News-Record.com

So true, Stanley...but it is not new...same old same old.

"It is the responsibility of the administration to take others' views and the views of the voters into account before developing a plan."

Gotta disagree with you, there.

Then again, I can't imagine cozying up to read the Iraq Study Group Report.

Will agree with some of your comments on Cheney though. If it wasn't for his good looks, he'd have been gone a long time ago. :)

Five Vietnam Deferments for Cheney as he said "I had other priorities at the time".

The Bush supporters must realize by now that
DICK CHENEY IS A WAR CRIMINAL!

"he must be unaware of the many recommendations that have been put forward"

I suspect that he is aware of other recommendations. I also suspect that his motive for not acknowledging them is that he knows that some people will take what he says at face value, and won't be checking information sources that differ from the Repub. party line. It's the "get your message out and ignore everything else" point of view, both on the part of the Administration and their followers.

Hey, cool! The N&R figured out how to get spell-checking in the comment box.

So the party that won the White House isn't letting the LOSERS tell them what to do????
How dare they???

But we must add a little mirth and levity to any discussion of "Doctor Doom":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0d3A-hEjRZM

and of course my personal favorite, "If DICK Cheney was Scarface"

http://www3.youtube.com/watch?v=th4su1NDu0g

Nitpicker,
Your posts have gotten further and further to the right of mainstream America. Is there something you need to tell us?

What is Edwards plan? Does it involve photo-ops with agricultural implements? Is it written down? Is he a current Senator?

Not sure what you mean, DD. How have they gotten further and further to the right?

A plan for success needs to focus on three interlocking objectives: reducing the American presence, building Iraq's capacity and getting other countries to meet their responsibilities to help.

First, we need to remove the image of an imperialist America from the landscape of Iraq. American contractors who have taken unfair advantage of the turmoil in Iraq need to leave Iraq. If that means Halliburton subsidiary KBR, then KBR should go. Such departures, and the return of the work to Iraqi businesses, would be a real statement about our hopes for the new nation.

We also need to show Iraq and the world that we will not stay there forever. We've reached the point where the large number of our troops in Iraq hurts, not helps, our goals. Therefore, we should begin redeployment of a significant number of troops out of Iraq. This should be the beginning of a gradual process to reduce our presence and change the shape of our military's deployment in Iraq. Most of these troops should come from National Guard or Reserve forces.

That will still leave us with enough military capability, combined with better-trained Iraqis, to fight terrorists and continue to help the Iraqis develop a stable country.

Second, this redeployment should work in concert with a more effective training program for Iraqi forces. We should implement a clear plan for training and hard deadlines for certain benchmarks to be met. To increase incentives, we should implement a schedule showing that, as we certify Iraqi troops as trained and equipped, a proportional number of U.S. troops will be withdrawn.

Third, we must launch a serious diplomatic process that brings the world into this effort. We should bring Iraq's neighbors and our key European allies into a diplomatic process to get Iraq on its feet. The president needs to create a unified international front.

For the record, last night I saw footage of Edwards shoveling dirt in New Orleans. He was using a pointed shovel.

Pragmatist,

I've seen many talk about setting benchmarks like you described above. What happens if they fail to meet those benchmarks?

I don't know, Nit. I didn't write those words. John Edwards did a year ago.

Good letter Stanley, but I disagree with you on one minor point - it ultimately IS the responsibility of others to develop a strategy - Cheney and Bush are simply buying time - their successors will inherit this mess. It is the American taxpayers, our children, and our grandchildren who will inherit the bills, long after Bush and Cheney have ridden off into the sunset. History will not be kind to this presidency, which is unfortunate for all Americans. I hope and pray that we do better next time.

To quote Hugh from a couple years ago:

"It's Iran, Stupid"

Here's something I can agree with the "decider" on:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16903282/

His problem is he waited until Jim Webb touched on it after his lame SOTU speech. Thank you Jim Webb for moving "The Decider" off his pedastal.

Good link, DD. Sounds a lot like John Edwards' two Americas.

Prag, I was so impressed with your plan..so this came from "pretty boy, rich, evil trial lawyer Democrat with no Plan:? Sounds like a plan to me. As I have said, Edwards is looking better and better to me. Go, go Johnnie go, go, go Johnnie go...

Prag:

To be fair - I must request you give credit where credit is due. OK to quote someone, as long as everyone, knows - just good form.

Thanks in advance.

You're right, JDR. Guilty as charged.

The earth moved! Our own Dan has left the 21% and has joined the family of man! Congratulations, and I am completely serious here:

"I read the link DD and I agree Iraq is a mess. These people are so steeped in the difference between Sunni & Shiite that they are willing to kill each other ad infinitum. I'd hoped for democracy when I saw them voting and holding their purple fingers in the air, but it looks pretty dim.

I've suggested we pull out our troops to the borders of the country to keep out foreign terrorists and let the Iraqis duke it out amongst themselves."

Posted by: Dan at January 31, 2007 02:49 PM
************
Dan has basically endorsed the Murtha position and I urge all the ones whom neocon has labeled "liberal" to embrace our newest member!
Dan, you have proven the adage about a mind and a parachute--they only work when open. Welcome aboard! And have a great vacation in the Keys!

"For the record, last night I saw footage of Edwards shoveling dirt in New Orleans. He was using a pointed shovel."

Mmmmmmm.... He sounds more and more Presidential all the time!

Dick Cheney - The Unauthorized Biography
http://www.cbc.ca/fifth/video.html

As far as Biden goes, I believe he supports splitting Iraq into three different countries based on ethnic divisions. At face value, that's been an idea I would support for quite a while.

HOWIE,
That link is unbelievable! Thank You!

Hope our righties watch it. Guess I'm Being delusional now!

I'd watch it, but I can't find Howie's link.

Dang nit! I'm getting as bad as you are in this off the wall stuff! My bad. Thank you, STEVIE D, for the link.

Nitpicker,
See the link above from STEVIE D.
I had Howie G. on the brain.
Sorry for the pain and suffering I may have caused you.