Cheney on five years in Iraq: 'All for your country'

Here come the comments that would indicate shrill intolerance and extremist hatred. Those that would celebrate one of those mortars falling on or near the vice president of the United States. There are some on this board that would dance in the streets/caves with Osama and the rest of the Islamic radicals if such a thing to occur. And they call themselves "Americans".

Funny... this is what I remember from this mornings VP address:

VP Cheney visits troops at LSA Anaconda

LSA ANACONDA, Iraq – Vice President Dick Cheney made a surprise visit here Mar. 18, to address servicemembers and talk about progress of the War in Iraq.

“Tyranny in Iraq was worth defeating; democracy in Iraq is worth defending,” said Cheney.

“We’re helping them fight back because it’s the right thing to do,” he said. “And because it’s important for our long term security.”

“All Americans can be certain we intend to complete the mission so that another generation of Americans doesn’t have to come back here and do it again,” he said.

More than 3,000 servicemembers were in attendance at Holt Stadium to hear his remarks.

“You as veterans of this fight will always be honored and respected for what you did to defend our country and to defeat freedom’s enemies,” said Cheney.

During his visit, Cheney awarded the Bronze Star for valor to two Soldiers of the 316th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), who demonstrated exceptional bravery under hostile fire in separate events.

The Bronze Star is the fourth highest award a servicemember can receive in combat for either valor or meritorious performances of duty.

Soldiers receiving the awards were Staff Sgt. Shane D. Lindsey from Athens, Texas, and Spc. Veronica M. Alfaro from Modesto, Calif.

The vice president also had breakfast with selected servicemembers during his visit.

LSA Anaconda was Cheney’s second stop during his trip to Iraq.

-30-

FOR HIGH RESOLUTION PHOTOS, CONTACT 316TH ESC PAO/302D MPAD AT
DSN 318-433-2412/2234 OR E-MAIL MAJ CHRISTOPHER WEST AT CHRISTOPHER.WEST@IRAQ.CENTCOM.MIL

Here come the kooks to claim anyone who disagree with this disaster, is Un-American. Brave men all! The "great" Anericans that just don't believe anyone should have a voice but their own. Great Americans all!

I wonder how the troops really feel when someone like Cheney,who I'm sure they know was a coward and hid during Vietnam,addresses them.

The troops who have been forced to serve two and three terms in Iraq certainly have figured out that the mission is nation building on behalf of Big Oil.

And they look at Cheney and Bush who both are cowards and used influence to avoid military service.

Just wondering.

Cheney’s words read like something from Pol Pot, utterly delusional and dangerous in their implications.

The record just could not be clearer: the U.S. has never cared about democracy anywhere. It has always done business with tyrants, just so long as they were tyrants that stood up for American interests. Its list of past good friends include the Shah of Iran, Ceaucescu of Romania, Park of South Korea, Suharto of Indonesia, Pinochet of Chile, Marcos of the Philippines, Thieu of South Vietnam, and scores of lesser lights – murderers and tyrants all.

Hussein was a good buddy so long as he didn't challenge American interests or policies. He was put into power with CIA assistance, he was treated respectfully for many years, and he was encouraged and assisted in the murderous 8-year Iran-Iraq War. There’s a nice photo on the Internet of Rumsfeld shaking hands with him in the early 1980s.

Every other claim made by Bush’s mob about the Iraq war has been demonstrated false.

No weapons of mass destruction, none. He did work towards them once, but the U.S. knew very well he had given up after the first Gulf War.

No terrorists. In fact Hussein and Osama bin Laden did not like each other. Hussein was a secular man. Bin Laden a religious fanatic. Terrorists are never found in absolute societies. There were none in the old Soviet Union or in Ceausecu’s Romania or in the East Germany of the Stasi or in Hussein’s Iraq. Indeed, today, Iraq has become a terror training ground under the American occupation.

Women, for example, gained some of the best freedoms in the Muslim world under Hussein. They had rights they have in no other Muslim country. Indeed, there are reports today of much increased abuse of women under U.S. occupation.

America's invasion broke all international law and constitutes a war crime, but America's great economic power prevents that from ever being enforced. But if you want a world where one country can decide the fate of others, then you are a supporter of Cheney and Bush.

Half the people in a large city like Baghdad still do not have dependable water. The economy is in what can only be called a Great Depression. Three million refugees - some of the country's best and brightest - have left and live in refugee facilities elsewhere (by the way, with no assistance from the United States, the author of their misery).

Not to mention all the deaths, all the destruction, including the greatest destruction of world cultural heritage in modern history.

Nice work, Dick.

Here come the kooks to claim anyone who disagree with this disaster, is Un-American. Brave men all! The "great" Anericans that just don't believe anyone should have a voice but their own. Great Americans all!

Posted by: bill "Hussein" r. | March 18, 2008 9:34 AM

Don't throw yourself a pity party bill. My reference isn't to those that disagree with the war or policy, its to those that obsess over their hatred with their own countrymen and appear to value the enemy greater than their own leadership. This isn't a first amendment thing. That is alive and well. This is a request that a little tact and respect be shown for the sitting president and VP, agree or disagree.
I along with many others, showed Clinton respect as President even in his catastrophe of events (the noisy shrill opposition of course got the attention). The least that could be done is to demonstrate that despite our differences, we're still on the same side in this world.

Five years of war with no real end in sight. Only the Bush/Cheney administration could screw up a war with a third world country this bad.

Pd, the war is NOT with Iraq, it is with terrorists. Fighting terrorists who hide among innocent people is a bit different than fighting a war with a country.
No end in sight? Please. The Iraqi people and government are on their way to stability and normalcy. The end is when they can govern themselves and no longer need our assistance to ward off the Islamic extremists.

Steve Hussein S also has it right. There is nothing wrong with someone voicing a different point of view or being against something. That is not UnAmerican. What is UnAmerican is that you Loons on the Left want the U.S. defeated. You want the terrorists to succeed. You want injury or even death to the president and vice president. You folks have nothing but hatred embedded within your souls. That is not only UnAmerican, but inhumane.

Steve Hussein S,

Just wondering, did you implore your Republican ilk to "show respect" to President Clinton and Vice President Al Gore when they were leading this nation through far more prosperous and ably-guided times?

"This is a request that a little tact and respect be shown for the sitting president and VP, agree or disagree."

No. The ones in office now have spent their time trying to destroy this country. I have no respect for them or for anyone who defends them.

Which is not to say I want mortars going off anywhere near either of them--someone might get hurt.

"you Loons on the Left want the U.S. defeated. You want the terrorists to succeed. You want injury or even death to the president and vice president. You folks have nothing but hatred embedded within your souls. That is not only UnAmerican, but inhumane."

You are so completely full of $&#^% I'm just going to stop reading anything you say. Goodbye.

You folks have nothing but hatred embedded within your souls.

Posted by: John D | March 18, 2008 10:52 AM

That's right Little Johnny D. As a Lefty Loon I hate racists, Nazis, authoritarians of any kind,al-Qaeda, Bin Laden, and also torturers. So this hatred makes me a bad person? Good because I don't care. If you want to love those types of people go ahead. Me and my pals will continue to despise them.

That's right Little Johnny D. As a Lefty Loon I hate racists, Nazis, authoritarians of any kind,al-Qaeda, Bin Laden, and also torturers. So this hatred makes me a bad person? Good because I don't care. If you want to love those types of people go ahead. Me and my pals will continue to despise them.

Posted by: janet | March 18, 2008 12:04 PM

Janet...
not sure why I'm responding, but oh well....

Point please.
Dont forget to hate
1.child molestors (see NAMBLA a blatant liberal bastion),
2.AlQaeda and suicide bombers (whom we war with in Iraq),
3.liberals (who want the
4.government to have more control than they currently do), and
5.hostile purveyors of nuclear power (mainly Iran -with whom Obama wishes to negotiate)

Liberals want the government to have more control than they do now??

Yep - we liberals are the ones who started the idea that gays have no right to be married and the government should take that right away.

Or that women should not have access to safe abortions, so the government needs to make abortions illegal.

Those "conservative" ideas do not give the government more power over our lives??

1. pro-lifers are seeking the government to protect the LIFE of the unborn. Thats a constitutional right.
2. the point of opposing gay marriage, while it might not be the role of the federal gov't to restrict, would be to protect the foundation of the country, being the family consisting of a father and mother. We've been given no other choice as the courts continue to erode the family traditionally recognized in America.

my point was that
1. primarily payouts and entitlements give the gov't more control into people's lives
2. matters like the fairness doctrine (which is being pressed by libs) which will restrain free enterprise and freedom of speech
3. forcing "sexuality based tolerance laws" on private enterprise and individuals invades freedom of speech in a moral way

that wasn't really my main point, but there you go

Steve-

Huh. Interesting. I guess that you prove that the Republican Party really isn't in any way the party of Christians.

You have heard that it was said, "Love your neighbor and hate your enemy."
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:43-44).

Here's what Republican Prez Chimpy McFlightsuit and Veep Darth Cheney were doing while their peers were fighting and dying in Nam:

http://politicalhumor.about.com/library/images/blbushcheerleader.htm

Did Cheney Dodge
The Draft Five Times?

You couldn't make this stuff up if you tried:
This quote comes from a Saturday NYTimes article --
It is apparent from the piece that Richard Cheney did everything humanly possible -- short of fleeing to Canada -- to avoid military conscription: He applied for and recieved 5 student deferments, a number described as "incredible" by professor David Curry of the University of Missouri in St. Louis. Curry has written extensively about the draft, including a 1985 book, "Sunshine Patriots: Punishment and the Vietnam Offender." The Times quotes Mr. Curry as observing: "That's a lot of times for the draft board to say O.K."

full story:
http://www.rense.com/general52/chenn.htm

It's nice to see that Veep Darth Vader hasn't forgotten how to lie, I was starting to get worried about him.....NOT!

10. Myth: The US public no longer sees Iraq as a central issue in the 2008 presidential campaign.

Fact: In a recent ABC News/ Washington Post poll, Iraq and the economy were virtually tied among voters nationally, with nearly a quarter of voters in each case saying it was their number one issue. The economy had become more important to them than in previous months (in November only 14% said it was their most pressing concern), but Iraq still rivals it as an issue!

9. Myth: There have been steps toward religious and political reconciliation in Iraq in 2007.

Fact: The government of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has for the moment lost the support of the Sunni Arabs in parliament. The Sunnis in his cabinet have resigned. Even some Shiite parties have abandoned the government. Sunni Arabs, who are aware that under his government Sunnis have largely been ethnically cleansed from Baghdad, see al-Maliki as a sectarian politician uninterested in the welfare of Sunnis.

8. Myth: The US troop surge stopped the civil war that had been raging between Sunni Arabs and Shiites in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad.

Fact: The civil war in Baghdad escalated during the US troop escalation. Between January, 2007, and July, 2007, Baghdad went from 65% Shiite to 75% Shiite. UN polling among Iraqi refugees in Syria suggests that 78% are from Baghdad and that nearly a million refugees relocated to Syria from Iraq in 2007 alone. This data suggests that over 700,000 residents of Baghdad have fled this city of 6 million during the US 'surge,' or more than 10 percent of the capital's population. Among the primary effects of the 'surge' has been to turn Baghdad into an overwhelmingly Shiite city and to displace hundreds of thousands of Iraqis from the capital.

7. Myth: Iran was supplying explosively formed projectiles (a deadly form of roadside bomb) to Salafi Jihadi (radical Sunni) guerrilla groups in Iraq.

Fact: Iran has not been proved to have sent weapons to any Iraqi guerrillas at all. It certainly would not send weapons to those who have a raging hostility toward Shiites. (Iran may have supplied war materiel to its client, the Supreme Islamic Council of Iraq (ISCI), which was then sold off from warehouses because of graft, going on the arms market and being bought by guerrillas and militiamen.

6. Myth: The US overthrow of the Baath regime and military occupation of Iraq has helped liberate Iraqi women.

Fact: Iraqi women have suffered significant reversals of status, ability to circulate freely, and economic situation under the Bush administration.

5. Myth: Some progress has been made by the Iraqi government in meeting the "benchmarks" worked out with the Bush administration.

Fact: in the words of Democratic Senator Carl Levin, "Those legislative benchmarks include approving a hydrocarbon law, approving a debaathification law, completing the work of a constitutional review committee, and holding provincial elections. Those commitments, made 1 1/2 years ago, which were to have been completed by January of 2007, have not yet been kept by the Iraqi political leaders despite the breathing space the surge has provided."

4. Myth: The Sunni Arab "Awakening Councils," who are on the US payroll, are reconciling with the Shiite government of PM Nuri al-Maliki even as they take on al-Qaeda remnants.

Fact: In interviews with the Western press, Awakening Council tribesmen often speak of attacking the Shiites after they have polished off al-Qaeda. A major pollster working in Iraq observed,
' Most of the recent survey results he has seen about political reconciliation, Warshaw said, are "more about [Iraqis] reconciling with the United States within their own particular territory, like in Anbar. . . . But it doesn't say anything about how Sunni groups feel about Shiite groups in Baghdad." Warshaw added: "In Iraq, I just don't hear statements that come from any of the Sunni, Shiite or Kurdish groups that say 'We recognize that we need to share power with the others, that we can't truly dominate.' " ' '
The polling shows that "the Iraqi government has still made no significant progress toward its fundamental goal of national reconciliation."

3. Myth: The Iraqi north is relatively quiet and a site of economic growth.

Fact: The subterranean battle among Kurds, Turkmen and Arabs for control of the oil-rich Kirkuk province makes the Iraqi north a political mine field. Kurdistan now also hosts the Kurdish Workers Party (PKK) guerrillas that sneak over the border and kill Turkish troops. The north is so unstable that the Iraqi north is now undergoing regular bombing raids from Turkey.

2. Myth: Iraq has been "calm" in fall of 2007 and the Iraqi public, despite some grumbling, is not eager for the US to depart.

Fact: in the past 6 weeks, there have been an average of 600 attacks a month, or 20 a day, which has held steady since the beginning of November. About 600 civilians are being killed in direct political violence per month, but that number excludes deaths of soldiers and police. Across the board, Iraqis believe that their conflicts are mainly caused by the US military presence and they are eager for it to end.

1. Myth: The reduction in violence in Iraq is mostly because of the escalation in the number of US troops, or "surge."

Fact: Although violence has been reduced in Iraq, much of the reduction did not take place because of US troop activity. Guerrilla attacks in al-Anbar Province were reduced from 400 a week to 100 a week between July, 2006 and July, 2007. But there was no significant US troop escalation in al-Anbar. Likewise, attacks on British troops in Basra have declined precipitously since they were moved out to the airport away from population centers. But this change had nothing to do with US troops.

Bobin, in case you didn't know (and clearly you do not), more government programs, more taxation equal more government control and power. Liberals believe in cradle to grave government, it takes a village and all of that. That equates to government power and control.

And Dumb Dumb Janet, you hate Al Qaeda? I would never have guessed it since you always are on the side of efforts to combat them.

Steve also makes a good point. Do you hate NAMBLA? Because the fact is that liberal politicians and groups are going overboard to protect and enable child molesters and killers. So, it seems that liberal hate children. Why?

.child molestors (see NAMBLA a blatant liberal bastion),

Posted by: Steve Hussein S | March 18, 2008 12:14 PM

Special ed Stevie,

You mean like (R) Mark Foley?!?!?

Sign up or shut up you little chickenhawk twit!

John Weiner E
Sure... child molesters are child molesters. They deserve harsh treatment.
Where have you been all morning? I figured you were up all night waiting for me to respond so you could call me a chickenhawk again. bawk bawk bawk bawk....
get a life, loser.

How is America better off now than it was five years ago?

Are we safer?--our own intelligence agencies say no

Are there less terrorist?--our own intelligence agencies say no

Is the Middle East more stable?--obviously not

Is our military dangerously stretched and in need of rebuilding?--our own military commanders say yes

Has the trillion dollar war made us a stronger country?--no, we've bled financially, we've lost respect in the world, men and women have died needlessly.

Yet dimwits like little Johnny D. continue to make indefensible and absurd statements like: "The Iraqi people and government are on their way to stability and normalcy". Oh, really Dyslin? That's why there are 2.1 million refugees? That's why neighborhoods are segregated, walled, and patrolled by militias? That's why there's barely any clean water, or electricity and sewage runs in the street? That's why there are continued curfews and women can't show their faces outside of their homes for fear of being raped or murdered? Turn off Faux News, Dyslin, and enlighten yourself.

John Weiner E
Not to obsess, but your tone has really gone to garble the last couple days. Its not even about the debate, just mockery and foolishness. Why don't you take a stab at growing up instead of getting lodged in your juvenile, unemployed, loser ways. All you have is to try and make fun of me. While I stay on target, you just holler chickenhawk (even when the topic isn't war) and make fun of the educationally disenfranchised. what a big man you are, johnny little weiner e

Raving Loon,

You say you would like to know how the troops feel about VP Cheney visiting? Take it from me, who is on his second tour (volunteering for both). It is an extreme honor to have VP Cheney visit us. I think the jobs he and President Bush have require extreme courage! At least they travel to Iraq before making educated decisions on the topic. Tell me loon, when was the last time you or any of the other loud mouths who badmouth this war traveled to Iraq?

Staff Sgt. Tim Sander

for me to respond so you could call me a chickenhawk again. bawk bawk bawk bawk....
get a life, loser.

Posted by: Steve Hussein S | March 18, 2008 1:59 PM

Special ed Stevie,

Is that the best you've got?

Sign up or shut up you little chickenhawk twit!

props to you Stf Srg. Sander. Tell me... as a real soldier, what are your thoughts on those of us that didn't serve in the military supporting the war effort? There are some that would call us "chickenhawks" because we support you guys and gals. I'd be curious on your thoughts. meanwhile, losers like John E won't even comment when a real soldier appears on the boards. better duck or his spit might hit you!!

demented hussien twin, nice espousing of the lies about Iraq. Did you get that nonsense from moveon.org, the Huffington BS, the dailykooks?

Fact is, Iraq continues to improve, not just from our invasion five years ago, but from years of neglect and destruction during the Saddam Hussein rule.

Steve-

Huh. Interesting. I guess that you prove that the Republican Party really isn't in any way the party of Christians.

You have heard that it was said, "Love your neighbor and hate your enemy."
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:43-44).

Posted by: Love is the answer | March 18, 2008 12:57 PM

I actually thought of that when I typed it. My response was tongue-in-cheek. I didn't say to hate people. I was simply enhancing the list of the other user Janet listed. I don't think any party is the "party of Christians". Yup... I'm one of those people.

What is UnAmerican is that you Loons on the Left want the U.S. defeated. You want the terrorists to succeed. You want injury or even death to the president and vice president. You folks have nothing but hatred embedded within your souls. That is not only UnAmerican, but inhumane.

Posted by: John D | March 18, 2008 10:52 AM

You are so funny. You want to continue a war in which Bush has murderred and killed 10,000's Iraqi civillains, in a war that was not necesary and based on lies. And you call the "lefty loons" haters.

"The war in Iraq is about terrorists"? There were no terrorist organizations there until after the war started.

It is us "loons" who truly love the U.S. and our military heroes. Certainly, noone can blame them. When you sign up for the military, you go where the commander in chief tells you. No matter how misguided or inept that decision is.

It is also you kind who are the "defeatists", for you want to continue the ploicy of death in destruction that is occurring in the only unprovoked, preemptive and immoral
war the country has ever fought (well, since Viet Nam). And this administration allowed a bully to destroy the principles of justice and peace that our nation was founded on.

I'd be curious on your thoughts. meanwhile, losers like John E won't even comment when a real soldier appears on the boards. better duck or his spit might hit you!!

Posted by: Steve Hussein S | March 18, 2008 2:36 PM

Special ed Stevie,

You should kiss the boots of this soldier because you yourself are to scared to do what he's doing without wetting your pants.

Sign Up or Shut Up you little chickenhawk twit!

It is an extreme honor to have VP Cheney visit us. I think the jobs he and President Bush have require extreme courage! At least they travel to Iraq before making educated decisions on the topic. Tell me loon, when was the last time you or any of the other loud mouths who badmouth this war traveled to Iraq?
Staff Sgt. Tim Sander

Posted by: Ssg. Tim Sander | March 18, 2008 2:15 PM

If you're so proud of being used as a photo-op for Dick Cheney then I guess that unlike most soldiers you deserve to serve two tours in this useless pre-emptive Iraq disaster...and please take this Steve S guy with you, he's an idiot.

No you crazed beast... it is RIGHTIES who love the US and military heros more... how could you?!?!?!?
Thats R-I-G-H-T-I-E-S ... RIGHTIES.
WE LOVE AMERICA!!!

Tell me loon, when was the last time you or any of the other loud mouths who badmouth this war traveled to Iraq?

Staff Sgt. Tim Sander

Never...but I spent my time in Nam. I guess this loud mouth just saw too many brothers die for a failed foriegn policy. Would you be one of the people that would choose to call me unpatriotic like the rest who favor this war? I think loud mouths on both side have the right to agree or disagree with this war. But I don't believe either have the right to take what many who have given their service to the country should ever have to listen to that BS.

Semper Fidelis

Sgt.Tim,your telling me your honored to be led into battle by two cowards who went AWOL during Vietnam?

That's what your telling the future if this country,you can be a coward and us sheep will still revere you!

Now General Petraeus is concerned about the progress being made in Iraq. I guess he is also un-American and unpatriotic. Unless of course, shrub is going to do waht he says and listen to the generals on the ground. Here's a quote from him from just last week from the WaPo...

"Petraeus, who is preparing to testify to Congress next month on the Iraq war, said in an interview that "no one" in the U.S. and Iraqi governments "feels that there has been sufficient progress by any means in the area of national reconciliation," or in the provision of basic public services."

Yup, how's that surge-y thing-y working for you now shrubby? And Mcbush? You're prepared to run your entire campaign on the illegal invasion of Iraq, now that Petraeus is saying things are less than perfect? Man, talk about desperation.

And now, it turns out that john "I really need to learn more about economics" mcbush doesn't know who we're fighting in the middle east...
___________________________
Sen. John McCain, traveling in the Middle East to promote his foreign policy expertise, misidentified in remarks Tuesday which broad category of Iraqi extremists are allegedly receiving support from Iran.

He said several times that Iran, a predominately Shiite country, was supplying the mostly Sunni militant group, al-Qaeda. In fact, officials have said they believe Iran is helping Shiite extremists in Iraq.

Speaking to reporters in Amman, the Jordanian capital, McCain said he and two Senate colleagues traveling with him continue to be concerned about Iranian operatives “taking al-Qaeda into Iran, training them and sending them back.”

Pressed to elaborate, McCain said it was “common knowledge and has been reported in the media that al-Qaeda is going back into Iran and receiving training and are coming back into Iraq from Iran, that’s well known. And it’s unfortunate.” A few moments later, Sen. Joseph Lieberman, standing just behind McCain, stepped forward and whispered in the presidential candidate’s ear. McCain then said: “I’m sorry, the Iranians are training extremists, not al-Qaeda.”

McCain was in Jordan leading a week-long Congressional delegation and has stressed that the trip was not political, despite the decision to hold a fundraiser in London later this week.

And about that fundraiser in London?

Big week for John McCain. He’s on a taxpayer funded photo op excursion around the world. Pretty bold for a guy who beats up on wasteful spending to use government money to finance what is basically a campaign trip. Then, he’s got the fundraiser in London, hosted by a British Lord. Imagine the outrage if a Democrat sent out a fundraising invite with the words “by kind permission of Lord Rothschild OM GBE.”
___________________________
Yep, more of the same failed policies and ideas that have lead us into the biggest quagmire since, well, since when ever. More of the same failed ploicies of the last seven years. Sure. Vote for mcbush.

[quote]
Fact is, Iraq continues to improve, not just from our invasion five years ago, but from years of neglect and destruction during the Saddam Hussein rule.

Posted by: John D | March 18, 2008 2:50 PM
[/quote]

Geographically Ignorant Dumb Dumb Little Johnnie Dyslin, "the Joseph Stalin of Streamwood", please post links to PROOF to back up your little fantasy.

Progress in Iraq???
"we" went in search of WMDs which were never found.
Where is no progress?
They switched their reasoning for the Iraq invasion from Oil for Food to WMDs to Bring Democracy to Iraq.
Funny, Iraq did not ask for Democracy, Iraq never had Democracy & Iraq is clearly not prepared for Democracy.
"major military operations are over" declared Bushie in his Mission Accomplished speech, years later there is no end in sight.
WAKE UP SHEEPLE! This is no longer a Democracy, somehow
we wound up with a jester of a king who has no cares about the concerns of his people.