AFP: Veteran Republicans put Bush on notice on Iraq (while Democrats opt for the "Dead to me" board)

[Up2Late]

("...but Democratic Leaders skip "On Notice" board all together and move Bush's name over to the 'Dead to Me' board!" Sounds like someone at AFP has been watching too much of "The Colbert Report" again!):evilgrin:

Veteran Republicans put Bush on notice on Iraq

14/07/2007 07h44

WASHINGTON (AFP) - In the clearest sign yet of Republican anxiety over Iraq, two party elder statesmen have urged President George W. Bush to begin pulling US troops out of the sectarian cross-fire by the end of the year.

A new blueprint by Senators Richard Lugar and John Warner was similar to plans from anti-war Democrats to yank soldiers out of the cauldron, with an important difference -- it did not include a hard date for troop withdrawals to be completed.

Lugar and Warner released their plan Friday, a day after Bush rejected any changes to the war plan until US commander in Iraq General David Petraeus gives a definitive report on his troop "surge" strategy within two months.

"We are attempting to ensure that US military and diplomatic policy is prepared for change when the Petraeus report arrives in September," Lugar said.

(more at link) <http://www.afp.com/english/news/stories/070714074409.1ljrgdny.html>

[DeadElephant_ORG]

1. look at WHY they want to end this war

Call me naive, but it disturbs me that these republican "elder statesmen" are urging Bush to end the war on purely political grounds. The only disaster they're able to see, or communicate to him, is the disaster for their party. But the catastrophe for our country, for generations to come, they remain blind to. They don't acknowledge the fallen troops. or the half-a-million Iraqis killed. or the danger of "blow-back" terrorism. or the damage to our alliances. or the bankrupting of our treasury. It's just, "Save our party, Mr. President".

[Up2Late]

3. Yup you got that right! I love this part too, and it bring up a question...

At the White House meanwhile, spokesman Tony Snow admitted Iraq's lawmakers would take a summer break -- despite their bad report card from Washington. "You know, it's 130 degrees (54 Celsius) in Baghdad in August," Snow said.

Top US officials, including Vice President Dick Cheney, have tried to persuade lawmakers to stay at work, conscious of claims in Washington that Iraqis are doing little to forge peace while US troops are dying in their country.

Here's my question, is Bush and Cheney (and the Congress) going to take their usual MONTH off in August again too? What have they done this year to deserve a vacation? I bet it's less that 100 degrees in Washington D.C. this year.

...Bush also summoned a phalanx of conservative columnists who support the war for a group interview at the White House on why his approach deserves more time.

But The New York Times said in an editorial Saturday that "Bush is still trying to twist reality to claim that his failed effort is worth sticking with."

<http://www.afp.com/english/news/stories/070714074409.1ljrgdny.html>

[DeadElephant_ORG]

5. If it's 130 degrees for the parliament...

...then it's 130 degrees for our soldiers in their streets! That is the lamest damned excuse! Are we to believe that the Iraqi parliament building lacks air-conditioning?

[radfringe]

2. they can't shake off the monkey

they've been rubberstamping and following bush for so long - they can't break the habit



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[Up2Late]

4. kick n/t

:kick: