Petraeus Defends Withdrawal Plan for Afghanistan

[RamboLiberal]

Source: CBS News/AP

The commander of U.S. forces in the Mideast tried to reassure worried lawmakers Wednesday that there will be an orderly withdrawal of troops from the war in Afghanistan - not a rush for the exits starting July next year.

At a Senate hearing, Republican lawmakers questioned President Barack Obama's plan to start withdrawal of U.S. forces in July 2011. Senators complained that Afghans see that as the date they will be abandoned by the U.S.

"We are sounding an uncertain trumpet" about America's commitment to Afghanistan, said Republican Arizona Sen. John McCain.

Gen. David Petraeus said setting the July date was meant partly to pressure the Afghan government to work harder to provide services and reduce corruption, crucial to the military effort to defeat the insurgents.

Seated next to Petraeus, U.S. Department of Defense under secretary Michele Flournoy said Mr. Obama hasn't set a timeline for exactly how many troops will come home at any given point because the president believes that will depend on progress in the war.



Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/06/16/politics/main6588034.shtml

[unhappycamper]

1. If we wait for 'progress' in Afghani$tan, we're gonna be there a looooong. time. n/t

[Robb]

2. Republican Arizona Sen. John McCain needs to sit down, and shut up.

Watch carefully, the GOP will work like hell to derail the withdrawal plan, and if it works they get to accuse Obama of backtracking on bringing the troops home.

[Oregone]

3. "said setting the July date was meant partly to pressure the Afghan government"

Lets hope they don't find out so that it works. Otherwise, we will be there a long time yet.

[DeSwiss]

4. What? Leave in our moment of triumph?

And with $1 trillion in the ground?

K&R

[Jefferson23]

5. Perpetual war. I've never seen a poll that reflected what percentage of moderate

Republicans/Democrats support this war.

[David Zephyr]

6. "Withdrawal" "Pull back" "Troop Reduction" = We were defeated.

How Orwellian we've become.

[vaberella]

10. It also means we're getting out. Let's just be happy that we're getting out.

At this point, that's what matters.

[The abyss]

7. “ Is Paris burning”?

[Judi Lynn]

8. Dem Lawmakers Challenge Pentagon on Afghan War

Source: Associated Press

Dem Lawmakers Challenge Pentagon on Afghan War
Rift grows between Congress and war leaders as lawmakers question progress in Afghanistan
The Associated Press
By ANNE FLAHERTY and PAULINE JELINEK Associated Press Writers
WASHINGTON June 17, 2010 (AP)

A schism deepened Wednesday between U.S. war leaders and Congress as lawmakers — crucial Democrats among them — challenged Pentagon assertions that progress is picking up in Afghanistan.

"I wouldn't call it eroding," Democratic Sen. Carl Levin of Michigan said of once-solid Democratic support for President Barack Obama's war strategy. "But there's a lot of fair concern."

Congressional hearings stepped up pressure on the Pentagon, with Defense Secretary Robert Gates complaining about negative perceptions taking root in Washington about the war. Another top military official acknowledged feeling "angst" about the conflict.

But military leaders said the U.S. effort is advancing. "I think that we are regaining the initiative," Gates told a skeptical Senate panel. "I think that we are making headway."



Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=10937032

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http://veschristoff.com.nyud.net:8090/images/defense-secretary-robert-gates.jpg

[elias49]

9. "We are making headway" Gates says

. "..we are regaining the initiative"
9 years and a trillion dollars later. Boy am I glad!:sarcasm:

And there are no words to express my revulsion at the sight of the Shrub. That was plain mean!