Obama to sign off on Troops to come home in 16 months

How do you all feel about this?? Does this mean other countries may try and attack us? Doe it show we are weak? Me I would be glad to see familys back together but at the same time we need to watch our backs RIGHT??

[margypops]

I think we have to be careful here it has always concerned me it is important we show we are not weak old America now, yes I think you are right and we still have to show we are strong, I too am glad our boys and Gals will be home, my Son in law has been 3 times to Iraq . Perhaps some strength will be needed over North Korea and Iran.not Physical but certainly warnings and get them to get off that nuclear kick they are intent on.  

[Vance2335]

Obama will not have all the troops him in 16 months. He is smart enough to listen to the Generals on the ground.

[GRose]

I agree Alien, this makes me a tad nervous...

[ILADVOCATE]

I think a 16 month time line is reasonable. And the fact that he wants us to refocus our priorities on Afghanistan which is basically common sense as that is the country that declared war on us. The war on Iraq was going nowhere and turning into a civil war between various factions that was encouraging Al-Qaeda. Anyone remotely related to Saddam Hussein is gone. If we pull out of Iraq it will stop at least one "cause" for Al-Qaeda who did not have a presence before we invaded to begin with. I think Obama is completely correct to say that Afghanistan should be our first priority. And he's not ignoring other people's advice. Why would he have chosen the secretary of defense to remain the same even though it was a different political party? He will listen to what the generals say and make some concessions but overall I believe the decision will be the right one.

[Lonelymom]

I am happy he is willing to bring our troops home but I am scared that we will get hurt worse if it is done to quickly. I hope that we do it slow so that Al Qudea doesn't attack worse while we are pulling out.

[PlateletGal]

16 months is a long time and I trust that if our troops are still needed in Iraq for some reason, that Obama will keep them there. What I would like to see in Iraq... is more humanitarian efforts made by the troops. This is important if you want to win over the Iraqi people... and that is something we desperately need to do.

I'm also happy that Obama is is going after the real terrorists and sending additional troops to Afghanistan. !

[tarrah87]

i agree with ILADVOCATE 100% about time we get to the real terrorists and i think he is making the right move to do it in 16 months that's a good while to get out.

[lovemypillhead]

I think it is time we come home.  BUT, on the same hand....I am not so sure we accomplished what we originally set out to do.

I really don't know and will not act like i know what is best for this country.  

There is a reason that presidents have been in office and not me.  

[jollyman069]

My son in law spent 15 months in Iraq... i know the hell that then families are going through,and i pry for them all the time.. but i also beleive if we just up and leave you have the nut in Iran that will try to take over Iraq.. we have to remember Iraq under their new govt.m is a baby countyr,and they will need our help.. Pleopl say well we cant stay there forever, well we have been in South korea since 1950..we have been in Germany since 1945...with very goo dsucess at both places keeping peace in the region.. so personally i think we should be very careful before we pull all the out of Iraq... there are many Arab countries that want us in the region to keep the peace.. and again i know how the families of the brave men and women there feel.. but they volenteered to serve and they have done polls with the service people thee and the majority want to stay and do there job

[PlateletGal]

I think that is one very good reason why we should have never invaded Iraq to begin with. I believe we've opened the door to more problems. Had we went after Bin Laden after 9/11, nobody would have blamed us. Since we decided to invade another country.... we've created numerous problems and even with the Iraqi people. That is why I propose having the troops working more on humanitarian projects. Before we exit Iraq, we need to be seen as their allies and not the dictators.

[Vance2335]

America did go after Bin Laden after 9/11 but he escaped Tora Bora and is in Pakistain. We can not just send troops into Pakistain to look for Bin Laden. Pakistain will not allow it and western Pakistain is very dangerous for American troops. President Bush has ordered some special forces into Pakistain in the past and does have Predator Drones flying in Pakistain and they have made air strikes in Pakistain.

[PlateletGal]

Hi Vance,

I know our military commanders in Afghanistan are frustrated. They feel like we don't have enough troops there and they also feel like we missed a chance to get Bin Laden. (I hope you watched that episode on 60 Minutes). Anyhow, I remember Republicans being upset with Obama for making comments about doing air strikes in Pakistan and now the Bush administration took his advice and is doing it. And it has been successful !

My concern with Iraq is now Iran wants to align with them. That one reason by itself, should have been good enough not to invade Iraq in the first place.

But I strongly support our troops and will ALWAYS support our troops !

[Vance2335]

No I don't watch the biased 60 minutes. No President Bush did not take Obama's advice, President Bush had Preditor Drones flying over Pakistain for years before Obama said anything. And Obama talked about military strikes in August and President Bush has acted well before that with the Predator strikes. Republicans got upset because Pakistain came out very strong against Obama's statement that he made.

[Cherie762]

well my oldest son is joing army in June he was an early enroller enrolled in senior year.//for his sake as a mother I hope it ends soon.we arent winning we are losing we are just there,

[alienshadow]

I think its a mistake to pull right out as Obama in the beginning said he would do!! I also think that is why he is President now but remember one thing he cant get what he wants it all will have to be approved by CONGRESS Oh wait he has them in his back pocket

[jollyman069]

I agree with you about helping the Iraq people..the real sad fact is that our news stations, do not report the good things that we have done in Iraq..we have built schools, hospitals, cliincs , liberiers many more things but all the the press wants to do is report the bad things never the good things...i am not going to debate if we should have went in or not that ship has sailed.. what we have to do now is figure out what is the best thing to do for the whole region.. and Vance is correct they had Bin Laded but somehow like a cockroach he survivied and places like pakisatn that say theyu want to be friends to the USA hide and protect that piec of scum

[margypops]

Totally agree with you Jollyman, it is what is goin g to happen now that counts and we are there and we have to see it through,and I have also seen like you that  the good things that have happened have not been reported on, and of course hospitals have been renewed and clinics,  watch the BBC and you get a better idea of what has been achieved in Iraq, and one heck of a lot has been, I didnt like going in but I have to say as a Humanitarian I am darn glad George Bush got rid of Saddam Hussein and his murderous  sons and the torture and the killing of the innocent and I can bet you every one of our Boys and Gals who died there ,would say the same.  I hope OBama knows this to be true , I think he does....

[alienshadow]

I could not of said it any better Bush said it himself were would America be if we didnt invade??

[PlateletGal]

No, I think it was after Obama made his comments that Bush carried out air strikes in Pakistan. Of course everyone here knows that the only reason why we haven't invaded Pakistan is because they have nuclear weapons. Although I'm afraid that their nuclear weapons not secure to begin with. Pakistan is a huge problem for the United States.

I watch 60 Minutes because I find their show to be facual and informative. But I also watch Fox News.... so I do get fair and balanced. ; ^ )   I think it is wrong for Americans to watch conservative news only and/or liberal news only.

Here is a link to the 60 Minutes story that I was referring to earlier:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/10/02/60minutes/main4494937.shtml

[beautifuldisaster486]

me personally, I dont think plans like this should have been aired out...now its easy for other countries to know Obama's plan and figure out what the US is doing and attack us...all I can say is that we all need to pray and pray hard to God to keep all of us Americans safe.

[jollyman069]

One of the other major problems in Pakistan is they would love to start a nuclear war with India so we  have that problem to deal with over there too.. i beleive more and more in what the late great Jim Morrison said "I wanna get my kicks before the whole shi thouse goes up in flames"..and everything you see going on in this world today it just dont look good, and i really feel bad for President Obama, because of all the problems facing him from day one he isnt going to get a chance to govern

[ILADVOCATE]

This is a side note but in the age of the internet nothing can be hidden. During the time of the Cuban missile crisis what American intelligence saw on satellite view on Cuba was a complete secret until it was revealed by the public. Now it would be visible on Google Earth easily. My grandparents having visited Pakistan (decades ago before the current regime and the infiltration of the Taliban, as part of a tour of the world) and from what you can see on Google earth it has a huge range of mountains so Bin Laden and co. could easily hide out there such as the Viet Cong did underground in Vietnam. The government of Pakistan doesn't have control of the local militias allied with the Taliban who protect him and they are increasing in power. Also through the help of the Maddrasahs who basically train the children to be terrorists. The country is in the middle ages in thinking but armed with nuclear weapons. If Al-Qaeada overthrew the government there it would be highly dangerous and that's an understatement.
  I would certainly agree that revealing military plans is a poor idea but terrorists not fearing death, will find a way around them. Pakistan has to be a unified country that does not let terrorism find a way to thrive in it. And the leaders there who have any common sense should work with the United States to root out any vestige of the Taliban wherever they are. They don't in any way help the country nor its people. I can't think of anyone a terrorist is friends with except for fear and ignorance but that can easily overcome people. Any country with a sense of self preservation would want to have them all rounded up. Once they take over a country the entire population lives in fear and desperation. They have even stopped the U.N. from vaccinating children for polio out of their own irrational fears. I would hope the current leaders of Pakistan would take a moderate stance and work with the United States if they have common sense but that does not always prevail.

[Lizzy1989]

some things that people need to know is all politicians are idiots some show it more than others dor instance hmmmmmmmmmm..............Barack Obama! he knows for a fact that they will come right back over here if the soldiers are pulled out rust me on this one im in the South Carolina National Guard and ive almost had to go on tour if i hadnt had to go on medical leave when i was pregnant and lost the babe. he is an idiot i wish just for once we could have an intelligent president you know this is why the world is fallin to peaces!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ILADVOCATE]

But from what he stated he is committing 20,000 troops to Afghanistan. That would mean the people who are on active duty would be reassigned from Iraq to Afghanistan am I correct? I think its a matter of priorities. But regardless the same secretary of defense remains in place from the previous administration and all the people who worked with him so they may disagree with Obama's decision. If he just wanted to go counter clockwise from what had been done before he would have just appointed a new secretary of defense. I believe this is the first time in history one was carried over to a new administration from a different political party. Whatever one might think of him that shows he's willing to listen to the other side. His plans may be modified over time depending on what the higher ups in the Department of Defense dictate.

[teko]

Be assured that now that we have a new president, he will get information that was not made privy before he got into office.  We only have what we hear and I think that believing all that we hear even from so called trusted sources is not reliable either. Weapons of mass destruction come to mind? President bush was given inaccurate information so what makes us think we can believe the media or news programs? If the new president pulls our troops in 16 months, that decision will be made on information that only he is privy to and all we can do is trust that we elected the right man to act on behalf of our nation as a whole. hmmmm my husband said I should have been a preacher so I will end this with a simple. Amen and go back to my corner,

[HelpinUtah]

I had heard Obama make comments that he would not be pulling out as quickly as he originally thought he would be able too - this was after a long conversation with President Bush.  I think our new President is a smart man (I hope so) and I believe he will begin bringing troops home, but I do believe we will still have a presence there perhaps showing goodwill to Iraqis.  But, this isn't a new plan - Bush was already talking about doing the very same thing recently because the Iraqi are more independent now and capable of taking care of themselves.  

[jollyman069]

I agree with you 1000%...President Obama talked with President Bush and i beleive tht Bush opened his eyes up to things that he did not know of.. People can make all the jokes they want or critize President Bush all they want ..he was a very smart man and he is a very brave and patarotic man.He wanted to make sure that our country would not be attacked again as we were on 9/11.....He was faced with such hard and gut wrenching decisions, and he had the guts to make them. I am sure President Obama is a very smart man and i just hope he has the same will power to make those decisions for our countries sake.. I loved his line in his speech when he said : we will extend our hand in firendship, but dont meet that hand with a clenched fist" so i  hope he ment what he said

[Leafhound]

  If you think we need to remain in Iraq, just remember that we can't even afford it ,plus we do not even have enough troops. Also remember he is privy to information that you and I are not, so keep this in mind. It better to leave with the appearance of having made the decision out of free will and in a position of strength. Do you want us to remain until we run out of troops? We are already deep in the hole with this conflict, not to mention we have Russia, Iran & Korea cued up for a strike. The way I look at it we are wide open right now, so do the math. Let them fight among themselves and focus on each other while we rebuild our country. There is nothing we can do for them except continue to die.

[peekawho]

I think we could have troops there for the next 20 years and still not accomplish a d@mn thing but bringing more young men and women home in body bags.

The conflict over there will likely never be over.  

But that's just my opinion.  

[PlateletGal]

"America:  In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words.  With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come.  Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations."

~Barack Obama

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/inaugural-address/

[margypops]

Well I wish the first priority he had would have been to look after us here and our problems, and not to make sure that  Prison is closed, I was very surprsied it got that kind of priority now I am not saying it shouldnt be closed, but I would like to know what is happening to the terrorists they have there,when asked O Bama didnt know ,and had to refer it to his secretary,  yes free the innocent but tell us what is happening to the rest, one was a yemen terrorist and after they freed him he openly admitted it.,and that he worked with Al Queda .

[Darkestlight]

We (U.S. troops) have to out of all major Iraqi cities in June. No if ands or buts. As for bringing all the troops home in 16 months?!?! Yeah, It ain't happening. There are still deployments planned for the next two years that i specifically know of. I DON'T see that changing. Keep in mind I live on a military base, and in the military life. I know more than the average civilian. Don't believe what you see and read on the news or paper. Most of it is BS.

[jsavat]

Okay i know this might get some people upset but this is my personal opinion!!  

To Darkestlight:  I am also a military spouse and have been for a good 12 years now. My husband is currently deployed as XO (Executive Officer) over a Unit in Iraq. So as far as you saying the deployments are planned for the next two years, well, if you know much about the Army or any branch of the service you will know that the Military changes things very quickly, you can be scheduled to go today and not go tomorrow... that's how it works~ so it is possible they could be out, but who really knows!?!

Now my personal opinion on all this!  I feel that instead of our country goin over to all these other countires and kicking their ***** and then turn around and use our tax dollars to rebuild their country better than it was in the first place is complete ****!  I think if we are at war, then go in take care of business and leave them to clean up the mess and it will keep the terrorist busy a while rebuilding their lives.  I think we as a country need to fix ourselves instead of trying to push our beliefs on all other countries.  Some countries does not want democracy, so who are we to say they should have it??  Also,  Us being in Iraq is completely DUMB!  First off, okay Sadam may not have been a Nobel Peace Prize Winner but you know what?~ He did have a firm hand on his country and terriorist cells were not coming in taking over like people are afraid might happen now when we pull out! I believe this world is a place for all types of people. I also believe that people that believe in Dictatorship governments and even Communism has their right to want that. We as AMERICA can not try and make all the countries like us! We are different from them and that's what makes up the most FEARED and THE BEST!!! If we don't want people attacking  us or trying to take over our country then we need to stop training other countries troops, giving weapons, and aid to build up their military to be like ours.  I think our government thinks that being Politically Correct is the right way to go but i thing being Politically Correct and being the World Fixer is going to bring us DOWN!!! So to sum it all up..... Carpet bomb these countries and put them back in the stone ages and we won't have much to worry bout :)

Now those of you that are all LOVE NOT WAR and all.... go ahead and lay in on me but like i said, This is MY PERSONAL opinion and i am a Military Officer's Wife and i know alot of people in the military that feel this same way :)


ARMY WIFE ~ TOUGHEST JOB IN THE ARMY!!!!

[margypops]

well sorry but it aint that way now ,socialism has come to America and most voted for it, O Bama says its  all talk  diplomacy is the way and all wanted it.

[jsavat]

Well the one's that say all TALK are the ones that  are not having thier closest loved ones over there fighting! They usually are not the ones sleeping alone for up to 12 months on end. They are also the ones that want to be proud to be Americans but not do anything for this country or sacrafice in anyway. So those ones that say lets stay there and talk... well how bout all those people go sign up on the dotted line and go over there and TALK!! ;)

[ILADVOCATE]

I don't think Obama goes as far as socialism and he is not just talk. He already has action. But in a positive sense. To bolster the amount of jobs for people out of work and find some form of affordable health care for people. And to finish the war in Afghanistan while gradually pulling the troops out of Iraq which is redirecting priorities while consulting with people who he retained from the previous administration in the defense departmant including the secretary of defense. That sounds like a realist not a socialist to me. And if people don't like the direction of the government or the tone of the media write them as I and a lot of people do. That's how talk turns into action and what a participatory democracy is about.

[jsavat]

Don't take my postings wrong.  I personally like Obama but my post was not about what Obama or anyone may do my opinion was basically on the topic of Soldiers in Iraq and pulling out and my personal opinion on how the government has been doing! All i can say is we will see what happens!!  I hope they all come home sooner than later :)

[PrettyKitty1]

I like where this is going. Good info...good info.

[alienshadow]

I think that Bush is going to be blamed for it ALL!!  Guess what I didnt see no one crying when he sent our troops off... Obama thinks he can snap his finger and they will be home NO WAY that wont happen..
I dont agree making countries better than what they were before there leaders put them there.. They should of took a better stand if they can be programmed to kill us on our turf then they can be programmed to turn on there LEADER??
Then they come over here plan there attacks take our money and plot plot PLOT away !!
I am sick of it all we do now is BLAH BLAH BLAH thats right we all just sit around and talk about this mess I think if we all got together and protested we could make our government hear us.................
Thats just me anyway enough of me ranting for nothing

[margypops]

Oh dont you love a good trant now and again... Good to get it out

[ILADVOCATE]

Actually a fair amount of people were against the war in Iraq to begin with. And I don't mean idiot peacenik types I mean clear thinking people who supported the war in Afghanistan but realized that Iraq in not having declared war on us was not a worthy target. Of course what happenned with Saddam Hussein was good riddance but I would be happy to see Kim Jong Il, Castro and Mugabe go and the list could go on. Anyway, 16 months is still a time frame. I don't think anyone would believe Obama would have any common sense if he got the troops out now. That's over a year and a half. A lot could change then. And shifting our priorities to Afghanistan where the central leaders of Al-Qaeda are (or Pakistan, obviously current military intelligence is not going to reveal state secrets) does make sense in tactical terms. The point of the war is to win it and get it over with, with as few casualties as possible, including and especially American soldiers.

[jsavat]

But when does our Political Leaders decide we've won it?? They will never agree.  What is the defying moment to say okay we finally won, time to pack up and head home? I think we have done more than what we should have in Iraq. I think it is time to pull out of there and redirect our attention to other countries that are apparently more of a threat to us!  But at the same time, i still believe that we need to protect ourselves and our country but not push democracy, our beliefs and our governing ways on other countries!

I don't think everyone blames Bush, but i think Bush did wrong by going in Iraq. I believe every President we have had and will have will make decisions to the best of their ability and to someone their decision will be wrong! So i just say GOD BLESS AMERICA, OUR LEADERS AND OUR TROOPS!!!!