Democrats hit troop extensions in Iraq, Claim extended combat tours point toward failed Bush policy

[maddezmom]

Source: Associated Press

WASHINGTON - Democrats are seizing on the Pentagon's decision to extend troops' combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan as evidence President Bush's war policy is failing.

The announcement "just underscores the fact that the burden of the war in Iraq has fallen upon our troops and their families," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. "The Bush administration has failed to create a plan to fully equip and train our troops, bring them home safely and soon, and provide our veterans with the quality care they deserve."

Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced Wednesday the Army would keep troops in Iraq and Afghanistan for 15-month tours instead of the yearlong stints that have become standard. The three-month extension will allow the Pentagon to maintain its 30,000-troop buildup in Baghdad for another year.

"Once again the failures of this administration are being underwritten by our troops," said Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee.



Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18072870/

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Longer tours draw senators' ire
Warner and Webb criticize the three-month extensions
BY DAVID LERMAN
202-824-8224
April 12, 2007
WASHINGTON -- Virginia's U.S. senators warned on Wednesday that adding three months to the standard yearlong tour for active-duty soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan could degrade an all-volunteer Army that was stretched thin now.

The announcement by Defense Secretary Robert Gates to extend Army deployments to 15 months drew mostly harsh critiques on Capitol Hill, where Democratic leaders hope to set a deadline for a withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.

In a warning that's sure to be noted by the White House, Virginia Republican Sen. John W. Warner, a former chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, expressed concern about the effect that prolonged tours could have on the all-volunteer system. "I feel strongly that we must carefully monitor the possible risks to that system that these extensions may generate," he said.


http://www.dailypress.com/news/local/dp-05281sy0apr12,0,1907234.story?track=rss

[babylonsister]

1. And the Dems would be correct. nt

[habitual]

2. k+r

[rodeodance]

3. good comment from Levin:

"Once again the failures of this administration are being underwritten by our troops," said Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

[flaminbats]

4. too many neocons wish for one branch of government.

Rep. John Boehner, R-Ohio, "believes the troops are up to the task and committed to the cause," said Brian Kennedy, spokesman for the minority leader. "The more disconcerting issue facing American troops is the Democrats' refusal to fund them without undermining their mission and their safety at the same time."

didn't the Republicans cut taxes in 2001, haven't the Republicans made it clear that Bush's taxcuts will not be repealed even to provide funding for the war in Iraq? Why aren't more Democrats making this point? and regardless of how much money our government borrows, that doesn't change the fact that even the federal government operates on a limited budget.

we had a surplus in 2001, and Bush squandered it away on taxcuts just before 9/11. if Republicans were serious about funding the war, they would be willing to pay the higher taxes needed to pay for it! But if you put a group of Republicans into a room, and ask if they support this war..most would raise their hands. If you then ask if they would pay higher taxes to fund this war, something tells me most of those hands would go down!

there is no real support for this war, not even on the Republican side. and if we raised taxes to pay for this war, conservatives would suddenly become the heart of a new antiwar movement in our country!

[caledesi]

5. Excellent points. Just see how the RW thugs support the troops

when asked to "sacrifice" and give up their tax breaks!

[libodem]

6. And the spin is...

I just heard the infamous Dr Laura, blame congress for not funding the troops as the reason they are having the extension. Her son is apparently over there serving as a paratrooper. She loves the war, loves her son to be a hero, loves George Bush, loves the neocon agenda, but is pissing and moaning about the extension. She does not have the right to complain even if he comes home in a box. Hoo Ahhh

[ozymandius]

7. All Bush wants is unending war.

Why is that so difficult to see among the wise old Solons of Washington?