God like light has really screwed up everyone.
Yeah, problems and mistakes happened, people died. I'm really sorry for that, but 1,500 soldiers has no near meaning to the deaths of countless millions that go by unnoticed everyday caused by people who don't think, people that don't listen, and people who just let things happen because it's not my pig, not my field.
Alright, so that war and mistakes with it, it's happened, it's been done, so why don't you all make it a success instead of giving up like a bunch of pansies. If the United States does not own up to the problems it has created, and the promises it has given, it will dig it's own grave, and I guarantee, more than your petty 1,500 soldiers will die if you don't make it right, or the 20,000 civilians, only this time, it will be american civilians. If you hit someone with your car, and you run off, there are big consequenses, such as prison. In other countries, it's death. If you knew anything about history, your own government or anyone elses, or religions, you would understand that promises are sacred, and the consequences to breaking them, especially without trying, in other places in the world, is death, and with all your decisions to leave Iraq unfinished, as a failure, your are bringing your own condemnation. Normally I wouldn't really care as you are on the other side of the world, but your decisions effect us too, and will bring us the same condemnation you bring upon yourselves. If you do that, the US will have a much worse reputation, more than just the muslim radicals will hate you, and you just might see yourselves faced with a third world war started on American soil. Wake up and smell freedom checking itself out. Perhaps it is about time America got a good humbling and a good prison sentence. Might do the world a favor.

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Jack from New Jersey — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 01:47:30 GMT

Stephan of Dublin....how right you are. Islamic fascists are the Nazi of today and must be stopped. Bush is doing a good job given the circumstances. I admire him. He's got the most critical task in front of him. Failure means our way of life ends. I hope history judges him fairly.

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American Patriot in Guangzhou, China — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 03:26:31 GMT

It has been interesting to read through so many posts and see the degree of emotion that foments through the remarks. Clearly the remarks are debating issues that are only remotely connected to the story.

The amount of money lost by the bank to the robbery does seem a stunning amount, whether it is the larger or smaller amount. One should not, however, presume to know that it will be used to fund terrorism. Perhaps it was stolen by a common criminal just like the ones that the rest of the world endures.

So, on to politics. Whether one chooses to believe in or scoff at the WMD basis of the Iraq invasion is inconsequential to the current reality and the global state of affairs. The coalition forces have strategically massed forces on 3 fronts of Iran (Iraq, Afghanistan and the Persian Gulf) and are positioned to quickly engage in a true war with the biggest rogue nation threat on the face of our small planet.

Withdrawal from Iraq will potentially cause such a vacuum that the entire Middle East will be drawn in to full scale war. Iran and Iraq have been long standing rivals. Turkey has amassed forces along Iraq's Kurdish border region. Syria has no love loss for anyone and is a long standing sponsor of world terrorism.

Withdrawal of foreign troops from Iraq is implicit defeat at the hands of Al Qaeda. It is a fool's errant to believe that this extremist terrorist organization--an underground nation of it's own right--is going to be satisfied and leave the free nations of the world at rest. Their one clear mission is to liberate the world of "infidels" and bring the world under theocracy to Allah.

Set aside party loyalties from both sides and base your arguments in what is happening in all of the theaters that are affected. The world was not at peace during the Clinton administration nor is it now. Each leader tackled the crises of his time in the way he believed best served the causes of freedom, democracy and the American way of life. Neither man or administration is to be without praise or chastisement; the role the president must fulfill is larger than most are qualified to undertake.

In assessment of the global geopolitical arena, the USA must continue on with the engagement in Iraq. First, continuing to fight to protect the newborn government of Iraq, still weak and learning to walk and talk on its own. And second, to maintain a military presence in the Middle East that stands as a deterrent to global terrorism by the presence of strategic security for the free world.

It has long been said that freedom is bought with blood, but it is also true that freedom is preserved with blood. Mourn for the lost lives but know that the greater mourning will come when freedom is lost. To run from the battle when the war is being won is the supreme act of cowardice. For these reasons stated in this treatise, my support goes in favor of the President's decision to stand firm with Iraq even in the face of opposition from home. If in fact, the stolen bank money was for terrorist activity, it only serves to affirm the need for continued action.

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LEO W.,ELLENWOOD GA. — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 14:04:16 GMT

A COUNTERINSURGENCY TAKES 8 TO 12 YEARS TO COMPLETE STABILITY. ADD THE 4 YEARS THEY GOOFED UP AND THERE IS YOUR WITHDRAWL DATE. LONG AFTER BUSH IS GONE.

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john florida — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 16:13:49 GMT

Every one that is talking about what Bush did and what Clinton did is missing one point. This mess is the end result of WHAT WAS NOT DONE GOING BACK TO JIMMY CARTER (AKA THE BEST X PRESIDENT WE EVER HAD)This is not to blame one side or the other but this is here among us because of the INACTION of some of our past leaders. This confrontation has been building for 30 + years.It just got dumped on this President at this time in history.No matter who was leading this cancer would have had to come to a head sooner or later.We can blame this president for all of it but a little research will show how this came to be among us in little baby steps over the years. The signs were there (hind sight is 20/20)our leaders could or would not read them. TILL THE TOWERS WENT DOWN !!!Now we play the he said she said game in Washington and the IDIOTS ON BOTH EXTREME ENDS BUY IN TO IT.THE ANSWER IS NOT ON EITHER END BUT IN THE MIDDLE. LIES WELL I DON'T KNOW HOW TO TELL YOU BUT BOTH SIDES ARE MORE THAN ABLE TO TELL THEM.THE BOTTOM LINE IS FOR THE PEOPLE TO KEEP THEIR GOVERNMENT HONEST AND CALL ALL PARTIES TO ACCOUNT.I DON'T GIVE A CRAP ABOUT IRAQ BUT I DO GIVE A CRAP ABOUT OUR PEOPLE THERE.If the Iraqis don't care why should we. Let's just use it as a battle ground and when we are done leave them to clean up the mess. They wont step up and help end the war for whatever reason them i say use them and forget them. Leave them there holding the bag the helped create by not helping us to help them.AND I DON'T CARE WHO TAKES OVER WHEN WERE GONE SCREW THEM ALL WE HAVE INVESTED LIVES AND MONEY AND THEY DON'T CARE SO WHY SHOULD WE.

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An American Patriot in America — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 18:14:07 GMT

We have botched this war to the point that I don't believe we can fix it. We certainly do not have the leadership with the know-how. They are the ones that botched it.

I keep reading that we are fighting for freedom in Iraq. Freedom for whom? It seems the only ones with freedom over there are the militias and the insurgents. Everyone else is afraid to step outside. Freedom may be beautiful but a homeless person has far more freedom than you or I but I don't think that means homelessness is beautiful. There's a limit to everything but Iraq is in free fall. Without limits, we are in a very dangerous situation. If we attack Iran without getting Iraq stabilized first, we will be in a world of hurt. And I don't believe we can stabilize Iraq or we'd have done so by now surely.

Clinton doesn't enter into it and should be left out of these discussions. His name constantly being dragged up by Bush supporters is an attempt to deflect the blame where it belongs--on the Bush administration.

Someone here asked, "Do you think you could do a better job than Bush?" Quite frankly, yes. The terrible thing is, however, I would do a perfectly crappy job.

Who will finish this job if we leave? Gee, I don't know. Who finished the job when we fled from Vietnam? Remember Vietnam, folks? I fought in that one. I had hoped we had learned to never again jump into anything in so foolhardy a fashion as that. The foolhardiness we displayed getting into Vietnam pales in comparison to what we displayed invading Iraq for no good reason.

Oh, and Bush is to blame for this theft of $500,000. He may not have stole it himself but he set up the situation through his immense ineptitude.

I find it tragically hilarious everytime I read, "Why is everybody blaming Bush?" Duh! Why are you blaming any other president besides Bush?? He IS the one that started this after all. If you don't have the courage and honesty to face that, why don't you volunteer to go fight for him? I didn't get the option of volunteering and your children won't either.

Some of you are fantastic at telling us why we have to stay there but you're horrifically short on the details of how we accomplish that without a draft and without raising taxes--two things that are not going to fly.

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angry american — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 18:21:16 GMT

Marcy- Shame on you! How dare you call America cowardly.....by you saying that you are talking about our military. Soldiers who are getting no sleep, no showers and sometimes no food. They are in heavy gunfire for days at a time. Men and women who joined wanting to protect our country and the people. Men and women who are seeing things that we can't even imagine and if they don't get physically wounded, they are definitely mentally wounded. You should really think about what you said and apologize to the American soldiers who are risking their lives for you.

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American Patriot in Guangzhou, China — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 01:40:32 GMT

Rebuttal to the American Patriot in America:

It is indeed sad that you were personally scarred by your involuntary service to our sovereign nation. Your service in Vietnam was an invaluable sacrifice that did make an important contribution to world stability during those years. Thank you for your service.

The war in Iraq is not a war against Iraq. The war being fought, and the war declared by the president, is against terrorism. The war we fight is against the underground nation of Al Qaida. Iraq is the current battlefield just as Vietnam was the battlefield in a world struggle to preserve freedom from the threat of communism. The battle for Vietnam was lost but the war against communism led to the fall of the former Soviet Union and the successfully emerging free trade economy in China.

The freedom you fought for and the freedom fought for today is not only the freedom of these foreign nations but for the freedom within the borders of the United States of America. This fight is joined by sovereign nations that align with the fundamental principles of self-governance.

I served our nation voluntarily for 30 years, half of that as an infantryman. No-one had to force me to be a patriot, I chose this course, believing that freedom is a gift so precious we must protect it even at the risk of one's own life.

Whose freedom are we fighting for in Iraq? Yours.

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STRIAGHT UP,az — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 21:00:11 GMT

Americans take a reality check??? This Iraq situation is total horse dung. Today Iraq PM said we were no longer a useful need to Iraq!!! Well mister sand bunny, With that type of comment to the world """IT'S YOUR SHOW""", TIME TO SLAM THE DOOR ON THIS NEEDLESS WAR!!!! WE SHOULD HAVE JUST NUKED AND THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN THE SMAE AMOUNT OF KILLED AND LESS BUTCHERS RUNNING AROUND THE STREETS OVER THERE!

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Kippie Rohulich Lowry, Knoxville, Tn. — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 16:27:22 GMT

First, the American Conservatives do care about "poor" Americans-----but the answer is not more hand-outs (this is called a Democrat vote) but it is called getting an education------but this has to be "your" decision------it is free and there for all Americans----Second, American was not the only country who believed that Sadam had weapons----Third, Congress was with him----fourth, if you would read something besides the local paper and news ----if you even do that much----you would know that Doug was telling the truth--and yes, Doug, I would like to know more---fifth, read up on the Sudan and why is the rest of the world not helping----read and you will find out-----George Clooney can send his money-----know all the facts---before you point your finger----sixth, yes, the government of Iraq is corrupt--just like any government---including ours---but the people of Iraq want to be free and I know this how----from the 300 troops that I have supported during this war by writing letters and sending packages. If you want to know how to do this---just contact me.... seventh, I am near the age bracket of Joanne---I write the people who represent me in Congress weekly. I know what bills they are voting on and how they vote----and I let them know my opinion----if America talks, they can change the vote of Congress---we did it on Amnesty. Eighth, there are some very good books out on the war by soldiers----I do not believe our intel was wrong---read---- ninth, and Bruce---which ever party has the witch hunt (remember the 2 year witch hunt of Libby--and he was not the one to release her name and they knew that before the trial started) it cost all Americans the same amount. And instead of the word lie---let's use the word propangada---I believe that is more fitting--because that is what I feel we get from most newspapers----esp ---from those who are Bush Bashers----they will do anything to distort and lose this war----they did it in Vietnam and they are doing it Iraq----read (there is that nasty word again) 'Triumph Forsaken-The Vietman War, 1954-1965' by Mark Moyar. It is a slow-read because he has so many foot-notes to back up his facts---and yes, I checked them out. In my opinion----a certain newspaper has a lot to answer for in both wars....and tenth, we need a two-party system (maybe even a three)otherwise we could just name oursevles Russia.....however, that said, these two parties need to learn to work together, forget about pork and spending money only in their state, but work for the good of all Americans....who are many--- made into one.....who should all speak and read English. P.S. Who got the facts wrong in the first place---the reporter, bank, or the reader?