AD:

Bush's proposed budget for fiscal 2009 is huge, and there is a large increase in military spending. McCain has indicated he would do the same thing. That means more contracts for the military industrial complex.

It is not just a Democratic issue.

And Eisenhower, a Republican, was the first to warn us about the military industrial complex.

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National Debt =

We as a nation have gained nothing. 95% of the people have gained nothing. Som eof them have suffered under the last 5 years as Bush announced the war won, on an aircrafy carrier. What the **** have we won? On yes the Military Industrial Complex, some defense plants and most of the other 5% of the people have gained/won a hell of a lot along with their other shareholders. This adds to the beginning story.

2 Shiite militia leaders surrender in Iraq By LAUREN FRAYER, Associated Press Writer
Fri Jun 6, 8:35 AM ET

2 Shiite militia leaders surrender in Iraq - Yahoo! News

BAGHDAD - Two suspected Shiite militia leaders surrendered Friday during raids by U.S. forces, while tens of thousands of Shiite faithful streamed out of mosques to join protests against a security agreement with the United States.

Such rallies have erupted weekly following a call by anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, who opposes the deal, which could lead to a long-term U.S. troop presence in Iraq.

FURTHER DOWN..................
Such arrests have become an almost daily occurrence in Iraq, where U.S. forces are seeking to thwart the movement of Iranian weapons into Iraq. Washington accuses Iran of arming and training Shiite militiamen, but Tehran denies that.

Al-Maliki was due in Iran on Saturday, as protests grew more amplified in Iraq against a proposed security agreement with America.

The deal, which the Iraqis and Americans hope to finish by midsummer, would establish a long-term security relationship between Iraq and the United States, and a parallel agreement would provide a legal basis to keep U.S. troops in Iraq after the U.N. mandate expires at the end of the year.

Supporters believe the deal would help assure Iraq's Arab neighbors, notably Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States, that Iraq's Shiite-led government would not become a satellite of Iran, the largest Shiite nation, as the American military role here fades.

But critics in Iraq worry the deal will lock in American military, economic and political domination of the country. Some Iraqi politicians have attacked the deal, especially those loyal to al-Sadr, whose militiamen fought U.S. and Iraqi troops in Sadr City for seven weeks this spring, until a truce in May.

CREDIT TO: Associated Press Writer Nasser Karimi contributed to this report from Tehran, Iran.

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Yea can't keep the words of your great leader.

Prophet Muhammad - “Do you love your creator? Love your fellow-beings first.”

Who's country is it, anyway?

Iraq should absolutely hold firm on our withdrawal. They shouldn't accept our permanent presence and bases any more than we should accept North Korea building a huge permanent base in Nebraska. Fair's fair.

I'm starting to like these Iraqis, actually. Why would anyone want to be a puppet for a bigger nation's convenience? Good for them!

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Unfortunately, the Founders did not address the possibility of this nation becoming populated with obnoxious twits.

Well said and Mccain is a complete fool to keep it up! And the GOP is dumber for even thinking they rule the Iraq govt. All we do is give them $ to share between themselves and put into hidden accounts.
But the GOP is backing the Military Industrail Complex, the defense plants and their owners.

And if America is going to make it over this hump our economy is going to hit sooner or later the GOP needs to die out!

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Yea can't keep the words of your great leader.

Prophet Muhammad - “Do you love your creator? Love your fellow-beings first.”

I agree that this decision should be held and Iraqi sovereignty should be upheld as the Iraqi army is growing in strength, their should be major troop drawdowns, leaving behind only a few groups to help out where needed, as well as continued humanitarian aid.



This is in response to the second article posted about the blackmailing Iraq into signing the military agreement, this was the official standing as claimed by the US ambassador:

No secret deal on pact with Iraq, U.S. says | Reuters

The only sources which list this "blackmail" and the ridiculous terms for Iraq are these, none of which seem to be reliable sources, there is also no backing or evidence for where their information is coming from:
403 Forbidden

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"...Follow the crystal star to the pyre of the flame; there exists the dwelling of the spreading fire. The heart of this life rests upon the fate of that place, and what begins there sends a contagion to the rest of the universe.
As long as the fire burns we shall never be free..." (The Shadows of Yavara, Final Reclamation)

Ehh. Like a scab, it's probably better in the long run to just do it quick and get it over with. It's gonna be messy. It's gonna hurt. But, it'll be temporary. Every day we piddle around withdrawing by twos and threes is more time wasted, hemorraging money.

Humanitarian aid's great, WHEN invited. I say let Blackwater/Halliburton/KBR deal with it on their own dime.

Oh, wait, they have all OUR dimes....

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Unfortunately, the Founders did not address the possibility of this nation becoming populated with obnoxious twits.

The response is what we are interested in. If lets say 20,000 troops or so are withdrawn in july as planned, and there is some sudden major problem, we'll still have people there to clean up and keep things in order until we can begin pulling out larger amounts of troops.

A full pullout all at once seems bad, because in my mind it will be a signal for all remaining Al-Queda, Sadrist extremists, and other insurgents to party and put on a gunshow. If the political structure of the Iraqi government is not ready, it could weaken with poor response and all could be lost. I doubt it would happen, but a withdrawal over time--maybe 20,000 or so every 2 months, would work well for both parties I think. A force should remain though, not a huge one, but at least enough to maintain maybe 4 US bases for quick response help to the Iraqi governemnt if they needed it, and to guard the embassy and civilians where needed and provided light patrols in some areas. Then as things churn down those forces can leave as well as the Iraqi army takes over those positions.

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"...Follow the crystal star to the pyre of the flame; there exists the dwelling of the spreading fire. The heart of this life rests upon the fate of that place, and what begins there sends a contagion to the rest of the universe.
As long as the fire burns we shall never be free..." (The Shadows of Yavara, Final Reclamation)

Al Malaki, the Iraqi president, was on the news today hinting that the Iraqi legislature may pass legislation inviting the US to leave.

He is an Iranian loyal Shi'ite Muslim, a follower of Ayotellah Khomeni of Iran. This could be a threat to withdraw from US assistance and connect with Iran for assistance.

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National Debt =

Let him do it. Great it will blow up in Bush and McCains face. And we can leave these people to the fate they want. And you can bet SA and otheres in th emiddle east will change their tune toward the US. I love it. Great Post Michael.
Just makes for larger targets later.

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Yea can't keep the words of your great leader.

Prophet Muhammad - “Do you love your creator? Love your fellow-beings first.”

If they want us out then so be it. We should leave then. They can have fun under Iran's rule if they want.