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Krista Swisher, Indianapolis, IN — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 17:51:17 GMT

Protesters kicked out, huh?! Wow...I gotta pick myself up off the floor on THAT idea. Funny recall about Bill Maher's "tech staff"!! ;)

I'm awfully glad you're back!

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Bill Rochester NY — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 17:52:39 GMT

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Jamie, Chula Vista for 4 more days, CA — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 17:55:13 GMT

From his mouth to our ears-but will it mean anything?

I'm not holding my breath on the hell that is Iraq. For all their talking and finger pointing and 'six more months,' quite frankly it doesn't mean SH** to me anymore. Send my brother, SIL, nephew and thousands of others home, and THEN I'll give a rat's ass as to what these people say.

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Bill Rochester NY — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 17:58:09 GMT

Hey Scott your posts might have more impact if you left them in their original German! ROFLMAO!

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Pat, Boston, MA — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 17:59:33 GMT

Dear Keith: I know you're probably going to be all over the General's report.

Please remember that our military are doing their job. That as long as our troops are in Iraq, we need to keep funding them. Senator Biden was correct on Meet the Press on Sunday in that respect.

Please also if you're going to get upset with Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and the Democrats over not ending this war, I would ask that you be equally enraged with the Republicans, whose support is so desperately needed. It is not the Democrats who want to continue this war. I bet 95% of the protestors who are going to DC on Saturday are democrats and independents. We are doing everything we can. We need the support of the Republicans. Congress needs their votes.

Everyone is saying we cannot end this war without political reconciliation. Where is our president, where is our secretary of state?

The troops cannot win this war. Diplomacy is what is needed at this point in Iraq.

President Bush is not going to end this war. He doesn't know how to.

What we need is for Congress to work TOGETHER, both parties. Democrats AND REPUBLICANS.

The Republicans need to tune President Bush OUT and work with the Democrats to find a political solution. Together.

Our troops did their job and more.

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American public — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 18:07:51 GMT

Anyone who votes to fund the war will not be re-elected.

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Carol, Long Valley NJ — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 18:14:24 GMT

Pat, Boston, MA

I, too, blame the Republican lemmings for preventing an end to this occupation. If their children and/or grandchildren were forced to endure that hell hole, this invasion/occupation never would have happened.

Our troops have done every thing that was asked of them, and more, they deserve nothing but respect.

I would be happy to thank them, in person, for their service once this illegal occupations is over, in the mean time, I will support them by trying to get them back home.

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Ghost of NJ — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 18:17:50 GMT

Why wouldn't protester get thrown out. They add no value to that forum. The purpose of this is for Gen Petraeus to report to congress on the status of the Iraq War. So protesters would only serve one purpose, that is to distract from the formal testimony. They say how Bush has made his mind up already, but Democrats made up their mind before hearing a sentence from the report. So give the general the respect he deserves, and hear him out.

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Mon, 10 Sep 2007 18:20:25 GMT

Happy Ground Hog Day.

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Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 18:20:44 GMT

General Petraeus is here sending a Prisoner of War/Eye Blink Code message to his Wife and others under his Command, stating Dubya gave assurances if he says it just like Cheney wrote it, he will be given another two pounds of decorations for his uniform.

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Krista Swisher, Indianapolis, IN — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 18:25:01 GMT

Pat (1:59 pm post), BEAUTIFUL!! Thank you for posting this.

Off topic, but this story is just too much of a "feel good" not to share; and, I do not use the term "feel good" lightly, so I'm serious here! The gentleman featured in this story, Jim, has worked at the college where I work for a long LONG time (going back to my undergraduate days). He is a great guy, and I'm glad others are seeing how great he is. Enjoy!!

http://www.wthr.com/Global/story.asp?s=7021144

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Billy Jackson — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 18:27:41 GMT

Am I in a different country - on another planet? Our invasion and occupation of Iraq is the same now as the War of Independence for our own country? Maybe if the Germans had invaded the British to kick them out of 18th century America! This has just got totally nuts. Why are we there? Tell us its for the oil and maybe we'll agree we have a stake - but democracy - it has never happened and will never happen. (At this point I wonder if we have it ourselves) This is beyond everything - no wonder the nutters are out in force - what is there left to do - VOTE? it does nothing - just a different gaggle of geese. I hear Joe Biden yesterday (who I used to respect) saying we need to give another $50B so the troups can have some magic tanks - what we couldnt get them with the first $1 Trillion. Sorry but it is just nuts. I am still listening and it sounds like bla bla bla. Install a democracy - it seems we cant even install a microphone!

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Laura in Los Angeles — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 18:35:59 GMT

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Frederick Sweeney, Brooklyn — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 18:43:14 GMT

I want to take the General at his word, he seems to be a honorable man. The fact is it will take months to draw down from Iraq, and we are not leaving completely, we are going to be leaving a sizeable force there no matter who's in the WH in 2009. Reality is that Iraq can't get it's act together and Iran can't be trusted. I believe that we will have units in the Kurdish areas and towards the Iranian border. I don't like it, but that what I think is going to happen. Logistically, my understanding is it would take about a month to withdraw a brigade. The irony for me here is I believe Mrs. Clinton will win the election and with the Arabian man's traditional attitude towards women, I just wonder how that will play out.

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C A, Tuscaloosa, AL — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 18:45:56 GMT

Bill Rochester - 1:52 pm post: I totally agree.

Billy Jackson - 2:27 pm post: I agree and I would think a country would have to function as a democracy before they could hope to install the same somewhere else. Does a democrcy in Iraq (if one were ever to be formed there) mean they would have to vote in as President the person many Iraqi's felt they might like to hold a barbeque with? Maybe we could just send them GW. On the other hand if we did that the Iraqi's would certainly refuse a democracy.

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Yogi Berra — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 18:48:40 GMT

M (Sent Monday, September 10, 2007 2:20 PM)

Excellent. Deja vu all over again.

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Jamie, waiting on my self cleaning over, Chula Vista — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 18:52:01 GMT

Just what I said . Petraus is contradicting his own letter to his troops and his own army manual on counter-insurgency. Just what does W. have on him anyway? Other than the ability to send him to the unemployment line and drag his name through the mud?
Bill Rochester NY (Sent Monday, September 10, 2007 1:52 PM)

Oh hell, unless he's going to run for office when he retires, and even IF he were fired from his job, General FOUR STAR Patraeus won't be hurting for anything.

He, as a soldier, believes in that what they are doing is right-that's his job. There are many in the military that still believe we should be there-though contrary to the beliefs of some here, there a many, many more that do NOT!

I imagine that somewhere down the line he'll have his say, just like so many before him. Call it an unethical code of ethics, but he'll stand behind the president.

BTW, your buddy on here was so inamoured of you calling him a fat ass, that he has taken that on on his new mantra: 'fat ass liberals.' Goes to show that he doesn't have an original thought of his own.:)

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Ghost of NJ — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 18:53:45 GMT

Absolutely nothing the Generalista said is surprising. I'd have been surprised if he'd at least spoken some truth. The only one that did was our Representative from CA. He received no outcries from the protestors. BTW I am amazed those protestors made it into the chambers.

and since El Presidente got out of Petraeus what he wanted, now he can honestly say he is listening to what the military is saying. Petraeus wrote the report himself and didn't show it to anyone..ha!
Laura in Los Angeles (Sent Monday, September 10, 2007 2:35 PM)

Absolutely nothing the Generalista said is surprising. I'd have been surprised if he'd at least spoken some truth. The only one that did was our Representative from CA. He received no outcries from the protestors. BTW I am amazed those protestors made it into the chambers.

and since El Presidente got out of Petraeus what he wanted, now he can honestly say he is listening to what the military is saying. Petraeus wrote the report himself and didn't show it to anyone..ha!

Laura in Los Angeles (Sent Monday, September 10, 2007 2:35 PM)

See, absolutely nothing the General would say would please you, because you have already labeled him a liar. He deserves the respect from every American citizen, but the extremist antiwar will not give him any respect, and that is despicable. This a two part discussion, one about military successes and the second about political successes or lack there of.

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James Madison — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 18:56:38 GMT

Why wouldn't protester get thrown out. They add no value to that forum. Ghost of NJ (Sent Monday, September 10, 2007 2:17 PM)

Ghost -- That's right. Get those scruffy protestors out of here -- so far away that no one knows there's a protest going on. If you get a minute, go back and read that document -- what was that again? -- that Chris Dodd carries in his pocket but thought he'd never have to use -- oh, yeah, that ... Constitution. Specifically, the Bill of Rights. Specifically Amendment One -- having to do with free speech, press, and assembly. Your glib comment goes to show how much we've forgotten since Bush took office.

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jen,il — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 18:58:29 GMT

Once again bush is getting what he wants. Instead of democrates asking when we can end the war, they are talking about when we will end the surge. The surge was only suppose to last until September. I know the media has tapes of the US citizens being told the surge would end in September. I expect we will see them three years from now. Like the tapes of Cheney saying invading Iraq would be a Quagmire or the tapes of bush saying Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11.

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B.A. Buddusky — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 19:05:09 GMT

If they want this war Dubya Congress and All the little excuses they have given to play its political cards costing
American lives lost and wounded,as well as those of other nations as well as the women,men,and children of Iraq then let them bear the responsibility for those cost to conduct further operations and TAX oil imports as to not trigger inflation to be passed on at the pump to the public to pay for this insanity and to clear the deficit it has produced before he leaves.He wants his venture then let him pay for it with a TAX increase.Bring to light the money is not there for his corporate venture at the taxpayers expense.So propose a tax increase to clear up what we have already spent and pay for any further operations.See how many votes you get in Congress then?Let him and his administration pay for the mess he has caused before he slips out the back.See how important all these silly ass bench marks become then to the American public.There are several issues that really affect the public in big ways,tax and monetary increases from their pockets,changes in some moral code that people are passionate about,and the denial of their freedoms and rights which is being done now by slight of hand.So sure lets by all means have a tax increase,a draft to supply troops in fair and equitable way so some of these Congress persons as well as the Presidents brats can serve,and define by all means what threat Iraq poses to me please.And last but not least DIRECT THREATS!
Somewhere out their lurks some pissed off captain that has had a bad day at the helm of some sub say from Russia,or China,that had to much to drink,maybe his wife died and is suffering from suicidal depression,a sub armed with nukes WMD that poses more of a threat than these guys ever did.
There have always been WMD by enemies all around us.There are subs 40 miles off the cost of DC with nukes.Think there might be any nukes on those?Think they might get here very quick.Has anybody even stopped to think how flawed this strategy is,we are fighting a war on credit(like a national VISA that there is no revenue for against a non threat and we allowing our leaders(I use that loosely) to continuing to send our mothers,fathers,brothers,sisters,sons,daughters,to be killed and wounded;to kill Arabic families that they who's land they invaded under false pretenses and some of get to be called terrorist at the pleasure of CC Dubyass to keep the eye of his and Cheney's getting us into this mess illegally.That tape takes the cake like I said where's the dude getting his alternative supplements.Disney Land?
So lets go for it give them their war.Lets see how much they really want it.Put the Mother of all Taxes on Oil imports to pay for it and the famous Iraqi Army and rebuild everything they destroyed for their lies and clean the mess up after they have left.
We can kick some serious butt in a fight,we have the finest troops in the world,but this is just plain murder for someones hidden agenda,and the lack of accountability to those empowered to to preserve this Nation and the People.Almost all of them should be ashamed to collect their pay,of course a lot of comes form other means anyway so what the hell.Their ego's and political futures are more important than your family members lives,wounds,blood,and deaths.All the medals,walls,taps,amazing graces,21 gun salutes,prosthetic devices,PTSD treatments,flag draped coffins,will never justify any of this,and if you cannot or will not stop what is morally wrong then do what is morally right and resign.
Allowing the Nation to grow it is more that some wannabe hick Texan from Connecticut's ego that faked his way into the White House.
Finally 170,000-50,000= 120,000 before the sure level.
Another 20,000 added to the original 30,000 they ask for.A draw down more smoke and mirrors.
A drawn down more DEATH!
LEAVE THERE IS NO REASON TO BE THERE FOR OUR NATIONAL DEFENSE AND BY ALL MEANS BE FOR YOU LEAVE KINDLY REDEPOSIT ALL THE MONEY YOU HAVE SPENT FOR THIS WITH NO NEW TAXES BY TAXING THE CORPORATIONS WHO HAVE PROFITED FROM IT.
I don't feel any safer America and I am not safer because of anything he and Cheney ever did for us.I am in sorrow for all those who have been wounded and killed for this insanity that has nothing to do with national defense.Get a clue and stop believing the LIE.

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pam gpt. ms — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 19:05:11 GMT

Did anyone really think these guys would say anything that did not coincide with king george.
Our government is bought and paid for by big oil and as long as there is one drop left in that country, we will
not leave.

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Ghost of NJ — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 19:08:28 GMT

Specifically, the Bill of Rights. Specifically Amendment One -- having to do with free speech, press, and assembly. Your glib comment goes to show how much we've forgotten since Bush took office.
James Madison (Sent Monday, September 10, 2007 2:56 PM)

And what exactly would this protester add to the testimony? Nothing, of course there is freedom of speech, but Congress needed to hear from the general. If that protester continued the shrieking the hearings couldn't take place, nor would they be informative to Congress. There is a time and place, and that clearly was not it.

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Sue West Allis, Wisconsin — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 19:09:09 GMT

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Ghost of NJ — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 19:18:53 GMT

Yeah, I figured. It's all going just great in Iraq according to Betray-us. And he's really making me afraid of alQaeda too (not). My BS meter is stuck on high alert throughout this hearing.

What a crock.
Sue West Allis, Wisconsin (Sent Monday, September 10, 2007 3:09 PM)

Nice get your talking points MoveOn.org. He did not say everything is going great, but we are making progress militarily. That is always productive to call a 4 star general a liar and say he betrayed you. There is no defense of that action. If the dems continue to tie themselves to the extremists, the Republicans will be in office for a long, long time. Grow up and try to be rational. By the way, Wisconsin is going to lose to Penn State

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Larry Charleston, SC — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 19:22:12 GMT

I love it , watching Lantos and reading here tells us everything we need to know about liberals. You loathe the military. It is shamefull and I hope the American public realize that you guys are saying that the military is inept, uneducated , untruthful, and is incapable of fighting a war. I believe that whoever is advising Lantos on his military advice is doing him a disservice. I also believe that when this is over , Petreaus will be the winner and "W's" ratings will surge. As I said many times before, liberals will lie about who thry are, but if you keep pressing them their true colors will show. Liberals loathe the military. Period. Liberalism is irrelavent.

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Talvenada, Phila., PA — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 19:23:26 GMT

All we need is another 18 mos., and then we can blame the Dems while impeaching The Dem. Pres. for losing a won war.

ALL were asking for is only another 18 mos.

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Provenance — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 19:24:08 GMT

Is Bush holding the Office of the President hostage for the next person to fill that position? So, the next president has to hold onto this Tar Baby of a policy and carry it through to at least one to two years so as W. will not be seen as a co-conspirator on the potential failings associated with this Iraqi endeavor. The Marshall Plan must be seen by this administration as a quaint rendition of a pro-government policy out of touch. What corporation in its right mind would try to cooperate with a defeatist act? Bush has turned the world up-side-down because a Marshall plan must be seen as too socialistic even though it worked! Go figure!

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Mike, AL — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 19:26:33 GMT

He said exactly what everyone expected him to say. I thought the funniest part was when he said the white house has not seen the transcript of what he was going to say until Congress received it. He did say that he reported his assessment up the chain of command prior to the meeting with congress but the wh did not review his transcript. I want to take the General at his word but I seriously doubt the wh would let anyone speak on this topic without knowing what they were going to say ahead of time. It's way too big of a risk.
I hope Keith does a segment on moveon.org going over the line with their NY Time ad of General Betray-us. I want Bush and his cronies held accountable (impeached and indicted)and our troops home with their families like everyone else but that ad was completely tasteless and defeats the cause.
Skelton did a nice job as chairman.

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A Response, Greenville SC — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 19:27:28 GMT

Billy Jackson...well done.

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Paulette, Simsbury, CT — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 19:27:39 GMT

And we believe him because . . . . . . . . ?????
How about if Petreaus and Crocker answer those 3 question from each of those 6 experts that appeared in NY Times this am.
I would say no money until they start coming home. They have extra now and then let Bush Scrounge for the money ---

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jen,il — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 19:28:14 GMT

I will start respecting General Petreaus again when he says to congress and the American public what he wrote in the Armys manual on counter insurgency: to fight an insurgency you need 1 soldier for every 40 civilians. To be true to his plan we need to send 650,000 troops. Until he says that he is just spouting the adminstrations BS.

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Mark, BR.LA — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 19:37:10 GMT

The general DOG jumped through his rings of fire well enough.

But that BORING PONY even put Code Pink to sleep.

Brittney Spears said watching the Crocker/Petraeus Show...she doesn't feel so bad today.

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Steve Tuirner Cedar Falls Iowa — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 19:39:04 GMT

Yeah! What B.A. said! (I read it all B.A., honest!)

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Texashogfan — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 19:40:02 GMT

Happy Ground Hog Day.
M (Sent Monday, September 10, 2007 2:20 PM)

Well done!

I did enjoy the put-down by Sen Skelton of the GentleWoman from Florida. The repubs called a lot of attention to the MoveOn.org full page ad being righteously indignant.

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A Response, Greenville SC — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 19:40:51 GMT

"Petreaus will be the winner and "W's" ratings will surge.". Wow. Larry, buy a spell check, and stop writing email while high.

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Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 19:41:07 GMT

No, Larry, Neoconservatism is 'Irrelevant'. Liberalism is 'Irreverent'.

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pam gpt,ms — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 19:42:37 GMT

I'm watching Mr. Saxton kissing the Gen.'s butt. I guess
my comments on oil was censored.

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Simpliticus — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 19:43:01 GMT

Iraq is an example of an episode on Twilight Zone in which a captive people have to adhere to substandard postwar contractors intent upon making a profit by bringing in foreigners to construct poor or inadequate infrastructure. No running water! No electricity!If I didn't know any better, it would appear that Bush is sending this country back to the stone age while promising a better future. I have heard of "bombing back tot eh stone age" but I have never heard "building back to the stone age". What a great decivilizing method!

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barbinAlbanyNY — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 19:56:08 GMT

well, paging general westmoreland, paging general westmoreland. i've seen THIS movie before.

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Krista Swisher, Indianapolis, IN — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 20:01:10 GMT

OOOOO!!! Look at the pretty colors and pictures! Unfortunately, though, if it walks like B.S., talks like B.S., smells like B.S., then it's still B.S. no matter how nicely you dress it up.

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Harvey Watkins, Dorset, VT — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 20:01:24 GMT

I think we are missing the point. While the report from the General talks of security progress, the surge was not designed to increase security.

If I remember correctly, the surge was designed to give the Iraq government more time to get their act together. This was not additional time for the troops to increase security for the sake of security.

There has been no political progress during the period of the surge. Therefore, the surge is a failure.

I hope that Congress could read through the smoke screen of the current testimony and get us out of the new Viet Nam.

Regards,
Harvey K. Watkins

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Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 20:06:00 GMT

Simpliticus. We dropped $800,000,000 worth of bombs on Afghanistan, and did $37.56 worth of damage.

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C A, Tuscaloosa, AL — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 20:06:42 GMT

Oh cripe Larry: you know as well as I do that people not supporting this conflcit, the surge or this administration can still strongly support our young men and women in uniform. You know this comment and arguement are pretty lame.

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A Response, Greenville SC — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 20:17:46 GMT

oh, to answer the charge of some of the Meowcons that like to post here: I used to be called a moderate, but since the narrow minded tactics of the republican party have a "you're with us or against us" policy in place, I'm now a liberal. And by liberal, I mean I consider it my duty to objectively look for facts, not just eat the spoon fed baloney you seem to lap up like hungry rodents. Even if you buy every new reason and revised document that they pump out, over the last few years you see them change direction several times. I served my country in war, so don't tell me liberals hate the military. Some of us actually put our time in, not just waved a flag with a beer in our hand and talked bravely on blogs.

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Laura in Los Angeles — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 20:22:14 GMT

Krista 4:01 post..as another one of my favorite talk show hosts, the late Tom Snyder used to say.."fire up a colortini, sit back, relax and watch the pictures. now, as they fly through the air"..

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Frederick Sweeney, Brooklyn — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 20:23:40 GMT

"W's ratings will surge," interesting choice on the verb there, Larry, by the way will that surge be up to 27% or 28%?

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Diane Sallis,MS — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 20:38:38 GMT

Iraq oil contract given to Hunt Oil Company.

Mr. Hunt and Bush&co long time friends.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!!!

Google: Hunt OIL Company

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Carol, Long Valley NJ — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 20:51:05 GMT

To my fellow posters who are right of center...

Patriotism is not tied to a political party, but rather to a country. Sometimes patriotism means to "Question Authority", not just to blindly follow stupidity.

I don't support bush43, or the invasion and occupation of Iraq, but I support the troops, by sending them care packages full of the things that the military should supply but hasn't. The dumbest thing that Rumsfeld ever said, was that you "go to war with the army you have". This "war" was elective, they should have "had" everything that they needed. Rumsfeld certainly didn't support the troops.

If bush43 supported the troops, they would have a living wage, health benefits minus the red tape, body armor and up-armored humvees. Better yet, if bush43 supported the troops, they wouldn't be in Iraq, dieing for Halliburton's bottom line, and coming home in body bags via Dover. They would be here instead.

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Pat, Boston, MA — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 20:53:28 GMT

"Liberals loathe the military. Period."
Larry, Charleston, SC
______________________________________________

Larry, go back and check out who supported our troops and who didn't with medical care and equipment when we sent them off to fight.

Check out what your Senators from South Carolina voted for. Or to be more precise, what they DIDN'T vote for as far as support for our troops. Check out all the Republicans' voting record in this regard.

Give me a break.

To you, supporting our military really means supporting President Bush's policy. Which has been disgraceful.

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bobf — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 20:54:01 GMT

WOW Larry, aren't you a smart one. You sure no thems liberals. Rights Lary, you is so smart and sophisticateded, why's youse jumping on Ghost's band wagon. I just hates dem liberals soooo much, I needs to smear and fears. That how I sleeps at night. I hates anyones who talks bad about military. Buts I can nots serve, Momma will not lets me out of the house. Buts if I gets out of this house, I will be on first plane to Irack and you crack. I can keeps up the fear and smear from my computer. I uses no facts but I am still right. Beleives me, I would never do anything uns americans. I only votes whats mister rushes tells me. I is a loyals soldiers for my repulsive party's. I means repressive, no I means how do you spells repubic party, ahh closes enoughs. Hate dem liberaaaals, that whats makes us proud americans.

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James Trice, Rockville MD — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 20:55:08 GMT

Now that General Petraeus has become a major media personality, I think he deserves a theme song. Perhaps the creative staff at MSNBC could assemble a video montage of the General’s Congressional testimony to the tune of Falco’s 1985 hit, “Rock Me Amadeus.” I suggest some chanted techno-style lyrics like the following:

Petraeus! Ooo report to me Petraeus
Petraeus! Petraeus! Petraeus!

They called him “Peaches” back at West Point
But here in Baghdad, he’s running the joint
Bumrushed Anbar with a surge this summer
Now he’s cruising Ramadi, in an armor-plated Hummer

Petraeus! Petraeus! Petraeus!
Petraeus! Petraeus! Petraeus!

On Capitol Hill, he came to testify
Sworn to the truth, and forbidden to lie
He said the status quo is the best we can do
Let the troops fight and die ‘til W’s term is through

Come and report to me Petraeus
Petraeus! Petraeus! Petraeus!

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Scott, Philadelphia — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 21:04:43 GMT

The inherent contratiction in all of this is the idea that it is okay to support the troops that make up the US military but at the same time oppose the war that they are fighting. It's akin to saying that I oppose drinking and driving but I support those that drink and drive. It doesn't make sense. You want to stop war, then stop supporting those that feel a need to conduct war - from the top down.

And before you start sending responses to my email which will further this contraticed form of thinking, let me point out one thing. I spent the first 14 yrs of my life in a military family. To say the least, it wasn't the most enjoyable upbringing, especially when your father served in Vietnam and came back acting like a real A-hole (and he was a decorated officer). But the most telling thing of my "military" experince was when we were stationed in Subic Bay, PI during the Vietnam war. After talking to the sailors and Marines that were over in Vietnam during my stay in Subic Bay, and the things they said they were doing over there (and the blatant racial attitudies for the Vietanames and Filipinos), I can certainly say that is when I lost all respect for the US Armed Forces. I know how they acted and how they hated when they were at war. Believe me these are not the "good" people that you think they are, especially when engaged in killing humans in Iraq. The military breeds nasty people and it is clear they have been bred well in Iraq.

So, that is what I saw (and I didn't like it). I don't like the folks that make up the military, don't want to be around them. So to hell your military and the people you got fighting in your war machine. And don't give me your childish line of crap that says "Hey you couldn't be saying what your saying if it wasn't for the military people fighting for your right to say it". Becuase, my answer to that is - Since I don't support you, then don't support me - I can take care of myself.

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Michael Petro saint joseph, mo — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 21:08:30 GMT

The thing that sood out for me was that the general said "reduction to pre-surge levels" meaning that we really didn't accomplish anything, politically or military.

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GD, naples, FL — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 21:14:27 GMT

Please, this is getting bizarre, now ageneral who wants a fourth star will dictate invasion policies?

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GD, naples, FL — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 21:16:20 GMT

Please, this is getting bizarre, now ageneral who wants a fourth star will dictate invasion policies?

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Krista Swisher, Indianapolis, IN — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 21:21:41 GMT

Yep Laura (4:22 pm post), I remember that!

BTW...did General Petraeus happen to mention the weapons that he was in charge of disappearing and ending up in the hands of people trying to harm our soldiers?

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James Madison — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 21:21:59 GMT

And what exactly would this protester add to the testimony? Nothing, of course there is freedom of speech, but Congress needed to hear from the general. If that protester continued the shrieking the hearings couldn't take place, nor would they be informative to Congress. There is a time and place, and that clearly was not it. Ghost of NJ (Sent Monday, September 10, 2007 3:08 PM)

Ghost -- Yeah, well, maybe, but if these guys had done their jobs in the first place, and the "generals" who were previously fired or retired had been allowed to tell Congress the truth over the past five years, we wouldn't be having these hearings and there wouldn't be anything to protest. Anyway, I was speaking more metaphorically -- the first reaction of the reactionary is to get rid of the opposition. After having created it in the first place.

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Krista Swisher, Indianapolis, IN — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 21:40:18 GMT

James (4:55 pm post), very nice!!

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Robin Merigan, Seattle, WA — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 21:41:55 GMT

Just saw the Friday night ratings on TV Newsers -- Countdown handsomely beat The Factor in the core demo (365M to 324M)!

Does anyone know if Bill-O was at his desk that night?

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Robin Merigan, Seattle, WA — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 21:43:56 GMT

PS -- Shoot, I just now realized Countdown was THE number one core demo show of all the cable newsies that night!

CONTRATULATIONS TO KEITH AND THE COUNTDOWN CREW!!!

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Emily Post — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 21:47:54 GMT

Not to spoil anyone's fun, but the constant posting about posting, the lack of posting, delayed posting, and posting everyone's comments but mine, or yours, or his or hers, is getting a little old. You have to admit, even with all of its quirks, this blogsite still beats the "post" office. Lighten up, posters, and spend more time worrying about the quality of your postings than on the number of hours that go by without being posted.

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Anomaly — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 21:50:24 GMT

I just heard General Petraeus get flustered when asked whether it's possible that Al Qaeda may be lying when they say things about what their plans are, and whether it is stupid to rely on this information. Is it any wonder that we're in the mess we're in. Paging Curveball.

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Laura in Los Angeles — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 21:52:56 GMT

Krista Monday 5:21 PM post..Not that I recall..he wouldn't offer that info unless he was asked I'm sure. They are still being asked questions regarding Iraq. The weapons are probably sitting right next to our billions that disappeared..

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junebug — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 21:54:48 GMT

Larry, what the HECK are you talking about? "Liberals" loathe the military? The "liberals" are trying their dangedest to prevent MORE military people from losing their lives, their limbs and/or the minds in a "war" which had NOTHING to do with the security of this country. The "conservatives" are trying to keep them there with bull's eyes on their backs.

This is not an "us v. them" game . . . it our COUNTRY, for gosh sakes. If you want to be competitive, take up tennis or golf or rugby or something.

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junebug — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 21:58:27 GMT

Scott in Philadelphia . . . the troops don't set policy and they don't start wars, they just get maimed and killed in them. No contradiction to support the troops and despise the policy.

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Donny Oregon — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 22:00:18 GMT

Keith please go to Iraq and bring back the real story for us........PLEASE.

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junebug — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 22:00:42 GMT

"Oh cripe Larry: you know as well as I do that people not supporting this conflcit, the surge or this administration can still strongly support our young men and women in uniform. You know this comment and arguement are pretty lame. "

CA, great post and I completely agree.

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Sue West Allis, Wisconsin — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 22:03:26 GMT

Please folks - leave the trolls alone. They'll be out in force this week trying to distract all the blogs from conversation. They will provoke, name call, tell deliberate lies, and post spin and swill. Don't fall for it. They're just being loyal and following their marching orders.

I feel sorry for them. I believe that getting the facts and thinking for myself is better than swallowing propaganda talking points.

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Billy Jackson — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 22:06:23 GMT

This is just nuts - I am going to switch over to Law and Order. All arguements are based on us having a right to go in to Iraq in the first place. Iraq is not our country - This is not our war! New Orleans was our war - unemployment is our battle. Public servants dont serve the public. Yes - our troups are the best but the elephant in the room is that the United States does not invade countries- again - why are we there?

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junebug — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 22:09:45 GMT

What Petraeus said today:

"When I testified in January, for example, no one would have dared to forecast that Anbar Province would have been transformed the way it has in the past 6 months."

What Petraeus said six months ago at his confirmation:

"You've seen it, I know, in Anbar province, where it has sort of gone back and forth. And right now, there appears to be a trend in the positive direction where sheiks are stepping up, and they do want to be affiliated with and supported by the U.S. Marines and Army forces who are in Anbar province. That was not the case as little as perhaps six months ago, or certainly before that."

Seems like he forgot that he dared to forecast it himself 6 months ago. The reason being that the transformation in al Anbar had very little to do with this surge. The trend in al Anbar started 18 months ago when the tribal sheiks got tired of the foreign fighters killing their people and trying to rule their lands with guns. THEY ran them out.

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Disgusted, TX — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 22:12:47 GMT

This is absurd. In 6 months, they will ask for another 6 months, ad nauseum, until George Bush is out of office.

Being "at war" gives Bush virtual dictatorial powers. He doesn't want to give them up.

We have 165,000 soldiers on the gound in Iraq and even more independent contractors (translation: paid mercenaries). So we have close to 400,000 fighters in Iraq and can't whip a country the size of California.

The finest military in the world is being humiliated by a bunch of people who don't have enough to eat, no place to live and are wearing rags, but they want their country back and want us out of there. Is that so hard to understand?

Members of Congress need to remember that cutting off the funds is not failing to support the troops. It is failing to support the lunacy of the Bush administration.

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Al, Portland, Oregon — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 22:20:26 GMT

So Petraeus says he sees a possible pullback by July '08. Great! Let's all forget about this once all-important September deadline and start focusing on the new July one! I'm sure all the pundits will claim it to be a make-or-break deadline, just as they did with this one a few months ago.

WTF is up with all these people? Stop focusing on these arbitrary deadlines and let's hold Bush accountable for this damn war. Stop the funding and bring the troops home.

But what does Bush care? He'll be busy "replenishing the 'ol coffers" on the speaking circuit after he leaves office. It would be nice if this president, for once, showed an ounce of empathy, compassion, respect, and basic intelligence when it comes to our troops and this war.

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pam gpt,ms — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 22:21:55 GMT

This notion of the Iraqi government can't run their government without us being there is crap. As long as we are there they won't do anything. General P. was hand
picked by Bushwacker. It is not going to change, we will be there indefinitely.

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Texashogfan — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 22:40:00 GMT

Keith please go to Iraq and bring back the real story for us........PLEASE.
Donny Oregon (Sent Monday, September 10, 2007 6:00 PM)

Donny, Keith can't go to Iraq until the Superbowl is over BUT Michael Ware of CNN tells it like it is, with great insight and vast experience in Iraq (he's lived there for 4 years). Check him out

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Laura in Los Angeles — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 22:40:11 GMT

Donny Oregon Monday 6:00 PM post..you are the 2nd person suggesting Keith go to Iraq for the real story..I for one wouldn't like to see him go..for a number of reasons, the first being we need him here and a real risk he'd get hurt/killed as others have. I'd rather hear from the troops that come home. BTW..on a local morning show, Jon Voight was a guest. He spoke of being in Iraq talking with the troops on several trips. He said that 90% of the troops believed the war should not be politicized..that they believe in what they are doing. I find this high number suspicious and won't believe it until I hear it from them.

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Sue West Allis, Wisconsin — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 22:41:25 GMT

BTW - General Patreaus and Amb. Crocker are going to be interviewed by Hume on Faux Made-Up News after their "testimony". This war most definitely has a party - and a party network to shill for it.

You won't see either of those bozos going on any other news program.

They're afraid of the truth and running from it as fast as they can.

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pam gpt,ms — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 22:41:56 GMT

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Theodore, Clovis, CA — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 23:03:19 GMT

'Mission Accomplished' is right! Let us hope and pray that our next step is not Iran. Let's further hope that we never forget these horrid last years and because of faulty memory elect Jeb down the line!

I have always enjoyed the clear reasoning and critique of the Bush administration that Mr. Olbermann offers, and if I might direct people to a great series of criticisms that highlight the contradiction between Bush's stated Christian faith versus his deplorable actions. It is on the following link, a statement of free speech in its own right:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsF-RiMzGpk

To a hopeful future!

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Larry Charleston, SC — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 00:04:14 GMT

Pat, you 've got to be kiding ! Compare Lindsey Graham and Jim DeMint vs Kennedy and Kerry ?? Talk about dilusional. You and Move On are freaking idiots and liars

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Larry Charleston, SC — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 00:28:02 GMT

CA yep, taking out a full page add degrading a Four Star General sure supports the military , in a liberal way ! LOL

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Paul Ibsen Newark NJ — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 00:29:15 GMT

Howard Fineman, Frank Rich and John Dean ? Three people who can critique a four star General ! Olbermann bring back Michael Musto of the Village Voice he'll do a better job than those three.

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Sandy Noble — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 00:32:24 GMT

Isn't General Petraeus concerned about following in the same footsteps as Powell and McCain who seemed to have lost their credibility and reputations the longer they associated with Bush?

Powell, with his misinformation he was set up to give regarding "reasons" for war, and McCain, for adopting Bush's policies and falling off the political candidate charts.

Petraeus has contradicted himself in previous "military statements" and, think the American public is Finished with their gullibility and support of a war that was never started for legitimate reasons-the profiteering by politicians, oil companies, lobbyists and, weapons companies was the impetus... Enough! Start bringing the troops Home...

Kudos to MoveOn-they said it all!

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Rupert — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 00:53:34 GMT

All of these responses, such a waste of time....in the New America they have no meaning for either side, and no value in the political process....on either side. Show some money, people will listen.

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Anomaly — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 01:18:08 GMT

Yes, Billo was in the house Friday night. I watched the late version in which he claimed that adopting the democrats' position on the war would lead to one-world-government. I posted this on the previous thread.
Congratulations to Countdown for beating big-headed Billo Really head-to-head. So many heads, so little time.

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James Madison — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 01:24:21 GMT

Hey, Larry -- Even I agree with you on the moveon.org ad. Bad bad strategy. Why give you righties anything to point and shoot at? The moral highground is a very precious thing. Moveon overstepped the bounds of good taste here, and by doing so probably caused unnecessary damage to itself and its message.
Of course, this all goes back to the notion of civil discourse. If you will, Larry, then we will.

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Jamie, Chula Vista, CA — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 01:28:03 GMT

Scott in Philly: Peace to you, because you need it.

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Jamie, Chula Vista, CA — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 01:33:44 GMT

Larry in Charleston: Seriously-you need some help. Hell, you are becoming even more irrational than before. Again, I'm giving you the numbers to your local VA-I'm requesting in earnest that you give them a call.

Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center
109 Bee Street
Charleston, SC 29401-5799
Phone: (843) 577-5011 or (888) 878-6884
Fax: (843) 937-6100

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Tina from CA — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 01:44:35 GMT

The fact of the matter is we cannot just pick up & leave immediately. A gradual draw-down of troops over several months (even years) while the country stabilizes itself is needed to prevent total chaos in the region.
There are far too many Iraqi refugees overwhelming neighboring countries (Syria & Jordan most of all), and that country needs political and economic stability as well as security in place before those people can return home.
Our own personnel will need adequate pay, benefits, medical & psychiatric care, if we want to sustain a credible military (here or overseas). They need body armor and adequate supplies, munitions, training and whatever protective devices available. Instead of giving Haliburton, the Carlisle Group and Bechtel no bid, overgenerous contracts, divert the profits from these three companies to take care of our brave men and women risking their lives daily. We'll never be able to raise an armed force again, if we abandon the military personnel over there.
Bush's policy in Iraq is a total failure. He knows it and so does Patreus, but they're putting the spin on to keep it going, so the next president will have to deal with the loss. This happened in Vietnam. No one wanted to admit defeat, so they just kept raising the stakes and fighting on. The result was needless deaths, humiliation for the U.S., and worse, our brave veterans paid a horrible price.
There are a couple of lessons to be learned here:
1. Don't get into a situation until you're absolutely certain you can handle it, and know when & how to get out, if things go bad.
2. Never topple a strong central government unless there's an equally strong replacement. Look what happened in Yugoslavia after Tito's death (a blood bath).
3. Always have a clear informed objective and purpose in mind before venturing into a campaign. First it was WMD's, then "regime change," then democratization and oil resources.

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James Spurgeon, Fairfield, CA — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 01:53:13 GMT

I do not believe.
It's that simple.
The most important question of the day was not answered by the General or the Ambassador.
Keith - you did a great job on the show tonight, keep up the good work.

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nuanced — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 02:00:45 GMT

These guys need to go to school and learn how to do a tradeoff analysis. There are two choices -- stay or go. Run the numbers. How many people end up dying if we stay and how many end up dying if we go? The death toll has been running about 10,000+ a month. How long will "stay until we win" take? Five to ten years is what I hear the neocon crowd saying. That's about 600,000 to over 1 million more dead. If we leave in 6 months, how many will die over the next 5 years? Will it be more or less than if we stay. That is a hard one but I bet it will be a lot less without the war magnet of US troops on the soil. Think about all the real people who have died and will die because we are there and try to justify it. I can't.

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Larry Charleston, SC — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 02:28:31 GMT

Frederick of Brooklyn , let's just say that his ratings are twice that of the liberal congress and a hundred fold of Keith's on any given night. MoveOn isn't doing you any favors , let's hope George SOros keeps up the good work !

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Dennis Arvada, CO — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 02:38:06 GMT

So, there is one outcome of Gen. Petraeus's (W just calls him Pet for short) speech. Now we know what they're going to call it when our troops are left in Iraq to make sure the Iraqi government cooperates with the american oil companys, "strategic overwatch"!

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R. NorCal — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 03:35:22 GMT

Those graphics are total bullshit. There is no activity shown from Saudi Arabia at all, and that is where most of the foreign fighters are coming from, not Syria and Iran. But, as always, no negative mention can be made of our "buddies".

Petraeus is either lying or stupid, neither of which makes him an honorable man. Don't kid yourselves. He wasn't chosen for this task for being honorable.

What is all this crap about "money for the troops"? Does anyone really believe that if the Congress denied funding that would stop BushCo from going right ahead with whatever it is they wanted to do anyway? They just print more money! No authorization
needed to do that!

Maybe the solution is to stop paying the troops. And the officers and Generals. I'll bet they'd refuse to fight if they knew they would no longer be paid for it. Nothing else seems to have worked, so maybe something really crazy like that would do it.

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Bob F. — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 07:34:14 GMT

The general said he hadn't sent the report to the WH before Congress, but he didn't say what input or orders he had received about what was to be and not to be in it.
He is an officer in the US Army. He is under the UCMJ. He will obey lawful orders. As long as he isn't told to lie, then as long as he wears the uniform, he must obey.
It's the responsibility of Congress to ask the right questions.

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kingsXrulz, San Diego, CA — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 07:37:07 GMT

Emily Post, Monday, 5:47PM

Telling people to "lighten up" as you simultaneously play net cop -- dictating what the content of a post should be -- is the height of irony.

Takeyonetcophedanshovitupyonetcopazz.

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Saddened, Baghdad, Iraq — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 09:48:33 GMT

This email was sent to the Countdown Staff, but as I know that it will likely not be read because of the volume of emails they recieve, I will reprint it here for you:

I am appalled and outraged at the recent accusations of Democratic Senators who accuse General Petraeus of cherry picking numbers. What all Americans should know and understand, without a doubt, those numbers were compiled, drafted and submitted by intelligence analysts in uniform, who care less about the partisan politcs than they do about the truth. Analysts whose sole job is to answer to their General with the absolute truth as they understand it. Those analysts, as I observed first hand, cheered every time they saw their charts and their numbers and their hard work displayed for the entire world to see. A culmanation of countless sleepless nights and days to put together the most accurate and truthful assessment they can muster. For those that think those numbers were cherry picked to make the General look better or to paint a rosey White House picture should be ashamed of what they have become - they may not be extremist war mongerers, but they are extremist anti-Republicans. I am not a Republican and many of my collegues are not Republican. No one would be more happy to see this war come to an end than the men and women that work this mission. But we are intelligence analysts and our first and foremost duty is to report the truth.

This message has not been approved by my surperiors and I don't care. I am ashamed of those that attack my General today because they are attacking those that worked so hard to make sure that he had the truth. You do not reject a great leader, gentlemen, you reject the truth.

Saddened in
Baghdad, Iraq

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Jim Woods Jr, Omaha, NE — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 11:43:16 GMT

Late post, Webster Dictionary's definition of Liberal: favoring progress and reform, as in politics, religion, etc; open-minded or tolerant (of other people and ideas different than one's own); characterized by generosity and willingness to give in large amounts; given freely or abundantly, (as in "Wow, you sure used a liberal amount of wax for the floor!"; not strict or literal, (as in, "The judge's ruling was a liberal interpretation of the speeding law, in that he allowed the defendant an extra five miles per hour in case his speedometer was not working properly."; a person of liberal principles or views.

Gosh, none of that sounds too bad or unreasonable, I guess I could go through life being called a "Liberal", in-fact I consider it a compliment.

So all of you people out there who don't like my (and many others) viewpoint or my reasons for wanting to get our soldiers of of Iraq, and who (like so many of the pro-war side) want to portray us as weak-on-terror-liberals), thankyou very much, at least for the liberal part.

Now for the other part, go and do your homework, and look seriously at W's actions since he's been president, (use more than one source, and take your time), and then tell me truthfully, do you really think that W's actions show that he has truly made us a safer nation? Does he even care to make us a safer nation, or is he really determined to just market himself as some sort of great leader, no matter how many people die and how many lives of individuals and families get shattered.

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C A, Tuscaloosa, AL — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 13:20:22 GMT

Larry / Charleston: I don't condone anyone taking out a full page ad degrading a General if that has in fact occurred. It is immature and disrepectfulful. There are other ways to voice one's opinion against this conflict and this Administration without such ads. But I can be opposed in my thoughts and opinions to the policies of this President, his administration and any Generals that supports those policies yet at the same time understand and support the plight of our soldiers who must do what they are ordered to do. You know that. See my response to Scott / Philadephia if they post it.

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Pat, Boston, MA — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 13:31:35 GMT

Larry, I get it. You hate Ted Kennedy and John Kerry and anyone who is a Democrat or lib from the northeast. Especially me, someone you don't even know. It's too bad.

Just please don't accuse me of not supporting our troops simply because I'm a "lib" (which I am not). That is the lie here.

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Jamie, 3 days and a wake up in CV, CA — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 13:54:33 GMT

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C A, Tuscaloosa, AL — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 14:53:17 GMT

junebug - (6:00 PM Post): Thanks. I figured we agreed. And as Pam says at the end of her posts - Peace.

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Emily Post — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 15:11:40 GMT

Uh, Jamie -- my point exactly. But amusingly and charmingly, "doncha think"? Besides, I wasn't complaining, I was just trying to have fun with words, which is what we should be doing here.

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Frederick Sweeney, Brooklyn — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 15:13:07 GMT

Larry,
You assume I care about the ratings of Congress, Keith or MoveOn. I don't. You said W's numbers would surge. I say 70% of the country disagrees with him. I think he has done a lousy job here and internationally. I believed him in 2003. I think a lot of people in the country believed him then. If you can see past the rheotric and you beleive the president is doing a good job, then we have to agree to disagree. I find it hard to believe that anyone can. It is not about liberal or conservative, it is about doing the job right.

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nuanced — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 15:17:51 GMT

Saddened, Baghdad, Iraq, Thank you for your view from the inside that we on the outside are getting straight information in the Gen. Petraeus report and graphics. I am skeptical though. Can you really verify that no money, weapons or personnel are coming from Saudi Arabia as shown on his graphics? None at all? If that part is wrong can we trust any of it? In my mind the most important graphic is missing -- how many Iraqis will die if we leave versus how many will die if we stay since this is being used by the the neocons and the Republicans to justify staying. Where is the beef?

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scott henderson nv — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 15:24:21 GMT

Saddened, Baghdad, Iraq (Sent Tuesday, September 11, 2007 5:48 AM)
I don’t know where you got the idea it was the Republicans who were questioning the data and calling it cherry picked, that came from the loony leftists supported by the anti American group moveon.org.

I am a centrist Republican who has all the confidence that the General is giving an honest assessment of the situation in Iraq.

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Laura in Los Angeles — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 16:29:18 GMT

A Response Greenville, SC (Monday 4:17PM post)...

"Meowcons" huh..hmmm..cute

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junebug — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 17:08:06 GMT

scott henderson in NV, you are aware that generals at that level receive political promotions, right? Petraeus may be a general, but he is a politician just like the rest of them. He OWES his stars to his loyalty to a politician. The fact that every other report by both the Pentagon and the GAO controverts the majority of what Petraeus, a political being, has said, is very telling.

BTW, did anyone catch him being cornered with regard to the crap claims about "al Qaeda in Iraq"? He was having a really hard time trying to deflect the truth. He did admit that they did not exist before we invaded Iraq, he did admit that there was no evidence that they received marching orders from the real al Qaeda and he did admit, albeit reluctantly, that al Qaeda in Iraq poses NO threat to the United States.

His testimony is just giving Bush more time to pass his horrible mess to the next administration. This is the pattern of George W. Bush's entire life. He makes messes and then leaves them for others to clean up.

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Carol, Long Valley NJ — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 18:02:37 GMT

scott henderson nv

Rule #1 if you refer to every one who is "left" of you politically as "loony", then you can't be defined as "centrist". Centrist implies tolerance, and you have never displayed tolerance towards any on this site.

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C A, Tuscaloosa, Al — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 19:05:14 GMT

Carol/Long Valley & Scott/NV: (Carols 2:02 PM Post) She kind of has you there Scott. You should have remained with the label conservative.

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Wayne, TN — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 19:37:45 GMT

Nuanced
"Can you really verify that no money, weapons or personnel are coming from Saudi Arabia as shown on his graphics? None at all?"
Saudis caught co=operating with al-Quida are arrested by the Saudi police and put into deprograming centers just as we would deprogram people brainwashed by cults.
Money and personel that make it out of Saudi Arabia must go through Syria otherwise they are caught at the Saudi border.
The Saudis keep a tight reign on weaponry, even non Saudi Civilian body guards and visiting military can not carry sidearms. Pro-al-Quida Saudis aren't likely to obtain weapons easily in Saudi Arabia, and they can buy them more easily in Syria or on their way to Afghanistan.

You people continually forget that Bin Laden lost his Saudi Citizenship decades ago, and is an avowed enemy of the Saudi Government. Those saudis who support al-Quida are traitors to the Saudi Government.
Those who simply give lip service aren't arrested often, and those with connections have avoided arrest at times when caught providing funding, much like the situation with seditious liberalistas here in the US.

John Walker Lynde served the Taliban yet California has no common border with Afghanistan. He took a circuitous route.

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junebug — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 19:47:55 GMT

Wayne, the Pentagon confirmed back in July that 45% of the "foreign fighters" in Iraq were Saudi and that over 50% of the suicide bombers were Saudis. Guess you didn't hear about that, huh? Petraeus contradicted himself and the Pentagon . . . he also contradicted the GAO report and the Jones Commission report. From what I read earlier, he is also contradicting the opinion of his boss at Centcom, Admiral Fallon.

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Wayne, TN — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 20:18:29 GMT

Junebug
"Wayne, the Pentagon confirmed back in July that 45% of the "foreign fighters" in Iraq were Saudi and that over 50% of the suicide bombers were Saudis. "
Please provide a link to support your statement.

This Pentagon Press Briefing mentions Saudis among the Foreign fighters and later gives the make up of the area of operations as 45% Sunni, but doesn't not state that 45% of Foreign Fighters are Saudi.

Besides which the fact that any Saudi fighters entering through Syria would not be counted as cross border traffic from Saudi Arabia directly into Iraq.
Also if the Surge has cut off traffic between Saudi Arabia and Iraq it would also show on the maps as no activity from Saudi Arabia during the timeframe.

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C A, Tuscaloosa, Al — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 20:31:27 GMT

Why do people think that if they point out a websight for others to refer to that whatever is published or stated on that sight is fact. If the Pentegon states in a report it confirms this or that does it make it fact. How can people rely on reports, figures or statements from any source when the source itself may be incorrect. At one time we thought we had decent intelligence but have learned that intelligence reports even when put out by the best are often wrong, inaccurate or whitewashed. There are very few things in this life that are indisputable. In the field of science these things are called laws. All others are hypothesis, theories and opinion.

For every website or source that one relies on and believes to provide factual information another can point out a different website or source that will refute the same. These he-said/she-said type arguements derive from information or material that a person relies on and that they believe to be indisputable. But how is this so? There are only two things in life that are totally indisputable. One's birth (you exist) and one's death (you cease to exist), and there remian questions about those two events. All other information, material, statements, opinions, studies, figures or whatever a blogger points out to another to be fact are disputable. Therefore they are not "laws", they are not fact.

So spare me all these arguements using resources, websites and sources that one claims to be factual when in truth those using them cannot claim undeniably that what they are relying on to be fact is indeed the absolute truth.

Besidews, those who banter back and forth over websites and sources of information will naturally be more persuaded and refer most often to those sigths that supporet their opinion in the first place. The fact is, no one knows for sure the percentage of various nationality foregin fighters in Iraq.

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Decider Too — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 20:34:33 GMT

I hope Jenna's fiance is gearing up to join the military because by the sounds of it, we're gonna need more and more people for the open-ended commitment it sounds like we're making there....
Joe Lieberman (r) wants war with Iran, no surprise there...Pakistan is starting to become unglued...
Osama is taunting us on the anniversary of 9/11...People, I ask you, are we better off then we were 7 years ago?

Petraeus Reports

nuanced — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 22:56:03 GMT

I was disappointed to hear General Petraeus state an outright lie. He said that no one want US troops to stay in Iraq indefinitely. Plenty of people want that including most of the war planners -- from before 9/11. There were people who decided we needed a permanent base in the middle east at the time of the first gulf war after we had to leave the temporary bases in Saudi Arabia. The main goal is to establish and keep permanent US bases there to protect our vital interests (oil). There is no way he had never heard of that. That makes me even more skeptical than anything he says is true. How can anyone defend such an attempt to lie and mislead the American people as to our long term plans for Iraq.

Petraeus Reports

Pat White King, NC — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 10:21:09 GMT

Hi Kieth, Love your show. Just remember when you are all over the democrats for not doing anything, that they can't get the votes. Plus Bush is going to veto anything they try. Congratulations on beating Bill O'reilly at being #1. You do such a wonderful job, I just get lost in your show and am amazed when it goes off. I want more.

Petraeus Reports

junebug — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 14:15:56 GMT

CA, I will disagree with you. This has nothing whatsoever to do with "beliefs" as you have stated before. Facts are facts. You brought up religious beliefs before. My Christian beliefs are based on faith, not facts. See Hebrews 11:1 for a definition of what constitutes faith.

I'm afraid that you are the one who is confusing the two. Just my (friendly) opinion. :)

Petraeus Reports

Melody — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 17:58:27 GMT

When will we start going after those obviously responsible for the war, the financiers who have profiting from both sides. War Profeteering is what we are experiencing right now. As a country we need to start examining the roles of some of our institutions, for instance, Federal Reserve, and reexamine why our founders created this country, to escape from the grasps of the same families who manipulate political affairs with monetary influence. Haliburton should not get contracts if it has already misused tax payer money. Why aren't we taking them down like we did with Enron? Ask deeper questions...

Petraeus Reports

C A, Tuscaloosa, Al — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 18:30:23 GMT

junebug; Thanks for the Biblical reference. I am quite familiar with it thank you. So if your belief in God is based on faith then you do not base all your thoughts, opinions, statements, whatever on indisputable facts. That is good. I don't know why but just wanted to be sure you had some feelings there and were not just a fact quoting robot. Don't mean to sound trite or anything but you do quote a lot of sources, Pentagon, GOA, etc. (as do Wayne and sometimes Scott their sources) that report figures, statements or information that is not always necessarily the truth or fact, but that you guys like to believe is fact if it supports your belief.

Petraeus Reports

Lin Martin, Colton, California — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 20:14:23 GMT

Keith, love your show, I have followed you since your baseball days. KEEP IT UP!!!! You are the only guy calling it like it is!!!!
Yesterday on NPR I heard an interview of a news crew in Iraq. They interviewed the people on the ground (mechanics, store keepers, taxi drivers, persons, government officials and the like).
Guess What???? Why am I not surprised????
Short Story - Government officials watched Betray-us and mostly agreed with his report and wanted the US to stay, While "all" the regular people said that what was being said in Washington was "totally" different than Bagdad on the ground. One said "come and see all the bullets and distruction. It getting worse by the day".
THE POINT!! The government wants us to stay. Comfey and getting wealthy (on us), doing nothing for fear their US "Sugardady" will leave. They don't care about all the deaths and destruction as they, their familys and friends stay above the Fray in their safe havens. "ON THE OTHER-HAND" !!! The regular people on the street seem to want our "Occupation" go away!!
One man said that all the troops were doing was defensly protecting themselves" and not doing much to get the place under-control.

Petraeus Reports

Sonny, Oakland, Ca. — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 23:43:15 GMT

Most of you must know we will never leave Iraq. We've spent years debating a non-issue. It's felt good for
us lefties, though. A good dose of righteous indignation before we jump in the car to tend to the
things that are really important to us.

Didn't we surrender all (or most) of the U.S. bases in
Saudi Arabia in 2002 and 2003 as Bin Laden wanted? He
hasn't attacked us since.

We need bases to protect our (oil) interests, right?
We have plenty in Iraq now. It's unfortunate the
military personel are in grave danger everyday unlike
in Saudi Arabia but, what the heck, a deal is a deal,
right George?

Petraeus Reports

Clark Freese, Onsted, MI — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 02:39:46 GMT

Re: "Your hypocrisy is so great", There seems to be a great push to throw something at President Bush that will stick. In the end it's comparing apples to oranges on a moral playing field. It is good to review the different leaders that overstepped their boundaries. But, we fail to remember that more often than not they made a point that stuck. I see this as grasping at straws hoping something will stick. I don't beleive this is true of General Petraus or President Bush. We increasingly are becoming a country where no one follows where we all think we are in a better position to know and to lead than those that are elected, privy to information beyond ours and in a position to see bigger pictures. Let it go before you embarass yourself.