US completes withdrawal of combat troops from Iraq

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100819/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_iraq_americans_head_home

There will be some flare-ups now and again, I'm sure. But it will be interesting to see whether the country remains more or less stable. It will be nice that we may actually get some fair reporting on this issue because:

- The left is interested in seeing peace to vindicate Obama's decision to withdraw
- The right is interested in seeing peace to vindicate Bush's decision to invade

So, maybe, on this one issue, we won't see as many headless Chicken Littles screaming about how every incident of violence in Iraq means the end of civilization.

Originally posted by sh76
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100819/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_iraq_americans_head_home

There will be some flare-ups now and again, I'm sure. But it will be interesting to see whether the country remains more or less stable. It will be nice that we may actually get some fair reporting on this issue because:

- The left is interested in seeing peace to vindicate Oba ...[text shortened]... ittles screaming about how every incident of violence in Iraq means the end of civilization.

I don't mean to piss down your back and tell you it's raining, but the truth is that there are still plenty of troops in Iraq.

Originally posted by adam warlock
I don't mean to piss down your back and tell you it's raining, but the truth is that there are still plenty of troops in Iraq.

Yes, but they're there merely in advisory roles to train Iraqi troops and police. The combat troops have withdrawn.

Originally posted by sh76
Yes, but they're there merely in advisory roles to train Iraqi troops and police.

Do you actually believe that?

Originally posted by adam warlock
Do you actually believe that?

That's what is being reported and I have no specific reason to doubt it.

Originally posted by sh76
That's what is being reported and I have no specific reason to doubt it.

Ok then. But if you dig just a little bit deeper you'll find a lot of reasons to doubt it.

Originally posted by sh76
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100819/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_iraq_americans_head_home

There will be some flare-ups now and again, I'm sure. But it will be interesting to see whether the country remains more or less stable. It will be nice that we may actually get some fair reporting on this issue because:

- The left is interested in seeing peace to vindicate Oba ...[text shortened]... ittles screaming about how every incident of violence in Iraq means the end of civilization.

Do you think that some/many on the left and right may just want peace and thatis their motivation?

Originally posted by PsychoPawn
Do you think that some/many on the left and right may just want peace and thatis their motivation?

People perhaps want peace; but in the media and with many politicians, if violence means political points, well, that's what they're gonna look for.

Originally posted by sh76
People perhaps want peace; but in the media and with many politicians, if violence means political points, well, that's what they're gonna look for.

Well, politicians usually don't have real beliefs. They just have what they think will get them campaign contributions and votes.

Wow. Sometimes I am surprised by how jaded I am sometimes.

Originally posted by PsychoPawn
Well, politicians usually don't have real beliefs. They just have what they think will get them campaign contributions and votes.

Wow. Sometimes I am surprised by how jaded I am sometimes.

A couple of weeks ago, I was speaking to a friend, Fred, we'll call him, who's a local town councilman. He's supporting a local development project because his political ally in high places is supporting it.

So, he's arguing with some guy about the project, repeating all of his clichés in support of the project, etc. All of a sudden, the other guy gets into it and ticks off a litany of reasons why the project is a bad idea. He's talking for 2 minutes and when he's done, Fred smiles, looks at him and says "Fred for Town Council" and walks away.

We're really proud of him; he's a true politician.

Originally posted by sh76

We're really proud of him; he's a true politician.

Is that truly something to be proud of?

Originally posted by PsychoPawn
Is that truly something to be proud of?

No. And you're not jaded, just reporting the unfortunate facts about practically all our politicians.

Originally posted by PsychoPawn
Is that truly something to be proud of?

I was being 60% sarcastic. "Proud" in the sense of "awww... how cute; just like a real politician."

Originally posted by sh76
A couple of weeks ago, I was speaking to a friend, Fred, we'll call him, who's a local town councilman. He's supporting a local development project because his political ally in high places is supporting it.

So, he's arguing with some guy about the project, repeating all of his clichés in support of the project, etc. All of a sudden, the other guy gets into ...[text shortened]... or Town Council" and walks away.

We're really proud of him; he's a true politician.

not much of a ring to it, but i bet it gets a lot more votes than "sh76 for Town Council".

Originally posted by Sleepyguy
No. And you're not jaded, just reporting the unfortunate facts about practically all our politicians.

There are definitely some politicians that I think have some real principle. They are a dying breed due to various interests that no one seems to have the real will to change.

It is more profitable to sell your principles.