"The Iraq War is Over. We Won."
Though he'd been on a mission all day and was about to drop, Mike Yon just called from Iraq to let me know that the war is over, and we've won. Whatever it is that is left of violence, there isn't combat. Roughly half of the men in the unit of the 10th Mountain Division he was out on missions with are veterans with previous tours of Iraq and Afghanistan, and in eight months into their deployment in southern Baghdad, they haven't fired a single bullet in combat.
Our soldiers in Iraq have played many roles and worn many hats, but it seems that their primary role now is that of a peacekeeper, providing support to a government and a people that seem increasingly capable of handling their own affairs. We can declare victory because President Bush wouldn't quit on his troops. If Barack Obama had his way, a triumphant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi would have had a chance to have made the same claim over the Caliphate of Iraq. Glenn Reynolds has more.
Posted by: Confederate Yankee at 02:41 PM
Comments
Posted by: dr. luba at November 14, 2008 05:05 PM (Z7Dhg)
2
What I respect about CY is the courage of your convictions. You post your opinion. You allow
feedback. You even accept comments from folks like me. Give yourself credit..(I certainly do)
I am sure you are as intelligent a Glen R. I am sure you would find it easier to have a blog like Glen...you know...not open to comments!
I post here in dissension at times. Sometimes I am proved wrong. Sometimes I am offered logical insight,that causes me to re-think a position.
Can we agree that this is a haunting...scary song?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYmIKcP7Nbc ?
feedback. You even accept comments from folks like me. Give yourself credit..(I certainly do)
I am sure you are as intelligent a Glen R. I am sure you would find it easier to have a blog like Glen...you know...not open to comments!
I post here in dissension at times. Sometimes I am proved wrong. Sometimes I am offered logical insight,that causes me to re-think a position.
Can we agree that this is a haunting...scary song?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYmIKcP7Nbc ?
Posted by: nogopostal at November 14, 2008 05:30 PM (HHrdm)
3
I am still waiting for our troops to come home from Kosovo. And we have much less reason to be there than in Iraq, luba.
Posted by: iconoclast at November 14, 2008 06:44 PM (ex0JG)
4
Nice to see you giving out your respects, Nogo. You could always Wander our way if you’d like (check link in sig). Be warned though, you'll be subject to all the rules posted, like everyone else (and your first post will be moderated, like everyone else's--that's an anti-spam feature).
Posted by: ConservativeWanderer (formerly C-C-G) at November 14, 2008 06:46 PM (PnuiE)
5
We won and the surge and Petreaus were only part of the reason why. We won because we didn't up and quit which we would have done if the Democrats had had their way.
Posted by: Zhombre at November 14, 2008 07:57 PM (WfSvm)
6
Good point, Icono.
There are also still troops in South Korea, and US involvement there was also initiated by a Democrat... President Harry S. Truman, to be precise.
When can they come home, Dr. Luba?
There are also still troops in South Korea, and US involvement there was also initiated by a Democrat... President Harry S. Truman, to be precise.
When can they come home, Dr. Luba?
Posted by: ConservativeWanderer (formerly C-C-G) at November 14, 2008 08:17 PM (PnuiE)
7
And, in case the good Doc hasn't noticed, the surge troops are home as well as a brigade or two more. I expect a couple more by mid spring. The Iraqis have their country now. Will it devolve back to dictatorship or something worse? We don't know, but we've given them the chance. It will be up to them. Good job US armed forces!
Posted by: RicardoVerde at November 14, 2008 10:05 PM (PBTsv)
8
Ricardo - dr. luba self-identified as a rabid pro-crime anti-semite on the Obama Conned thread. I don't think he notices much in terms of what happens in the real world.
Posted by: daleyrocks at November 14, 2008 10:25 PM (odYIP)
9
I am deployed in Baghdad right now, so, I can vouch for this. The troops are coming home. The current plan is for all US troops to be out of the major cities by the end of 2009 and all troops will be out of Iraq by the end of 2011. My FOB is closing soon! Thirteen of the eighteen Iraqi provinces have been turned over to Iraqi control; the rest are scheduled to be given back to the Iraqis within the next few months. Violence is way, way down. Smells like victory to me.
I have no problem with reminding people what they said and did so I can say, "I told you so!" This is a timetable based on victory, not on cutting and running from a supposedly unwinnable quagmire. We can put this one in the "win" column, folks.
I have no problem with reminding people what they said and did so I can say, "I told you so!" This is a timetable based on victory, not on cutting and running from a supposedly unwinnable quagmire. We can put this one in the "win" column, folks.
Posted by: PapaMAS at November 15, 2008 12:15 AM (lR2tC)
10
ConservativeWanderer (formerly C-C-G)
Surely you're not going to forget to mention all the other places U.S. Forces are stationed and from what President or party they originate?
Please do tell
Surely you're not going to forget to mention all the other places U.S. Forces are stationed and from what President or party they originate?
Please do tell
Posted by: Dr. Bong at November 15, 2008 12:17 AM (8QxG3)
Posted by: Dr. Bong at November 15, 2008 12:22 AM (8QxG3)
12
Bong
350,000 US servicemen and women are in 130 countries around the world. As for what POTUS was responsible for stationing them, that is as moronic a question as I have ever heard. Do we go back to Jefferson for evaluation? Twit.
350,000 US servicemen and women are in 130 countries around the world. As for what POTUS was responsible for stationing them, that is as moronic a question as I have ever heard. Do we go back to Jefferson for evaluation? Twit.
Posted by: iconoclast at November 15, 2008 02:48 AM (JP1UC)
Posted by: Jason at November 15, 2008 03:02 AM (sQ3gH)
14
Icono: So how many servicemen did we lose last week in Kosovo? South Korea? Germany?
Posted by: dr. luba at November 15, 2008 03:07 AM (Z7Dhg)
15
Dr Bluba,
How many policemen, firefighters, paramedics/ambulence drivers, etc do we lose in inner cities every day? Should we pull them out too?
How many policemen, firefighters, paramedics/ambulence drivers, etc do we lose in inner cities every day? Should we pull them out too?
Posted by: Todd at November 15, 2008 07:38 AM (Pyq82)
16
Yes, Bong, I do tend to go to bed early. You see, I have a job, which frequently includes working Saturdays (making a 6-day work week) in order to get the work out in a timely manner. Maybe that's why I got my last promotion around 4 months ahead of the average time for that particular promotion.
I am pretty sure that a concept like that has never occurred to a lefty like you, you'd rather sit around in your parents' basement sipping Starbucks and waiting for your next gubment check.
Good day, sir. I said, good day!
I am pretty sure that a concept like that has never occurred to a lefty like you, you'd rather sit around in your parents' basement sipping Starbucks and waiting for your next gubment check.
Good day, sir. I said, good day!
Posted by: ConservativeWanderer (formerly C-C-G) at November 15, 2008 08:21 AM (PnuiE)
Posted by: jcheney at November 15, 2008 09:30 AM (rb8Ui)
18
How many times has this war been over again?
Posted by: salvage at November 15, 2008 10:56 AM (Cix1B)
19
Icono: So how many servicemen did we lose last week in Kosovo? South Korea? Germany?
Posted by dr. luba at November 15, 2008 03:07 AM
If we lose any we leave? Is that your point? Sort of like a UN, Spanish or Italian military deployment? Or do you have any point other than trivial sarcasm?
Give it up, dr. love.
Posted by dr. luba at November 15, 2008 03:07 AM
If we lose any we leave? Is that your point? Sort of like a UN, Spanish or Italian military deployment? Or do you have any point other than trivial sarcasm?
Give it up, dr. love.
Posted by: iconoclast at November 15, 2008 11:38 AM (JP1UC)
20
How many times has this war been over again?
Posted by salvage at November 15, 2008 10:56 AM
which war? the original mission or the insurgency? There were, if you bother your little brain cells enough to look it up, two separate wars.
Posted by salvage at November 15, 2008 10:56 AM
which war? the original mission or the insurgency? There were, if you bother your little brain cells enough to look it up, two separate wars.
Posted by: iconoclast at November 15, 2008 11:41 AM (JP1UC)
21
So how many servicemen did we lose last week in Kosovo? South Korea? Germany?
How many policemen did we lose last week in DC, Chicago, LA, NYC, Boston?
Should we also pull out of there?
You're a fountain of lefty talking points.
How many policemen did we lose last week in DC, Chicago, LA, NYC, Boston?
Should we also pull out of there?
You're a fountain of lefty talking points.
Posted by: ConservativeWanderer (formerly C-C-G) at November 15, 2008 01:23 PM (XuBCY)
22
How many policemen did we lose last week in DC, Chicago, LA, NYC, Boston?
Should we also pull out of there?
You're a fountain of lefty talking points.
One important distinction between Iraq and, say, Chicago is that Chicago is our country and we're supposed to be there, whereas Iraq is somebody else's country and our presence is not required.
How many policemen did we lose last week in DC, Chicago, LA, NYC, Boston?
Should we also pull out of there?
You're a fountain of lefty talking points.
One important distinction between Iraq and, say, Chicago is that Chicago is our country and we're supposed to be there, whereas Iraq is somebody else's country and our presence is not required.
Posted by: mck at November 15, 2008 07:54 PM (CwxZw)
23
Too often forgotten are the families...that live in limbo during when someone is in their second/third deployment.
With all due respect...anyone who fears an Obabma Presidency ..You surely do not have a family member in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Keep your fears in balance....
A simple question...
How involved are you in seeing that your State makes sure families of deployed troops are not living on food stamps?
It is sure easier to put a sticker on our vehicle
supporting our troops...then it is to demand our elected officials (most of whom did not serve) to do the right thing.
With all due respect...anyone who fears an Obabma Presidency ..You surely do not have a family member in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Keep your fears in balance....
A simple question...
How involved are you in seeing that your State makes sure families of deployed troops are not living on food stamps?
It is sure easier to put a sticker on our vehicle
supporting our troops...then it is to demand our elected officials (most of whom did not serve) to do the right thing.
Posted by: nogopostal at November 15, 2008 08:39 PM (HHrdm)
24
yep..of course I meant Obama..without bias..(ok maybe)
These are pics not to be afraid of..
http://www.scouttufankjian.com/main.php
These are pics not to be afraid of..
http://www.scouttufankjian.com/main.php
Posted by: nogopostal at November 15, 2008 08:52 PM (HHrdm)
25
How convenient.
President Bush has taken heaps of abuse he didn't deserve... got the victory there in spite of Obama...
And now Obama can step into office to take credit that isn't his when the troops come home victoriously.
Well, I'm thankful for the victory and for the safety of our troops since the surge.
"Thank you, President Bush."
Laura
President Bush has taken heaps of abuse he didn't deserve... got the victory there in spite of Obama...
And now Obama can step into office to take credit that isn't his when the troops come home victoriously.
Well, I'm thankful for the victory and for the safety of our troops since the surge.
"Thank you, President Bush."
Laura
Posted by: laura at November 15, 2008 09:28 PM (tdrxf)
26
mck, as soon as the legally constituted Iraqi government formally and officially asks us to leave, we'll leave.
So far, they haven't.
So far, they haven't.
Posted by: ConservativeWanderer (formerly C-C-G) at November 15, 2008 10:10 PM (XuBCY)
27
CW, that's an excellent point. And may I say, as soon as the legally constituted San Francisco government asks us to leave, I'm more than ready to abandon that mess.
Posted by: Tim at November 15, 2008 10:21 PM (sp1sQ)
28
Do ya think we can take their refusal to cooperate with federal immigration laws ("sanctuary city") constitutes a request to leave, Tim?
Posted by: ConservativeWanderer (formerly C-C-G) at November 15, 2008 10:25 PM (XuBCY)
29
Oops, that comment didn't make logical sense. That's what I get for trying to type while eating a taco.
What I meant to say is, do ya think we can take their refusal as a request to leave?
What I meant to say is, do ya think we can take their refusal as a request to leave?
Posted by: ConservativeWanderer (formerly C-C-G) at November 15, 2008 10:25 PM (XuBCY)
30
History will paint the Iraq War as a US victory. We removed a dangerous tyrant from power, established a democratic government and liberated 25,000,000 people in the center of the Middle East. We also defeated al Qaeda in what they called the central battle of global jihad, denying them sanctuary in an oil rich nation and the Capitol their Caliphate.
We all agree that there were major problems with the Iraq War as there are with all wars. We did not anticipate the levels of barbarism to which AQI would sink. Hummers are jeeps, not tanks. We needed more troops to occupy the country. These judgments are made with 20-20 hindsight. As always, our armed forces adapted, fought with courage and humanity and in the end prevailed.
George W. Bush did not waiver. Terrorists found themselves prey not predator in more places than most people realize. The reason we have not been attacked again is that the jihadis were running for their lives. America showed that we had the political will to win.
We should worry about the political will of the incoming administration. When we are again challenged (and challenged we will be) what will an anti-American, anti-defense, corrupt Illinois politician do? Deer in the headlights.
God help us all.
We all agree that there were major problems with the Iraq War as there are with all wars. We did not anticipate the levels of barbarism to which AQI would sink. Hummers are jeeps, not tanks. We needed more troops to occupy the country. These judgments are made with 20-20 hindsight. As always, our armed forces adapted, fought with courage and humanity and in the end prevailed.
George W. Bush did not waiver. Terrorists found themselves prey not predator in more places than most people realize. The reason we have not been attacked again is that the jihadis were running for their lives. America showed that we had the political will to win.
We should worry about the political will of the incoming administration. When we are again challenged (and challenged we will be) what will an anti-American, anti-defense, corrupt Illinois politician do? Deer in the headlights.
God help us all.
Posted by: arch at November 16, 2008 11:27 AM (PwX2X)
31
From nogopostal "With all due respect...anyone who fears an Obabma Presidency ..You surely do not have a family member in Iraq or Afghanistan."
My husband is in the National Guard and spent a year over there. They lost a man in their unit just weeks before their year was up and they came home.
My oldest son joined the National Guard in February.
Patriotism does not come with a guarantee that you won't die for the good of your country.
I "fear" an Obama presidency because of his threat to our democratic republic, the sanctity of our Constitution, the ruin of capitalism, and the dissolution of morals and values in our sacred American culture.
I chuckle now at that preceding paragraph; do I really believe that this man is capable of all of this? Ah, maybe not, but all who he is tied to are, and the American people that he has duped are by their apathy and complicity in his schemes.
My husband is in the National Guard and spent a year over there. They lost a man in their unit just weeks before their year was up and they came home.
My oldest son joined the National Guard in February.
Patriotism does not come with a guarantee that you won't die for the good of your country.
I "fear" an Obama presidency because of his threat to our democratic republic, the sanctity of our Constitution, the ruin of capitalism, and the dissolution of morals and values in our sacred American culture.
I chuckle now at that preceding paragraph; do I really believe that this man is capable of all of this? Ah, maybe not, but all who he is tied to are, and the American people that he has duped are by their apathy and complicity in his schemes.
Posted by: Diane at November 17, 2008 09:31 AM (0rha0)
32
One important distinction between Iraq and, say, Chicago is that Chicago is our country and we're supposed to be there, whereas Iraq is somebody else's country and our presence is not required.
Posted by mck at November 15, 2008 07:54 PM
A majority of Americans and the US Congress disagreed with you. They weren't as isolationist as you. And spare me the whining lies of "Bush Lied". No one believes that, not even a toad like you.
Reading the thoughtless, bumper-sticker slogans that attempt to pass for thought on the part of the Left really makes me wonder if there is any intelligent life in the Democrat party.
Posted by mck at November 15, 2008 07:54 PM
A majority of Americans and the US Congress disagreed with you. They weren't as isolationist as you. And spare me the whining lies of "Bush Lied". No one believes that, not even a toad like you.
Reading the thoughtless, bumper-sticker slogans that attempt to pass for thought on the part of the Left really makes me wonder if there is any intelligent life in the Democrat party.
Posted by: iconoclast at November 17, 2008 12:14 PM (JP1UC)
33
Yes, thank you President Bush. Barry should be held accountable to his defeatist blabbery on any moral grounds but politically not so much. As McCain said ad nauseum, he would rather lose an election than lose a war and he succeeded on both fronts. At this point however it is politically more dangerous to "end" the war; the bugout scenario beloved of Dem primary voters than to simply continue the policies of the hated Bush to stand down as the Iraqis stand up. No, the defeatists did not want this. They wanted chaos and bloodshed they could hang on Bush's neck but that ship has sailed and even Barry knows it. In hilarious ironic other news, the front that may indeed prove "unwinnable" is the one the Dems doubled down on to claim they were not Quakers but only for sensible prosecution of the Good War, Afghanistan. Barry is now married to Afghanistan like McCain was to Iraq. Unlike service in the Illinois Senate, the Presidency does not allow votes of "present". Ultimately Barry will, quietly and alone, thank Bush for Iraq and curse him for Afghanistan. For what is politics but claiming you will do one thing when you intend another and in the end doing some third thing that has nothing to do with either? No less a gamesman than Saddam (the Other) Hussein said that. Barack left the black and white world of Lefty Purism behind whether he likes it or not. I think he will not. But those of us so certain that he will pull an immediate face plant are perhaps in for something less than vindication. As Bush Sr has said, you only get a chance to be two things in politics; a bitter dissappointment or a pleasant surprise. I'm hoping for the latter which will be, for many of our friends, the former.
Posted by: megapotamus at November 17, 2008 02:11 PM (LF+qW)
34
Why hasn't President Bush claimed victory yet? Also why hasn't the MSM (at least conservative sources) claimed victory yet? I don't think this is right.
Posted by: smarty at November 17, 2008 11:09 PM (Fxs8A)
35
Naturally, Bush/Cheney will get zero credit for the situation in Iraq, and the Stalinist American media will be sure to ignore anything positive. There are more important matters to attend to like Obama's new dog and Sarah Palin's suits.
Posted by: Sisyphus at November 19, 2008 08:39 PM (xbclW)
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