Durbin dismisses Bush's call for patience in Iraq

[ProSense]

Durbin dismisses Bush's call for patience in Iraq

By Jim Suhr
ASSOCIATED PRESS
11/17/2006

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Soon to be the second-ranking Democrat in the new Senate, Illinois' Dick Durbin swatted away President Bush's calls Friday for patience on the U.S. mission in Iraq, saying "it is time for the Iraqis to stand up and defend their own country."

"America has been patient. Our troops have been heroic," Durbin, elected the Senate's majority whip this week, said as Bush was a half a world away, launching a four-day visit to Vietnam. "Now is the time for leadership."

Snip...

In Vietnam, Bush said there was much to be learned from the Vietnam War -- the longest conflict in U.S. history -- as his administration contemplates new strategies for the war in Iraq.

"It's just going to take a long period of time for the ideology that is hopeful -- and that is an ideology of freedom -- to overcome an ideology of hate," Bush said. "We'll succeed unless we quit."

Snip...

Durbin said the U.S. toll speaks for itself: $380 billion spent, more than 2,850 American lives lost and 20,000 disabled veterans, "some whose lives will never be the same."

"And the president is counseling patience?" Durbin said. "We deposed their dictator, dug him out of a hole in the ground, put him on trial, gave them a chance to write a constitution and hold free elections, form a government. And now they have to stand and defend their own country."

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[williesgirl]

1. Do I hear an "Amen" - recommended

[texpatriot2004]

2. The time for patience has long since passed nm