CNN

Lets take a look at the real tragedy and that is how we ended up in Iraq in the first place. We have heard all the reason why from many places none of which is legitimate. 911 was about who had attacked the United States and making sure we went for the source of our attacks. But instead we diverted from the organelle act and still have not found the originator of 911 but have created a bigger problem in the world. It sadden me that we have ignored the illegal, immoral, dishonest way that we have ended up in our current situation in Iraq.

Jon in Scaramento Ca,

Making more friends all the time I see.

LOL!

To Jon, Sacramento,

Well there you have it Jon, you called me, a serving soldier at war, a FRAUD, not a REAL soldier. You have a right to your opinions, as do I, but what you just did is call ALL other soldiers (including the 10 from S6 section in Mosul) fighting in this war but do not believe in it, or who simply want to come home to their loved ones, FRAUDS. And that you have absolutely no right to do. We might not want to be here, hell a lot of us don't even support this whole mess, but we enlisted to serve our country, and that's what we're doing, the least you can do is show some respect for that. Shame on you over and over again Jon!! You're despicable to the point of naeusea.

Oh cmon! All Bush knows about vietnam is that he didn't want to fight there!

David, Salinas, CA and Gilbert, Arizona, The Iraq conflicts, politics are a product of economic gain and power struggles and absolutely are not any responsibility of the American people as a whole. Dick Cheney’s, Donald Rumsfeld’s, George Bush’s and do not exclude Condalisa Rice, it is all of their war; listed in order is the responsibility of those people and their think tank. Most people may not know who David, Salinas, CA and Gilbert, Arizona are, but both of you are dead wrong too put blame on the American people as a whole and you both make me want to puke! If the whole class cannot do it together, than the class cannot do it at all! Quote MR. Sue 1965.

TO: Jon, Sacramento ~ Ca
From a Canadian:
RE: Comments to Steve ~ Houston,

Jon Write:
"Steve, you are a fraud........"

Jon, I have to say, You Are Way Over The Line. And you should be utterly ashamed of yourself. How dare you sitting in your cozy room in front of your computer belittle and condemn a man/men/or women who are
sacrificing their lives daily to protect our nation's people! Including you, Jon.

A couple friends I'm sure is all you have with your obvious lack of compassion, respect, gratitude, and loyalty to those who give there lives for the good of mankind!

I have a family member in Afghanistan right now. And I can tell you, I don't appreciate your vile, beligerant, comments on behalf of military members one bit.

I guess it's easy to condemn a heroe as a Fraud while safely tucked behind your computer screen. Maybe if you did a stint in Iraq or Afghanistan you might appreciate our military members who have courageously given you the freedom you use to unjustly condemn their sacrifice on your behalf. Think about that Jon.

To Jon, Sacramento,

And the village idiot speaks again! I do not need your approval as a soldier, I have and continue to serve my country in war, my medals and other accolades speak louder than your vile and uncouth words. Bottom line is, you are a simple minded coward that will not put commitment where his mouth is. Grow a pair Jon and while you're at it move to Canada!

Jon~

I'm speaking for the soldiers in my section; that is ten of us. We read both of your comments on this blog. We do respect all american citizens opinions. The problem is peole like you supporting the war without the real facts and going off what the media and the president have to say. I have been here twice, my NCOIC three times. Here are some problems.
1) What is the mission now? Do you realize that it has changed every rotation!
2) The iraqi people don't want it enough otherwise there would be more cooperation in the villages. The insurgents are willing to die for their cause. They charge right at us willingly.
3) Corruption... Do you realize how much tax money is wasted???? Someone left something about the IPs using money for personal gain. It's true !!!
SHAME ON YOU FOR CALLING US FAKE SOLDIERS!!! At least we are here...where are you? What we don't understand is warmongers who support the war won't serve or have anyone in their family serve. Maybe we can associate you as a COWARD. WE ARE NOT SAYING THAT; that is our perception. It seems you have so much passsion for something that we feel you should join us and maybe you might have an understanding. I know the next step is your going to quote from books that you read or what you herd from the media in your defense. Or maybe even educate us since we seem to have no intellignce. Don't bother...we are not going to reply!!!
I understand that my service to the military is to preserve your rights.
Oh...what would be helpful is a POC and we will send you our credentials of why we can say it's time for a steady withrawal.

I thought if we learned nothing else from Vietnam what we did learn was you can't win a war without public support. Pretty gutsy for Bush to even bring Vietnam up considering he alone is responsible for this whole Iraq mess because of his lies. Still trying to gain a thread of decency to leave in his legacy, and it's not going to happen. What good has he done for the country? I can't think of anything–not one thing. He has taken away the freedom of Americans and made the United States look like an evil nation when in fact it's Bush who's evil, not the people of the U.S.

Jon, Sacramento ~ Ca .. here's the deal ...

EVERY TIME you bring up resolution 141 as an excuse to go to war, I'll simply make you look like an idiot (AGAIN) by posting the following FACT (AGAIN):

Without the "imminent threat" from those WMDs (we never found), NOBODY except Dubya and his cronies would have supported a war.

PERIOD!

Not congress and certainly not the American people either.

1441 was useless as a tool without that (bogus) angle being shoved down everybody's throat.

Even the UN didn't support using that resolution for war.

Next time make this a bit harder for me will ya?

Jon – Sacramento, CA
First of all, you might want to go to sources other than Wikipedia for your facts. Especially since they have found evidence of editing by members of the government to reflect certain views...
It's true Bush never directly accused Saddam of being involved in the attacks of 9/11, but he implied it with the wording in his various speeches. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3119676.stm) And, he mentioned time and time again the WMD as justification for the invasion.
About those little girls attending school...would those be the ones whose new school was found to have enough explosives in the foundation to blow them all to kingdom come – courtesy of the insurgents?

From Anonymous earlier, and my comments:

"Consequences of pulling out of Iraq:
1. Millions of citizens continue to be involved in sectarian violence."

Already happening before a pullout.

"2. Citizens who have helped the US get slaughtered by anti-US forces."

Already happening before a pullout.

"3. American dollars are essentially wasted, enemy gains valuable US technology if we leave anything behind, as Bill Richardson has suggested."

Already happening before a pullout.

"4. Iraq becomes a state controlled by fear, new dictatorial military leader assumes control. Lets face it, the government in power fails if we leave."

Already happening before a pullout. The dictator is de-facto George W Bush.

"5. Said leader becomes soil owner of vast oil reserves-oil crisis anyone?"

Already happening before a pullout.
Gas at record pump prices all year, hello?

"6. US citizens left behind are toast."

Already happening before a pullout. Over 1000 contractors dead.

"7. Islamist movement gains strength, potential hotbeds where secularist govts are losing ground may give way to these movements."

Already happening before a pullout.

As for the rest:

"Iraq was clearly a bad decision. We need to fix it, because we broke it. Then when its fixed, we move all of our troops out of other countries, and we let the world police itself. That means no intervention. Im sick of this damned if you do, damned if you dont attitude that the world has towards us. Fine we wont play police anymore, but dont expect us to come rushing to the aid for everything else. That means leaving Korea,Japan, Germany etc. No we arent intervening in Darfur. After all, Darfur does not represent a security risk."

Agreed on all points but one: when is it fixed, and how will it be fixed? THAT's the crux of the problem...

Steve ~ Houston,

"What makes you an expert on whether we should stay and fight in Iraq or leave anyway, what military credentials do you pocess on strategy, who told you that Iraqis even want us there in the first place?? They were better off with Saddam, at least then they could walk down their streets without fear of being blown up. "

Steve, you are a fraud. Had you spent 1 HOUR in Iraq you would appreciate the heroic effort being made by the REAL soldiers – attempting to keep civilians safe, kill enemy insurgents, and doing the best they can to protect their buddies – as a couple friends from my Church (damn good men) are doing over there!

I owe no excuses or explanations to you for my views NOR do I need to explain how/why I have the right to share them. A REAL soldier would understand such freedoms. YOU are no soldier.

Mindy ~ Chatsworth, CA

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for repeating the bogus liberal talking points when you write,

"It DOES matter how we got in there and under what circumstances. Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11 and they presented no national security threat to our country. "

Mindy, would you and the anti-war crowd PUH-LEASE get your facts straight. The President NEVER said Saddam was part of 9/11. What the President did was lead a coalition of countries into Iraq to FINALLY enforce UN Resolutions 660, 661, 678, 686, 687, 688, 707, 715, 986, 1284, and 1441.

How about READING resolution 1441 before jawing about 9/11 or WMDs
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UN_Security_Council_Resolution_1441

But it's comforting to know YOU and your ilk would rather Saddam still be in power.

And then you show your real depth of understanding when you say,

"They don't know what democracy is. They wouldn't know it if it hit them in the face."

Gee – that must be news to the millions of people in Afghanistan that voted on October 12, 2004 against threats from Al Qaeda. This must also be news to the millions of Iraqis that voted January 28, 2005 at the risk of being killed. People parading in the streets holding their ink-stained fingers in the air showing proudly showing they had voted.

Why not take a few minutes from your tired arguments and recognize – while not perfect – our efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan ARE making a difference. Maybe these changes do not matter to you or your political agenda... but it certainly means something to little girls in Afghanistan that NOW attend school and the people who no longer live under the regime of a brutal dictator.

We owe it to the people of Iraq to formulate an exit strategy that gives them every hope of succeeding by NOT creating a political and security vacuum through your cut-and-run philosophy.

To Jon, Sacramento,

I knew I'd find you war-mongering here, and by the way, just in case you didn't read my last post to you, I am a veteran of the Iraq war, matter of fact I'm looking at possibly heading back there soon. Who's the hat without cattle again??

First off, it's exhausting to listen to people like you refer to this as the war "we are fighting." Yourself and who?? You've never been to war, you're not fighting this one either, my comrades and I are, so the least you can do, while you do your war-mongering is show us some respect by calling it what it is, the "war our troops are fighting."

What makes you an expert on whether we should stay and fight in Iraq or leave anyway, what military credentials do you pocess on strategy, who told you that Iraqis even want us there in the first place?? They were better off with Saddam, at least then they could walk down their streets without fear of being blown up. You wanna be there for the long haul, why not ship yourself and kin there then and while you're at it, show the Iraqis how to form a strong democracy, something that our best generals have already said will more than likely never happen.

Like I said before, the loudest war mongerers are the one's that have never served, read the list of such people from David, Salinas, CA, then add yourself to it. At least all had some form of flimsy excuse, what was yours??

There is at least one difference between Vietnam and Iraq. Bush had an exit strategy for Vietnam – if only for him.

To Jon Sacramento –

You must be kidding. A representative democracy in Iraq? Hell will freeze over before that ever happens. They don't know what democracy is. They wouldn't know it if it hit them in the face. They despise us and with good reason. We invaded their country under false pretenses. It DOES matter how we got in there and under what circumstances. Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11 and they presented no national security threat to our country. Since when do we go around invading sovereign nations based on trumped up intelligence and just plain lies? Bush thought he could get a cheap, easy victory and then proclaim himself the savior of our country by defeating people who had absolutely nothing to do with 9/11. He didn't have the stomach or the guts to pursue bin Laden and Al Qaeda in Afghanistan.

All we are doing is letting our brave soldiers die in vain over there, while Bush pathetically tries to save face and justify this madness. The analogy to Vietnam is particularly appropriate here, but not for the reasons that Bush stated. How many times do we have to listen to blatant lies, distortions of history and truth, before we finally understand that this president doesn't have a clue as to how to govern a country. He couldn't find his way around the block, much less make a valid comparison between Vietnam and Iraq to justify his actions. He is beyond embarrassing.

Does anyone remember Nixon's "Peace with Honor" slogan as we took an agonizingly long time to extricate ourselves from Vietnam? More soldiers died needlessly as we tried to save face. We got into that war because of the Domino Theory. Now we know that it was nonsense. Did all of Asia fall to communism? Did we have Armageddon? The Cambodian massacres were taking place while we were in Vietnam, not as a consequence of our leaving. Bush is just trying to rewrite history by distorting what happened after we got out of Vietnam. It was the best thing we ever did, only we did it years too late and after far too many lives were lost.

There is an apt saying, "Those who do not learn from history are condemned to repeat it". That is exactly what has happened with the war in Iraq. Bush's legacy will be the horrific mess we created in Iraq, making Al Qaeda and Iran stronger and destroying what prestige and standing we had in the eyes of the world. He can't hide from the reality of what he has done and scholars in years to come will judge his presidency harshly.

How is Vietnam doing now? It's more of a success story in the end, and was done WITHOUT the presence of the U.S.
–Posted By Anonymous :

Please tell that to the Vietnamese boat people still streaming out of Vietnam in search of their unalienable rights. Among which are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

How disgustingly easy it is for us, those that did nothing for our freedom, to judge others still suffering to gain theirs..

Has Mr. Bush ever read a history book? Has the fact escaped him that the aftermath of every war creates chaotic social, political, economic and above all lethal vacuums at the tragic expense, of the most innocent civilians? Even the wealthy and influential on the losing side usually manage to find their way to a neutral corner.

And now GWB is giving the VFW—all veterans of foreign wars or overseas service (which he opted not to be a part of) history lessons? How dare he remind them that “one unmistakable legacy of Vietnam is that the price of America's withdrawal was paid by millions of innocent citizens, whose agonies would add to our vocabulary new terms like 'boat people,' 're-education camps' and 'killing fields'."

Forget Vietnam’s history. I suggest he start with a study of post Revolution America when about 3% of our population– almost 70,000 American “loyalists”, who had remained loyal to the British Crown, were first abused and then forced to leave for Britain, Canada and other British possessions when their land and property were confiscated by the American rebels. The fact is these American loyalist’s were the original “boat people.”

And while Bush refuses to call what is going on in Iraq a civil war he should be also be reminded that our own post Civil War period left some states in the old Confederacy occupied by the winners for as long as five years leaving a residual bitterness through out the South that lingered for almost a century.

Clearly Bush spent a little too much time at cheerleading practice in prep school and too much time at the frat house at Yale instead of cracking a few books. Had he done so, maybe we wouldn’t have gotten into Iraq without an exit plan in place—something he clearly forgot.

But what really gets me as a Vietnam veteran as well as a member of the VFW and Disabled American Veterans is his gall to remind any veteran of our respective legacies of Vietnam. While we served, 1/Lt. G.W.Bush, USAFR a qualified jet pilot trained at government expense opted to sit out the Vietnam War in the National Guard. At the same time 3,322 airplanes (including 1,700 from the U.S. Air Force) and 5,086 Army helicopters were scattered from one end of Southeast Asia to the other—with about half of them with their crews still on board. What chutzpah!

David in Gilbert and David in Salinas...Is that David(2),

Certainly both Democrats and Republicans were responsible for the Vietnam war.

Indeed, you are both on the money. !954, Eisenhower sends 'advisors' to Vietnam after the dust-up with the French. Ho-Chi Minh actually lobbied the US for support to liberate his country from French colonial rule, but we sided with our 'allies'.

LBJ and his Texas buddies (Bechtel, Brown & Root, etc.) profited greatly from that war much like folks say Halliburton et. al. are now.

McNamara and the whiz-kids running the war with their "measured response" was very poor implementation. Business and economic models don't fit on the battlefield.

Have a good one,

Chip

I only trust Bush if his two daughters also go to Iraq to fight the war. Now, many precious american young men and women are losing their lives.

Bush is in a deep sand and is sinking fast.

A Canadian Perspective with no vote count.

War is never humane or easy for those serving or their loved ones who wait and worry in the balance. It is less humame for the many innocent citizens caught in the line of fire.

My Father served in WWII as a Sergeant on the front lines for six years along with his two younger brothers.

I have a family member serving in Afghanistan and Iraq. My prayers for a safe return go out to him and his family daily.

I support, honour, and admire all who are serving in Iraq but I can't support the Iraq War. In my view, it is void of any cause or reason worthy of our military's loss of life or injuries. I hold enormous gratitude for our many heroes serving in the Mid East. But I hold only disdain for President Bush and his Administration.

I don't know much about the Vietnam War other than what I have read.

I know those serving in WWII would have never even entertained a thought of withdrawing troops as they believed wholeheartedly they were fighting for our land and freedom. And their beliefs were justified.

I feel Iraq is an entirely different matter. As I can't see a military end to the Iraq war. You can't wipe out ingrained religious beliefs or change mind set with mere artillery force. Therefore, I can't justify the sacrifice of our many brave men and women who unselfishly and heroically answered the call. Equally, I can't excuse President Bush for rushing troops into a war void of any valid reason, substance, or strategy. A war based only on his political needs and desires. In my mind, every military member serving in Iraq/Afghanistan/Mid East deserves much more from their leader/s. As do their families who wait for them to return.

It's amazing to me how people who were so adept at avoiding service in Vietnam continue to fight that war to this very day....

that just proves that Bush doesn't think. Everyone knew Viet Nam was a mistake....we never learned from the French...VN was always communist and take over wasn't a surprise. We do not understand the make up of the Middle East...Iraq has shown this.

Nice comparisons between WWII and Cold War conflicts to guerilla warfare.

We are fighting a purely unconventional war in the midst of a Civil War with THREE sides fighting for power.

George is comparing apples to oranges citing other wars to justify the present one, ignoring that the war was based on a pack of lies.

So wait ... after years of Dubya's administration telling us there is NO comparison between whats going on in Iraq and Vietnam – saying "The analogy is false" during a 4/13/04 news conference ....

Now he's making the analogy himself?

"The tragedy of Vietnam"?? O.k., people DID die after leaving Vietnam. It is widely accepted that Vietnam was a mistake in the first place. Suggesting that we should have been there even longer is moronic. It would not have changed the inevitable outcome: our departure and a communist government assuming power.
So, fast forward to 2007. How is Vietnam doing now? It has one of the fastest growing economies in the world, has good relations with the U.S., and is largely a peaceful country. It's more of a success story in the end, and was done WITHOUT the presence of the U.S.

How many times must George Bush look up
Before he can see the sky?
Yes, ‘n’ how many ears must he have
Before he can hear people (Iraq people & american mothers of dead soldiers) cry?
Yes, ‘n’ how many deaths (of american and Iraq people) will it take till he knows
That too many people have died?
The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind,
The answer is blowin’ in the wind.

Mr. Bush,

Due to the stupidity of your arrogance we are in this quagmire that is called Iraq. You wanted this war. You campaigned for it. You made speeches around the country to get it. You made State of the Union speeches designed to get it. You sent you administration out to campaign for it. You sent your Secretary of State to the UN to campaign for it. You got and it is yours!
Now that the reality of this stupidity is finally being seen and the people want to stop this waste of the blood, limbs and lives of some of our finest young people and the treasure of our nation and that of our children and their children you make a speech in which you try to lay some sort of guilt trip on me about what may happen if we leave.

You make me want to puke!

Does that make George Bush this century's Lyndon Johnson?

I think so.

Viet Nam ruined Johnson's presidency just like Iraq ruined Bush's. The only difference is that Lyndon knew it, George still doens't have a clue.

Is it me, or is history really repeating itself ... again?

GWB has doen it again...I guess we just have to put up with this idiot for a little while longer...
He has the audacity to speak to Vetrans of Vietnam Like he has credibility. What a joke... I'm a vet and you offend me GWB... Anyway.. I guess I can see how Freddy Boy Thompson , Rudolph Guiliani, and Oven Mitt Romney look up to when it comes to crediatials.. God help us! It's called Tough talkin Chicken Hawkin

Why is it that you all give Bill Clinton a free pass for draft-dodging but hammer on Bush, who at least did something? Standard liberals...

I do not have words currently to express the outrage I feel at this statement.

George Bush is Vietnam, Watergate, Katrina, Iraq, and the Great Depression all rolled into one.

"We’re all responsible for Iraq. It’s America’s war. But the difference is this: Only one party is trying to get us out of it." ~ David, Salinas

This is where I would disagree. No one (not even the President) WANTS an endless war. The difference between (lack of better words) pro-war versus leave-now... is that we (pro-war) want a exit which doesn't leave Iraq dessimated – physically, politically, economically, etc. Get Iraq on it's feet, then bring the military home.

The difference is not IF – but WHEN we bring them home.

If I remember correctly, back then there was the domino theory; one nation will fall to communism then another and so on. Vietnam was one of those dominos and when it fell, guess what, no other nations fell. In fact, once we left, there was blood shed and violence but now it is one of trading partners.

The president misses the point, we have no business being Iraq. We went there based on a lie and embellished facts. These were lies perpatrated by this president and the vp. On that alone we should leave.

Only one party is trying to get us out of it.

Everyone wants out. Not everyone wants immediate withdrawl as certain hippies demanded in Congress. You can't just abandon these people that we've abused for 50 years.

Ironic that he was at a photo op at the collapsed bridge in Minnesota while people became homeless from the floods. Is he going to help those people when they go looking for a good mortgage loan? Fat chance! Only the rich Iraqis have homes, and Bush would love that to be the case in this country! Impeach Bush and his gang now. Congress, get some cajones.

I think this is my first time agreeing with David from Gilbert Arizona.

Certainly both Democrats and Republicans were responsible for the Vietnam war. I worked against both Johnson and Nixon because of it.

And while I think the debacle in Iraq is largely Bush’s war (and Cheney’s and Rumsfeld’s, etc), it also had bipartisan support. There’s plenty of blame to go around.

We’re all responsible for Iraq. It’s America’s war. But the difference is this: Only one party is trying to get us out of it.

You can teach history to a student, but that does not guarentee that they will draw knowledge or wisdom from it.
Mr. President, you should be ashamed of yourself for demonstrating such a lack of understanding of recent history (not to mention, not so recent history). Invoking the Vietnam War as example of how to handle our presence in Iraq, is just a sad reminder of what happens when a powerful world leader allows pride to interfere with duty. When your ambitions to effect change, clash with the will of your people, and those abroad, you would do better to cite historical references that support your policies instead of those that prove how little you know and understand.
For your mistakes, your soul may answer to a higher authority, but your legacy will be determined by those you led into a endless war of choice. If you can't be a "man" who takes responsibility for his mistakes, at least show the country and the Office in which you serve, the respect it deserves, and resign. Please, stop damaging our United States......
...........I'm sorry. I actually thought, for a moment, that Bush might actually read this.

My sister and her family were able to meet with Mr. Bush after his speech. Their ticket was the death of my nephew, Spc. Matthew Murchison, on August 4, 2007. Mr. Bush was kind, compassionate and sympathetic. Regardless of your politics, and coming from a family that suffered a devastating loss, you MUST support our troops. End of story.

A few million people died in Southeast Asian and a few more million will die in Iraq.

So what.., it doesn't effect me unless I have to watch it everynight on CNN.

Of course this is another Vietnam. This is 1967 part deux. We are fighting a war that the American public does not support. That cannot be sustained for long. We are fighting for what some in Iraq see as a puppet government. That will not last. We left Vietnam only after Nixon bombed the North to the Paris peace talks. Peace was proclaimed and two years later the North took over the South. (helicopters, embassy, the whole works). The failure of both wars, what emboldened our enemies, was starting them in the first place. Both conflicts were/are destined to fail. The reasoned person would say that, given the history of Vietnam, why would we make the same mistake again. Why would we continue to fight a war that cannot and never will be won, just to see more flag draped coffins, just to be able at some point to falsely proclaim some victory? The similarities between Iraq and Vietnam are so so numerous. Train the Vietnamese/Iraqi forces. We'll stand down when they stand up. Fight them there so we don't have to fight them here. Support the troops. Promote democracy. I, for one, am as fed up with this rhetoric, as I was in my youth. You're right, Mr. President. This is exactly like Vietnam.

Posted By Yvan,Indio,CA: "Well Vietman and Irak have one thing in common! they both were unnecessary war baddly managed by Republicans. Kudos to the incapables and the liars. History seems to repeat itself.LOL"

Lyndon Johnson, who got the United States into a ground war in Vietnam because of the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, was a democrat.

Are you honestly suggesting we haven't caused devestation and death in Iraq since the 50's when we helped shape the country that put Saddam in power?

The people sticking their head in the sand and ignoring the facts are the ones who suggest Bush and his father are the only ones to go to war in Iraq. We've been in Iraq for over 50 years. Bill Clinton bombed Iraq. Is he responsible for this war since he didn't solve that problem back then? Or how about Bush Sr? Is he responsible for doing the typical task of his generation, leaving today's problems to future generations.

There's one problem in Washington...all the politicians are too old, too rich, or too self absorbed. No more hippies, no more 90 yr old businessmen, and no more lawyers.

"Is that what the President wants? A war without end?"

The President is addressing the end-game in Iraq. Cut-and-run (though popular with the anti-war crowd) is irresponsible. Regardless of WHY we entered Iraq – we're there. The Iraqi people deserve to have a chance at a representative government and an organized police force to support law and order.

If one were to evaluate the quality of comments on these blogs – it's clear many of you are EXPERTS in critiquing the President and VACUOUS when it comes to solutions.

Our most notorious VP is pulling the strings through his puppet President. He started the war to benefit his rich industries (Halliburton, Exxon etc.) and doesn't want to end it. Thats why this fear mongering startegy to compare with Vietnam. Vietnam was disaster and so as Iraq. How much worse the situation will become with our abrupt exit? At least those who are powerful will settle the score amongst themselves and bring some peace. What was wrong when Saddam was in power? At least Shia and Sunnis were living peacefully then. When we leave, Shias will be in control of their territory, Sunnis will manage theirs, and Kurds the northern one. But, our boys will be home, and this constant drain of money and lives will stop forever.

Bush has a lot of nerve to even mention Vietnam, considering he spent that time defending the skies over Texas from the Viet Cong airforce...when he could be bothered to show up for duty, that is.

The "tragedy" of our departure was scarcely equal to the tragedy of our presence in Viet Nam. Like Iraq, it was a totally unprovoked imperialistic invasion. After Iraq where will we strike?

STAYING is bad particularly when the SUREG didnt produce the expected results. LEAVING will be very bad, world will see new problems from Iran, Iraq, Syria and Hezbollah. The world community should step up and solve this problem thru UN. Start heavy diplomacy, dissolve this current IRAQI government and commit UN peace keeping forces (drawn from Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia) under new Iraqi appointed government control. Then go for elections in case, they provide STABILITY!!!

Give me a break! We were involved in Vietnam as a police action. Lyndon Johnson(another war driven Texan) kept sending over "advisors" and more and more of our people died. It is not the job of the United States of America to be the police force of the world. We need to pull out of Iraq and stop electing Texans to the White House!

Although the sentiment behind Bush's statements are genuine he still pulls political shenanigans. The killing fields were in Cambodia, which were off limits "supposedly" to United States troops.

The Vietnam conflict was supposed to be a "police action" not a war. Theoretically U.S. troops were sent to Vietnam to keep their civil war from spilling over into other nations.

Regardless, the Vietnam conflict and the Iraqi war are drastically different situations. The only common element Vietnam and Iraq have is that the pretext for going over seas was based on fabricated and false information.

Terry from El Paso hit the nail squarely on the head. I've read post after post about the "neo-cons" hijacking the presidency. Well hello folks, we elected that neo-con legitimately at least once. And Bush is not the first president to gain office without winning the popular vote. Our beloved Abraham Lincoln took less than 40% of the popular vote.

We The People put that man in office. We have no one to blame but ourselves.

Well Vietman and Irak have one thing in common! they both were unnecessary war baddly managed by Republicans. Kudos to the incapables and the liars. History seems to repeat itself.LOL

This is pure garbage, and I hope the American people realize it. There is no logical connection between the withdrawal of troops from Vietnam and massacres, but there IS a logical connection between troop PRESENCE IN Vietnam and massacres that happened after withdrawal. It's that simple. US military presence creates, enlarges, and magnifies hatred. War is a conflagration, not an extinguishing.

To Terry in El Paso – no amount of force will ever "fix" Iraq because it is a made-up country. It's a non-starter. Cheney himself predicted it would be a huge mess ... that's on YouTube, if you care to look ... in the early to mid 90s (I forget). Convenient to have a "senior moment" when the opportunity arose to project military power around the world and show folks who was boss after 9/11, there and on our own streets.

Ron Paul is right. Look at what we have achieved in peace and trade? If it were not for our friendly (sort of) relations with China and Japan, we'd be completely broke. Pathetic, but true.

Consequences of pulling out of Iraq:
1. Millions of citizens continue to be involved in sectarian violence.
2. Citizens who have helped the US get slaughtered by anti-US forces.
3. American dollars are essentially wasted, enemy gains valuable US technology if we leave anything behind, as Bill Richardson has suggested.
4. Iraq becomes a state controlled by fear, new dictatorial military leader assumes control. Lets face it, the government in power fails if we leave.
5. Said leader becomes soil owner of vast oil reserves-oil crisis anyone?
6. US citizens left behind are toast.
7. Islamist movement gains strength, potential hotbeds where secularist govts are losing ground may give way to these movements.

Iraq was clearly a bad decision. We need to fix it, because we broke it. Then when its fixed, we move all of our troops out of other countries, and we let the world police itself. That means no intervention. Im sick of this damned if you do, damned if you dont attitude that the world has towards us. Fine we wont play police anymore, but dont expect us to come rushing to the aid for everything else. That means leaving Korea,Japan, Germany etc. No we arent intervening in Darfur. After all, Darfur does not represent a security risk.

I love how Bush tries to sound intellectual and always say that there is a "debate out there". He's one of those stooges who still thinks global warming is an Al Gore-contrived liberal conspiracy!
South Vietnam did suffer when we pulled out. But, like in Iraq, we helped create the situation (with nods to the French, of course).
Pol Pot's murderous regime received support much out of response to our illegal bombing of Cambodia. This is similar to terrorist groups receiving support due to our illegal occupation in Iraq.
I wish the yokel pro-war mammals in this country could understand such simple cause and effect situations.

So, the young man from Vietnam who stayed at my house as an exchange student and learned the ways of American business should be considered a terrorist?

My goodness, his staff is really reaching on this one.

If this is his plan to get more troops over to Iraq they had better go back to the drawing board.

We had almost 500,000 troops at one time over in Vietnam. We spent a decade fighting the Viet Cong. They lost over 250,000 troops (in combat, no one knows the number of civilian deaths) versus our 60,000. They still kept coming.

Is that what the President wants? A war without end?

Ironically, the analogy is apt: Iraq is another Vietnam. However, his theory about it is very flawed.

Wow, what a bizzare post!

Most of us in 2000 didn't vote for him when the election was stolen in Florida, and many of us didn't vote for him in 2004 when the election was stolen in Ohio!

Our brave men and women of the military shouldn't have to fight and die because of your guilty feelings!

Talk about a right-wing self-absorbed logic!

Ok Mr. President. Just what part of History would you like to dredge up next and try to make yet another excuse for this muderous war you started?
Which part of Texas do you plan to retire in, could it be in the viilage that is missing it's idiot?
You are a sad, sad excuse of a President and will go down as the biggest JOKE this country ever had in political office.
09 can't get here soon enough! Enough with moronic excuses from the moronic and pathetic Republican Party jesters!!

Why isn't W down on the ranch trimming the bushes? Because he knows that Congress is feeling the heat on Iraq this August, and that sustaining the Surge next month when Betrayus reports will be a tough sell.

I lost some respect for the VFW last year when they endorsed Peter Roskum instead of Tammy Duckworth in the Congressional race here in Illinois. Duckworth was wounded and disabled in combat in Iraq. Congressman Roskum is not a veteran of a foreign war. I have to question their judgement on that one.

That's exactly what the demorats want!

A majical return of the 70's. When it was cool to be a drugged up anti-government hippy with no self responsiblity. Back to the very roots of our rooting progressive society. And then comes Jimmy, their other hero..

"Before we debate the efficacy of the Vietnam War in stopping communism from taking over the world and the Iraq War in stopping islamic jihadism from taking over the world, we need a plan for us taking over the world," said the Brain.
"Do you want cheese with your cracker," replied Pinky.

Let us remember that most of us voted for him in 2004 and 90% of us approved of his response to 9/11 when he was making these decisions. We got what we deserved as a democracy, I guess.

I read yesterday about Iraqi mothers who prostitute themselves so as to buy food for their kids. We busted Iraq. It would be irresponsible of us to leave before it is fixed.

Personally, I voted against Bush twice for Governor and twice as President. Those of you who voted FOR him, you bear considerable responsibility for the mess you've gotten the nation into.

The Grovin comment is well taken as Bush has been resorting to these "prop show" speeches in front of carefully screened audiences for some time now.To me it is an absolute insult that Bush continues in attempts to justify and sell his failed Iraq policies with these incredulous appearances before the American public.

Last time I checked the fear mongering about the 'Dominoe Effect' after Vietnem didn't happen, and now we have 'Most Favored Nation' status with Vietnam. I suspect that the same 'Politics of Fear' being trotted out to deflect criticism away from this current failed policy in Iraq will prove to be incorrect as well!

Unless there is political will in Iraq to solve the political issues, minimal temporary military victories are meaningless and our brave service men and women are but human targets in the middle if a civil war that both sides appear to want.

It time to start redeploying out of this civil war, and bring are overstretched military home to guard our national soil, and go after those who actually perpretrated 9/11.

Right but has Mr.bush kept count of the many innocent lives that have already died since we sent bombs over bagdad? Nah he doesnt care about the many that has already died. Nobody is listening to you dude just shut up and can it!

I’m a member of the Vietnam generation. I protested the war, but I also registered for the draft and would have served if called. I won’t pretend to understand miliary strategy, but I do know something about the men of my age who had to make up their minds about another divisive American war, so let me pass on something to those who don’t remember:

There are men who served in Vietnam with honor, like Jim Webb, Colin Powell, John McCain, John Kerry, Jack Murtha, Bob Kerry, Max Cleland and thousands more, and these men can be trusted.

There are men who did not serve and had the courage to protest the war like Bill Clinton and me, and you can trust us too.

But the so-called chickenhawks, the men like Dick Cheney, Trent Lott, Dick Armey, Tom DeLay, Dennis Hastert, George Allen, John Ashcroft, Newt Gingrich and Fred Thompson who advocated sending other men off to die while cowardly hiding behind deferments and loopholes are not to be trusted at all.

I’m sorry to even think about these issues. They bring back hard memories. (Though I’m sure mine aren’t as hard as John McCain’s.) But in these difficult times it’s important to know who we can trust and who we cannot.

Note: Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Governor Mitt Romney did not serve in the military, but I don’t know their positions on Vietnam so I didn’t include them in this list. If anyone knows, please post the information.

You can find out more about who did and did not serve here:
http://www.awolbush.com/whoserved.html

oh Mr Bush... that was then today is your unmistakable legacy of death and missery in Iraq, New Orleans and the world to observe. The unmistakable legacy Mr. Bush is leaving to our children and their future by operating his War's on red ink... what a sorry excuse for a man.

Bush was warned that the Iraq War would be like the War in Vietnam. It’s actually also similar to the USSR Afgan War that in which the CIA relied upon Osama Bin Laden. 'Boat people,' 're-education camps' and 'killing fields,' will this also be Bush’s legacy? Unlikely. More likely it will be more like the Taliban takeover. Hopefully USA can avoid a similar fait as the Soviet Empire that being the USSR collapse.