Bush Was Wrong In 2007. 2012 Troop Pullout Won't Mean Aq Takes Over Iraq.

[whutTHEYsay]

You don't need a transcript when there is video. He said it.

If you want to be honest you do. Because that clip does not show the full speech. Many times Obama states that Iraqis have security challenges ahead which demonstrates the context that the war was not over in terms of violence and casualties for Iraqis but it was over for Americans. He is saying the war known as Operation Iraqi Freedom was over - but the centuries old war between Shia and Sunni was not over. You have a clip that suggests Obama meant the latter was over too. That is a lie by elimination of context.

You are pushing the absurd notion that keeping US troops in Iraq after 2011 could have ended the Shia Sunni war.

There is no end to the absurdity and deceit of you people.

 

[TooTall]

September 25, 2014 at 06:50 PM 9861942

Is Iraq the region and the United States in more danger today than when Bush left office? Again, I say yes and can prove it.

You have quoted Bush from July 2007. Nice trick to shift the comparison to January 2009. I don't buy you contention that Iraq is in more danger today than they were in July 2007.

Here are that stats on civilian deaths for 2007.

Another 22,586–24,159 civilian deaths have been recorded in 2007 through Iraq Body Count’s extensive monitoring of media and official reports. These figures, though undoubtedly incomplete, are the most comprehensive and well-established currently available, and show beyond any doubt that civil security in Iraq remains in a parlous state. Figures for the most recent months indicate that violence in Iraq has returned to the monthly levels IBC was recording in 2005, a year which was itself (until 2006) the worst since the invasion. 1

I don't get you people. Iraq is not more deadly today for Americans than it was in 2007 when Bush supposedly made his great prediction. Here is a list of America's and other' finest who were killed in Bush's war during July 2007 . How many Americans have died in the conflict the past couple months.

7-31-2007 UK Edwards, Steve Corporal 35 Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack Basra Basra (Al Mudhara district) British Army England Sutton Coldfield Badger Squadron, 2nd Royal Tank Regiment Not reported yet
7-31-2007 US Marshall, Bradley W. Sergeant 37 Hostile - hostile fire - indirect fire Baghdad Tunis U.S. Army Arkansas Little Rock 2nd BN, 377th Parachute Field Artillery Reg, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division Fort Richardson, AK
7-31-2007 US Reyes, Daniel F. Specialist 24 Hostile - hostile fire - indirect fire Baghdad Tunis U.S. Army California San Diego 2nd BB, 377th Parachute Field Artillery Reg, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division Fort Richardson, AK
7-31-2007 US Maddies, Stephen R. Sergeant 41 Hostile - hostile fire - small arms fire Baghdad Baghdad U.S. Army National Guard Tennessee Elizabethton 473rd Counter Rocket, Artillery and Mortar Platoon, Tennessee Army National Guard Columbia, TN
7-31-2007 US Gonzalez, Zachariah J. Specialist 23 Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack Baghdad Baghdad U.S. Army Indiana Not reported yet 2nd BN, 3rd Infantry Reg, 3rd Brigade, (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) 2nd Infantry Division Fort Lewis, WA
7-31-2007 US Heinlein Jr., Charles T. Private 1st Class 23 Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack Baghdad Baghdad U.S. Army Michigan Hemlock 2nd BN, 3rd Infantry Reg, 3rd Brigade, (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) 2nd Infantry Division Fort Lewis, WA
7-31-2007 US Jairala, Alfred H. Private 1st Class 29 Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack Baghdad Baghdad U.S. Army Florida Hialeah 2nd BN, 3rd Infantry Reg, 3rd Brigade, (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) 2nd Infantry Division Fort Lewis, WA
7-30-2007 US Kessler, Jason M. Corporal 29 Hostile - hostile fire - RPG attack NA Northern Iraq U.S. Army Washington Mount Vernon C Company, 2nd BN, 75th Ranger Regiment Fort Lewis, WA
7-30-2007 US Stokes, Sean A. Corporal 24 Hostile - hostile fire Anbar Al Taqaddum U.S. Marine California Auburn 3rd BN, 1st Marine Reg, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force Camp Pendleton, CA
7-29-2007 US Suliveras, Wilberto Staff Sergeant 38 Hostile - hostile fire - small arms fire Baghdad Taji U.S. Army Puerto Rico Humacao 2nd BN, 8th Cavalry Reg, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Fort Hood, TX
7-29-2007 US Grater, Cody C. Private 1st Class 20 Hostile - hostile fire - direct fire Baghdad Baghdad (eastern part) U.S. Army Florida Spring Hill Brigade Support BN, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division Fort Bragg, NC
7-26-2007 US Baloga, Michael A. Private 21 Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack Diyala Muqdadiyah U.S. Army Washington Everett 6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Reg, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Fort Hood, TX
7-26-2007 US Howdeshell, William R. Sergeant 37 Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack Anbar Saqlawiyah U.S. Army Virginia Norfolk 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Reg, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Fort Stewart, GA
7-26-2007 US Bilbrey Jr., Charles E. Specialist 21 Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack Anbar Saqlawiyah U.S. Army New York Owego 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Reg, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Fort Stewart, GA
7-26-2007 US Rodriguez Jr., Jaime Specialist 19 Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack Anbar Saqlawiyah U.S. Army California Oxnard 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Reg, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Fort Stewart, GA
7-25-2007 US Leckel, Daniel A. Specialist 19 Hostile - hostile fire - small arms fire Baghdad Baghdad (southern part) U.S. Army Oregon Medford 1st BN, 28th Infantry Reg, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division Fort Riley, KS
7-24-2007 US Florexil, Camy Specialist 20 Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack Baghdad Baghdad U.S. Army Pennsylvania Philadelphia 1st BN, 28th Infantry Reg, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division Fort Riley, KS
7-24-2007 US Mattero, Joshua P. Staff Sergeant 29 Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack Diyala Ba'qubah U.S. Army California San Diego 749th Ordnance Company, 63rd Explosive Ordnance Battalion Andrews AFB, MD
7-24-2007 US Noble, Daniel S. Hospitalman 21 Hostile - hostile fire Diyala Rushidiyah U.S. Navy California Whittier 1st Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force Pacific Camp Pendleton, CA
7-24-2007 US Lynch, Robert A. Lance Corporal 20 Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack Anbar Rushidiyah U.S. Marine Kentucky Louisville 1st BN 12th Marine Reg, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force Okinawa, Japan
7-24-2007 US McRae, James H. Corporal 22 Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack Anbar Rushidiyah U.S. Marine Texas Springtown 3rd Maintenance BN, Combat Logistics Reg 35, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force Okinawa, Japan
7-24-2007 US Zindars, Matthew R. Corporal 21 Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack Anbar Rushidiyah U.S. Marine Wisconsin Watertown 2nd BN, 11th Marine Reg, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force Camp Pendleton, CA
7-24-2007 US Finch, Courtney D. Sergeant 27 Non-hostile Ninawa Qayyarah U.S. Army Kansas Leavenworth 714th Maintenance Company, Kansas Army National Guard Topeka, KS
7-22-2007 US Twitty, Bobby L. Lance Corporal 20 Non-hostile - vehicle accident Anbar Ramadi U.S. Marine Texas Bedias Combat Logistics BN 6, Combat Logistics Reg 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, Camp Lejeune, NC
7-22-2007 US Adams, Shawn G. Sergeant 21 Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack Baghdad Owaset U.S. Army California Dixon 3rd BN, 509th Parachute Infantry Reg, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division Fort Richardson, AK
7-21-2007 UK Flowers, Timothy Darren Lance Corporal 25 Hostile - hostile fire - mortar attack Basra Basra British Army Northern Ireland Londonderry Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Not reported yet
7-21-2007 US Scherer, Christopher G. Corporal 21 Hostile - hostile fire Anbar Al Taqaddum U.S. Marine New York East Northport 1st Combat Engineer BN, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force Camp Pendleton, CA
7-21-2007 US Schmuecker, Jacob S. Sergeant 27 Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack Baghdad Baghdad (Died in Balad) U.S. Army National Guard Nebraska Atkinson 755th Recon/Decon Company, Nebraska Army National Guard O'Neill, NE
7-20-2007 US Butler, Rhett A. Corporal 22 Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack Diyala Khan Bani Saad U.S. Army Texas Fort Worth 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Reg, 4th Brigade, (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) 2nd Infantry Division Fort Lewis, WA
7-19-2007 UK Caulwell, Matthew Senior Aircraftsman 22 Hostile - hostile fire - mortar attack Basra Basra British Royal Air Force England Birmingham 1 Squadron RAF Regiment Not reported yet
7-19-2007 UK Dunsmore, Christopher Senior Aircraftsman 29 Hostile - hostile fire - mortar attack Basra Basra British Royal Air Force England Leicester 504 Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force Not reported yet
7-19-2007 UK McFerran, Peter Senior Aircraftsman 24 Hostile - hostile fire - mortar attack Basra Basra British Royal Air Force Wales Connahs Quay 1 Squadron RAF Regiment Not reported yet
7-19-2007 US Craig, Brandon M. Corporal 25 Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack Karbala Husayniyah U.S. Army Maryland Earleville Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Brigade, (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) 2nd Infantry Division Fort Lewis, WA
7-19-2007 US Coffelt, Ronald L. Sergeant 36 Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack Baghdad Baghdad (eastern part) U.S. Army California Fair Oaks 503rd Military Police Battalion, 16th Military Police Brigade (Airborne), XVIII Airborne Corps Fort Bragg, NC
7-18-2007 US Gutierrez-Rosales, Luis E. Sergeant 1st Class 38 Hostile - hostile fire - IED, small arms fire Baghdad Adhamiyah U.S. Army California Bakersfield 1st BN, 26th Infantry, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division Schweinfurt, Germany
7-18-2007 US Gilmore III, Richard Specialist 22 Hostile - hostile fire - IED, small arms fire Baghdad Adhamiyah U.S. Army Alabama Jasper 1st BN, 26th Infantry, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division Schweinfurt, Germany
7-18-2007 US Gomez, Daniel E. Specialist 21 Hostile - hostile fire - IED, small arms fire Baghdad Adhamiyah U.S. Army Georgia Warner Robbins 1st BN, 26th Infantry, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division Schweinfurt, Germany
7-18-2007 US Clouser, Zachary Specialist 19 Hostile - hostile fire - IED, small arms fire Baghdad Adhamiyah U.S. Army Pennsylvania Dover 1st BN, 26th Infantry, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division Schweinfurt, Germany
7-17-2007 POL Posadzy, Jaroslaw Major 39 Non-hostile - illness Qadisiyah Diwaniyah Polish Army Not reported yet Not reported yet 25th AirCavalry Brigade - garrison Not reported yet
7-17-2007 US Harrelson, James J. Private 1st Class 19 Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack Baghdad Baghdad U.S. Army Alabama Dadeville 2nd BN, 16th Infantry Reg, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry D Fort Riley, KS
7-17-2007 US Chaney, Jeffrey L. Petty Officer 1st Class 35 Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack Salah ad Din Samarra U.S. Navy Nebraska Omaha Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit Eleven Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, W
7-17-2007 US Wade, Patrick L. Chief Petty Officer 38 Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack Salah ad Din Samarra U.S. Navy Florida Key West Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit Eleven Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, W
7-17-2007 US Barnes, Nathan S. Sergeant 23 Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack Baghdad Baghdad (Rushdi Mullah) U.S. Army Utah American Fork 4th BN, 31st Infantry Reg, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division Fort Drum, NY
7-17-2007 US Joshua Jr., Ron J. Private 1st Class 19 Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack Baghdad Baghdad (western part) U.S. Army Texas Austin 401st Military Police Company, 92nd Military Police BN, 89th Military Police Brigade Fort Hood, TX
7-17-2007 US Bobb, Brandon K. Private 1st Class 20 Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack Baghdad Baghdad (western part) U.S. Army Florida Orlando 401st Military Police Company, 92nd Military Police BN, 89th Military Police Brigade Fort Hood, TX
7-16-2007 US Starkovich, Shawn V. Lance Corporal 20 Non-hostile Anbar Habbaniyah U.S. Marine Washington Arlington 3rd BN, 1st Marine Reg, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force Camp Pendleton, CA
7-15-2007 US Varga, Robert D. Specialist 24 Non-hostile Baghdad Baghdad U.S. Army Missouri Monroe City 984th Military Police Company, 759th Military Police Battalion Fort Carson, CO
7-15-2007 US Holke, Eric M. Specialist 31 Non-hostile Dhi Qar Tallil U.S. Army National Guard California Crestline 1st BN, 160th Infantry, California Army National Guard Fullerton, CA
7-15-2007 US Bartlett Jr., Benjamin B. Private 1st Class 25 Hostile - hostile fire - RPG attack Ninawa Mosul U.S. Army Georgia Manchester 2nd BN, 7th Cavalry Reg, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Fort Bliss, TX
7-14-2007 US Massey, John R. Sergeant 29 Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack Baghdad Baghdad (near) (died in Balad) U.S. Army National Guard Arkansas Judsonia C Battery, 142nd Fires Brigade Ozark, AK
7-14-2007 US Kube, Christopher D. Private 1st Class 18 Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack Baghdad Baghdad U.S. Army Michigan Sterling Heights 2nd BN, 17th Field Artillery Reg, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division Fort Carson, CO
7-14-2007 US Greka, Allen A. Sergeant 29 Hostile - hostile fire - land mine Baghdad Jisr Diyala U.S. Army Michigan Alpena 3d BN, 1st Cavalry Reg, 3d Brigade Combat Team, 3d Infantry Division Fort Benning, GA
7-11-2007 US Johnson, Courtney T. Sergeant 26 Hostile - hostile fire Baghdad Besmaya U.S. Army North Carolina Garner 3rd Brigade Special Troops BN, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Fort Benning, GA
7-11-2007 US McKinney, Jeffrey R. 1st Sergeant 40 Non-hostile - suicide - gunshot wound Baghdad Adhamiyah U.S. Army Texas Garland 1st BN, 26th Infantry Reg, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division Schweinfurt, Germany
7-10-2007 US Ortiz, Maria I. Captain 40 Hostile - hostile fire - mortar attack Baghdad Baghdad (Green Zone) U.S. Army Puerto Rico Bayamon Kirk U.S. Army Health Clinic Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD
7-08-2007 UK Read, Christopher Corporal 22 Hostile - hostile fire - small arms fire Basra Basra British Army England Poole in Dorset 158 Provost Company, 3rd Regiment Royal Military Police Not reported yet
7-08-2007 US Dore, Jason E. Private 1st Class 25 Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack Baghdad Baghdad (west of) U.S. Army Maine Moscow 2nd BN, 5th Cavalry Reg, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Fort Hood, TX
7-07-2007 UK Francis, Ryan Lance Corporal 23 Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack Basra Basra (Al Mudhara district) British Army Wales Llanelli 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh Not reported yet
7-07-2007 US DeLoach, Jerry L. Sergeant 45 Non-hostile - injury NA Fort Knox, KY U.S. Army Georgia Jackson Warrior Transition Unit Fort Knox, KY
7-07-2007 US Causor Jr., Roberto J. Specialist 21 Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack Salah ad Din Samarra U.S. Army California San Jose 2nd BN, 505th Parachute Infantry Reg, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division Fort Bragg, NC
7-06-2007 UK Vakabua, Edward Rifleman 23 Non-hostile - manslaughter Basra Basra (Basra Palace) British Army Fiji Suva (Nailuva Road) 7 Platoon, B Company, 4th Battalion The Rifles Bulford, Wiltshire
7-06-2007 US Lockey, Jon M. Colonel 44 Non-hostile Baghdad Baghdad U.S. Army Virginia Fredericksburg Headquarters, Department of the Army Washington, D.C.
7-06-2007 US Lewis, Jason Dale Petty Officer 1st Class 30 Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack Baghdad Baghdad (vicinity of) U.S. Navy Connecticut Brookfield East Coast-based SEAL team Not reported yet
7-06-2007 US McRill, Robert Richard Petty Officer 1st Class 42 Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack Baghdad Baghdad (vicinity of) U.S. Navy Florida Lake Placid East Coast-based SEAL team Not reported yet
7-06-2007 US Daugherty, Steven Phillip Petty Officer 1st Class 28 Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack Baghdad Baghdad (vicinity of) U.S. Navy California Barstow East Coast-based SEAL team Not reported yet
7-06-2007 US Wilson, Le Ron A. Private 1st Class 18 Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack Babil Baghdad (South of) U.S. Army New York Queens 26th Brigade Support BN, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division Fort Stewart, GA
7-06-2007 US Lamie, Gene L. Sergeant 25 Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack Babil Baghdad (South of) U.S. Army Georgia Homerville 3rd BN, 7th Cavalry Reg, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Fort Stewart, GA
7-06-2007 US Salazar Jr., Bruce C. Private 1st Class 24 Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack Baghdad Baghdad (eastern part) U.S. Army California Tracy 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Reg, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Fort Stewart, GA
7-06-2007 US Wiens, Kory D. Corporal 20 Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack Baghdad Baghdad (eastern part) U.S. Army Oregon Independence 94th Mine Dog Detachment, 5th Engineer BN, 1st Engineer Brigade Fort Leonard Wood, MO
7-06-2007 US Lill, Eric A. Sergeant 28 Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack Baghdad Rustamiyah U.S. Army Illinois Chicago 2nd BN, 17th Field Artillery Reg, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division Fort Carson, CO
7-05-2007 US Stacey, Jeremy L. Specialist 23 Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack Baghdad Baghdad (western part) U.S. Army Arkansas Bismarck 2nd BN, 12th Cavalry Reg, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Fort Bliss, TX
7-05-2007 US Allbaugh, Jeremy D. Corporal 21 Hostile - hostile fire Anbar Al Qaim U.S. Marine Oklahoma Luther 1st BN, 4th Marine Reg, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force Camp Pendleton, CA
7-05-2007 US Stacy, Steven A. Lance Corporal 23 Hostile - hostile fire Anbar Al Taqaddum U.S. Marine Oregon Coos Bay 3rd BN, 1st Marine Reg, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force Camp Pendleton, CA
7-05-2007 US Ahearn, James M. Major 43 Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack Baghdad Baghdad (southern part) U.S. Army California Concord 96th Civil Affairs Battalion, 95th Civil Affairs Brigade Fort Bragg, NC
7-05-2007 US Kline, Keith A. Sergeant 24 Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack Baghdad Baghdad (southern part) U.S. Army Ohio Oak Harbor 96th Civil Affairs Battalion, 95th Civil Affairs Brigade Fort Bragg, NC
7-05-2007 US Vinnedge, Anthony M.K. Specialist 24 Non-hostile Baghdad Radwaniyah Palace Complex U.S. Army National Guard Ohio Okeana Troop C, 2nd Squadron, 107th Armor Cavalry Regiment Greenville, OH
7-05-2007 US Ring, Michelle R. Specialist 24 Hostile - hostile fire - mortar attack Baghdad Baghdad (western part) U.S. Army Tennessee Martin 92d Military Police Battalion Fort Bening, GA
7-04-2007 US Engstrom, Andrew T. Private 1st Class 22 Non-hostile Baghdad Taji U.S. Army Texas Slaton 1st BN, 82nd Field Artillery Reg, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Fort Hood, TX
7-04-2007 US Oswell, Scott A.M. Chief Warrant Officer 33 Non-hostile - helicopter crash Ninawa Mosul U.S. Army Washington Not reported yet 4th Squadron, 6th U.S. Air Cavalry Fort Lewis, WA
7-04-2007 US Davis, Steven A. Private 1st Class 23 Hostile - hostile fire - grenade Baghdad Baghdad (southern part) U.S. Army Virginia Woodbridge 2nd BN 12th Infantry Reg, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division Fort Carson, CO
7-02-2007 US Apineru, Faoa L. Staff Sergeant 31 Hostile - hostile fire Anbar Al Anbar Province U.S. Marine Reserve California Yorba Linda Headquarters Company, 23rd Marines, 4th Marine Division Not reported yet
7-02-2007 US Rutherford, Christopher N. 1st Lieutenant 25 Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack Anbar Al Asad U.S. Army Ohio Newport Forward Support Group, 19th Engineer Battalion Fort Knox, KY
7-01-2007 US Tinnel, Jeremy L. Lance Corporal 20 Non-hostile - accident Anbar Albu Hyatt - Euphrates River U.S. Marine Virginia Mechanicsville 1st BN, 2nd Marine Reg, II Marine Expeditionary Force Camp Lejeune, NC
7-01-2007 US Chambers, William C. Lance Corporal 20 Non-hostile - drowning Anbar Albu Hyatt - Euphrates River U.S. Marine Georgia Ringgold 1st BN, 2nd Marine Reg, II Marine Expeditionary Force Camp Lejeune, NC
7-01-2007 US Schill, Juan M. Garcia Lance Corporal 20 Hostile - hostile fire - small arms fire Anbar Ta'meem U.S. Marine Oregon Grants Pass 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Reg, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force Not reported yet
7-01-2007 US Ruoff Jr., Michael L. Staff Sergeant 31 Hostile - hostile fire - small arms fire Anbar Ta'meem U.S. Army California Yosemite 1st BN, 77th Armor Reg, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division Schweinfurt, Germany
7-01-2007 US Buchan, Raymond R. Sergeant 1st Class 33 Hostile - hostile fire - small arms fire Anbar Ta'meem U.S. Army Pennsylvania Johnston 1st BN, 18th Infantry Reg, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division Schweinfurt, Germany
7-01-2007 US Garcia, Victor A. Specialist 22 Hostile - hostile fire - small arms fire Baghdad Baghdad (southern part) U.S. Army California Rialto 1st BN, 38th Infantry Reg, 4th Brigade, (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) 2nd Infantry Division Fort Lewis, WA
7-01-2007 US Rossi, Jonathan M. Private 1st Class 20 Hostile - hostile fire - IED, small arms fire Baghdad Baghdad (western part) U.S. Army Florida Safety Harbor 2nd BN, 12th Cavalry Reg, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Fort Bliss, TX

iCasualties OIF Iraq Fatalities Details

"I don't buy your contention that Iraq is in more danger today than they were in July 2007."
Perhaps you should. Bush left office on Jan 20, 2009 and you post stats from 2007. For starters, Bush nor I didn't say Americans were in more danger in Iraq, you did. We did say it would become more dangerous in Iraq, the region and the US, and it has. Syria is in the region in case you missed it.

The violence in Iraq has killed more than 5,500 civilians over the first six months of the year, according to a report by the United Nations that documents the massive humanitarian toll of the Sunni militant offensive.
The Islamic State (Isis) and other Sunni insurgents seized control of the city of Falluja, as well as part of nearby Ramadi in Anbar province in early January. The militants then launched an offensive in June that has brought a huge swath of northern and western Iraq under their control.
In its report, the UN mission to Iraq says at least 5,576 civilians were killed and another 11,665 wounded from 1 January until the end of June. Another 1.2 million have been driven from their homes by the violence, it adds.
The pace of civilian deaths over the first six months marked a sharp increase over the previous year. In all of 2013, the UN reported just over 7,800 civilians killed, which was the highest annual death toll in years."

I suggest that they would disagree with you about the danger in NYC and New Jersey as well.

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) –New York Gov. Andrew Cuomoand New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie have ordered an unprecedented heavier police presence on commuter rail lines, subways, bus stations, airports and bridge and tunnel crossings.
On Wednesday, the governors signed a Memorandum of Understanding, coordinating their law enforcement and intelligence gathering agencies.
The move comes amid an increased threat of international terrorist activity.

 

[TooTall]

Do you consider General Ray Odierno to be one of those commanders?

"The Iraqis wanted to be in charge; they wanted the responsibilities; and they have demonstrated that they are capable," General Odierno - CNN, September 30, 2009


September 25, 2014 at 06:50 PM 9861942

Did Obama or did he not withdraw before our commanders were really ready? I say yes and can prove it. .

Can you prove that our commanders had a plan or some means available to themselves as well as Obama that would overcome Iraqi objections to keeping as many US troops in Iraq that our commanders wanted? If you cannot prove that, you cannot prove anything. Or you could prove that Iraq had no objection to what our commanders wanted.

June 1, 2007 —

U.S. officials tell ABC News that the troop levels in Iraq cannot be maintained at the present level, either politically or practically, with the military stretched so thin.
But that does not imply an immediate drawdown. Officials tell ABC's Martha Raddatz the senior commanders in Iraq -- Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno and Gen. David Petraeus -- want the surge to continue until at least December, and expect to report enough progress by September to justify the extension.
The drawdown would begin in February 2008, although each of the two generals supports a slightly different plan.
Plan one, which officials say is being pushed by Odierno, calls for a reduction in troops from roughly 150,000 today to 100,000 by December of 2008.
Petraeus champions a slightly different approach that would be to cut the troops down to roughly 130,000 by the end of 2008, with further reductions the following year.

Presence in Iraq Beyond 2009
There is also discussion of how long troops will remain in Iraq.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates envisions "some presence" on the part of the United States that "provides reassurance to our friends and to governments in the region, including those that might be our adversaries, that we're going to be there for a long time," Gates said.
A senior official said one long-term plan would have 30-50,000 U.S. forces in Iraq for 5-10 years beyond 2009.
During that period, the bulk of the troops would be deployed to bases at strategic points throughout Iraq to respond to crisis in those areas. Camp Victory would continue to operate as the U.S. military headquarters in Baghdad.
Iraq's president tells ABC's George Stephanopoulos on "This Week" this Sunday that Iraqi forces can take over, but no time soon.
When asked when the Iraqi army will be ready to defend its country, Jalal Talabani said, "I think the end of the next year."
But officials have serious doubts about that statement. And as far as the plans for troops, they could all change over the coming months.

 

[TooTall]

Please send me a link to the letter you saw. It seems to me that Maliki cooperated with Bush and extended the mandate, but did exactly the opposite with Obama/Biden.

Here you go:

SECURITY COUNCIL, ACTING ON IRAQ’S REQUEST, EXTENDS ‘FOR LAST TIME’

MANDATE OF MULTINATIONAL FORCE

Recognizing the request from Iraq, the Security Council today decided to extend the mandate of the multinational force in that country -- “for the last time”, according to its Permanent Representative -- until 31 December 2008.

Acting under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, the Council unanimously adopted resolution 1790 (2007), deciding further that the mandate would be reviewed at the request of the Government of Iraq or no later than 15 June 2008. The mandate would be terminated earlier if the Iraqi Government requested the Council to do so.

SECURITY COUNCIL ACTING ON IRAQ S REQUEST EXTENDS FOR LAST TIME MANDATE OF MULTINATIONAL FORCE



the need to extend, one last time, the mandate of the

Letter dated 7 December 2007 from the Prime Minister of Iraq addressed to the President of the Security Council

[Original: Arabic and English]

Iraq has now finished building its constitutional and legal institutions. It now has a permanent constitution, which was voted on by the Iraqi people, and a parliament, which represents the various components of Iraqi society. Iraq also has a Government of national unity that includes all political factions. Today, despite the efforts of terrorists and hostile forces to prevent us from developing our young and vital democracy, we are determined to build a democratic, federal and unified Iraq.

The Government of Iraq continues to act expeditiously to guarantee the security of Iraqi citizens and the stability of the country. It is continuing to act expeditiously to promote national reconciliation in order to ensure broad political participation by all national forces, to protect human rights and strengthen the rule of law, to achieve economic growth and to provide its citizens with basic services.

Achieving security and stability in the country is a matter of the utmost priority for the Iraqi Government. That is why it has devoted special attention to the task of building and strengthening the capacities of the Iraqi Army and the internal security forces, given that those are the two institutions that can guarantee security, maintain order and confront terrorist and other outlaw groups. Our national forces have successfully taken over the security functions of the multinational force in Iraq (MNF-I) in eight governorates. It is our intention that our national forces will continue to take over those security functions until all 18 governorates are under the full security control of our troops in 2008. Our ground force command has assumed control of all the divisions of the Iraqi Army. The effective coordination between the command and MNF-I has had a positive effect on the security situation.

The Government of Iraq stresses that MNF-I, working alongside our national forces, has made an important and significant contribution to efforts to establish security and the rule of law. The Government of Iraq requests that the Security Council should consider extending the mandate of MNF-I in light of Iraq’s achievements over the past few years, namely, the strengthened capacity of its Army and security forces and its significant successes in the security, political and economic spheres. A review of the role and authority of MNF-I will thus be required in order to strike a balance between, on the one hand, the need to extend, one last time, the mandate of the force and, on the other hand, progress made by Iraq in the area of security. In this regard, it is important for Iraq to be treated as an independent and fully sovereign State and, in seeking the aforementioned balance, the following objectives should be highlighted:

1. The Government of Iraq requests the extension of the mandate of MNF-I in accordance with Security Council resolutions 1546 (2004), 1637 (2005) and 1723 (2006) and the letters annexed thereto for a period of 12 months beginning on 31 December 2007, provided that the extension is subject to a commitment by the Security Council to end the mandate at an earlier date if the Government of Iraq so requests and that the mandate is subject to periodic review before June 2008;

2. The functions of recruiting, training, arming and equipping the Iraqi Army and Iraq’s security forces are the responsibility of the Government of Iraq;

3. The Government of Iraq will assume responsibility for command and control of all Iraqi forces, and MNF-I, in coordination with the Government of Iraq, will provide support and backing to those forces;

4. The Government of Iraq will be responsible for arrest, detention and imprisonment tasks. When those tasks are carried out by MNF-I, there will be maximum levels of coordination, cooperation and understanding with the Government of Iraq;

5. The Government of Iraq considers this to be its final request to the Security Council for the extension of the mandate of MNF-I and expects, in future, that the Security Council will be able to deal with the situation in Iraq without the need for action under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations;

6. The Government of Iraq requests that the resolution to be adopted by the Security Council should reaffirm respect for the independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Iraq and also reaffirm the commitment of Member States to the principle of non-intervention in its internal affairs.

The Government of Iraq wishes to inform the Security Council that it has signed a declaration of principles with the United States of America with a view to establishing a long-term cooperative and friendly relationship.

The Government of Iraq reaffirms the importance of the work of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1518 (2003) in order to restore the Iraqi funds and assets deposited outside Iraq by the previous regime. The Government of Iraq urges the members of the Security Council to support the Committee’s ongoing work in accordance with paragraph 19 of resolution 1483 (2003) concerning the identification of individuals and entities referred to in paragraph 23 of that resolution, including the updating of the list of individuals and entities identified by the Committee established pursuant to paragraph 6 of resolution 661 (1990). The Government of Iraq looks forward to the Committee’s report to the Security Council on its activities.

The Government of Iraq recognizes the importance of the provisions of paragraph 22 of resolution 1483 (2003) in ensuring that Iraq’s natural resources, the proceeds from sales thereof and other funds deposited in the Development Fund for Iraq are used for reconstruction activities and other efforts to benefit the people of Iraq. Iraq therefore requests that, taking account of the exception provided for in paragraph 27 of resolution 1546 (2004), the Security Council should continue to apply the provisions of paragraph 22 of resolution 1483 (2003) until 31 December 2008, including in respect of the funds, financial assets and economic resources described in paragraph 23 of resolution 1483 (2003).

The Government of Iraq is of the opinion that the provisions of Security Council resolution 1546 (2004) on the deposit of proceeds into the Development Fund for Iraq will help to ensure that proceeds from Iraq’s natural resources are used to serve the interests of the Iraqi people. The role played by the International Advisory and Monitoring Board serves the same purpose. The Government of Iraq understands that the Development Fund for Iraq plays an important role in helping Iraq to convince donors and creditors that it is managing its resources and debts in a responsible way in the interests of the Iraqi people. It should be pointed out that Iraq is striving to form a new partnership with the international community in order to build a dynamic network designed to transform its economy and integrate it with other world economies through the International Compact with Iraq. We are therefore requesting that the mandate of the Development Fund for Iraq and the International Advisory and Monitoring Board be extended for a further 12 months. We are also requesting that the mandate should be reviewed, based on the request of the Iraqi Government, before 15 June 2008.

The Government of Iraq is asking the Security Council to review its resolutions relating to the deposit of 5 per cent of Iraq’s proceeds from oil into the Compensation Fund established in accordance with Security Council resolution 687 (1991) and subsequent relevant resolutions, with a view to reducing that percentage as much as possible, since the deposit of such a high percentage creates a financial burden for Iraq at a time when it is in dire need of those funds to rebuild its infrastructure, which was destroyed during the wars waged by the previous regime. Furthermore, the increase in the price of oil means that the real amount represented by that 5 per cent is at least five times greater than it was.

The people of Iraq are determined to establish a stable and peaceful democracy. They are determined to develop a dynamic economy built on solid foundations and a creative vision. The people of Iraq need the support of the international community to make that vision a reality.

It is our understanding that the Security Council intends to include this letter as an annex to the resolution concerning Iraq that is currently being drafted. In the meantime, I should be grateful if you would have this letter circulated to the members of the esteemed Security Council as soon as possible.

(Signed) Nuri Kamel al-Maliki
Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq

Thanks for the letter. It proves my point. "It seems to me that Maliki cooperated with Bush and extended the mandate, but did exactly the opposite with Obama/Biden."

 

[BlindBoo]

9860496.

He sent Biden to Iraq to negotiate and he failed. The Pentagon asked for a force of 24,000 and Obama ended up wanting 3,000.

It was never the Pentagon's call. Bush is the one that let it be Iraq's call. If you want to find failure it lies with Bush in 2007 for not stopping Maliki from writing the letter to the UN demanding the MNF leave Iraq on Iraq's terms.

Please send me a link to the letter you saw. It seems to me that Maliki cooperated with Bush and extended the mandate, but did exactly the opposite with Obama/Biden.

December 19, 2007

On Tuesday, the Bush administration and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki pushed a resolution through the U.N. Security Council extending the mandate that provides legal cover for foreign troops to operate in Iraq for another year.

Earlier in the week, a group representing a majority of lawmakers in Iraq's parliament - a group made up of Sunni, Shiite and secular leaders - sent a letter to the Security Council, a rough translation of which reads: "We reject in the strongest possible terms the unconditional renewal of the mandate and ask for clear mechanisms to obligate all foreign troops to completely withdrawal from Iraq according to an announced timetable."

We don't know if it was even read by members of the Security Council, but we do know that it, like previous communications from the Iraqi legislature, was completely ignored.

And in 2008 the UN didn't renew it for 2009 at the request of the Iraqis. That is why President Bush had to have a SOFA before the end of 2008.

 

[TooTall]

9860496.

He sent Biden to Iraq to negotiate and he failed. The Pentagon asked for a force of 24,000 and Obama ended up wanting 3,000.

It was never the Pentagon's call. Bush is the one that let it be Iraq's call. If you want to find failure it lies with Bush in 2007 for not stopping Maliki from writing the letter to the UN demanding the MNF leave Iraq on Iraq's terms.

Please send me a link to the letter you saw. It seems to me that Maliki cooperated with Bush and extended the mandate, but did exactly the opposite with Obama/Biden.

December 19, 2007

On Tuesday, the Bush administration and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki pushed a resolution through the U.N. Security Council extending the mandate that provides legal cover for foreign troops to operate in Iraq for another year.

Earlier in the week, a group representing a majority of lawmakers in Iraq's parliament - a group made up of Sunni, Shiite and secular leaders - sent a letter to the Security Council, a rough translation of which reads: "We reject in the strongest possible terms the unconditional renewal of the mandate and ask for clear mechanisms to obligate all foreign troops to completely withdrawal from Iraq according to an announced timetable."

We don't know if it was even read by members of the Security Council, but we do know that it, like previous communications from the Iraqi legislature, was completely ignored.

And in 2008 the UN didn't renew it for 2009 at the request of the Iraqis. That is why President Bush had to have a SOFA before the end of 2008.

The last U.S. troops left Iraq on 18 December 2011. That gave Obama 3 years to get an agreement to extend the SOFA with Maliki. Apparently that wasn't on his list if priorities.

 

[TooTall]

Just to be clear, as I have pointed out before,

Bush's 2007 warning about prematurely leaving Iraq was actually Bush's way of endorsing his own timeline that ultimately was followed.

He was NOT talking about leaving in 2011 being premature. He was talking about leaving well before that as being premature. Note that it is 2007 when said that.
do
For some reason most people either don't understand that, or are pretending they don't.

This is what Bush said:

"Bush warned that withdrawing against the advice of our military commanders would result in “mass killings on a horrific scale.”

Do you know what the military commanders were advising Obama in December, 2011 when the last troops were withdrawn? And, do you deny that there have not been mass killings since they left?

 

[TooTall]

9860496.

He sent Biden to Iraq to negotiate and he failed. The Pentagon asked for a force of 24,000 and Obama ended up wanting 3,000.

It was never the Pentagon's call. Bush is the one that let it be Iraq's call. If you want to find failure it lies with Bush in 2007 for not stopping Maliki from writing the letter to the UN demanding the MNF leave Iraq on Iraq's terms.

Please send me a link to the letter you saw. It seems to me that Maliki cooperated with Bush and extended the mandate, but did exactly the opposite with Obama/Biden.

December 19, 2007

On Tuesday, the Bush administration and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki pushed a resolution through the U.N. Security Council extending the mandate that provides legal cover for foreign troops to operate in Iraq for another year.

Earlier in the week, a group representing a majority of lawmakers in Iraq's parliament - a group made up of Sunni, Shiite and secular leaders - sent a letter to the Security Council, a rough translation of which reads: "We reject in the strongest possible terms the unconditional renewal of the mandate and ask for clear mechanisms to obligate all foreign troops to completely withdrawal from Iraq according to an announced timetable."

We don't know if it was even read by members of the Security Council, but we do know that it, like previous communications from the Iraqi legislature, was completely ignored.

And in 2008 the UN didn't renew it for 2009 at the request of the Iraqis. That is why President Bush had to have a SOFA before the end of 2008.

Yes Bush did, but Obama was unable or unwilling to follow the advice of his military commanders, and the result is ISIS and mass killings just as Bush predicted.

 

[whutTHEYsay]

9864419.

Thanks for the letter. It proves my point. "It seems to me that Maliki cooperated with Bush and extended the mandate, but did exactly the opposite with Obama/Biden."

This post proves you are not capable of understanding fact from fiction.

Recognizing the request from Iraq, the Security Council today decided to extend the mandate of the multinational force in that country -- “for the last time”, according to its Permanent Representative -- until 31 December 2008.

Maliki does not extend the mandate. The mandate is automatically extended for a year every year UNLESS Iraq requests that the mandate be automatically extended FOR THE LAST time.

Maliki forced that mandate to be the last one enforced and it was ended at the end of Bush's term in office.

Not a convenient reality for you I know.

 

[TooTall]

9864419.

Thanks for the letter. It proves my point. "It seems to me that Maliki cooperated with Bush and extended the mandate, but did exactly the opposite with Obama/Biden."

This post proves you are not capable of understanding fact from fiction.

Recognizing the request from Iraq, the Security Council today decided to extend the mandate of the multinational force in that country -- “for the last time”, according to its Permanent Representative -- until 31 December 2008.

Maliki does not extend the mandate. The mandate is automatically extended for a year every year UNLESS Iraq requests that the mandate be automatically extended FOR THE LAST time.

Maliki forced that mandate to be the last one enforced and it was ended at the end of Bush's term in office.

Not a convenient reality for you I know.

I understand that all of the troops did not leave Iraq until Dec 2011. Can you explain that?

 

[whutTHEYsay]

9866708.

I


The last U.S. troops left Iraq on 18 December 2011. That gave Obama 3 years to get an agreement to extend the SOFA with Maliki. Apparently that wasn't on his list if priorities.

I am saying that Bush is the one that let it be Iraq's call.

So if keeping a multi-national foreign force was so damned important why didn't Bush convince Maliki to NOT request that the MNF mandate be extended for one year for The LAST TIME in 2008?

You don't seem to want to try answer that question.

You want to find failure in what Obama did but Bush set two precedents before moving on. The first was when Bush in 2007 did not stop Maliki from writing the letter to the UN demanding the MNF leave Iraq on Iraq's terms within one year. The second came as a result of the first that Bush was forced to accept a SOFA with a hard deadline for a complete US withdrawal by the end of 2011. You cannot explain why Bush was ok to negotiate away from his position of wanting a US troop presence in Iraq for the indefinite future When Bush conceded a fixed date in writing it signaled to the Iraqis that they were in control of their own sovereignty and destiny.

You must not know much about nationalism in Iraq when you foolishly make your partisan judgment that Obama should have held a stronger position than what Bush was able to achieve three years earlier.

Once Bush gave up a set deadline there was scarce chance that the Iraqis would revert from their stronger position to a position of weaker sovereignty.

Bush did tie his successors hand to a fixed deadline for US troop withdrawal. And Bush had five years to get it right.

I don't find fault at all with what Bush agreed to in 2008. It was fine. But it is absurd to find fault with Obama for what Bush set in motion in from 2003 to 2009.

It is laughable that you people take this 'talking point' as some kind of valid verdict on Obama's handling Iraq.

 

[whutTHEYsay]

. I understand that all of the troops did not leave Iraq until Dec 2011. Can you explain that?

So In glad you now understand this:

9866972. "Maliki does not extend the mandate. The mandate is automatically extended for a year every year UNLESS Iraq requests that the mandate be automatically extended FOR THE LAST time. Maliki forced that mandate to be the last one enforced and it was ended at the end of Bush's term in office."

Must I really explain to you how it came to pass that all of the troops did not leave Iraq until Dec 2011?


Come on TooTall, snap out of it. I know coming face to face with reality can hit you conservatives really hard and you might be staggering a bit but Lord Jesus we have been talking about the 2008 Bush/Maliki SOFA for months now. That is what took the place of the MNF mandate that Maliki ended in January 2009.

 

[whutTHEYsay]

002a 9836185

I think he was duped about WMD, but other than that, he deposed a dictator and punished him for his crimes against humanity.

002b 9836923

Bush was duped about WMD by whom? <> That is a very weak argument saying a US president could be duped so easily - and by whom I really want you to tell us the rest of your story.

002c 9859612

Would you like a list of Democrat Senators that were 'duped' and voted to invade Iraq based on the available intelligence and the UN Resolution that found Saddam Hussein in material breach of the 1991 cease fire?

Why would I need a list like that.TooTall? I agreed with Bush in October 2002 when voted to authorize the use of force if Saddam did not allow the inspectors to return.

001a 9798997.

Saddam Hussein violated UN sanctions repeatedly over the span of YEARS.

.

001b 9799183

I agree with that 1000% and that is precisely why I agreed 10000% after 09-11-01 with Bush 43's determination to confront the Baathist Regime in Iraq for being in violation of all those Resolutions you mention.

I agreed with the AUMF vote in October 2002 precisely because it was not what you think it was about. So your 'Dems voted for war' argument has no relevance against my point.

 

[TemplarKormac]

9836185

I think he was duped about WMD, but other than that, he deposed a dictator and punished him for his crimes against humanity.

That is a very weak argument saying a US president could be duped so easily - and by whom I really want you to tell us the rest of your story.

Given how liberals like you were so easily duped by President Obama, TWICE, you have zero room to talk, pal.

 

[whutTHEYsay]

9866783

This is what Bush said: "Bush warned that withdrawing against the advice of our military commanders would result in “mass killings on a horrific scale.” <> Do you know what the military commanders were advising Obama in December, 2011 when the last troops were withdrawn? And, do you deny that there have not been mass killings since they left?

I responded to this. There were 20,000 Iraqis killed in 2007 when Bush warned of mass killings to come. There were 160,000 US Troops in Iraq when all this killing was going on. As far as the military commanders, I replied to that also. If they advised Obama that he needed to send 50,000 ground troops to the moon, it would not be Obama's fault for denying that request because it was impossible to do. Same goes for Iraq. It was impossible to do.

 

[whutTHEYsay]

001a 9836185

I think he was duped about WMD, but other than that, he deposed a dictator and punished him for his crimes against humanity.

001b 9836923

That is a very weak argument saying a US president could be duped so easily - and by whom I really want you to tell us the rest of your story.

001c 9868423

Given how liberals like you were so easily duped by President Obama, TWICE, you have zero room to talk, pal.

How did Obama ‘dupe’ anyone? And why won’t you say who duped Bush? Can’t you follow up on your statement?

 

[whutTHEYsay]

001a 9836055

It was the deadliest country before Bush ever took office. .

001b 9836094

There were no mass deaths or genocide in Iraq from about the mid-nineties to the point that Bush decided to kick inspectors out and start a war by bombing and invading Iraq. .

001c 9861685

Tell that to the Kurds!

Tell what to the Kurds? I wrote, "There were no mass deaths or genocide in Iraq from about the mid-nineties to the point that Bush decided to kick inspectors out...".. You people are having some serious reading comprehension problems of late.

 

[whutTHEYsay]

002a 9836055

It was the deadliest country before Bush ever took office. .

002b 9836094

There were no mass deaths or genocide in Iraq from about the mid-nineties to the point that Bush decided to kick inspectors out and start a war by bombing and invading Iraq. In fact the first three months of 2003 were the most peaceful ever with the presence of 200 UN Inspectors doing the work of disarming Iraq peacefully. Nobody was killing anybody in Iraq when Bush decided to end that 'peace' and start a war that ended up getting 4584 US soldiers killed and ten times that seriously wounded. And Bush took office in 2000. Provide some stats that shows that Iraq was deadlier that year than 2009... or every year from 2003 to the present. You can't. You a fact-less.

Bush wasn't wrong, he predicted the foolishness the incoming administration would undertake.

No he didn't. Here's what Bush said:

9747402

President Bush warned that if we pulled out of Iraq too soon, it would be dangerous for Iraq, the region and the United States; it would mean surrendering the future of Iraq to al Qaeda.

We all know that Obama pulled troops out of Iraq no faster than Bush's own timeline for withdrawal.
We all know that Iraq is not even close to "surrendering the future of Iraq to al Qaeda". So can you explain in common language just how exactly Bush was correct to make that prediction way back in 2007?

002c 9836174

In fact, the 2011 withdrawal was still too soon, and the events mentioned in the speech did in fact take place, just as he predicted.

NF: Sorry Templar. You are completely wrong. The events in Bush's 2007 predictions have not taken place. Iraq has not surrendered its future to IS Terrorists or Al Qaeda or any combination of Sunni terrorists you can dream up.



002c 9836174

Iraq did in fact fall back into sectarian violence, as ISIS rampaged through that area, crushing all resistance.

NF: In 2007 when Bush spoke, 20,000 Iraqis were killed in sectarian violence. Yet you make the false observation that Iraq did 'in fact 'fall back' into sectarian violence. It never stopped. What 2007 Iraq are you talking about?



002c 9836174

It's funny too, because Iraq is indeed in the hands of al-Qaeda, not to mention a large swath of it is in the hands of ISIS. So, can you in common language prove how Bush was wrong?

NF: What percentage of Iraq do you think is in the hands of al-Qaeda? What percentage is a 'large swath' that is in the hands of IS terrorists? Bush said pulling troops out too fast in 2007 would mean surrendering the future of Iraq to al Qaeda. So do you think Iraq has surrendered its future to terrorists. Why would you exaggerate the situation in favor of the IS terrorists when in fact it is not true?

 

[TooTall]

9866783

This is what Bush said: "Bush warned that withdrawing against the advice of our military commanders would result in “mass killings on a horrific scale.” <> Do you know what the military commanders were advising Obama in December, 2011 when the last troops were withdrawn? And, do you deny that there have not been mass killings since they left?

I responded to this. There were 20,000 Iraqis killed in 2007 when Bush warned of mass killings to come. There were 160,000 US Troops in Iraq when all this killing was going on. As far as the military commanders, I replied to that also. If they advised Obama that he needed to send 50,000 ground troops to the moon, it would not be Obama's fault for denying that request because it was impossible to do. Same goes for Iraq. It was impossible to do.

There were about 900 of my brothers in arms killed in Iraq in 2007 and I grieve for every one of them. It is good to know that they managed to eliminate 20,000 of those that were trying to kill them. Only a fool would consider those killed in a war 'mass killings.'
The Generals advised Obama to keep the number of troops in Iraq that they considered adequate to continue training the Iraqi Army and provide guidance and leadership when required to maintain order. It was only impossible because Obama was not smart enough or interested enough to play hardball with Maliki.
As an aside, there were 2249 American murdered in California in 2007 by other Americans. Was that also Bush's fault?

 

[whutTHEYsay]

More indicators that Bush was wrong in 2007. It appears the Obama haters won't see Bush's prediction that Iraq will surrender their future to al Qaeda ever come true. More bad news for Obama haters hoping that Bush would be proven right with the surrender of Iraq to al Qaeda. Here it is:

(Reuters) - Iraqi Kurdish troops drove Islamic State fighters from a strategic border crossing with Syria on Tuesday and won the support of members of a major Sunni tribe, in one of the biggest successes since U.S. forces began bombing the Islamists.

The victory, which could make it harder for militants to operate on both sides of the frontier, was also achieved with help from Kurds from the Syrian side of the frontier, a new sign of cooperation across the border.

Iraqi Kurdish Peshmerga fighters took control of the Rabia border crossing in a battle that began before dawn, an Iraqi Kurdish political source said.

"It's the most important strategic point for crossing," the source said.

The participation of Sunni tribal fighters in the battle against Islamic State could prove as important a development as the advance itself.

Members of the influential Shammar tribe, one of the largest in northwestern Iraq, joined the Kurds in the fighting, a tribal figure said.

"Rabia is completely liberated. All of the Shammar are with the Peshmerga and there is full cooperation between us," Abdullah Yawar, a leading member of the tribe, told Reuters.

Kurds seize Iraq Syria border post Sunni tribe joins fight against Islamic State Reuters

"Rabia is completely liberated. All of the Shammar are with the Peshmerga and there is full cooperation between us," Abdullah Yawar, a leading member of the tribe, told Reuters.


And wow, even Cameron is allowed to drop some bombs on IS terrorists. Good Job Parliament.

Britain said its Tornado warplanes had launched their first attacks against Islamic State in Iraq since parliament approved combat operations last Friday, targeting a heavy weapons position that was endangering Kurdish forces and subsequently attacking an IS armed pick-up truck in the same area.
In Iraq, a coalition of Iraqi army, Shi'ite militia fighters and Kurdish troops known as Peshmerga have been slowly recapturing Sunni villages that had been under Islamic State control south of the Kurdish-held oil city of Kirkuk.

from the same link...