The Afghan Speech Obama Should Give Nov 21, 2009
I believed -- and still believe -- that, in invading Iraq, a war this administration is now ending, we took our eye off Afghanistan ... Our all-volunteer military has for years now shouldered the burden of our two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan ... Beyond that, I believe it is in the national interest of the American people that this war, like the Iraq War, be drawn down. (CBS News)
Iraq election official: Even if Kurdish boycott averted, January deadline impossible Nov 21, 2009
talks with Prime Minister of the Kurdish region Government of Iraq Barham Saleh on Oct. 28 in Arbil, Iraq ... Top Iraq election official says the Iraq elections cannot be held by the January deadline ... Baghdad - A senior Kurdish leader on Friday moved to defuse the latest threat to Iraq's imperiled elections a possible Kurdish boycott saying ongoing discussions with Iraqi leaders and political party blocs were close to resolving their differences. (Christian Science Monitor)
Fort Hood tragedy hits home in Adel, Ga. Nov 21, 2009
Martin was waiting for his final checkup in a crowded medical processing center before shipping out to Iraq. He noticed the Army psychiatrist who was later charged in the shooting, but didn t think much of it because the man was in uniform. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Metro)
Iraq cleric's aide urges end to political crisis Nov 21, 2009
BAGHDAD (AP) -- A top aide to Iraq's Shiite spiritual leader is calling on the country's fractious political blocs to solve a crisis over a key election law that threatens to delay national polls planned for January ... Al-Hashemi, a Sunni Arab, wants more seats allocated for Iraqis living abroad, many of whom are Sunni. (WSVN-TV Miami, FL)
Is There a Palin Doctrine? Nov 21, 2009
"[He] wanted to know whether I understood the origin of the conflict [in Iraq], the history of the Middle East, and how thirteenth- and fourteenth-century differences had evolved into today's murderous rivalry," Palin writes ... NATO intervention in Kuwait saved a tiny, oil-rich emmirate that has a minimal role in the global oil market; Saddam would've sold us Kuwaiti oil as readily as he sold us Iraqi oil. (Slate)
Salmon Speaks Out on DUI, Finances Nov 21, 2009
A few days later, I remember saying to my wife, "I'm going somewhere warm someday. Keep your eye out for an Iraqi cookbook." ... 2008: The next test was being deployed in 2008 to Iraq with my fellow Seabeas and potentially losing my job as Auditor due to DOD 1344 ... I returned home in March 19, 2009, to St. J from Iraq. (WCAX.com, VT)
Judge the difference for yourself Nov 21, 2009
"As for the whole generalization about "defeating enemies," I think FDR and Truman were pretty liberal and they did a good job defeating the Axis powers in World War II. Meanwhile, George W. Bush failed to accomplish the mission in Afghanistan, leaving -- in the wake of his administration -- a stretched-to-the-max military with no clearly defined goal for victory in either Iraq or Afghanistan. " ... Just Wondering wrote on Nov 19, 2009 11:09 PM:" LJ... Facts... I'll go with the "facts" in... (Cameron Observer, MO)
Letters to the Editor Nov 21, 2009
The opinion piece "Dressed to kill: left me feeling riled up and misunderstood. While camo represents aggression and violence to the writer, for my family it symbolizes honor, service, humility, and sacrifice. I understand why the author, living in New York, should question the prevalence of militaristic clothing for innocent young boys. Very few people in her city are hunters, and only a small portion of the population will ever consider serving in the armed forces. But isn't it an important... (Christian Science Monitor)
Owens defeats Hoffman (again) in N.Y.-23 Nov 20, 2009
Wouldn't ask you to care about the thousands of soldiers, both ours and our allies, including Iraq, or the hundreds of thousands of civilians that war killed, won't even 'whine' about the millions left homeless as I realized long ago your smug self-assurance is just more lipstick. Having trouble saving up money for 'public insurance' (can't afford privae coverage, maybe. (TheHill.com)
Gates Says Iraq Withdrawal on Schedule Nov 20, 2009
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Defense Secretary Robert Gates says warnings that politics could push back Iraqi elections scheduled for January aren't affecting his plans for a troop withdrawal now ... Iraqi lawmakers will vote Saturday on how to break a deadlock over a key election law after a vice president vetoed the legislation, causing a crisis that could delay a national vote scheduled for January ... The United States has more than 100,000 troops in Iraq, many of them biding their time in case they... (13WMAZ.com, GA)
Choking The Blue Dogs Nov 20, 2009
Mr. Bush's tax cuts "ran up the debt," he didn't "pay for" the Medicare prescription drug benefit and the war in Iraq was too costly. Blue Dogs opposed the president without losing their conservative credentials. (CBS News -- Politics)
Senate candidate walks across Connecticut Nov 20, 2009
Having been a peacekeeper in a Muslim nation, Bosnia, Alpert said "I can say from firsthand experience that what we're doing is not going to succeed." Alpert said Dodd has never served overseas in the U.S. military, but the Senator supported both the Afghanistan and Iraq Wars ... We got into Iraq on the basis of a lie. (Fairfield Minuteman, CT)
Iraqi lawmakers struggle over election law dispute Nov 20, 2009
BAGHDAD - Iraqi lawmakers will vote tomorrow on how to break a deadlock over a key election law after a vice president vetoed the legislation, causing a crisis that could delay a national vote scheduled for January and change the timetable for an American troop withdrawal. Iraq s fractious parliament was looking at two options - sending the same law back to the three-member presidency council, where it is likely to be vetoed again - or amending the law to address the concerns of Vice President... (Boston Globe)
They were wrong about Medicare, too Nov 20, 2009
Here s a little clue for all of you: Iraq and Afghanistan are bankrupting us too ... The Afghanistan & Iraq wars have cost us about $900,000,000,000 during the last 8 & 7 yrs. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
Belgium’s prime minister to lead EU Nov 20, 2009
Moreover, Blair offered warm support for the Bush administration s 2003 invasion of Iraq, which was opposed by most Europeans and their governments. Copyright 2009 Globe Newspaper Company. (Boston Globe)
Iraq struggles over election law dispute Nov 20, 2009
Iraq's Sunni Arab Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi wants a key election law amended to allocate more seats to Iraqis living abroad, many of whom are Sunnis who fled the war ... Conflict in Iraq video ... Nov. 10: The New York Times reports that the Blackwater security company authorized secret payments to Iraqi officials to silence criticism. (MSNBC -- International)
Being the underdog never deters a driven Brown Nov 20, 2009
A lieutenant colonel and lawyer in the judge advocate general corps, Brown has not been called up for duty in Iraq or Afghanistan but said he spent about 10 days in Paraguay in 2005 and a week in Kazakhstan in 2007 for a disaster and counterterrorism exercise. He is not shy about talking about his abilities and achievements. (Boston Globe)
Clinton Sees Encouraging Karzai Signs as U.S. Plots Afghanistan War Plan Nov 20, 2009
In Washington, U.S. Defense Secretary said he favors handing responsibility for security in Afghanistan to that nations forces only when they are ready to handle it and possibly in phases, as is being done in Iraq. Gates said Afghan forces could take responsibility gradually -- on a province-by-province or even district-by- district level, as in Iraq -- and that could come relatively soon. (Bloomberg -- Asia)
Army to Block Media at Palin Book Signing Nov 20, 2009
-----Of course, Trailer Queen here didn't utter a peep about Bush totally ignoring Afghanistan to invade Iraq for no reason - and fail there too. by nextgenman09 November 20, 2009 3:05 AM EST. (CBS News)
Chinas ascent traced back to Clinton-era trade deal Nov 19, 2009
China s ascent traced back to Clinton-era trade deal. 4:16 pm November 18, 2009, by Jay. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
The end is near Nov 19, 2009
The Left would like to be done with the war in Iraq and Afghanistan so that it can take those resources and direct them to Obamacare ... The invasion of Iraq is an example of that ... The Bush Administration put 90% of its resources into the war in Iraq while letting Afghanistan fester. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
A nation of misnathropes? Nov 19, 2009
I felt President Bush was terribly wrong for sending and keeping our troops in Iraq. I believe President Obama is terribly wrong for keeping our troops in, and possibly sending more to, Afghanistan. (Boerne Star, TX)
Bring them home, Mr. President Nov 19, 2009
Our all-volunteer armed forces have been at war for eight years with no end in sight, serving tours of duty of up to 15 months in the war zones of Iraq and Afghanistan. Many units have been called to serve multiple tours. (Fort Madison Daily Democrat, IO)
Obama 'furious' about Afghanistan leaks... Nov 19, 2009
Bush sent us to Iraq. Remember the war over WMD that didn't exist. (The Drudge Report)
Iraq vote in January faces likely delay Nov 19, 2009
Iraq officials halt preparations for January vote ... Iraq's Sunni Arab vice president Tariq al-Hashemi speaks during a press conference about the upcoming elections in Baghdad, Iraq, on Wednesday ... Conflict in Iraq video. (MSNBC -- International)
Election in doubt as law vetoed Nov 19, 2009
BAGHDAD: Iraq's general election, planned for January, was thrown into doubt yesterday after Vice-President Tareq al-Hashemi announced his veto of the election law ... Mr Hashemi, who represents Sunnis as one of Iraq's two vice-presidents, said he objected to a clause in the law giving only 5 per cent of the seats in Parliament to minorities and Iraqi refugees abroad ... Iraq has a population of 25 million, of whom 2 million live abroad. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Hasan Epitomizes U.S. "Self-Radicalizing" Nov 19, 2009
Military authorities say they continue to pursue all possible motives behind the Nov. 5 massacre at the Army's largest domestic base of 13 people as they rested before deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan ... Sunnis will regain control of Iraq and the Taliban will regain control of Afghanistan ... The problem 00004000 with this war is we are only fighting the obvious targets--like those who go to radical sites, or actual people who are in Afghanistan or Iraq or other places--but the majority of... (CBS News -- US)
Editorial Roundup Nov 19, 2009
The Muslim cleric, suspected of recruiting insurgents for Iraq and Afghanistan, was flown to Egypt, where he allegedly was tortured with electric shocks, beatings and threats of rape. He was released in 2007. (Hanford Sentinal, CA)
Will rows derail Iraqi poll? Nov 19, 2009
BBC News : Will disputes derail Iraq's election ... Will disputes derail Iraq's election ... Iraqi Vice-President Tariq al-Hashemi vetoed a law crucial to the poll. (BBC News -- Africa)
EDITORIAL: Picking lieutenant governor Nov 19, 2009
With the lieutenant governor office vacant, the acting governor during Schwarzenegger's recent trip to Iraq has been Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, a Democrat ... With 21st century communication systems, there is no reason that California needs an acting governor when the governor goes to Nevada, or even Iraq. (Fresno Bee)
LETTER: Obama dismantling free-market system Nov 19, 2009
The Question wrote on Nov 12, 2009 2:20 PM:" And here are just a few of the fascist actions undertaken by Dick Cheney and his monkey puppet: a massive campaign of spying on Americans by the Defense Department, the FBI and the National Security Agency; a campaign of torture of prisoners, including American citizens; a claim that the president didnt even need to NOTIFY the courts or the American public about the arrest, detention, torture or even EXECUTION of an American citizen if he, acting on... (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Veto of election law could delay Iraqi vote Nov 19, 2009
Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi said Wednesday that he wants more seats in the parliament for Iraqi refugees abroad. By Aamer Madhani and Ahmed Fadaam, USA TODAY BAGHDAD A top Iraqi official on Wednesday threw a wrench into plans to hold national elections in January, a move likely to delay the vote that is a key milestone for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from ... Vice President vetoed part of Iraq's election law passed this month because it doesn't allow enough seats in the parliament for... (USA Today -- News)
Obama's diplomatic dance with America's banker Nov 19, 2009
Afghanistan and Iraq have shown the limits of US military power. We are no longer impressed, as we once were, by million-dollar smart bombs if crude but deadly IEDs planted in drinks cans can kill or injure American soldiers on a daily basis. (BBC News -- Americas)
Clinton Makes Surprise Trip to Afghanistan Nov 19, 2009
KJV - do you realize if Bush had actually thought about it before he started a War with Iraq based on lies, there would be almost 5,000 American soldiers still alive today. by 4thought November 18, 2009 5:18 PM EST. (CBS News -- World)
Iraq Vote Likely to Be Delayed Nov 19, 2009
Nov. 18: Iraq's Sunni Arab Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi speaks during a press conference about the upcoming elections in Baghdad, Iraq. BAGHDAD Iraq's path toward political stability after years of war threatened to veer off course Wednesday when a vice president vetoed part of a key election law, a move likely to delay a national vote slated for January ... The United States has linked the pace of its military drawdown to the vote, but the top U.S. commander in Iraq told reporters the... (Fox News)
Iraqi foes give mediation a chance Nov 19, 2009
THE BROKER Padraig O Malley convened the conference to help Iraq s Arabs, Kurds, and Turkmens resolve their disputes on their own ... With a push from a University of Massachusetts at Boston professor, local and national Iraqi legislators are meeting today in Baghdad to defuse explosive disputes in the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk, where ethnic and political conflicts threaten to derail Iraq s halting progress toward a working democracy ... At a critical moment in Iraq, with the scheduled... (Boston Globe)
Vote count in N.Y.-23: Where the candidates stand Nov 18, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009. By Jordan Fabian - 11/17/09 12:00 PM ET. (TheHill.com)
Afghanistan slips in corruption index Nov 18, 2009
Second only to Somalia in annual survey; Iraq improves a bit ... Iraq saw some improvement, rising to 176 of 180 countries, up two places up from last year ... "The governments have to show "that there is the political will to respond to the needs of the people," Hodess said.In Iraq, corruption has become widespread since the U.S.-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein in 2003 with scarcity of serious government measures against corrupted officials.That has undermined the largest... (MSNBC -- International)
Iraqi doctors dismiss claims that Jessica Lynch was raped in hospital Nov 18, 2009
Evidence was growing this weekend that babies born in the Iraqi city of Fallujah scene in 2004 of one of the few set-piece battles of the invasion are exhibiting high rates of mortality and birth defects ... Iraq's parliament yesterday passed a long-delayed election law paving the way for a national vote in January after overcoming a potentially explosive row over the disputed city of Kirkuk, lawmakers said. (Yahoo News -- Jessica Lynch)
AP: Iran Sentences 5 to Death in Postelection Turmoil Nov 18, 2009
It said he was convicted of charges including leaving the country illegally to meet with U.S. military officials in Iraq ... Zamani testified in August that he met with a U.S. intelligence agent called "Frank" in Irbil, the capital of Iraq's self-governing Kurdish region, and received money and a phone from him in return for information on the Iranian government and student movements, according to state media reports at the time ... In a separate case, Iran is also holding three Americans -... (Missourian Publishing, MO)
British actors dominate TV Globes Nov 18, 2009
----------------- ----------------- RELATED BBC SITES. Last Updated: Tuesday, 16 January 2007, 10:47 GMT. (Yahoo News -- Golden Globe Awards)
The haves should help the have-nots Nov 18, 2009
Most of this deficit resulted from his administration conducting an unnecessary war in Iraq, while neglecting an important war of necessity against real terrorists in Afghanistan. Taves seems to have swallowed the lie of WMDs hook, line and sinker. (Lodi News Sentinel, CA)
LETTER: Country is 'progressing' to a political monopoly Nov 18, 2009
Danny Boy wrote on Nov 16, 2009 1:53 PM:" Bush Raided the Treasury, when we had a Surplus of money, 2001, and gave it out to the rich, and the privileged. Then spent 2 billlion a year on Iraq, as a personal vendetta to make his Daddy proud.Now you Lush Limbaughs cry foul.... ". Becky wrote on Nov 16, 2009 2:57 PM:" I totally forgot about that info Bernie. Thanks for reminding us. ". (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Get more: Assignment 7 Nov 18, 2009
A little boy from Iraq recovers in the bay area after life-changing surgery. Tags. (KGO, CA)
Byrd longest-serving congressman Nov 18, 2009
An ardent foe of President George W. Bush's policies in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Byrd opposed creating the Department of Homeland Security in 2002 and called Bush "dangerous, reckless and arrogant" in February 2003, six weeks before the Iraq war started. Three months later, he criticized Bush's landing a jet on the USS Abraham Lincoln to signal the end of the Iraq war as "flamboyant showmanship.". (CNN)
Mr. Obama's War Nov 18, 2009
And Hasan recommended that Muslims who have religious conflicts with the Iraq and Afghanistan wars be identified. In that he was correct. (Human Events Online)
Paying Off The Warlords Nov 18, 2009
He is the author of (Nation Books, 2009) and Iraq, Inc. (Seven Stories Press, 2004). Dr Ali Safi contributed research and reporting for this article. (CBS News)
The mission isn't finished Nov 18, 2009
It was in part about repudiating eight years of George W. Bush, especially his efforts in Iraq. But it was also about achieving a moral imperative -- helping elect the first African-American president who promised to change the language of politics in this country. (Albany Times Union)
Iraq’s Kurds threaten to boycott elections Nov 18, 2009
Iraq s Kurds threaten to boycott elections - The Boston Globe ... Iraq s Kurds threaten to boycott elections ... SULAIMANIYAH, Iraq - Kurdish political leaders threatened yesterday to boycott January s national elections unless Kurdish areas receive more seats in Parliament, throwing into doubt the vote that could determine how quickly US troops can go home. (Boston Globe)
Iraq VP says vetoes part of election law Nov 18, 2009
BAGHDAD, Nov 18 (Reuters) - Iraq's Sunni Arab vice president said on Wednesday he had vetoed part of an election law over the allocation of seats to displaced Iraqis, throwing fresh doubt over plans for general elections in January. Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi said he objected to Article One of the law approved by parliament this month because it did not give a voice to Iraqis abroad, many of whom are Sunni Muslims who fled during sectarian fighting after the U.S-led invasion in 2003. (AlertNet)
Kurds threaten Iraq election boycott Nov 18, 2009
Kurds complain they are victims of unfair seat allocation in Iraqi parliament ... Baghdad, Iraq (CNN) -- Iraq's Kurds Tuesday threatened to boycott national elections scheduled for next January, casting further shadows over a vote seen as a key landmark in Washington's plan to withdraw U.S. combat troops from the country ... The government in Iraq's autonomous northern Kurdish region warned it will pull out of the election unless a dispute over parliamentary seat allocations for the country's... (CNN -- World)
Iraq's Kurds threaten to boycott elections Nov 18, 2009
SULAIMANIYAH, Iraq (AP) Kurdish political leaders threatened Tuesday to boycott January's national elections unless Kurdish areas receive more seats in parliament, throwing into doubt the vote which could determine how quickly U.S. troops can go home ... The statement also said the current division of seats is "an attempt to reduce the number of Kurdistan Region representatives in the next Iraqi parliament and diminish their achievements." ... While Kurds have fought bitter political battles... (Florida Today)
Iraq VP vetoes new election law Nov 18, 2009
One of Iraq's two vice-presidents has vetoed part of the country's new election law, putting the parliamentary polls scheduled for January in doubt ... Most Iraqis who have fled violence since 2003 by moving abroad or to other parts of Iraq are thought to be Sunni. (BBC News -- Africa)
War still a key issue for troops Nov 18, 2009
For Robert Quillen and Carl Broberg, the Iraq war isn't just a campaign issue - it's personal. They fought in Iraq and are eager to hear what the presidential candidates have to say about the conflict heading into Tuesday's Wisconsin primary ... At least, let us feel we've done something," says Broberg, 26, a U.S. Army reservist who was based in Taji in 2004 and now attends UW-Milwaukee. In recent weeks, debate over the war has receded as voters focus on the economy as the top issue of the... (Yahoo News -- FYI)
Blanche Lincoln Feels Heat on Health Care Nov 18, 2009
John F. Kerry's "I actually voted for it before I voted against it" line about Iraq war funding. For GOP leaders, the best strategy for defeating the Senate bill is to sow doubts among vulnerable Democrats, convincing them that Reid is leading them off a political cliff. (CBS News -- US)
Brain 'can beat early blindness' Nov 18, 2009
----------------- ----------------- RELATED BBC SITES. Last Updated: Saturday, 17 February 2007, 00:33 GMT. (Yahoo News -- Brain Research)
Iraq's Sunni VP vetoes controversial voting bill Nov 18, 2009
BAGHDAD, Nov. 18 (Xinhua) -- Iraq's Sunni Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi vetoed Wednesday the country's election law, demanding more seats in the next parliament for Iraqis living abroad, a source from Hashimi's office said. "Hashimi vetoed the elections law, objecting the first article of the law that related to the number of seats allocated for Iraqis outside the country," the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity ... Hashimi's veto threatened to a new possible delay to the country's... (Xinhuanet, China)
Poll: Support For Afghan War SlippingSupport for the war has ebbed to a new low in ABC News/Washington Post polls. Nov 18, 2009
Fifty-two percent instead say the war has not been worth it, up 13 points from its low last December still well below Iraq levels, but majority negative nonetheless. On how to proceed, preferences underscore the : Assuming he does decide to send more U.S. forces, the public divides, 45-46 percent, on a smaller increase mainly to train the Afghan military, or a larger one to fight al Qaeda and the Taliban as well as to train Afghan forces. (ABC News)
Kuwait protest for women's rights Nov 18, 2009
MID-EAST WOMEN'S RIGHTS Women can vote and be elected: Iraq, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Palestinian territories, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Yemen, Morocco, Tunis, Algeria, Iran Women cannot vote or be elected: Kuwait, Saudi Arabia There are no elections: Syria (holds presidential referenda in which women can vote), UAE, Libya. "We cannot be elected or give our vote to any political candidate. We are deprived of this political right," Ms Mullah, from the Kuwaiti Women's Cultural and Social... (Yahoo News -- Kuwait)
Jordan tightens Iraqi immigration Nov 18, 2009
Jordan has introduced new regulations to stem the flow of Iraqi refugees entering its territory. The law states refugees fleeing the violence in Iraq must carry a new type of passport only available since 2006 ... A BBC correspondent in Jordan says the law means its borders will be almost closed to Iraqis, hundreds of thousands of whom have already fled to Jordan. (Yahoo News -- Jordan)
Jordan's king urges US peace push Nov 18, 2009
The king suggested a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was more urgent than the conflict in Iraq. While Iraq was a source of concern, "the wellspring of regional division, the source of resentment and frustration... is the denial of justice and peace in Palestine" ... Iraq VP vetoes new election law. (Yahoo News -- Jordan)
Pill use 'may cut risk of cancer' Nov 18, 2009
----------------- ----------------- RELATED BBC SITES. Last Updated: Tuesday, 11 September 2007, 23:06 GMT 00:06 UK. (Yahoo News -- Birth Control)
US sex-abstinence drive 'flawed' Nov 18, 2009
Page last updated at 02:13 GMT, Friday, 1 December 2006. US sex-abstinence drive 'flawed. (Yahoo News -- Birth Control)
The Fifty-Year War Nov 18, 2009
One problem flowing from this dilemma is that the more the United States does to set up such a government, the more the "Afghans themselves" (or the Vietnamese themselves or the Iraqis themselves or the whoevers themselves) are tainted by the association ... There is an unmistakable continuity that runs from McCarthy's attacks on Truman and his administration for "appeasement" and even "treason" clear down to Dick Cheney's and Karl Rove's and Glenn Beck's refrains assailing Obama for opposing... (CBS News -- Opinion)
Iraq VP says vetoes part of election law Nov 18, 2009
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq's Sunni Arab vice president on Wednesday said he had vetoed part of an election law over the allocation of seats to displaced Iraqis, throwing fresh doubt over plans for general elections in January. Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi, part of a presidential council that has veto power over legislation, said he objected to Article One of the law approved by parliament this month because it did not give a voice to Iraqis abroad ... Iraq's Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi... (The Star Online, Malaysia -- News)
