Gen. Casey in Iraq outlines troop cuts? Isn't This 'Cut and Run'?

[leftchick]

:shrug:

http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/06/25/america/web.0626military.php

The top American commander in Iraq has drafted a plan that projects sharp reductions in the United States military presence there by the end of 2007, with the first cuts coming this September, American officials say.

According to a classified briefing at the Pentagon this week by the commander, Gen. George W. Casey Jr., the number of American combat brigades in Iraq is projected to decrease to 5 or 6 from the current level of 14 by December 2007.

Under the plan, the first reductions would involve two combat brigades that would rotate out of Iraq in September without being replaced. Military officials do not typically characterize reductions by total troop numbers, but rather by brigades. Combat brigades, which generally have about 3,500 troops, do not make up the bulk of the 127,000-member American force in Iraq, and other kinds of units would not be pulled out as quickly.

[thepurpose]

1. I thought we were staying the course? Or was that just last week

which we are supposed to forget about.

[B Calm]

2. Now that they have an excuse, cons will blame the democrats

for losing Bush's stupid illegal invasion of Iraq and finally bring the troops home.

[doc mercer]

3. Iraq

Yep .... I posted the exact same question at another forum and was told basically by a
Bush Loyalist that it is not the same thing

What a bunch of lowlife POS the Bushies truly are

[4dsc]

4. What exactly is "cut and run"??

Make the rethugs define "cut and run".. Then use it against them..

[droidamus2]

5. This is what I expected all along

I expected that the Bush/Repuglicans would have some kind of token draw-down of troops prior to the 2006 elections in an effort to boost their chances. I also suspect that the troop levels will go right back up after the election. As the general says, they will also pull the same stunt prior to the 2008 presidential election. They may actually get the troops pulled out as Bush will no longer need the war as he will be leaving office. Bushco/Rove see this war as nothing but a political tool.

[papau]

6. end of 2007, with the first cuts coming this September"- a political idea?

sure does seem shaped for the GOP for this election -

Wonder if our media will notice and actually report - perhaps via pundits - that this smells?

[leftchick]

7. It is actually mentioned further down in the article...

<snip>

Now, after criticizing Democratic lawmakers for trying to legislate a timeline for withdrawing troops, skeptics say, the Bush administration seems to have its own private schedule, albeit one that can be adjusted as events unfold. If executed, the plan could have considerable political significance. The first reductions would take place before this falls Congressional elections, while even bigger cuts might come before the 2008 presidential election.

[Hugin]

9. Wow!

Recognition of the truth!

Now, that's what I call an article.

BTW... Strangely enough the same article was appearing on AOL news.

[leftchick]

11. that is strange!

:crazy:

[saltpoint]

8. Our generals have told us there weren't enough troops in the first place

and their purpose for being there shifted from "We know where the weapons of mass destruction are" to "Saddam is a threat to the world and should be removed" to "We need to bring freedom to the Middle East" to several other permutations of the same dishonest smoke-and-mirrors versions to justify a war for oil.

Not enough troops and no good reason to be there.

And Don Rumsfeld's still at his desk.

I'd feel a lot better if U.S. foreign policy were being managed by President Kerry, President Gore, President Clark, President Feingold, President Boxer, President Edwards, President Kucinich, and so forth.

When brush-clearing is your most sterling accomplishment, you shouldn't be running U.S. foreign policy.

[warrior1]

10. if it quacks like a duck

[B Calm]

12. Who will operate the 14 enduring military bases in Iraq? Terrorists

[leftchick]

13. apparently they have been pared down to four mega bases

and no doubt the plan includes leaving 50-60,000 US troops there to operate them.

[spanone]

14. semantics

[TheCowsCameHome]

15. Rove, Casey, Bush: Operation Save our Asses (OSA) has begun