U.S. Needs ‘Long-Term Presence’ in Iraq, Gates Says

[seafan]

Source: NY Times

WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 — Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told Congress on Wednesday that he envisioned keeping five combat brigades in Iraq as a “long-term presence.”
Mr. Gates told the Senate Appropriations Committee, “When I speak of a long-term presence, I’m thinking of a very modest U.S. presence with no permanent bases, where we can continue to go after Al Qaeda in Iraq and help the Iraqi forces.”

.....

Mr. Gates also laid out at the hearing a Bush administration request for an added $42 billion for war-related expenses in 2008. The request increases to nearly $190 billion the amount the Bush administration is seeking for 2008 to finance military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. In February, the administration asked for $141.7 billion for the wars, an amount that officials said at the time was an estimate that could increase.

The Appropriations Committee chairman, Senator Robert C. Byrd, a Democrat from West Virginia, responded with blistering criticism of the administration’s Iraq strategy and warned that his panel would not “rubber stamp” Mr. Bush’s requests for war financing.

“The president and his supporters claim that we’re now finally on the cusp of progress and that we must continue to stay the course,” Mr. Byrd said. “I’ve heard that before. Call me a skeptic, but we have heard this tune before. Yes, haven’t we?”

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/27/washington/27military.html?adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1190859235-NQ4H4EysQo6kEAEcix6sSg

[movonne]

1. This and the Iran war will be a steady drum beat from both sides...

[dickbearton]

2. U.S. needs to impeach the Criminal Bush...

And get rid of the Stooge Gates and the rest of the Corrupt
Republicans.

[deacon]

3. NO- this is an unnecessary war from the start.. So the solution is prolong

an illegal unnecessary war for what? Because bush wanted us there?

You commit a crime and drag out the hostage situation to make it right?

WRONG.

[bemildred]

4. No, we don't. And even if we did, we can't. nt