Only another 3 yrs for victory. What happens then?

[highfly 0]

Bush outlines Iraq 'victory plan'

Mr Bush has never laid out his plans in this way before
President George W Bush has said he will not accept "anything less than complete victory" in Iraq.
In a major policy speech, Mr Bush refused to set an "artificial deadline" to withdraw US troops, saying it was "not a plan for victory".

It comes after the release of the first Iraq strategy document, which rejects widespread calls for a timetable.

Mr Bush has come under growing pressure from Democrats on Iraq. Polls give him the lowest approval of his presidency.

They also suggest that six out of 10 Americans think the war in Iraq is not worth the cost.

As such, this was a speech from a president in deep trouble, says the BBC's Justin Webb in Washington.

Harry Reid, the Democratic leader in the Senate, said Mr Bush's speech was "recycled... tired rhetoric", and that the president had "once again missed an opportunity to lay out a real strategy for success in Iraq that will bring our troops safely home".

'Some setbacks'

Speaking at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, Mr Bush said there would be violence in Iraq "for many years" and that US troops would only be able to withdraw as local forces gained competence.

"These decisions about troop levels will be driven by the conditions on the ground in Iraq and the good judgement of our commanders, not by artificial timetables set by politicians in Washington," he said.

America will not run in the face of car bombers and assassins so long as I am your commander-in-chief

President George W Bush




Mr Bush said victory would come "when the terrorists and Saddamists can no longer threaten Iraq's democracy, when the Iraqi security forces can provide for the safety of their own citizens, and when Iraq is not a safe-haven for terrorists to plot new attacks on our nation".

This was a partial redefinition of what victory might be, and potentially highly significant, our correspondent says.

Mr Bush also openly acknowledged that there had been "some setbacks in standing up a capable Iraqi security force, and their performance is still uneven in some areas".

But Iraqi forces were regaining control of the country and training programmes had been improved, he said.

Withdrawing US troops before they had accomplished their mission would send the wrong message to the insurgents, Mr Bush added.

"America will not run in the face of car bombers and assassins so long as I am your commander-in-chief," he said.


The new National Strategy for Victory, released hours before Mr Bush's address, defines who the US sees as the enemy in Iraq, listing three groups in declining order of size:

Shift

"Rejectionists" - primarily Sunni Arabs who fared well under Saddam but have lost influence and authority. The US says their resistance will fade if a new democratic government protects minority rights

"Saddamists" who were active members of the former regime. The US expects their power to wane to the point where Iraqi security forces can defeat them

"Terrorists" associated with al-Qaeda who want to establish a totalitarian Islamic empire, and who must be killed or captured through counter-terror operations.
Our mission in Iraq is to win the war - our troops will return home when that mission is complete


"No war has ever been won on a timetable - and neither will this one," the document adds.

There are currently more than 150,000 US troops in the country. The White House has said it expects conditions will permit a reduction in US troop numbers next year, after Iraqi parliamentary elections in mid-December.

The US is spending about $6bn a month to keep its forces in Iraq. About 2,100 Americans have been killed since the March 2003 invasion.





So what do you reckon will happen if there aint a victory after his term?

Will the next President pull all troops out?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4484330.stm

www.myspace.com/durtymac

[sfc 1]

Quote

So what do you reckon will happen if there aint a victory after his term?

Will the next President pull all troops out?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4484330.stm

I expect that if the polls show public opinion is in favor of a pull out that both candidates will support a pull out.
Bush has nothing to loose, you kind have to respect the guy for sticking to his guns despite all the pressure.

[highfly 0]

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Bush has nothing to loose, you kind have to respect the guy for sticking to his guns despite all the pressure.

This is true, but ignorant stupid people often have no common sense to do whats right

www.myspace.com/durtymac

[rehmwa 2]

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I expect that if the polls show public opinion is in favor of a pull out that both candidates will support a pull out.

If polls point that way, I suspect both candidates would take positions for very simple definition of pull out. Once elected, I think the real information would drive their eventual actions. Likely a pullout based on achievement of specific goals - hopefully goals that meet some kind of estimated timetable.

M1 - March 16, 2007 - Sunni's agree to government definition

M2 - April 2, 2007 - Iraqi army self sufficient and able to deal without help with those that won't meet milestone 1 or 3

M3 - May 30, 2007 - Terrorists leave Iraq and return to their own country and buy tickets to the US, France, Spain, Canada, and Mexico - pack bags

Close - June 2 - August 4, 2007 - Full pullout of US troops

Simple - all the US Congress has to do is issue a time table and get the Sunni's, the Iraqi army, and the remaining terrorist to agree to the timetable.

Easy

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[Skyrad 0]

Then we invade Birmingham and teach Brummies to talk English

When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca

[rehmwa 2]

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Then we invade Birmingham and teach Brummies to talk English

Cool, can we go through Holland and Belgium on the way?

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[Skyrad 0]

Yea, I'm all for mayo on my chips!

When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca

[rushmc 23]

.....but ignorant stupid people often have no common sense to do whats right

[miked10270 0]

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Then we invade Birmingham and teach Brummies to talk English

Best of luck wiff that mate!

My money's on the Brummies having the wheels off yer tanks before you've cleared the M5 slip road! Then, while you're reeling from the 1st.Btn, Brummie Ghetto Blasters frontal assault wiff Slade's Greatest Hits (BOTH of them), The Banghra Brigade'll overrun you from the East!

You'll be lucky to make it back down the M40 alive & un-dreadlocked!

Mike.

Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable.

Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

[kallend 2,106]

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.....but ignorant stupid people often have no common sense to do whats right

Yea, we will Kerry, Clinton, Schumer and the rest straightened out sometime.....I hope

[highfly 0]

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Then we invade Birmingham and teach Brummies to talk English

Was that a personal attack at Brummies?

Whats wrong with them eh?


Youre just jealous because we have a better shopping centre than you
ANyway what makes your accent so great?
I couldnt understand a word you were saying when I last seen you.

Oh yeah you were speaking Afrikaans

www.myspace.com/durtymac

[miked10270 0]

Quote

Was that a personal attack at Brummies?

Whats wrong with them eh?

There speaks someone who's never been closer to Brum (the City, not the engaging BBC-Kids toy car) than New Zealand.

Frankly I am jealous of you. I wish Birmingham was 12,000 miles away from me!

Brummies are dangerous to world advancement! For example, would Einstein have been taken seriously if he had proposed the "Ffeoroye oif relavitoye"? Would Einstein have been taken seritiously if he'd been called "Oinstoin" in the "foist" place!? Would The british Empire have surived on Bovril instead of TEA? It's certain that India, "The Jewel in The Crown" was singularly bereft of Bovril Plants!!! WHere would "Groit Britt'n" be with Noddy Holder as it's icon!?

I further ask that the great & intelligent folk on this forum consider that the defence of Brummies is made by a man in a scary face paint/tattoo when pronouncing their judgement!

Mike.

PS: Yeah... It's a personal attack on Brummies! So what? It's right & fair! Boirmingham is considered the DEAD centre of Britain for a reason!

Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable.

Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

[highfly 0]

Hey waht you mean never been closer to Brum than NZ.

I spent my first 8 yrs in Kingstanding in Birmingham.
Then I spent a furhter 4 yrs there when I was 26.
People from Brum are ok. Its the people from Doodly you have to worry about.

Anyway I love my new ome in NZ. I didnt just move from Brum, I moved from the UK.
The UK had nothing to hold me there at all. Its a complete shit hole. I understand that some people love the country, but it wasnt doing me any good at all. I just had to get out.

My life in NZ is almost complete now.
My wife and just have to buy a house and thats it for us.

www.myspace.com/durtymac

[nacmacfeegle 0]

Hmm, choices, choices, live in the Uk, or live in NZ.

Hmm, let me think about it.....

Pass the Steinlager, a Speights, or a DB Draught while I ponder....

--------------------

He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

[highfly 0]

Hello Nac.
Nice to see you around again.

www.myspace.com/durtymac

[nacmacfeegle 0]

Kia-Ora..
Aye, been a busy year Matt.

I hear life is good with you in the land of the great white cloud.
Right now, I know where I'd raher be.

--------------------

He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

[miked10270 0]

Ever hear Billy Connolly talking about the Scots sailing to New Zealand looking for a place to live?

Mike.

Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable.

Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.