Obama Announces Complete Drawdown of U.S. Troops From Iraq by Year’s End

Iranian Forces now entering the paddock.
Jan,1,2012 Now there Off!!!!!!!

Thank you my friend for turning this over to our Shia brothers

My question to you is, if Iraq is so well off financially, why do the American taxpayers have to pay for the trillions spent by the US government for this war? Why the hell aren’t you news agencies asking the tough questions???? AND getting the complete answers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

President Obama has also “promised” that Gitmo would be closed and that has NOT happened yet. I will believe that all troops will be out of Iraq when they are actually home and safe.

It’s about time Obama ,hopefully, will do something he promised!

Obama has saved the economy from ruin (until the Tea Party took over Congress), presided over a stock market that fairly quickly recouped many of its losses, presided over almost consecutive monthly increases in private sector job growth, enacted the only meaningful healthcare reform ever in our history, passed financial reform, saved the auto industry (which Romney is on record opposing), fired the first salvo of the Arab Spring with his address in Cairo, stopped numerous terrorist attacks in this country, stopped torture as policy, repealed DADT, joined the international community in a measured and responsible way to bring down an odious tyrant in Qaddafi, and killed a whole generation of al Qaeda leaders. And took out Osama bin Laden. And now finally ending the idiotic Bush/Cheney/neocon war in Iraq that cost tens of thousands of lives and bankrupted America.

Not one bit surprised that the POTUS makes this announcement on the heels of new poll that shows only 37% of Americans believe he’ll be reelected. In other news: Mr. POTUS Head coming soon. Accessories include a cigarette, microphone, and peas. Mrs. FLOTUS also available. Accessories include wide leg capris and an organic vegetable garden (sneer sold separately).

Wonder what Northern Africa will look like in five years? Will the Arab Spring improve people’s lives, make a turn toward more democratic govts despite hard-line Islamic antagonism toward democracy. Or, will Iraq flounder on somehow and build on the more secular type of govt that’s been encouraged by the U.S. intervention? I don’t know. Neither scenerio appears promising…less so for Afghanistan. I wish Obama had left Afghanistan to NATO’s ineptitude and we could close that door as well.

Obama is on a foreign policy roll! Bring ‘em home from Iraq! Save lives and $3.8 Billion per month. Put an end to the biggest blunder in American foreign policy history.

This may be the worst mistake he has ever made. We deserve and need a base in Iraq period. Men and women died over there and we can not just up and leave and let Iran take over. He even tells them the date they can move in…shameful.

IVAN: This is an agreement that President George W. Bush made with the Iraqi government before leaving office, The Status Force Agreement says we are to pull out December of 2012, unless if by any circumstances the government of Iraq wants us to stay. So are you saying that we should relinquish former President GWB’s agreement?

Nothing to get excited about. He’s broken so many other promises, keeping one or two does not amount to a man of his word.

You don’t think the TIMING of this “campaign promise” is just a little bit suspicious? This comes right when the Gallup poll is released.

POSTED BY: IVAN | OCTOBER 21, 2011, 1:25 PM 1:25 PM

Gallup poll results on Presidential approval are released EVERY DAY.

“Our troops will pack their gear…..join their convoys….for the journey home.” Right out of a Hollywood movie! This guy is good.

Iranian Forces now entering the paddock.
Jan,1,2012 Now there Off!!!!!!!

POSTED BY: DEADWRESTLER | OCTOBER 21, 2011, 12:49 PM 12:49 PM

According to the Republican supporters, Bush is the author of this approach (see below) and deserves the credit. Wish you guys could make up your minds.

His campaign promise was to have the troops gone within 16 months of his Presidency, NOT right before reelection.

I think this IS because his ratings ARE falling and I am happy to say that I think Mr. Paul will actually become our newest President and actually help us get out of this psycho downward spiral we are in!

If we do not flush out all these Wealthy people who hold high positions in the backbone of our Government, I honestly think we may see America’s 2nd Civil War in our lifetime. I hope to raise my daughter in a safe country. Even if that means having to leave to another one, which would be unfortunate. America is becoming less and less enjoyable and it is ALL THANKS to the ones with money making selfish decisions and the ones without money taking advantage of the programs that give them things for free. Both ends of this stick are horrible and is a TRUE SIGN that we are not living in this country the way our founding fathers set us up for.

CAN WE ALL NOT JUST PLEASE WAKE UP AND WORK TOGETHER TO FIX EVERYTHING, I SWEAR WE CAN FIND COMPROMISE IN ANYTHING IF WE ALL JUST HASH IT OUT!!!!!

*side note* HASH IT ALL OUT, meaning the important things that change the true dynamic of this country and NOT the petty things like people caring about what other people do with their love or their bodies or their minds. Once EVERYTHING else out there is fixed, then I have NO PROBLEM debating on subjects like that, JUST NOT A MOMENT BEFORE THAT!!!!

Goodbye Iraq, Hello Uganda! – Thats right, the Obama War Machine will be shipping the troops to Uganda to fight and die in Obama’s new war! – This time it will be Vietnam style jungle combat! – What a surprise to hear that some of our troops are already there ready to die for the cause! – Oh gee I forgot why Obama said they were needed in Uganda, but it must be of vital importance to America!!!

LOL!!! Typical THICK Left Winger. “Everything bad that happens in the world today is still Bush’s fault, and everything good that happens is because of other factors, like Barrack Obama”. You people on the Left are pathologically incapable of saying ANYTHING positive about Bush, ever. If Bush cured cancer tomorrow, you would whine because he didn’t cure the common cold instead. Truly reprehensible behavior from the Left Wing – again and again and again and again…..LOL….

This is all about elections and getting votes, not about what’s good for America – except the only thing Obama thinks is good for America is more of Obama. Obama is scrambling to squeeze as many votes out the American people as possible. Posted by: EPU | October 21, 2011, 12:55 pm.

LOL! What an ignorant statement! Please tell me, how is this BAD for America?!?!? If this were REALLY all about getting votes, then why in the hell would he do it NOW? Why not wait until just before the election that is still OVER A YEAR AWAY! I swear, you people on the Right are so transparent in your absolutely blind hatred for the man, regardless of what he does. Truly pathetic behavior, Right Wing. Truly pathetic………..

Sandy | October 21, 2011, 1:05 pm — You are SO WRONG!!! —- lets look at reality……… Obama is removing troops on the timescale negotiated by the Bush Administration…. NOT the 16 months he campaigned on…. so how does he get credit for doing ANYTHING?????

@SEARAMBLER– Your rant casts you in the same likeness of the people you so often rail against. Such comments carry no meaning or knowledge, other than a tendancy for redundancy and perhaps a total lack of self-awareness. You do not advance your cause, which is….what??? Hating people who don’t believe as you do?

CNTRLFRK; What rock are you living under? Who do you think GOT US INTO IRAQ? Unreal!

This is what happens when you have a desperate president trying to get re-elected. Poor decisions from a poor president.

You have to be suspect of the free trade agreements, the Republicans supported them.

Its comforting to know that Obama and his war mongering left wing liberals will soon be joining the millions of Americans they put on the unemployment lines! Only 13 months until Obama and his thugs are replaced in 2012! I just hope not to many of our troops are killed in Obama’s new war in Uganda before our next president has a chance to pull them out of this 20 year old war in Uganda! I see NO REASON why any of our troops should even be involved in this Vietnam style quagmire!!! There seems to be no end to amount of left wing liberal hypocrisy this administration spews everyday!!!

This is what happens when you have a desperate president trying to get re-elected. Poor decisions from a poor president.

POSTED BY: HERRERA | OCTOBER 21, 2011, 2:05 PM 2:05 PM

Sorry buddy, the right wingers are claiming credit for this for Bush. Well, to be fair, they’re claiming its Bush’s decision if it turns out well, Obama’s if it turns out poorly. Got to love the right wing door knobs!

pam | October 21, 2011, 1:57 pm post ———- LOL! Can’t refute the message, attack the messenger. Typical Right Wing attitude. Do you DENY that the vast majority of those on the Right absolutely refuse to acknowledge ANYTHING positive if it relates to Obama? When bin Laden was found and killed, y’all groused about it. When Awlaki was killed, y’all whined about it. Now that Quaddafi is dead, y’all are complaining about it. Now that Obama is finally ending the stupid and stunningly-ill-conceived and executed war in Iraq, you are whining some more. I swear, it’s gotta be pathological…….

This is what happens when you have a desperate president trying to get re-elected. Poor decisions from a poor president. Posted by: Herrera | October 21, 2011, 2:05 pm.

Why is it a poor decision? And why, if it were truly re-election motivated, would he do it over a year before the election? Why wouldn’t he wait until just before the election? Sorry, but your assessment is obviously skewed by your hatred of the man……………..

Boy, the right wingers are really revealing their dimwitted prejudice the last few days. Bring it on, the credibility of the extreme right is evaporating before our very eyes.

Sea; Thanks! We’re off for a drive to see the appalacian leaves.
Posted by: newcountryman | October 21, 2011, 2:11 pm.

Have fun! We’re already past peak here, and with the hellacious wind storms we’ve been having for the last few days, the trees are already looking quite bare………..

This is for those yet again trying to give Bush credit and suggesting it’s a new move for votes: FEBRUARY 6, 2009. President Obama Weighing Withdrawal Options. The White House is considering at least two troop withdrawal options as it weighs a new Iraq strategy — one that would preserve President Barack Obama’s campaign pledge to get all combat brigades out within 16 months and a second that would stretch it to 23 months, two officials said Friday. Under either timeline, the U.S. would hope to leave behind a number of brigades that would be redesigned and reconfigured as multipurpose units to provide training and advising for Iraqi security forces, one official said. These brigades would be considered noncombat outfits and their presence would have to be agreed in advance by the Iraqi government, which under a deal signed late last year insisted that all U.S. forces — not just combat brigades — be out of Iraq by the end of 2011.”

Why is everyone praising Obama when he’s merely following an agreement signed before he was elected? Iraq belongs to the Iraqi’s. When they said they wanted us to leave in 2012 Bush agreed and signed the SOFA.

All US Forces were mandated to withdraw from Iraqi territory by 31 December 2011 under the terms of a bilateral agreement signed in 2008.

Oh yeah. That would be a date negotiated by the Bush administration – not Obama.

It’s not Obama’s “campaign promise” being kept. It was already an agreement on the books.

Obama just can’t stop lying through his teeth.

Ron Paul consistently called for US to get out of foreign countries. I am glad all troops will come out of Iraq. The goal was to get rid of Saddam, that happened. The goal was to help set up a democratic process, that happened and to train their security forces, that happened. Enough is enough. We lost more soilders in Iraq than those killed in the 911 attack. The mantra was we are in Iraq to fight for American Freedom. What crap. America’s freedom was not being threatened by Iraq. We need to have our troops secure American borders and be ready for terrorist threats within or outside of USA. All the billions spent on this war in Iraq is crazy. Redirect these funds to protect our citizens on American shores. Stop American tax payer dollars from funding more foreign countries.

I favor President’s Obama”s decision. Ending the Iraq mess will save millions and precious human lives, plus end the criticism about American meddling in Middle East affairs :))))))))))))

There seems to be no end to amount of left wing liberal hypocrisy this administration spews everyday!!! – Only 13 more months to go and the strangle hold Obama and his army of dirty OWS FleaBaggers has on America will be over! Can’t wait for 2012!!!

And BTW, I thought you Righties were SICK of BUSH being brought into any discussion of current events, insisting that OBAMA owns everything that happened on his watch (even TARP or SOLANDRA or other things which actually began under/were signed into law by BUSH)?

Oh, right….Obama only “owns” what you consider the failures.

The sucessess all belong to BUSH.

O ye hypocrites.

Posted by: zazu | October 21, 2011, 2:30 pm 2:30 pm

“[W]e urge you, after consulting with Congress, and consistent with the U.S. Constitution and laws, to take necessary actions (including, if appropriate, air and missile strikes on suspect Iraqi sites) to respond effectively to the threat posed by Iraq’s refusal to end its weapons of mass destruction programs.” — From a letter signed by Joe Lieberman, Dianne Feinstein, Barbara A. Milulski, Tom Daschle, & John Kerry among others on October 9, 1998

“Saddam’s goal … is to achieve the lifting of U.N. sanctions while retaining and enhancing Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction programs. We cannot, we must not and we will not let him succeed.” — Madeline Albright, 1998

“As a member of the House Intelligence Committee, I am keenly aware that the proliferation of chemical and biological weapons is an issue of grave importance to all nations. Saddam Hussein has been engaged in the development of weapons of mass destruction technology which is a threat to countries in the region and he has made a mockery of the weapons inspection process.” — Nancy Pelosi, December 16, 1998

“The community of nations may see more and more of the very kind of threat Iraq poses now: a rogue state with weapons of mass destruction, ready to use them or provide them to terrorists. If we fail to respond today, Saddam and all those who would follow in his footsteps will be emboldened tomorrow.” — Bill Clinton in 1998

“I am absolutely convinced that there are weapons…I saw evidence back in 1998 when we would see the inspectors being barred from gaining entry into a warehouse for three hours with trucks rolling up and then moving those trucks out.” — Clinton’s Secretary of Defense William Cohen in April of 2003

To those of you who criticize President Obama, where did your supporting withdrawal of our soldiers go?

Posted by: Amanda Wolf | October 21, 2011, 2:40 pm 2:40 pm

A better question is where did the anti-war protesters from the Bush years go?

Searambler | October 21, 2011, 2:15 pm ——– Maybe it’s just the humor conservatives find in the “accomplishments” of Obama… LOL!!! —- The Bush Administration set up the timetable for the Iraq withdrawals, not Obama…… The Bush Administration did a lot of groundwork on Bin Laden and had him pegged to that specific region before Obama took office….. When Obama took office he had three trade deals on his desk, having been blocked by Dems… but Obama took almost three years to approve them (costing jobs)! —— We just can’t help but guffaw at Obama’s “accomplishments”!!!

Wow. The illegal wars started by Busheney and continued by the Manchurian candidate are ending.
The show must go on so now we are focused on the next false flag manufactured fiasco.

Raven | October 21, 2011, 2:39 pm ——– Oh, puleeeeze!!!! ——– If Obama can say “Bush’s fault” (even two years after)…. I think you could allow us to point out the opposite facts… LOL!! —- Check out my 2:51 post!!! ——– And Solandra? NOT approved by Bush…. as opposed to Obama’s approval after being warned!! —– TARP? Ended up making $35 Billion in interest for the US… as opposed to Obama’s stimulus… which spent $870 Billion for little benefit!!

A better question is where did the anti-war protesters from the Bush years go?

POSTED BY: SUZ | OCTOBER 21, 2011, 2:46 PM 2:46 PM

Those were IRAQ anti-war protesters. Why would you protest the pull-out from Iraq happening on schedule?

And BTW, I thought you Righties were SICK of BUSH being brought into any discussion of current events, insisting that OBAMA owns everything that happened on his watch (even TARP or SOLANDRA or other things which actually began under/were signed into law by BUSH)?
Posted by: Raven | October 21, 2011, 2:39 pm 2:39 pm

Bush get 1/2 for TARP : ABC 1/12/09:
President-elect Barack Obama asked President Bush today to request the release of the second $350 billion in federal bailout funds so he would have “ammunition” if the country’s fragile economy weakened further.

The White House said that Bush has agreed to request the money.

Bush receives NO blame for Solyndra:
“The results of the Congressional probe shared Tuesday with ABC News show that less than two weeks before President Bush left office, on January 9, 2009, the Energy Department’s credit committee had voted against offering a loan commitment to Solyndra.

Even after Obama took office on Jan. 20, 2009, analysts in the Energy Department and in the Office of Management and Budget were repeatedly questioning the wisdom of the loan. In one exchange, an Energy official wrote of “a major outstanding issue” — namely, that Solyndra’s numbers showed it would run out of cash in September 2011.”

“This deal was cut by the Bush administration, the agreement was always that at end of the year we would leave.”

These are the facts. All your little rants and tirades about the right don’t alter the FACTS.

Posted by: Jim | October 21, 2011, 3:07 pm 3:07 pm

There were plenty of anti-Afghanistan War protests during the Bush years. They magically stopped when Obama became president. Meanwhile, Obama is responsible for more US casualties in Afghanistan than Bush in less than three years (1,184 out of 1,814 or over 65%)–a milestone conveniently ignored by his supporters and the media.

Thankfully, though, Obama has a Nobel Peace Prize, so it’s all good. It’s like there isn’t any war at all, which must be comforting to the families of all the dead civilians killed by Obama’s drone strikes in Yemen, Pakistan, Somalia, Libya, and Afghanistan.

Progressives HATED war before Obama. They constantly criticized Bush and McCain for being warmongers. But now, progressives love war because their guy is doing the killing. The lefties sound like bloodthirsty cowboy warmongers now. Isn’t CHANGE great?

OK, how’s this: THANK YOU PRESIDENT BUSH for starting a completely unnecessary and stunningly poorly executed war in Iraq. AND for not having an exit strategy in place. AND for not having any plans on what to do after deposing Saddam Hussein. AND for not completing that war during the SIX YEARS you oversaw it. All in order to give President Obama the job of cleaning up your nearly criminal prosecution of said war. A war which cost us thousands of American lives, tens of thousands of Iraqi lives, and a trillion US dollars we really didn’t have to spare, for your nation building ‘Bush Doctrine’ agenda.

There. Happy?

Follow the King Jesus Christ and all your problems and mine will be solved. He promises peace.

Meanwhile, Obama is responsible for more US casualties in Afghanistan than Bush in less than three years (1,184 out of 1,814 or over 65%).
Posted by: Justin | October 21, 2011, 3:33 pm 3:33 pm.

And WHY were we in Afghanistan in the first place? And WHY did the Bush administration ignore Afghanistan when they decided to invade Iraq? Where was the bulk of the war machine used under GW – Iraq or Afghanistan? If you can answer those questions honestly, you will see the silliness in your post…………

I don’t care if Obama is trying to get votes or not, I am just grateful my hubby will be coming home early. I don’t care if he was republican or democrat, Obama or Bush.

“WHY did the Bush administration ignore Afghanistan when they decided to invade Iraq?” – SeaRambler

That’s an easy one.
Vietnamistan the Sequel™ is a Waste-o-Time™.
Iraq at least has a chance at becoming a functional democracy, thus adding stability to the region.

I don’t like Barack Obama. I don’t like failure by scapegoat as a leadership(?) style. But I stand behind him on Iraq. We never belonged there and this indeed is correcting an error made by George Bush.
Barack……. 1 Scapegoats……….. 7,589,354,078

Yeah….. hard work for Obama following the Bush-negotiated pullout to the letter!!! —- Whew!! Wipe you forehead and take a break, Barry!!! —- Oh, wait… your still out campaigning somewhere aren’t you!!!

Some of these posters that are blasting the President are actually K-B-R contractors (and other defense contractors) in Iraq, earning those $200K-to-$250K annual salaries…. LOL! …. and they’re now sad because the SUGAR-MONEY EXPRESS that Bush and Cheney started for them is now coming to it’s last stop.

That’s a good start. Now how soon can we get out of Afghanistan, Libya, and the latest unconstitutional fracas? While we’re at it, its time to offer countries where we have foreign bases the opportunity to pay for our presence – or sell the bases and bring the troops home. Those that want to stay in can help with the borders.

While you’re at it, quit giving away money we don’t have – to Fiskar auto, where Al Gore is a shareholder.

“WHY did the Bush administration ignore Afghanistan when they decided to invade Iraq?” – SeaRambler

That’s an easy one.
Vietnamistan the Sequel™ is a Waste-o-Time™.
Iraq at least has a chance at becoming a functional democracy, thus adding stability to the region.

Posted by: william | October 21, 2011, 4:17 pm.

OK, if Afghanistan was a “waste of time”, then why did we go to war there in the first place? Oh that’s right, to go after the terrorists that attacked us on 9/11. Remember? Was THAT really a “waste of time”? If GW and Company had focused on THAT job, and if they had a lick of sense between them, they would have concentrated our military might there from Day One. That war should have been over years ago. Instead, he ginned up a bunch of false reasons why we should attack and invade a country that posed no threat to us and that had not attacked us. Then he proceeded to wage a very badly prosecuted war and occupation of Iraq. Was it really worth all the lives lost and all the treasure lost? Of course not. You said,
“Iraq at least has a chance at becoming a functional democracy, thus adding stability to the region.”. Iraq was stable BEFORE GW destabilized it by invading it and removing the leader that kept Iran in check. Who was the really big winner in the Iraq fiasco? Why, the American military-industrial complex, that’s who. They were the beneficiaries of hundreds of billions of American dollars. Follow that money. How much money did we give to Halliburton alone? The company that our dear VP ran for a few years before he became the VP made out like bandits. Literally.

Yes if Iran wanted to attack us they could do it from their own country, BUT that would be a stupid move! It would make such an attack obvious where it came from! Posted by: RadioMan77 | October 21, 2011, 4:48 pm.

LOL! You really don’t think much of our military, do you? Do you honestly believe that IF Iran were to suddenly decide to take us on militarily, and they did it “undercover” by going through Iraq – that we wouldn’t figure it out?!?!? Bwahahahahahahahaha! Iran doesn’t have anywhere near the military capability needed to attack us like you seem to think they do. Your ‘Chicken Little’ scenario is stunningly naive and ignorant of the facts on the ground…………..

The only reason Iraq hasn’t been overrun by Iran or any other country is because the troops are here. Posted by: Brian | October 22, 2011, 10:22 am.

And you know this how? And what is your solution? Occupy that country forever?

Thank you Mr. Bush.

The Status of Forces Agreement that the Bush Administration signed with the Iraq government specified that U.S. combat forces would withdraw from Iraqi cities by June 30, 2009, and all U.S. forces will be completely out of Iraq by December 31, 2011.

Obama is fulfilling his own campaign pledge, but also the Bush agreement.