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“The President’s announcement that all U.S. combat troops have left Iraq is no more believable than the 'Mission Accomplished' declaration was in 2003.
“Once again, we are being told the mission has been accomplished and our brave men and women are coming back home. Though the people are hopeful they remain skeptical, and rightfully so.
“The biggest problem is that success in Iraq is undefinable since the mission was never defined. The reasons given for the invasion were based on misinformation. Now, the war has cost us hundreds of billions of dollars and this has contributed significantly to our economic woes.
“Forty-four hundred Americans are dead, thirty thousand severely wounded, and more than a hundred thousand are suffering from serious health problems related to Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. This alone should tell us that it was not worth the investment and the needless sacrifice of our young people and the taxpayers.
“It is deceitful to imply we will avoid hostilities with this new policy. We still have to contend with:
the 50,000 troops carrying weapons remain in Iraq
the 100,000 contractors that remain with more expected to go to Iraq
the 9,000 special ops personnel trained in assassinations that remain in Iraq
a huge embassy, bigger than the Vatican, that will remain
Dozens of military bases that will stay
Al Qaeda organizations that did not exist before the war
Muqtada al Sadr, a strong nationalist who has gained much political power
The fact that Iran benefits tremendously with the Shiites now in power in Iraq and is a close ally of al Sadr
“Osama bin Laden wins by 'proving' that America has an agenda of occupation in the Middle East. And, we continue to walk into his trap and hand him up his best recruitment tool in his efforts to incite hatred and terrorism against the United States.
“What’s worse, President Obama made it clear last night that the troops and resources leaving Iraq will not come home to defend our country or ease our economic woes. They will instead be diverted to Afghanistan, perhaps also Pakistan and, I fear, even Iran.
“From my viewpoint we are the losers in this fool’s errand of endless war. Tragically, this new policy is not one of peace but merely a charade that will severely undermine our national security and continue us down the path to bankruptcy—a threat that we best not long ignore.”
Once again, Paul shows his stark ignorance. The Mission Accomplished sign was for that particular carrier going home because it completed it's mission. Ron Paul is old and clueless.
We''ve had troops stationed in the far corners of the world for decades after the conflict was over with out a whimper from anybody. More political grandstanding from both sides.
“The President’s announcement that all U.S. combat troops have left Iraq is no more believable than the 'Mission Accomplished' declaration was in 2003.
“Once again, we are being told the mission has been accomplished and our brave men and women are coming back home. Though the people are hopeful they remain skeptical, and rightfully so.
“The biggest problem is that success in Iraq is undefinable since the mission was never defined. The reasons given for the invasion were based on misinformation. Now, the war has cost us hundreds of billions of dollars and this has contributed significantly to our economic woes.
“Forty-four hundred Americans are dead, thirty thousand severely wounded, and more than a hundred thousand are suffering from serious health problems related to Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. This alone should tell us that it was not worth the investment and the needless sacrifice of our young people and the taxpayers.
“It is deceitful to imply we will avoid hostilities with this new policy. We still have to contend with:
the 50,000 troops carrying weapons remain in Iraq
the 100,000 contractors that remain with more expected to go to Iraq
the 9,000 special ops personnel trained in assassinations that remain in Iraq
a huge embassy, bigger than the Vatican, that will remain
Dozens of military bases that will stay
Al Qaeda organizations that did not exist before the war
Muqtada al Sadr, a strong nationalist who has gained much political power
The fact that Iran benefits tremendously with the Shiites now in power in Iraq and is a close ally of al Sadr
“Osama bin Laden wins by 'proving' that America has an agenda of occupation in the Middle East. And, we continue to walk into his trap and hand him up his best recruitment tool in his efforts to incite hatred and terrorism against the United States.
“What’s worse, President Obama made it clear last night that the troops and resources leaving Iraq will not come home to defend our country or ease our economic woes. They will instead be diverted to Afghanistan, perhaps also Pakistan and, I fear, even Iran.
“From my viewpoint we are the losers in this fool’s errand of endless war. Tragically, this new policy is not one of peace but merely a charade that will severely undermine our national security and continue us down the path to bankruptcy—a threat that we best not long ignore.”
While I usually ignore Mr. Paul's pronouncements, I think he makes some generally good points (some I have no idea about, including the 9,000 special operatives trained in assassination).
Regardless, 50,000 USA soldiers still in Iraq seems like a lot to be left behind after a 'withdrawal'. I bet those in the Middle East do not consider it a withdrawal, but a continuing occupation.
I recall reading about the huge embassy: around 104 acres (same size as the Vatican). More of a fortress than an embassy. Not a place I would like to work at, regardless of size and security measures (I read somewhere that they are having trouble finding people to work in the embassy).
USA people (soldiers and otherwise) will not be safe in Iraq for many a year.
My respect for the bravery of our men and women who continue to enlist in the Armed Forces keeps growing beyond bounds.
Of course, there's a difference between what a Congressman can say and what the President can say.
I would not be surprised to learn that President Obama's personal feelings on the Iraq war may match Ron Paul's pretty closely, but it's part of the job to put that sort of thing aside. Obama, after all, consistently argued against the folly in Iraq back when it was a very uncool thing to do.
I have little use for Ron Paul, but on this, his principles are sound, although some of the specifics seem iffy. (9,000 assassins? WTH?)
We''ve had troops stationed in the far corners of the world for decades after the conflict was over with out a whimper from anybody. More political grandstanding from both sides.
Lets see what it has cost us?
What has been the gain?
After we bombed a nation we rebuilt it.
What is the gain in leaving our troops and buildings in iraq.
The constitution does not say tax money should support standing armies in other nations.
This is about controlling a nations via force to support any ideas of bringing democracy to a nation of people who have no interested in it. It is up to their own people to run their lives. PS we went in for Saddam yet we put him there to defeat IRAN back in the 70's.
Yet before that we support the Shah in IRAN.
So which is it political grandstanding on Obama's side or common sense thinking from Ron Paul considering he is looking it from a history lesson.
Peace and commerence will all nations ALLIANCES WITH NONE!
When we are threaten because we are minding our own business you can nuke them until then keep our US tax dollars and weapons out of all other nations and protect our borders, get our of japan, europe and the other 120 countries we are in.
Ron Paul has gone against the grain and challenged (rightly so) the statements oft he government. We are no more close to a withdrawal than we were 3 months ago. We have no plans on withdrawing from Iraq. I'm glad he points out the pointlessness of the pronouncement. It is a shame more didn't do it when Bu-ney pushed the war down our throats.
Ron Paul has gone against the grain and challenged (rightly so) the statements oft he government. We are no more close to a withdrawal than we were 3 months ago. We have no plans on withdrawing from Iraq. I'm glad he points out the pointlessness of the pronouncement. It is a shame more didn't do it when Bu-ney pushed the war down our throats.
While I don't always agree I do respect Ron Paul for his commitment to the US Constitution as well as his consistency on the issues. He has the courage to be the lone voice.
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