Someone should introduce Joe Lieberman to Afghanistan.

[ProSense]

Why We Need More Troops in Iraq

By Joseph Lieberman
Friday, December 29, 2006; Page A27

I've just spent 10 days traveling in the Middle East and speaking to leaders there, all of which has made one thing clearer to me than ever: While we are naturally focused on Iraq, a larger war is emerging. On one side are extremists and terrorists led and sponsored by Iran, on the other moderates and democrats supported by the United States. Iraq is the most deadly battlefield on which that conflict is being fought. How we end the struggle there will affect not only the region but the worldwide war against the extremists who attacked us on Sept. 11, 2001.

Because of the bravery of many Iraqi and coalition military personnel and the recent coming together of moderate political forces in Baghdad, the war is winnable. We and our Iraqi allies must do what is necessary to win it.

Snip...

On this point, let there be no doubt: If Iraq descends into full-scale civil war, it will be a tremendous battlefield victory for al-Qaeda and Iran. Iraq is the central front in the global and regional war against Islamic extremism.

To turn around the crisis we need to send more American troops while we also train more Iraqi troops and strengthen the moderate political forces in the national government. After speaking with our military commanders and soldiers there, I strongly believe that additional U.S. troops must be deployed to Baghdad and Anbar province -- an increase that will at last allow us to establish security throughout the Iraqi capital, hold critical central neighborhoods in the city, clamp down on the insurgency and defeat al-Qaeda in that province.

more...

FACT: Iraq has already descended into full-scale civil war. Back in July, Ken Silverstein reported in Harper's that John Negroponte was blocking production of a new National Intelligence Estimate that would refer to the situation in Iraq as civil war:

“What do you call the situation in Iraq right now?” asked one person familiar with the situation. “The analysts know that it's a civil war, but there's a feeling at the top that will complicate matters.” Negroponte, said another source regarding the potential impact of a pessimistic assessment, “doesn't want the president to have to deal with that.”

Someone should introduce Joe to Afghanistan.

Many soldiers say troop surge a bad idea

GATES - Privately Opposing - BUSH SURGE PLAN

Top Ten Myths about Iraq 2006

It's time to admit it's over in Iraq

[autorank]

1. Hey Connecticut folks who voted for LIEberman...you've been PUNKED;) N/T

[ray of light]

2. Republicans voted for Lieberman but indies must have too.

[babylonsister]

3. I don't think so, autorank. They freely voted for him knowing

he is a warmonger. They may reap what they've sown though but unfortunately, so will the rest of us if he has his way.

[autorank]

12. Well that makes my day;)

I was actually hoping that the people who voted for him, at least 1o-20% of them bought his
big fat lie about moderating on Iraq. He is one nasty piece of work isn't he? I hope that
they recall him and toss him out. A fitting end to a career based on bull shit.

Happy new year to you!

[marmar]

4. "If Iraq descends into full-scale civil war....."

What kind of hallucinogenic drugs is this fool taking?

[nickshepDEM]

5. "Iraq is the central front in the global and regional war against Islamic extremism."

Wrong.

"and defeat al-Qaeda in that province."

Wrong again.

When will these idiots figure it out. al-Qaeda is less than, what, 5% in Iraq? You cannot win or lose another country's civil war. What you can do is, get caught in the middle of it and pretend that your making things better.

[Greeby]

6. I'd settle for him being introduced to the planet Earth

What is wrong with Connecticut, you had an actual choice this time, and just enough of you blew it

[bigscott]

7. how many times

do i have to say that a lot of us in CT did not vote for this asshole? - many of us consider him a total embarassment. he is a dickweed that appealed to most of the republican voters in the state as well as the indies - all the true dems i know voted for lamont. Please dont blame ALL of us for this fucking idiot

[Kagemusha]

8. Don't take it personally. Just frustration talking

Lots of Republicans and Republicans who don't want to be called that because they prefer Independent put Joe in; few Democrats did. Just a shame we're stuck with him but, can't have everything.

[Greeby]

10. I didn't say "all", I made a point to say "just enough"

I was rooting for Ned since the beginning, and a lot of the other primary challengers who never made it :(

[LeftishBrit]

11. I won't blame all of Connecticut for nutcase Joe

if you'll agree not to blame everyone in the UK for traitor Tony!

How influential is Joe Lieberman by now - I mean, I know that every individual senator is important, as long as there's such a narrow majority in the Senate; but does he have a lot of influence on other policymakers, or public opinion, or are people getting to dismiss him as a nutter who won't change his mind even when the evidence is overwhelming?

[Smarmie Doofus]

9. 10 days. Wow. Must be an expert. From wikipedia:

>>>>Lieberman never served in the military. A spokesperson told the Hartford Courant in 1994 that Lieberman received an educational deferment from the Vietnam War draft when he was an undergraduate and law student from 1960-67. Upon graduating from law school at 25, Lieberman qualified for a family deferment as he was already married and had one child, Matt.<7>>>>

[Trajan]

13. Someone should introduce Joe PERSONALLY into Afghanistan ...

Bring your kids and 'cowboy up', cowpokes ....

Teach them brown folk a lesson in manners ....

[ProSense]

14. "It is strikingly painful to read."

December 29, 2006
Guest: Steve Benen

LIEBERMAN MAKES HIS CASE.... Sen. Joe Lieberman just returned from a 10-day visit to the Middle East, but it appears the senator didn't learn much. He's still very much the neo-con.

Snip...

The entire argument -- more troops in Iraq, more confrontation with Iran -- is so detached from reality that one almost suspects the Bush White House helped Lieberman draft his op-ed in advance of publication. It is strikingly painful to read.

Snip...

It's an agonizing reminder that those who helped orchestrate and execute this fiasco are not only proud of their work, they're intent on making it worse.