Rummy's defence of the war
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Rummy's defence of the war
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/n...ationworld-hed
Even republicans are starting to doubt it!
[quote["Public support in my state is turning," Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) told Rumsfeld. "People are beginning to question. And I don't think it's a blip on the radar screen. We have a chronic problem on our hands."[/quote]
More exerpts:
Discuss.
"Anyone who says we have lost the war or are losing the war is wrong," Rumsfeld said, adding that setting a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops "would throw a lifeline to terrorists who in recent months have suffered significant losses in casualties, been denied havens and suffered weakened popular support."
"Secretary Rumsfeld, you know we are in serious trouble in Iraq," Kennedy said. "And this war has been consistently and grossly mismanaged. And we are now in a seemingly intractable quagmire. Our troops are dying, and there really is no end in sight.
[quote["Public support in my state is turning," Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) told Rumsfeld. "People are beginning to question. And I don't think it's a blip on the radar screen. We have a chronic problem on our hands."[/quote]
The White House has launched an aggressive campaign to rebut assertions like those made recently by Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.), who told U.S. News and World Report that "the reality is, we're losing in Iraq."
en. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.): The public views this every day, Mr. Secretary, more and more like Vietnam. ...
In the last year, sir, the public support in my state has turned, and I worry about that, because that's the only way we'll ever leave before we should, is if the public loses faith in us.
Rumsfeld: I am absolutely convinced that we'll have the willpower and the staying power and the courage to do what's right there. The alternative is to turn that region back to darkness, to people who behead people. And that is not a happy prospect.
In the last year, sir, the public support in my state has turned, and I worry about that, because that's the only way we'll ever leave before we should, is if the public loses faith in us.
Rumsfeld: I am absolutely convinced that we'll have the willpower and the staying power and the courage to do what's right there. The alternative is to turn that region back to darkness, to people who behead people. And that is not a happy prospect.
Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.): Gen. Abizaid, can you give us your assessment of the strength of the insurgency? Is it less strong, more strong, about the same strength as it was six months ago?
Gen. John Abizaid: In terms of comparison from six months ago, in terms of foreign fighters, I believe there are more foreign fighters coming into Iraq than there were six months ago.
In terms of the overall strength of the insurgency, I'd say it's about the same as it was.
Levin: So you wouldn't agree with the statement that it's in its last throes?
Abizaid: I don't know that I would make any comment about that other than to say there's a lot of work to be done against the insurgency.
Levin: Well, the vice president has said it's in its last throes, that's the statement the vice president--it doesn't sound to me from your testimony or any other testimony here this morning that it is in its last throes.
Abizaid: I'm sure you'll forgive me from criticizing the vice president.
Gen. John Abizaid: In terms of comparison from six months ago, in terms of foreign fighters, I believe there are more foreign fighters coming into Iraq than there were six months ago.
In terms of the overall strength of the insurgency, I'd say it's about the same as it was.
Levin: So you wouldn't agree with the statement that it's in its last throes?
Abizaid: I don't know that I would make any comment about that other than to say there's a lot of work to be done against the insurgency.
Levin: Well, the vice president has said it's in its last throes, that's the statement the vice president--it doesn't sound to me from your testimony or any other testimony here this morning that it is in its last throes.
Abizaid: I'm sure you'll forgive me from criticizing the vice president.
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Originally Posted by Salty
Never did like Rumsfeld. Either do a lot of conservatives or servicemen
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Originally Posted by Oaf
It is this humble ex-Infantryman's opinion that the Iraq war has not been faught as well as it could have been.
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I don't get it....
We went in and we took over a nation. When was the last time a country completely took over another country and had less caualties than we did? Ok, a country with a willing fighting force that was waiting for the attack. I know there were instances where one side just went into a country that basically was waiting to surrender....no fight at all.
I don't know about you but I think we did an outstanding job. Now we're just training up a force of Iraqi's that can police their own country. Once that's done the majority of our forces will leave. All that will be left behind is a small force to act as a QRF and advisory. Of course we'll most likely always operate out of Iraq now that we're best buddies with the new government.
As far as insurgents and suicide bombers go, I think that's just a temporary problem that will go away or become a lot less frequent. How many people are killed each year in the U.S. due to some form of crime? Compare that to how many U.S. lives have been lost in Iraq. The U.S. isn't a war zone...I think we're doing pretty damn good.
As far as Rumsfeld goes, I think it's time he retire...
My all time favorite White house rep is of course Ari Fleischer. That guy rocked.
http://www.probush.com/Tribute.htm
We went in and we took over a nation. When was the last time a country completely took over another country and had less caualties than we did? Ok, a country with a willing fighting force that was waiting for the attack. I know there were instances where one side just went into a country that basically was waiting to surrender....no fight at all.
I don't know about you but I think we did an outstanding job. Now we're just training up a force of Iraqi's that can police their own country. Once that's done the majority of our forces will leave. All that will be left behind is a small force to act as a QRF and advisory. Of course we'll most likely always operate out of Iraq now that we're best buddies with the new government.
As far as insurgents and suicide bombers go, I think that's just a temporary problem that will go away or become a lot less frequent. How many people are killed each year in the U.S. due to some form of crime? Compare that to how many U.S. lives have been lost in Iraq. The U.S. isn't a war zone...I think we're doing pretty damn good.
As far as Rumsfeld goes, I think it's time he retire...
My all time favorite White house rep is of course Ari Fleischer. That guy rocked.
http://www.probush.com/Tribute.htm
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