CNN

blowhard

did you forget that Kennedy was trying to end the war in Vietnam... oh wait i guess you did.. Thats why Nixon and GB
senior killed him... Nixon is very, very lucky the watergate scandal came out our who knows what would of happened but.. Kennedy was in the middle of going against every1 in White House to pull out of the Vietnam war. did any1 read what Noam Chomsky said and i quote "Bush is bin Ladden's best alley".

love the way most of you idiots are stating this as "Bush's War". Well I guess by that notion, Vietnam is actually Kennedy's War!

Here is the solution folks, we bring in the army corps of engineers, repair all the damage we did to their infrastructure in the first three days and then move out. This means we repair their electrical grid, their sewage plants, their water works and so on, then we pack up and go home.

Now had our government truly planned the attack we would have kept the basis of their infrastructure intact so that the citizens of Iraq would have their basic needs we all want met on the day after our attack. When you leave a country for many years without electricity, sewage and running water there is little hope they will think kindly of us. How would you like going without electricity for years and only recently have it go online for a few hours a day and never knowing when it will fail again that very same day?

Too bad it was the Republican party that got us into Iraq.. — The Admiral St. Augustine Fl.

Excuse me Admiral sir, but giving Bush the power to wage war was a bipartisian decision. Remember those??

Yeah, but it was a REPUBLICAN that twisted everything before hand. Most people at the time didn't know how incompetent Bush or his Admin. was. To bad we didn't see him coming a little sooner. So, go ahead and blame the Democrats if that make you feel better, but 70% of the country knows the truth and so do you. But being a Republican you could never say it. Pity.

I believe that Mr. Burton needs to remember that he is sitting in the PEOPLE'S HOUSE. It sickens me to hear comments like that, or to see an American citizen removed from the halls of freedom and liberty for speaking up and taking a stand. I guess they'd have been more welcome if they'd have been big budget lobbyist.

Let's try again. . . .

I am genuinely asking someone who truly believes that we should completely withdraw today to respond to my question, please. When there is a complete vacuum of power after we withdraw, and people start to die, how many people will need to die before we decide to go back in? 100,000, 250,000, or 1 million??? Or do the lives of Iraqi's not count in your opinion? I am not being obnoxious, I am asking a serious question that needs to be addressed. Personally, I agree with Huckabee, we broke it, we need to fix it. Many people yell and scream to withdraw but never address the consequences to withdrawal. 4000 American soldiers have died, and that is terrible. If another 1000 have to die in order to save 1 million Iraqi's, is it worth it? And CNN, have the guts to post this. I have asked this question in the past, and they have not posted it.

Hey Dems,
let's dig a hole and stick our heads in it.

And let the whole world do want they want.
Selfish Dems.

People, people, come on! Please stop the vitriolic hatred spewing toward one another here on this blog. Express an/your opinion, fine. But your childish, hate-filled attacks here on one another only serve to demonstrate that our lowly politicians–whom we ALL seem to hate and despise here–are simply a reflection of those for whome they serve (all of us), their constituents. Judging by this blog and it's postings from people all over the country, we're all "pretty messed up" as a country–we all hate each other and fight amongst ourselves. Proud to be an American?!? NOT!!! We're a bunch of sickos!! Selfish, greedy, immature, driven by $$$ and consumption, etc. No wonder our country is going down the tubes!!

It's sad to see all these so called educated and intelligent people who all of us citizens of this country look to for solutions and what direction will be the best to take for both the country and it's people and we look to these people to do such a thing for us.

Not a single Congressman or Senator was smart and intelligent enough to bring both the Senate and the Congress together to review the consequences if war was the only solution.

Senators as well as Congressmen decided it was best to go along with others who felt the best way was to go to war against a country that had nothing to do with the 9/11 attacks but instead of concentrating in going after those who actually attacked us Senators and Congressmen along with the President and Vice-President figured in going after a man and a country that again had nothing to do with the 9/11 attacks and make him and his country along with it's people pay for our lack of intelligence and plenty of stupidity. But if we are victorious who cares if we are intelligent or not. What matters is the end result and according to mane the end results was going to be praise just like the banner on the battle ship that read " MISSION ACCOMPLISHED" and a President to endorse such a victorius accomplishment.

Now, by no means am I saying that Saddam Hussein was a nice man, but at one time our own leaders felt he was nice enough that we help him by providing him with weapons such as chemical, gas and lethal explosive bombs to fight our number one enemy Iran and he fought an eight year battle and we support him all the way to the point that we went around congress our own watch dog in order to provide him and the enemy with weapons via the contras in Central America until a plane was shut down by the Nicaraguan Sandinistas who capture a US pilot along with the goods an a pilot who spilled the beans out and mention who he worked for at that time. And the person in charge of such operation was a United States Marines Colonel by the name of Oliver North.

How stupid it is for all these Senators, congressmen and now presidential candidates to blame those who are in the battle field like General David Patraeus and along with my son whom I'm very proud of as I am sure all other families are of their love ones who are out there day in and day out fighting an invisible enemy who uses any and all methods to kill our soldiers. My respect and full apreciation to General David Petraeus for doing such a great job and for having the guts to take such a monumental task an a task that many would have buckle under long ago.

Congress as body, the Senate as a body along with all 22 presidential candidates should stop looking as to who to blame for our failures in Irak and begin first by looking into their own failures and how to best end this mess created by Congress, the President, the Vice-President for providing and fabricating erroneous data and data that was so altered that it made all of us believe other then reality.

Bottom line, the President cannot declare war or send forces outside our country to fight unless is approved by Congress. So the Congress and the President should share the same blame and should now come together as to what's the best way to exit such an operation.

Thank You.
John Diaz
Los Angeles California

Too bad it was the Republican party that got us into Iraq.. - The Admiral St. Augustine Fl.

Excuse me Admiral sir, but giving Bush the power to wage war was a bipartisian decision. Remember those??

See, nearly 2/3 of the nation is totally against the war already and wants us to pull out yesterday. Lending even more weight to that statement is that 75% or more feel that we should be pulling out regardless of the progress the General either reports or does not report.

Posted By John S. Chicago, Illinois : September 10, 2007 7:11 pm

Yeah, and my child would like chocolate cake for breakfast. Guess what? He listens to me when I say he must eat oatmeal, and a banana b/c I know more about what's good for his body.
I wish people were just reasonable. The American people have NO IDEA what pulling out means, or what the outcome of doing so rapidly would be. Gen Patreus, and everyone in consultation with him do, but we want to stick our fingers in our ears and get out "yesterday"?? Why is everyone overlooking the substantial pullout he is suggesting??
Why are people who are feeling little to no effect of this war whining about coming home?
Why does anyone really beleive that the Democrats really believe in the substantial and immediate pullout that thier voter base is calling for?? They know better! They are coddling their constiuents. When policy makers inevitably follow the suggestions reccomended by Generals on the ground the Dems will put on a nice little dog and pony show about how they tried!!!
The American People, half of which probably can't even name the Sec Def DO NOT know what's best when it comes to policy, strategy, and execution. We get to vote, and then deal with our choices.

Must be great to constantly lie to everyone and never be punished. Every time I can remember some government official saying things are going better in Iraq, I hear about U.S. casualties being higher than they've ever been.

Which is exactly why Bush wants the military to be on this suicide mission FOREVER – what else would you expect from a satanist (who will lie about anything, even being a born-again Christian, to gain more power)?

He's seems to only be interested in perpetrating evil and death against Americans, by proxy, to insulate himself from prosecution.

Blogs are interesting things with disinformation based on opinion and horrible journalism by the vast majority of "reporters" getting paid for their nonsense. As Americans, we seem to have lost our thirst for the truth, the protection of our individual rights and civil liberties in lieu of tainted food and lead from China. We have forgotten that our beloved Constitution was written for the people, not the corporations. We promote America as a place rather than an ideal and have chosen to lead the world thru bombs and bullets rather than the divine force of example.

People who swear is not news of substance and it would be much more helpful to have journalism focus on issues concerning education, our decaying infruastructure, economy, enviroment, renewable energy, famine and disease ... you know, grown up issues. Yet here we are in a frivilous war that our legislators and media have still not gotten right and continue to throw our precious young men, women and $3M/wk in national treasure at with no one able to articulate what our ultimate goal is. Perhaps that is just for Exxon and Haliburton to know. Today I mourn those who have given their lives in service to their country including my daughter and my friend's son and I loathe bin Laden. I think it is important for us to remember on this day, that as one blogger pointed out, Iraq did not attack the US, did not have WMD, no ties to al queda, and were not an imminent threat (they couldn't even control their own airspace!!!). It is long past time for our legislators and media to put their best foot forward and serve this great nation with the truth on critical issues, not agenda and concentrate less on swearing and men's public restrooms.

BTW, just for informational purposes, Ike and his committee are from the House and are not senators, but representatives as noted by a couple of bloggers. Be well America and do not settle for anything less than the truth.

Hey JB, Mehbame, I agree with you there.

But until Petraeus gets the brass to start disagreeing with Bush then he ain't no MacArthur. Right now he is just playing as the president's toy general in congress.

My view, is that we should be drawing down our presence in that country. Not pulling out, but rather refocusing our mission to one of training and tactical support. But Bush is still pushing the mission for complete institutional change of their country into something it will take decades to reach. Congress is seeking to change that obsolete mission. And the only way to do that is to hear the unvarnished truth from the solider in charge. So far it's sounding like Bush's Press Secretary.

Telling it like I see it,
Wynter

Honored guests? When I come to work and do the job I was hired to do, I am not a guest.

This country creeps ever closer to establishing an aristocracy of unearned wealth. Now the General is an honored guest?

We don't have a monarchy, royals, or any of the other trappings that caused millions of people to emigrate to the US. We are all equal – from the person cleaning the toilets in the Minneapolis airport, to General Patraeus, to the Congress and executive branch. You are NOT KINGS, PRINCES, DUKES or LORDS. We owe you no honor or respect just because of the job you hold.

I really respect the people who took the time and effort to protest in the gallery. These are the people who change the world, not the Presidents or Generals. Moveon.org speaks for a lot of people who feel completely betrayed by the lies and political intrigues that convinced this nation to go to war. Lies that are still being told today.

911 happened because the airline companies refused to spend money to upgrade airplanes to prevent intruders from entering the cockpit. It didn't have to be Islamic terrorists, it could have been any group with an agenda to kill people. Planes don't kill people. People kill people.

So, cussing can now be related to getting re-elected? This really isn't even news, and I agree with those who said it shows us they are human. Try going up there and working, and see if you don't cuss.

realist: Petraeus in the field is a war hero. Petraeus in a hearing is a politician. Fair game.

The military is not allowed to protest anything so to allow protesters in a military briefing is unpatriotic any one that thinks differently can pack there bags. The military has been our hired protectors from the time of establishment of this country till now. The military is made of volunteers and every one of them currently volunteered to go to this war. Enough time has passed that anyone not volunteering to go should be out by now. If they are whining about going I say give them a dishonorable and send them and the moveon.org people to France.

We're all human people.

Can this train wreck of a Congress get any better? The Harry and Nancy show..., comedy at its worst.

By the way, where are Nancy's shrills?? No one attacks American heroes better or with more zeal than Nancy Pelosi and her 8th district..

>>I think Jay from Detroit said it right in his comment,just add this the money spent on this war is like the Vietnam War a fleecing of the American tax payer to profit corporate America. Lives lost and money spent wrongly and Osama walking free and talking threats to America,my question is " Mr. Bush when are you going to carry out your promise you made 6 years ago in N.Y. City that we are going to get the people who did this." What about the families of those who died that day,is there no justice for them? Hasn't happened yet and soon your time in office will be up,thank God.

Chairman Ike Skelton should have responded using Mr. Dick Cheney's rebuke: Go F**K yourself. So succinct, and apparently quite acceptable!

therealist,
What about the 108th and 109th Congress? They were Republican controlled and didn't attack war heroes. For some reason, in the 4 years they were in control, Iraq didn't become a paradise of freedom.

Maybe that's because the war in Iraq was always a mistake. If we're lucky, someday we'll learn to stop trying to meddle and recreate governments to fit our desires before the backlash from those affected (domestic and international) cripples ours.

It's amazing how every Republican commenter here blames the Democrats for all this mess. Too bad it was the Republican party that got us into Iraq, and the Republicans have done every thing in their power to keep us there. Truly sad. Even worse is when you put your faith behind incompetence and ignorance and continue to carry on like nothngs wrong. The Republican party and their followers will have a hard time with anyone believeing any thing they say from this point on. Perhaps they should "widen their stance" a bit before it's to late.

Has anyone one of you read what you are typing? Your just as bad as they are when it comes to getting off the subject, and "IRGNORING" the problem.Who cares if your a D or R.... I think it is time we throw them all out and start over. So what, 60% of the world wants the troops to come home, all because that's what a poll states. I am betting 100% of the world would like our troops to come home! If it weren't for the troops, you people wouldn't be able to sit here and complain about the way the system is ran. How about getting up off your lazy bottoms and actually doing something about it!!!!!! That's what is wrong with the world! PEOPLE are lazy, rude, disrespectful..... you know this!!!But since you all think you know what you are doing, go ahead continue to fight and say stupid things until the we go into another great depression!!!!!!!!!

It seems that there are only 2 or 3 camps about the war of words in Congress. But the takes are pungent, to say the least.

I thought that the leaders of the nation should be above repoach whatever the circumstances. It also seems that the American public, or the voters, have to shed their illusions–day after day. If they don't, then they turn them into delusions.

I have to laugh at the people that are critical of the Democrats, saying that they are only interested in winning elections and that is why they are so tough on Bush. I am an independent, but the Republicans did the same thing, even worse when they impeached a Democratic President for lying about an affair. It would serve them right if the Democratic House decided to impeach Bush for his lying. I am hoping that this next election will yield an honest man (or woman) that will not be an embarassment.

one thing that really pisse me off is this assumption that someone should be respected just because of their position. it's one of the main reasons the world is so screwed, because people are afraid to tell those in charge how horrible they really are. i mean after all we know about mr. bush and his lies that have gotten us into this mess, how is it that he his still in power? why do people still smile and shake his hand when they meet him? simply because he is the president? please! if i ever had the misfortune of meeting the president i would call him a liar to his face and turn my back on him, the fact that he is the president of the U.S. makes no difference.

the same goes for generals. there position matters not to me. the only thing that matters is their actions. and in looking at there actions all one has to do is look for all the previous generals who have led this war. were are they? well as soon as they started going against the grain of the bush admin. they were replaced. so why do people think it would be any different with this general? the second he says something bush doesn't want to hear he's gone, military career over. so of course he gonna say what we all already knew he was going to say. and quit talking about him being a "man on the ground" in iraq, HE'S A GENERAL, he's never in the ****, he's not on patrol in unarmored humvees, he's not kicking in doors looking for terrorsits, he's not sweeping for mines or ied's, he IS walking the streets shaking iraqui children's hands smiling for the cameras. i would like to know when the last time was that a general was wounded in combat.

And, let's talk about hypocrisy. Just how many Republicans "distanced" themselves from the Swiftboaters when they attacked John Kerry?

Posted By Pat Campbell, Bloomington, Illinois : September 11, 2007 10:37 am

The problem Pat is that you were not there, I was not there and the people you feel should have discredited the VIETNAM VETERANS who also were awarded purple hearts, medals of valor etc etc were also NOT THERE.

I know the media helped portray the myth that these "swiftboaters" were discredited on everything they said, BUT THAT IS BS. Many people have voiced trepidation on Kerry's service and that has been ongoing for over 30 years.

Only Kerry and the others know the real truth.

Well I could care less if the guy used profanity. The problem was that the Democrats invited people to the forum that they knew would make an outburst. I am mainly referring to the Code Pink people in the crowd. They were trying to use this as another PR event.
Another thing I have a problem with is the fact that everyone thinks the same strategy is being used by Rumsfield. Petraeus wrote the combat manual on counter-insurgency tactics and he should be respected and listened to by both Americans and Politicians instead of Congress participating in its usual dramatic circus.

Jay's comments at 10:30 this morning are the most cogent I've seen in ages regarding what's going on in Iraq. Bin Laden is breathing, probably somewhere in Pakistan, while we bicker here at home and fight a war in the wrong country. Let's not forget that we've now, by removing Saddam, positioned Iran exactly where it wants to be. We've created a huge mess for ourselves and the region, probably for decades to come, and I've yet to hear any answer as to why that even begins to make any sense.

We flat out need new leadership in this country and, sadly, I don't see any real leaders on the horizon...

Matt from Davenport wrote "Ugh. Skelton is a child." Guess that makes our honorable v.p., Dick "Dick" Cheney positively fetal. And in response to your plan for concluding the Iraq issue "after an objective analysis of the facts and with a complete understanding of the situation" - Dreamer! Pick any hour of any day, and the facts are different than they were an hour ago. We'll never know the truth as long as we have Bush and his cabal in charge.

Annnnd, so what are we supposed to say to this? Why is it necessary to make a comment about this nonsense? It seems that CNN enjoys mongering petty gossip and garbage. So our senators and congressman are human. So what!!

If the 109th Congress had shown any oversight 2 years ago and held the Bush regime accountable, we would be having a much less contentious debate right now. What progress was made from 2003-2006, That the question that should be asked.

What everyone forgets is that Congress approved this war and only Congress has the power to stop it. People forget that we're in Iraq because the UN failed to uphold the resolutions imposed on Iraq after the first war. Yes, the Bush administration forced the issue with WMD's, but anyone in the service during NORTHERN/SOUTHERN WATCH knew we were going back someday.

The US is cought in a huge catch 22. If we leave Iraq, they enter a civil war which will end up with another dictator in charge. If we stay, we will lose more of our sons and daughters. The only solution is to have the rest of the world help out by placing the well-being of Iraq into the UN's hands and start bringing our troops home. Though not the best answer, the global community might have better luck shaping Iraq's future then we have.

Sorry, I meant to write "led" astray. The last thing we need on these boards is more incorrect grammar. Peace.

ALL politicians are out for their own agenda of some sort. I wonder how many of them hold stock in an oil company? If they do, none of them should be angry about the Iraq situation. It would benefit them, just like it does the President.

Everyone has a right to their opinion but I don't think that some of us are being very accurate.

First, George Bush Jr is not cleaning up his father's mess. Bush Sr did NOT create the situation which we find ourselves in today. Bush Sr did NOT topple Hussein's regime because both he and his advisors knew what would happen if they did. Hussein ultimately played the part of a buffer who kept the local tribal wars in check (for the most part) and the Iranians from gaining more power and influence in the region.

It was Bush Jr that screwed the proverbial pooch. To this day, I am at a loss to understand why is it that Bin Laden is still running around and we are not making more active efforts to get him. Our military is deployed to the wrong nation and they should place more of an emphasis on catching Bin Laden in Afghanistan\Pakistan.

As for the general's testimony, I agree that his report needs to be questioned but not because he reports to George Bush. Rather, we need to understand that the general is speaking from a strictly military aspect. Of course, if you look at certain numbers or trends, you can spin that certain activities might be curtailed. However, he can not be held responsible to provide a real report on the political landscape of the Iraqi nation. Their internal politics are out of the general's realm of control and influence.

Based on the reporting from both CNN & Fox News, it isn't too hard to see that no matter how either side tries to spin it, things aren't going well and the troops are not being supported in a manner befitting their service.

In case anyone is wondering I am a Conservative who happens to think that Obama is the only one (from both the right and left) who got it right when he said that we should go into Pakistan if actionable intelligence exists to catch Bin Laden.

I am genuinely asking someone who truly believes that we should completely withdraw today to respond to my question, please. When there is a complete vacuum of power after we withdraw, and people start to die, how many people will need to die before we decide to go back in? 100,000, 250,000, or 1 million??? Or do the lives of Iraqi's not count in your opinion? I am not being obnoxious, I am asking a serious question that needs to be addressed. Personally, I agree with Huckabee, we broke it, we need to fix it. Many people yell and scream to withdraw but never address the consequences to withdrawal. 4000 American soldiers have died, and that is terrible. If another 1000 have to die in order to save 1 million Iraqi's, is it worth it? And CNN, have the guts to post this. I have asked this question in the past, and they have not posted it.

The Democrats are desperate alright; desperate to end this nonsense. Bush marches out this walking pile of medals that starts out by declaring that the testimony he is about to give is in his words without input from anyone……… yea right. This all smells like the same pile of propaganda that the WMA bull came from. At this point the plan is to hang on and hand this mess off to the new President; quite the legacy I must say. In the mean time we’ve wasted more resources then anyone will ever be able to account for including too many lives lost and altered forever. It’s time to suck it up and pull out. We went in under false pretenses and now it’s time to pay the piper

If our 110th Congress attacked terrorism with the same zeal they attack our war heroes, Iraq would be a paradise of freedom by now..

Whoa! It looks like the American "Freedom" war is taking a toll in congress.

I am absolutely loving it!

Sorry, Whynter.....General MacArthur called to say "Generals do not have to agree with presidents." Truman offers no comment.

What and absolute disgrace this station for the most part has become. They have only been topped by moveon.org. Even during the memorial going on this morning, this station has to be so negative.

It is clear that the Republicans are frustrated that they can't control Congressional debate like they use to. Burton clearly knew that Skelton knew what to do. Burton just needed to be heard. Ros-Lehtinen just had to raise the patriotic issue again. The Moveon.org ad simply says what we were all thinking. After the hearing, it was all we were expecting. The plan by the Bush WH was to raise the level of troops to 160K. When they pull back to 130K troops, the level at the beginning of the year, they can say they had a drawdown. Have you noticed that when the price of gas goes from 2.75 to 3.25, we, the public complain and then the price comes down to 2.95. The troop numbers are subject to the same math that our Oil Administration uses to screw the public on Iraq.

The one thing that struck me as I listened to the testimony yesterday was that our elected officials were too busy playing at politics to be either leaders or statesmen. This seems to be the norm for Congress as a whole.
Congressman Wexler's contentious remarks spoke volumes. He was too busy asserting that he was expressing the "will of the people" to really listen to what the General and Ambassador had to say. His comment that he did not question the General's credibility but did question his facts was ludicrous. How could he question the facts gathered and testified to by the General without questioning the General's credibility? Congressman Wexler does not speak for me, and as an American whose family in this country pre-dates the American Revolution, I definitely consider myself one of "the people".
The Democrats sounded absolutely desperate to find fault with anything or anyone remotely associated with the current administration in an attempt to draw attention away from their failure to accomplish anything since regaining control of the Congress.

George Bush lies and thousands of people end up dead, this country's debt has reached trillions of dollars and what does the press latch onto? Committee Chairman Skelton lost his temper and used bad language.

And, let's talk about hypocrisy. Just how many Republicans "distanced" themselves from the Swiftboaters when they attacked John Kerry?

I personally as if this story doesn't quite fit into the "newsworthy" category. Sure, there's conflict, but at the end of the day, I don't care if the members of congress are swearing or bickering with each other – I care about whether or not they're doing their job (which is a whole different playing field). This story is nothing but another distraction and media ploy to get the public all riled up. Let's focus on the bottom line: Bring the troops home!

Ugh. Skelton is a child. The Democrats had a game plan going into this hearing that in no way, shape or form involved them listening in any meaningful way to what General Petraeus had to report.

Is it really so unfathomable that a man like Petraeus could put his perceived loyalty to President Bush to the side and report honestly and objectively on the state of the war in Iraq?

If it really is time to pull all of our troops out of Iraq, then let us come to that conclusion after an objective analysis of the facts and with a complete understanding of the situation and the likely consequences. Let's not make such a monumental decision because of the animosity toward the president. Whatever mess we make or have made will be ours to clean up long after Bush has left D.C.

Maybe we should send Shaun Penn over the next time. Would that appear credible to the liberal media?

The GAO Report was concluded 5 and 1/2 weeks ago.. Most of the progress has happened since then.. so the GAO is hardly worth the paper its printed on.

Stop pretending that you actually care about his use of profanity. I see mothers at the grocery store saying worse things to their children. Sad? yes, but true.

On this day we remember the victims and heros of the World Trade Center, The Pentagon, and Flight 93. It disgusts me that Osama Bin Laden, the criminal that killed more than 3000 of our citizens is alive and well and making more threats while George W. Bush and his band of incompetent, money grubbing morons kick sand around
in the desert more than 1400 miles away from where the real threat lies. The Iraqi people didn't fly airplanes into our buildings. Why is it that we haven't heard anything about our vaunted military when it comes to searching for the biggest murderer in the history of the United States? When are we going to divert some of the $450 Billion Dollars we have spent on this war into catching the man that started this trouble in the first place? Why is our President still, after 4+ years still focused on Iraq? They have no weapons, they pose no threat to our homeland. Why is Osama Bin Laden still breathing? We have military technology that can read a newspaper from space but we can't find the single most wanted person in the world? Maybe because we are no longer looking. Bush's Pakistani friends are harboring the world's most dangerous terrorist yet Bush has not held them accountable. The war in Iraq is a scar on the face of Lady Liberty and will go down in history is the biggest mistake any American President has ever made. The repercussions of Bush's incompetence will be felt for generations to come.

Greg – I believe you're the one that is out of touch with the American Public.

This is what Democracy is all about. The power of the people demanding to have their concerns heard through their Congressmen to the General in charge of the lives of their loved ones. You are the one trying to minimize the need for questions and damned good answers on why we are still there and when we will get ourselves out of this unnecessary and mismanaged war in Iraq.

The problem I have with the General's statements is that they are from a person who is, by nature, incapable of giving us the answers we need. He is a military general whose primary concern is to meet the president's objectives. He will not lie, but he will not advocate a plan that deviates from the policies and requirements put down on him by the Commander in Chief. So anything he says is totally biased. And any options opposing the president's are not even investigated.

What we need is someone that can give us the unvarnished truth of where we are now (see GAO report) and then plan for how we are going to get ourselves extricated from Bush's Mistaken War.

And a General that has a strictly military outlook and answers to his good old boy George isn't going to give us the complete truth.

Telling it like I see it,
Wynter

Greg,
No, any reasonable American would see a general who knows which side his bread is buttered on. Petraeus is where he is because he sees things in rosy terms, just like his boss. The Republicans have been trotting out formerly-credible people like him since the beginning of this whole fiasco, but no amount of PR can change the fact that we're policing a civil war between groups that have hated each other for a millenium.

P.S. What positive strides?

Funny how when bush says something stupid theres about 150 comments about it in a matter of minutes, however theres only about 3 or 4 comments about this lawmakers expletative, Hiprocrisy.

These senators rock. Nice to hear them speak their mind and not be "politically" correct.

How easy it is for those who have never served their country to make comments from their easy chairs. Every American who volunteers to protect our country and its citizens is a better person than the rest of us, expecially those whose only contribution is to complain.

erm.....how, exactly, does this clear up the picture of the situation in Iraq? the answer: it doesn't. stop fussing over the squabbles bewteen political parties and start giving us the truth about the situation! Patraeus is on the ground, a highly respected military general, and full respect should be given for whatever he has to say, instead of political loudmouths trying to discredit him, and the truth, to achieve their own ends.

Greg from Phoenix must have his head either in the sand or up his butt... over 60% of Americans are dissatisfied with the way things are going in Iraq- even with the surge. How many more lives need to be lost before we stop giving people the "benefit of the doubt" and just get the hell out of there? Anyone who doesn't see history repeating itself; i.e., Saigon, 1975, is just delusional! If you are a "reasonable American", Greg, then YOU are in the MINORITY!!

I am beginning to think that there are no longer any fine, upstanding people in the political arena. I really would like to think that there are, but every day another "honorable official" gets caught doing something stupid.

Uh, oh.

Sounds like someone was having a Cheney moment...............

Doesn't seem that bad. This is a very touchy subject. I'm surprised that it wasn't worse. Let them fight it out if they need too.

Greg of AZ, with all due respect, the Democratic legislators are winning more elections because they are most aware of the needs and desires of the American people.

As for the comments by the Congressman, they are humans and imperfect. Frustrations & quarrelling is bound to happen in any organization.

Greg in Phoenix said: It is plainly obvious that their [Democrats'] concerns are not the same of the American people. They are proving that the only thing they care about is winning elections.

Do you see the inherent contradiction here? One does not get re-elected by ignoring the concerns of the American people. Check any poll, and you'll find that a compelling majority of the American people are critical of the war and critical of plans to keep our troops in Iraq–the same as the Democrats (and many Republicans) interviewing Patraeus.

Any reasonable American would be willing to give the benefit of the doubt to a general who BOTH sides have ackowledged as a great leader whose character is impeccable.
With due respect, uncritical acceptance of such an important report would not be reasonable at all. That's why members of both parties are asking the good General so many questions.

This is not political grand standing. I for one I'm happy to see that senators have strong emotions about this issue. The only one grand standing was the senator that felt the need to reiterate the point about crowd control.

Clearly anyone the disrupts a congressional hearing will be put out. He wanted to make a point by repeating it

The arrogance of the Republican Congressmen is equally disheartening to say the very least. They act as if they are still chairmen of the committee, which changed since the last elections. They no longer have the authority to tell the chairman how to run his committee. It is ridiculous that they do not respect the position of the new chairman enough to understand that he would remove any outbursts from the audience when necessary, which is exactly what he did.

While there may be some progress in the areas where the surge is implemented, overall the situation in Iraq has not improved, and the American people are wise enough to understand that. We have been lead astray too many times by this administration to simply accept anything they say as an absolute truth. Bush’s betrayal is overwhelmingly obvious to take even the respected General Petraeus solely at his word. I am minimally optimistic at this point only. My position will not change until we quit this quagmire in Iraq and start focusing our attention infiltrating terrorists from the point of origin where they recruit and train others. That certainly is NOT in Iraq.

Finally, both parties would be wise to put their silly grandstanding aside for a change and start working for the American people again, but that change starts with each representative respecting the positions of each committee.

I wonder how many expect the Iraqis to compromise for the good of their country when we can't seem to do the same here. If it wasn't for our Constitution and laws, placed by others before us, I think this current generation would be fighting each other in a bloody battle just like the Iraqis are. And they have the nerve to lecture the Iraqis about compromise and uniting for the common good.

The thing that gets me, isn't this an American right, to protest??? They weren't doing anything at the time but sitting there. I realize you could guess they would give you a problem, but THIS IS AMERICA. I thought you were permitted to disagree with the powers that be. IT WAS A PUBLIC HEARING: THE PUBLIC HAS THE RIGHT TO BE THERE AND IF THEY MISBEHAVE, THEY WILL BE ARRESTED, WHICH OCCURRED. Instead of worrying about democracy in Iraq, we should worry about it in the USA!!!!!

All of you pro-war advocates can try to confuse every that this is about the General....but it is not. It is about a needless war that is killing American lives for the sake of oil.

Greg we have only bee in their five years and still haven;t made much progress and we have spent billions of dollars on this stupid war.

The biggest decisions in this country and businesses around the world are made through interactions similiar to the one above. People don't spend months and months building relationships with clients and colleagues to keep a formal appearance at all times. It's refreshing to see that they can talk to each other with explicit language without taking long term offense to the use of it. We need to stop looking at politicians as anything other than normal men picked to represent us in the decisions in regards to our government. I would be concerned if politicians were just sitting there and everyone was talking in turn and they've lacked any personal passion for the subject at hand.

Looks like David Vitter is about to lose his cool (or maybe something else if his wife gets hold of him). More escorts for David!

http://news.aol.com/elections-blog/2007/09/11/david-vitter-gets-hustled/

W is well aware of that it is considered nonsense only if the deaths of my friends, brothers, and sisters are trivialized as the left tends to do. This mess was only excacerbated by Clinton's Chamberlain-esqe appeasement and military funding cuts.

It's the Republicans who are grandstanding. Ros-Lehtinen's "offer of an opportunity" was Exhibit A. The most mature way to reject something is to say nothing about it at all.

The exchange was not necessary, and Congressman Burton should be reminded that apparently unlike himself, some on the hill know their job and place.

As to the comment at the end by Congressman Skelton, what is said and done in Congress stays in Congress and iof you can not handle real emotions and words from one American to an other read the censured version in the morning paper.

Immensely disappointing. While we should not judge our fellow man, these men and woman as a group were entrusted with our votes to uphold our constitution and govern under the principles that once made this country the gold standard to the rest of the world. Long gone are the days where ladies and gentlemen from other sides of the aisle could debate, with professionalism, yet still have a casual conversation at the end of the day because they knew that each side was only making points for what they thought represented the best direction of the country. Vulgarity, hostility, snide remarks and faces and a general lack of professionalism does not make for an environment to solve problems; problems that are resulting in the loss of lives from countries all accross the world. Unfortunately this probably wins elections but at what cost – a greater divide across the general public.

Oh please don't make this a Democrat/Republican issue. Everyone acted inappropriately, EVERYONE in this country is frustrated with the situation in Iraq and the people who can do something about it are fighting like a bunch of children. Put it aside and figure out what is best for OUR country, not another country or someone's pocketbook.

I'll gladly take a few senators or congressmen that drop a few f-bombs in lieu of those who take it in the back side in a public places.

Greg, this isn't a discussion of dead history but of a war going on right now. People die while we try to get to the facts, and Petraeus isn't an impartial witness here. I'm not sure we should have protestors at all during something like this, but I don't agree with ejecting them along party lines; next year when they throw out and stifle the conservative protestors I won't blame the GOP for being ticked. Meanwhile the war is a long way off, and here's another 9/11 with Osama still loose and happy, and Petraeus is not free to speak his mind any more than old Singlaub was. Saying that ordinary congressmen are trying either to impede or advance the war is ludicrous! Most people don't really have a dog in this fight. My congressman is trying to keep price supports and crop allotments in line, not running around fighting terror. We want to know that we're doing the right thing here, that we haven't slipped into being terrorists ourselves over there. Tensions are going to run high, and boobs are going to leave their microphones on, and there's going to be yelling; at least we aren't having a civil war.

This is news???

I find this quite funny actually. It just shows politicians have real human tendencies.

As for the protesters maybe they didn't exactly help their cause but piss off both sides of the aisle.

Iraq may be a mess we can not clean up, but maybe so are the meetings that allow outside visitors.

As someone once said ""Profanity is the effort of a feeble mind to express itself forcefully." .... I think it applies to the Democratic congressman.

Just another example on how the Democrats are more worried about being elected than they are for the welfare of the country.

As an American, I am embarrassed at the politicizing of this critical issue by the Democrats. I repeatedly heard words to General Petaeus, to the effect, that thanked and praised him for his service and loyalty, then in the next sequence(s)repeatedly accused him of lying! These exchanges are pathetic examples of how low politics have become in D.C. and reflect that image of America abroad.

Next...this isn't even news. Who cares about some excerpt from a conversation where an elected official used an expletive. Don't care if they were Democratic, Republican, or whatever.

It is about time the Republicans get tough with the Liberals! Let them have it. The Republicans hopefully will maximize the moveon ad page. Make the liberals take a position. Go get em Republicans!

CNN, you have really got to do some hard thinking about what you want to do. If a R cursed and acted in this way, his or her name would be plastered all over your website, with polls on whether that individual should apologize or be reprimanded. Reread this headline and compare it to headlines of the past relating to conservatives. Everyday you are becoming more left leaning and pushing more independents and R's away. I am sure you see that with your ratings. Get some new editors and find the middle. And, stop pushing an agenda!!!!!

Did you not see the last poll? Most Americans don't trust him, and think the report is biased.

But I guess in your mind most Americans are not reasonable (which actually is not an unfair statement). Either way, swearing in the workplace is not uncommon and off mic (in his mind) makes this a non-issue. I guarantee it was more of a pride anger than a war in Iraq anger

How like the Republicans: Don't like dissent; loved Swift Boat.

Hey Greg,
I have become immune to the way republicans can make a funeral a joyous event. If you think just a few of our men/women dying in Iraq progress, then why don't you go over there and fight. It's all the chicken hawks who have never fought in or even served our country who speak the loudest. I wonder what you would be saying if you were in Iraq for 15 months. You probably would be whinning to come home.

And perhaps the Blind Republicans (you know, the ones that resist looking
at the treasonous behavior of their President, the one who lead them into a
liar's war) might try looking up the definition of "Grandstanding". They might
find that it applies to Ileana Ros-Lehtinen instead. Or, they could just "Get
over it".

Greg from Phoenix... Stop being such a tool. The Dems are tired of Repubs using our soldiers for their OWN grand-standing.

In the steps of "go F yourself" Cheney.
These politicians should be well aware of open mics, by now.

Great strides? Are you sure your talking about the war in Iraq?

I'm glad to see it revealed that these people are human, and that they often do genuinely struggle to make the right decisions.

Bill Singleton wrote "...I wonder if W thinks about the impact these Americans who were killed would have had on the world. I know he doesn't. He is too busy cleaning up his daddy's mess."
What "impact" would the three thousand people killed on 9/11 have had on the world. The servicemen and women killed in Iraq have had a profound impact on the world. They volunteered to do what they did which is nothing short of heroic. Your quote above is idiotic at best.

Wonder how much in donations Abercrobie has reveived from Moveon.org so that he doesn't have to distance himself...

As for Skelton, and Congress....what a circus. Skelton doesn't even show respect for the office he holds by his comments and actions. He does need a lecture, in decorum, proper manners and how to act properly in office and in front of a man more distinguished than himself, General Petraeus! Perhaps it's time for Skelton to Move-ON!

Who gives a crap?! Why is this news?

I think a cage match ala WWE would be more appropriate. It was a mess. Just a bunch of "politicians" bickering as always. Will they ever get anything serious done? Our Virginia Commonwealth politicians get more done than the US Congress, and thats not saying much!

It's a sad display for Americans. Though our reps are human themselves, and allowed emotion and individual points of view, they have to be grown ups. This is not a partisan issue, these "gafes" have struck us all. Wedge wedge wedge is the only accomplishment when expletives are used because as americans,our attention span isn't long enough to incorporate these temper and patience failures with the bigger picture. This war is crumbling our political infrastructure.

I wonder if we all need a reminder that the house and senate unanimously appointed General Petraeus commander in Iraq, calling him a great leader and military mind. The moveon.org ad is a perfect example of just how far the rabid uberliberal troop will go, in fear of hearing something positive about progress in Iraq. They would rather see America beaten and have us surrender before they’d acknowledge the fact that Bush might’ve been right about something. It’s pathetic. Those wing-nuts are worried about the amount of success Petraeus has had in Iraq and it’s become obvious that the Democrats are more interested in winning the political war over the war here at home than actually being successful in Iraq. The democrat puppets in congress right now were elected on the premise that they would do something about Iraq. What have they been able to do, besides try to make it damn near impossible for our troops to get anything accomplished. Constantly threatening to withhold funding hasn’t helped anything, it only brings down troop morale, or maybe that’s the goal.

Why is it ok for CNN to use the phrase God D*** and not a profanity that was used. I think many more people would be offended by this than an expletive.I know I am.

Who wouldn't be reduced to using expletives if they had to be on a committee with the likes of Dan Burton, Ros-Lehtinen, and Hunter. They seldom seek comity. There contribution is to be attack dogs for the rabid right wing of the Republican party. What a way to to act as legislators! They are paranoid and destructive.

First of all this is NON-news. Thank you CNN for elevating the discourse and feeding us this soap opera crap. I'm sure everyone out there with an 8th grade understanding of politics appreciated this contribution.

Greg,you're a member of a very small group,not a representative of the American people.Your voice is a fart in a windstorm these days and might well get you committed for being so mentally handicapped that you support a subversive right-wing coup.Anybody that tells you that your opinions are mainstream is lying to scam you for money or try to trick you into throwing away your career like betrayus did.

This is how people talk. What is sad is that we can no longer even read what happens in the Congress word word for because of some fake morality (expletive deleted)

Grandstanding by democrats? More like gratuituous acts of treason by theocrats!Republicans long ago abandoned "professionalism" when they adopted bin laden's theocratic platform.This lying bunch of ingrates still intends to foist their bogus war on the world,and use their religion to enslave moronic mindless followers.Betrayus is damaged goods now,his reputation was just traded for a very short-term lift to his career.Move-on told the truth and betrayus did not.Time to call the reds traitors,not the "greatest generation",which is an insult to WW2 vets.

I wonder how much money Abercrombie has received from Moveon.org so that he doesn't yet have to distance himself from them!

Congress is a circus, and Skelton should have held his tongue, and at least shown some respect if not to his colleagues, then at least to the office of which he holds. He does need a lecture....on decorum and how to handle things in a tactful manner!

This is really beneath CNN. Instead of CNN Political Ticker, it should be called Political (Mini-)Theater! This is perhaps the most important testimony, if not the most anticipated, in years before Congress. And, the worst thing that happens is a comment among colleagues to the effect of "I don't need a [expletive deleted] lecture". Please – can't congressmen even be normal people "off-mike"? This is incredibly unworthy news.

The Repooplicans just can't stand the fact that they are no longer the majority party in either house of congress.

They are petulant, whining and vituperative sore-losers. From Rep. Hunter on down, these are some of the most venal humans ever; God forbid they ever get back in power. Their arrogance, hubris and bloviation is sickening!

Isn't Dan Burton the guy who so incessantly criticized Bill Clinton for being a womanizer, a cheater, a liar etc for the indiscretions outside of his marriage? Didn't he also say he should be kicked out of office? Isn't this the same Dan Burton who covered up the fact that he had an affair and a child outside of his marriage? Why is he still in office? Oh yea, I forgot, Republican rules and morality only apply to other people, not themselves or their own.

Why is that the GOP/Bush spinsters are turning this into us against the military? And the attack on Moveon.org is another show of the GOP trying to attack those who do not agree with the party of war, terror, and deception.
This debate should be about a weak, corrupt, and incorrigible government that cannot do anything right. We are becoming occupiers and trying to decide what a country should do. Remember Vietnam, the military can impose our will on another nation, especially when the people of that country do not support the government.

Oh and one more thing, who the hell are you to tell us what President Bush is thinking? Get a life.

Well Bill of Singleton, California, what do you propose we do? I believe the reason for having this whole testimony is to work on the Iraq issue.. do you really believe Bush or any other American is enjoying this? Why do you have to belittle the situation when we have men and women fighting over there, risking their lives. You send a great message: I'm tired of this, so who cares. Well, you know what Bill, I care. I care about the situation going on over there, and I think you need to show a little more respect.

Greg from Phoenix, while accusing Patreus of betrayal is certainly a step too far, his character is nor impeccable and the man has been a Bush cheerleader from the start of this war. Before 2004 he was one of the generals saying we were making great gains. He was also in charge of rebuilding the Iraqi army for about a year between 03 and 04.

Furthermore, his suggestions that the surge is working is what really makes me question his integrity. There is a lot of evidence showing it is not working even in much of Baghdad.

Is it really political grand-standing to become irritated at the protesters? Seriously? More so than the useless attempt to link the MoveOn ad with the entire Democratic Party, complete with childish smirks?

I don't give Petreus the benfit of the doubt. And why should we? This isn't grade school, it's a ridiculous mess of a war. Either get some results or say a simple, "we can't and here's why." His stripes earn him rank, respect and admiration for past accomplishment, but that doesn't mean he is always going to be right. Even if his character is impeccable.

The reason we have no reports that we are winning the war – or that we can at least expect to ultimately prevail -and the reason there is so much contention in congress and the country, is this: you cannot expect a good outcome from something that was founded on lies, carried out in arrogance, and incompetantly managed.

A house divided cannot stand – and the country has been divided from the get-go by the White House crew who orchestrated this disaster.

This is an excruciatingly tragic example of Garbage In, Garbage Out.

Oh no, the adult elected officials said naughty words!

In no way is this an attempt to downplay the "positive strides made by our troops". Every Congressperson will applaud what the troops have done; what they deride is the action taken by the government. Certainly, great leaps have occurred. But does that necessarily justify continued action? No.

The concerns of the American people fell to the wayside long ago. Grandstanding and appeals in order to win the next election are endemic to the modern political order. It happens on both sides of the aisle, though. Sure, this is another example of it, but most of the stuff that occurs nowadays is.

"It is plainly obvious that their concerns are not the same of the American people. They are proving that the only thing they care about is winning elections."

Greg, what are you exactly trying to say? Last time I checked you won elections by getting the majority of the vote.

Progress? The reason it *seems* progress is being made is that the metrics for keeping track of the violence have been changed. If you are shot in the front of your body (instead of the back of the head), it is not considered sectarian violence, but crime, and therefore not included in the statistics. If you are blown up by an IED or car/truck bomb, it is considered an act of war, and therefore also not counted. And if you are a victim of violence from a group representing the sect (Sunni, Shia, or Kurd) that you belong to, instead o a rival group, yep, you guessed it, also not counted. And same-sect violence has been on a DRAMATIC rise since the "surge" (read: escalation) has began. They cook the books, and you eat it up. WAKE UP AMERICA!!

Cussing represenatives are nothing new, and yes, the meeting was disrupted. What was new to me was the fact that the people who protested and were escorted out, were to be "prosecuted" by the law. Ok, they disrupted the meeting. Congressmen had a chance to cuss. These people were escorted out, which is fine and dandy. But prosecuted? If this is a sign of the times, were people who are supposed to be protected by their rights to free speech and their right to protest ends up in a criminal prosecution, then there needs to be more than verbal dissent from the People. I am not ashamed of cussing Congressmen. That's free speech. I am ashamed to learn that People can verbally protest in a non violent way and then get escorted out right into jail. In that sense, every Congressperson there failed the enitre country by violating their oaths to uphold the US Constitution.

No one out there reading this can honestly say they've never gotten angry and said things under their breath (or otherwise) that aren't absolutely politically correct. Give them a break. They're human, too.
While I may not like the Iraq nonsense, I do know protesters in a meeting like this are nothing but an annoyance and make it difficult for the dissenters to be taken seriously. Shame on them for acting childish.

Why can they not simply set a classified drawdown date for when American troops will go back down to less active levels? Let's not be stupid, we are in Iraq for the better part of a decade at least. We have to be, we OWE it to the Iraqi people after messing with their politics since World War II. This violence is a civil war and make no mistake, the lack of political structures in the Middle East is OUR fault from GENERATIONS of interference. The people responsible for the mess in Iraq aren't even alive anymore. Leaving people to be slaughtered is no solution, nor is endless committment. A classified drawdown seems to be the most sensible idea. Even suggesting there is such a thing gives the Iraqis hope for independence and self governance, while preventing our enemies from defining a time they have to sit and wait for.

This meeting was pointless. BOTH sides had scripts sitting in front of them for what their opinion would be before they even heard the general speak. His substantive statements fell on deaf ears as most congressman didn't even look across the room at him while he spoke. Pathetic! Do your jobs! No wonder Congress has a worse approval rating than Bush. Maybe the meeting was too long and they didn't get time for the Senior Citizen afternoon nap.

Greg in Arizona- What positive strides? There is nothing positive about this illegal, immoral, war on the people of Iraq. They are wasting my childrens future costing my now disgraced country billions.
Let the war crimes trials begin.

Why is CNN.com censoring their report? What sort of paternalistic nonsense is that? Print the expletive. We aren't in nursery school. I think we can read the word without having an aneurysm.
I agree with MoveOn.org, and if the spineless Democrats distance themselves from the criticism, then it's just one more for me to distance myself from the Democratic Party.

I would like for our two part's to be able to set down, and talk decent to one another so that they might come up with a great idea
to solve this mass that we are in. I would hate to think that we have the wrong people in office.

This political grand standing by Republican Congressmen is disheartening to say the least.

One can sense their desperation in trying to minimalize the negative reports issued by non-partisan groups after several months of the surge.

It is plainly obvious that their concerns are not the same as the American people. They are proving that the only thing they care about is supporting the current administration.

Any reasonable American would be skeptical of a report from a general who reported 3 years ago on the great progress being made in Iraq.

I am concerned that this is all about power. I don't know if there is anything Petraeus could say, or anything the U.S. could do in Iraq, or any circumstances that will please the Democrats in congress who need the war to fail in order to get the Presidency back and keep both houses of congress.

ThirstyJon
freedomthirst.com

It is unfortunate Sen Lantos and his cast decided, and voiced, their position before hearing the report directed by them. Far from an educated and objective position expected of those in power. Futher, to call into question the integrity, honor, and character of Gen Petraeus fell far beyond the pale. This seems to make any further deliberations a moot point–Congress has made it clear all expert testimony is irrelevant.

It would appear the Senator is at a crossroads. If his noted position is in fact his real stand, then he must (is in fact obligated) to seek the General's immediate removal and immediately cease any further deliberation on the issue. In his own words, the General is cooking the books–a criminal accusation. Moreover, he is now obligated to present and identify the expert testimony (the shadow military leadership in theater) that "correctly" portrays the Senator's firm understanding of the situation.

If he does neither, then it is time for this Senator to leave office immediately. Additionally, an apology to the General and all troops who helped piece together the Congressionally mandated report. It is now time to put an end to this make my cake and eat it too charade. This leaves but one more question: CNN, when are you and your ilk going to hold Lantos, et al, to task for this deplorable transgression (at best) on their part? Surely, we should hope to expect a modecum of scrupples on your part.

Ten years from now, if we're all blogging about how we need to give the troops more time, and that we have impeccable & honorable generals, and that real progress is being made but the media won't report it...then gosh darn it I am going to begin to really question my congressmen and president in a most strenuous fashion. I really will.

Why is the ad so despicable?

The Pentagon claims violence is down 50% in some areas. Yet they also admit to a change in the way they are taking statistics:

For example, now an Iraqi shot in the face is the victim of 'militia/secterian' violence, while on shot in the BACK of the head–that's just random crime, and thus not counted for the purposes of this report to Congress.

Book cooking at its finest ladies and gentlemen. This is an OUTRAGE.

Although I suppose it's a moot point in any case since this fabled 'report' we've been waiting for with baited breath was delivered verbally. Months of waiting to be told to wait some more until July 08?

My good friend leaves for his 3rd tour of duty Saturday. What an utter joke.

Today's hearing was nothing less than a Stalinist inquisition by the Democrats. They have been bought and paid for by moveon.org and other left wing socialist groups, and it shows. To understand what is going on today, I would encourage all to read a good history of the 1930's era in Europe, particularly England and also the Soviet Union. Historian Paul Johnson (there are others, of course) does an outstanding job. It will be like reading today's newspaper headlines.

Greg,

You call the democrats desperate? Somehow I feel it is the party that you clearly side with that is the most desperate. After all, it was your president who got us into this whole mess.

This is one of your more outlandish statements, Greg from Phoenix. Democrat or repuplican, I expect my representatives to be able to conduct business and formal hearings without expletives. And America disagrees with you, by the way: in a poll taken today, 65% of Americans believe the recommendations of this report were affected by the president's administration.

This is all great theater. We are getting out of Iraq because there is no compelling reason why we need to be there. Having engendered a religious war that we are unprepared to wage in a country that is no threat to the US, the abiding question is how fast when. A pox on W for needlessly invading this downtrodden country in the first place. A collosal strategic blunder.

Skelton needs to go! These folks are all way too big for their britches! There remains one answer for American tax payers that are fed up with all this in Washington- TERM LIMITS! And the kicker is I am a Democrat! Lets vote all of them out, they have not represented us anyway! I guess I'm like numerous Americans, Just tired of of all the bull from both parties!

I don't understand why anyone would have a problem with this. He voiced his opinion. Big deal. I'd rather have someone call another an a##hole to their face then to have go through this mindless waste of time we call our legislative branch. Dems, Repubs, let get something done. If it takes a little honesty (remeber that?) so be it.

Duncan Hunter seems like the type that would kick someone out of a public hearing because they're wearing a "disagreeable" hat or tee-shirt.

Sorry, Duncan. Protesting is the type of thing people resort to when...their governments don't listen to their grievances...which has been going on since, well, since the war began!

After seeing Ike Skelton and Dan Burton's comments and behavior this afternoon and then again on cnn.com, the American people should be disgusted with this poor representation of public service.Both of these men blatantly dismissed the first amendment to the U.S. constitution to a small group of protesters voicing their opinion about the war in Iraq. Some were mothers who had lost loved ones during this conflict who were grieving and distraught with our government. I am not advocating whether or not the protesters in question were right or wrong but they should not have had their civil liberties stripped away by two elected officials plotting to remove them live during a recess.
Their comments and language exemplifies what is wrong with the perception of elected officials who are not held accountable by their offices and the American people. This action today did not put democracy in a favorable light, the same light that our troops are trying ignite and fight for in Iraq.

How does a committee chairman not know how to pronounce the name of one of the committee members? It's this and the rest of the hoorah that makes me feel our country is being led by a bunch of geriatric children.

"I wonder if W thinks about the impact these Americans who were killed would have had on the world. I know he doesn't. He is too busy cleaning up his daddy's mess."

That's great Bill... I wonder what impact the hundreds of people who died on 9/11 would have had on the world? You left out your signature, "Invested in Defeat."

The congressmen is right. Dan Burton had no right to lecture him. If thsi were a Republican led hearing they probably would have handed out invitations and removed anyone that looked like they might protest (such as wearing the wrong type of t-shirt). They have done it before.

As for the General's report, we shouldn't be surprised. Bush mad his trip to Iraq last week and they all got their stories straight. If you thought his report was going to say anything different then you don't understand how the military works. They say and do as they are told. He came and said what he has been told to say. This is how you keep your job.

So let me get this straight. Dick Cheney can curse at Senator Patrick Leahy in the Senate and get away with it but a congressman says some stern words, in what is a very heated day, and we report this as news. Cheney should have been censured for conduct toward Senator Leahy in the Senate.

How come R rated dialogue is the standard in "realistic" entertainment, yet when life imitates art we titter at someone using the f word? Good grief, is it more juvenile to get angry and swear, or to pretend that grown adults engaging in (literally) life and death decisions won't snap at each other from time to time. If you want to pretend that your electees are G-rated players in an X-rated world, you oughtn't go eavesdropping.

Greg from Phoenix...turn off faux news, stop drinking the koolaid and educate yourself with facts not talking points...

Never forget that Westmoreland and company issued the same mantra...more troops, more money, more time. Thank God this is a democracy where reason can prevail or htere would be more than 58K names on that wall. For all of those who buy into the whole overseas crusade: go, send your kids, reach deep in your pockets for the 12 billion a month this disaster is costing us. I paid the price for the last fiasco..you do this one.

Greg, It is very ironic that a Republican (or Republican supporter) is saying the Democratic Congress does not share the same concerns as the American people. This coming from the party that plundered this country's money and lives for six straight years without any checks and balances. This coming from the party that lied to the American people to fulfill their partisan designs. This coming from the party that believes in hiding behind so-called "executive priveleges" and breaking all kinds of laws. This coming from a party full of gay homophobes. You claim to be the better patriots and yet you find it was OK to out a CIA agent. Shame on you and your party!

Look into the mirror before pointing fingers.

Greg, Phoenix, AZ
"One can sense their(Democratic Congressmen)desperation in trying to minimalize the positive strides made by our troops in Iraq since the begninning of the surge."

How would a cat fight obviously of political origin, between a Democrat and Republican at an Iraq hearing have any connection to the heroic troops serving in Iraq?

The only connection and minimalization to Iraq Troops is the one you made in written context. And I have to question why you would find that necessary? Why you would dishonour these troops by projecting them into the middle of a controversary they had nothing to do with prior to your written connection!

I find your haphazard connection of such heroic trooops to such jeuvenile political episodes to be much more disheartening than the political grand standing that we've all become so accustomed to.

Was this really newsworthy? Do you consider today a slow news day? This country is not being led by the evangelical fundamentalists anymore, and damn it, they weren't in church--were they??

This behavior from both Democrats and Republicans shows me none of them listened to the General when he was giving his report to this committee. They were to involved in bashing each other and getting each other on their nerves then they were getting down to buisness and listen to what the general had to say. God Bless our Troops and their Families. Thank you, American Soldiers, Saliors, and Marines.

Here I go again. After reading the comments posted, it is understandable that the only NEGATIVE comment comes from some idiot from CALIFORNIA. Where all the other far left jerks reside............

Let the bodies hit the floor!!!

This is not even the same conflict we entered in 2003. It is amazing that so many Americans can be fooled = I wish they were all buyers for what I have to sell!!

DUNCAN HUNTER AND THE LADY? FROM FLORIDA BOTH TRIED TO BRING POLITICS IN BEFORE IT EVEN STARTED.AND AS FAR AS THE OTHER REPUB. WANTING THE PEOPLE OUT OF THE ROOM BEFORE THEY EVEN PROTESTED SEEMS THAT THERE IS A THING CALLED FREDOM OF SREECH. AND AS FAR AS THE GENERALS SPEECH WAS BUSH'S SPEECH. WHY DID HE GO TO IRAQ AND HAND DELIVER THE PAMPLET FOR PETARUS TO STUDY BEFORE HE TESTIFIED.PETARUS DID JUST WHAT BUSH TOLD HIM TO DO.

You, sir, are completely missing the point, and therefore must be yet another American chickenhawk moron. You really should travel more and try to expand your world view.

A hearing is very serious. It should be based on rational dialogue. These protestors have no place being there. If we wanted mob rule, then there would be no hearings. These protestors mock the system have no respect for the General.

I share the sentiments of Rep Skelton's characterization of the protesters.

Give the benefit of the doubt eh? Kind of like what Americans blindly did when Bush was scaring everyone with false WMD claims.

Time to question authority. No matter who it may be. Or are you too busy being a "sheep"?

Oh Yes, Greg.

It is plainly obviously that all Democrats want to do is to demoralize our troops and kick them in the ass. Hell, if the Democrats can get some AKs, they'll shoot at the troops themselves!

The only thing that is obviously is that you are clearly partisan and bias. In your mind, all the Democrats and the Left wants is to give the keys to Al Qaeda. In your mind, the Democrats are always wrong and only the Republicans are right.

It's people like you that who can't be open minded that contributes to the problem. Iraq is a complex issues, both the Democrats and Republicans have good points about it. Ideas from both parties need to be implemented for us to succeed in Iraq.

the whole hearing today in my opinion was a joke. Although the General probably did tell the partial truth of the sitation in Iraq, when it comes down to it, who appointed the general? Of course he's gonna say what W wants to hear because his job is on the line. The general said nothing we didn't already know. Enough is enough lets bring our troops home, and not a year from now and not only 30,000, they should all be brought home ASAP. The Iraqi government needs to be accountable for themselves and as long as we have control the Iraqi government is going to sit back and take another month long vacation for who knows what.

Two republicans showed no class in the hearing. Let the general say his statement and move on. We all know it's propaganda from the white house. More troops will die for nothing, but the surge will end hopefully by july 2008. Just in time for the election. What perfect timing.

Greg from Phoenix said:
"One can sense their desperation in trying to minimalize the positive strides made by our troops in Iraq since the begninning of the surge."

Really? As an independent voter with a brother who is a US Marine & Afghanistan veteran, I wonder which positive strides you are referring to. Do elaborate, because I have been reading every analysis of the situation out there, and the only positive stride I see is the fact that our administration and our commanders have finally woken up to the fact that aligning themselves with the local tribal leaders (former insurgents) helps in the fight against Al Quaeda, because Iraquis are sick of this monstrous group of psychos who kill anyone and everyone - Muslims, Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus: they don't care.

"It is plainly obvious that their concerns are not the same of the American people. They are proving that the only thing they care about is winning elections."

Oh really? And Republicans don't? You truly are an insightful person. And the American people don't agree with you, by the way - look at EVERY SINGLE national poll and survey taken by respected pollsters.

"Any reasonable American would be willing to give the benefit of the doubt to a general who BOTH sides have ackowledged as a great leader whose character is impeccable."

Why impeccable, just because he wears a uniform with stars on his shoulders? Frankly, I am quite sick of people like you who have blind faith in the military and question the patriotism of those who criticize it. It's like the "love it or leave it" philosophy. You can respect the job the military does in the defense of the nation and absolutely disagree with the mission to which they have been deployed in foreign wars.

I don't question the General's dedication and sacrifices made for our country. However, he is ultimately answerable to civilian authority, i.e. the "Commander-in-Chief" (unless our Constitution changed on Sep. 11, 2001). Dick Cheney and George W. Bush don't exactly have a stellar record of letting others in positions of authority such as the CIA and generals in the field be impartial and objective to the American people. They meddle in intelligence, field ops, the judicial system - or they simply ignore what they don't like and claim Executive powers that never existed under our Constitution (which I spent four years studying for my degree, by the way).

If the General's report is biased and false – and I'm not saying it is yet because he isn't done with his testimony – it is because Bush and Cheney have pressured him, not because he is a character w/o integrity. Just ask Gen. Colin Powell. The latter stated this in an interview that I listened to – I mean what this executive branch likes to do. This LACK of checks and balances is further aggravated by a Congress with NO BACKBONE - I don't care which party they belong to, Democrat or Republican. The legislative branch needs to reassert itself again and restore the balance of power in the Federal government, as our founding fathers intended. Our democratic republic is dysfunctional.

As long as the generals' assesment is true and he still believes that his job is to protect the people of this country. Then I really don't care what our goverment leaders bicker about...they should be more concerned with listening, learning and fixing this b.s. war they created.

The issue is not that the Dems are unwilling to heed advice from the General and his report, but that we all recognize the General as Bush's appointed spokesperson. This indeed is a true concern for all. Anyone with military experience knows that a General is never going to openly disagree with or debate the wishes of his Commander in Chief. This creates a situation whereby the American citizens may not be getting a truly unbiased report – particularly since Bush went to see the General just days before the conclusion of his report. What does that suggest to the Senate charged with having to sift through this muck?

Bush began paving the way for this four months ago when he all of a sudden started telling the American people that this war was not for the politicians to debate but for his men on the ground to determine. If we look at the past Generals from this war (former men on the ground removed from their post), they all speak negatively about this war. Therefore, Bush appoints a new General with very specific terms and conditions to comply with. These guys aren't dummies. They orchestrated the need for war through lies and manipulation of facts and they continue to do so now.

The Dems are indeed concerned about this war but are continuously challenged with grandstanding from the GOP which has been on-going for the past 7 years.

Let us hope that everyone's eyes remain wide open on this issue.

Point of correction Mr. Singleton – I belive you meant to say "our elected officials"
Secondly, the Americans who were killed overseas died to protect your freedom to write idiodic comments on the Clinton News Network's website. You should count your lucky stars that good men are willing to do die on your behalf.
As far as our elected officials being "tired of this Iraq nonsense", it is my strong belief that a mojority of them could care less so long as they take a good re-election stance.

Greg in VA you are my new hero. I couldn't agree with you more.

It seems to me that the grandstanding is coming from the party who won't ask tough questions, and instead spend their time focusing on minor things like the MoveOn advertisement instead of, oh, I don't know, the war.

Patraeus and Crocker are shilling for the White House - their statements were contradictory, and at some points were dumbfounded into silence by thoughtful questions.

Republican or Democrat – we all have the same goal, to make the world safer, but especially to make America safer, and to limit the number of lives lost. If those lives happen to be American soliders or Iraqi citizens. Wouldn't it be great if instead of outbursts from the audience and instead of triangulating from our politicians we all had a chance to HEAR what was really going on and what our options in Iraq are. I believe the General tried – the Ambassador tried. But did our politicians or even us actually listen?

The smell of treason now envelopes Washington. The Democrat party has cast its lot with the enemies of America. I now fear for the safety of our very homeland at the hands of the Democrats and their foreign allies

I watched every minute of these proceedings today and just laughed at the defeatist attitude of the Democratic Congressmen and Congresswomen. They had no intention of obtaining information from Petraeus, they were too busy lecturing him, quoting from newspaper articles or opinion polls. Petraeus did a good job of not losing his cool under the grilling, I would of gotten hot under the collar. And another thing, why didn't they remove everyone who was wearing those pink outfits, the idiots from Code Pink? They would remove one screaming lunatic, then five minutes later they would remove the next screaming pinko that was sitting next to them previously. Those pink protesters are the mascots of the sham of a party called the Democrats.

To: Greg, Phoenix, AZ

The US govt said the same thing in Vietnam, will we ever learn?

While I believe it will get worse in the beginning, time without the US there will be for the better. We went in there with lies, see Downing street memo and the book by the former treasury sec. in the first term for some facts. I don't think our fellow American's lives are worth dying for some greedy people, just follow the money and you will see.

YOU GO....tell it like it is, the only way!

Typical Republican grandstanding looking to make something out of nothing, using an ad to make a statement instead of looking at the facts regarding Petraeus's comments on Iraq.

Do Republicans think they can take America's eyes off the ball, which is the failure of finding a solution to Iraq, and have us believe that the bigger problem is an ad run by a political group?

Seems the biggest problem in all of this is actually the Republicans themselves...

I lost my cool over Iraq years ago. Glad to see Congress is catching up to the rest of us who have been desperately trying to get our troops out of this [expletive deleted] disaster!

Any reasonable American realized a long time ago that invading Iraq was a distraction from the war on terror. Any reasonable American realized from the beginning that the Bush Administration's strategy was flawed. Any reasonable American realized that once we were their, we should have been "surging" from the beginning instead of letting things deteriorate into chaos. Any reasonable American realizes that any gains coming from the current surge are not sustainable without a functioning government and society in Iraq. The surge does nothing if that isn't solved. The reasonable ones are the ones asking questions and not just trusting an administration that has proven itself, time and again, to be untrustworthy.

It would appear that Congress is as frustrated with the Iraq mess as we are. However, these are our elected officials who should be held to a wee bit of a higher standard than the rest of us average bears – perhaps Congress needs to retreat to their respective corners for a much needed "time-out"?

Also, I find it amusing that some see this as Democrats political grandstanding. While I fail to see how the Chairman is "grandstanding" here, some just fail to see that there's plenty of political grandstanding going on on both sides of the aisle. And, as a Democrat, I'm not afraid to admit it – nor am I afraid to call them to the carpet – when my purported leaders act like nothing more than petulant children running amok on the playground.

"This political grand standing by Democratic Congressmen is disheartening to say the least."

Are you joking...all I see are republicans engaging in the same baiting tactics they use to turn the discussion to one of "manners" instead of policy.

petraeus is a liar and should be in jail with bush, hunter, and all the other racist republicans.

Facts are facts are facts. When it comes down to it, the credibility of the messenger means nothing compared to the accuracy of the information. Without the methodology behind them, those numbers mean nothing to me. Why won't they declassify their analysis? What have they got to hide?

I will be completely disgusted with this democratic congress and the entire political process if that methodology isn't released for review. It's equivalent to a civil engineer shoveling his stress analysis through the shredder while assuring his management that the $40 million dollar bridge design won't collapse.

I can see the disclaimer now: "This report contains speculative numbers and subjective claims. Not for public viewing."

I would wager that prior to the addition of TV cameras to such hearings, that profanity laden out bursts and partisan commentary were probably more in the norm. All members are under extreme pressure to maintain their positions on the hill and ensure political survival.

Still, I wonder how they would face survival while on convoy escort duty outside the Green Zone.

I say Outstanding Job General Petraeus! Keep up the good work! Politicians, Let the man do his job!

why write the story about expletives, if you delete the expletives in the story??

we are not children

"Political granstanding by the Democratic Congressman..........

WHAT???

It was the Republican Congresswomen that interjected politics into the matter!

Go have another drink of Kool-Aid.

Once again, the Republicans have shown themselves to being incapable of doing anything but polarizing the nation. In Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Florida, comment "I offer my colleagues the opportunity to use this hearing to distance themselves from the despicable ad that was published today", it is clear that the intent is "You do it our way or a horrible other way", and by implication, that there is no gray area in between those alternatives.

And more now than ever, it seems likely that the only true (or at least mutually agreeable) solution will be found in that gray area.

So, the sooner everyone agrees that compromise is what is necessary, the sooner we can actually implement the compromise.

Until then, we will end up "staying the course", which is, after all, what the Republicans want.

War is never easy. It is never pretty. Unfortunately, it is sometimes necessary. This os one of those cases. This war is being fought all over this world, but the hotspot is Iraq. It is about time that everybody stop politicizing the war. Yes, there have been miscalculations and setbacks here and there, but nothing is predictable when you are at war. We have made progress despite all of the negative media coverage and political games being played. The politicians need to stop playing their games (grandstanding) and let the military do what is necessary to defeat the enemy. Politicians are not soldiers. (You need a spine to be a soldier – you need to have it removed to be a politician) They need to stay out of the operation of the war. The enemy loves to see this infighting. They will divide us, then conquer us. If our politicians and media keep playing into their hands, we will surely lose. God help us all.

Hey Greg, take off the rose colored glasses- It's the Republicans who are "Grandstanding" about the ad, not the Dems! Republicans DEMANDING that the Dems disassociate themselves with a third party freedom of expression is hypocritical at best. Were the Republicans "apologizing" for a thrid party during the Swift Boat ads? I think not. But your saying it's OK for them to "be offended and demand a pound of flesh" now that it's their guy who is in the crosshairs. By the way Greg, the ad was critically chastized yesterday on Meet the Press by Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE) so the Republicans are being overly sanctamonous 24 hours after the fact, Sen. Biden said in no uncertain terms it was in poor taste for personally attacking the integrity of a patriotic American. Most people don't need the preaching of some Republican hacks to recognize an injustice when they see it. I guess that the Republicans have been it at it for so long now that they don't know how to stop it wouldn't you say?

reply to CARA dignity and professinalism ????? Did you HEAR the and SEE the protestors screaming at the assembly? These people are entitled to speak, but clearly have other issues.

Um. Is this really freaking news?

iraq war #2 = pig
general = general

a pig with lipstick and makeup is still a pig
even if an outstanding and honorable serviceman
is leading it.

the best military leaders can't fix a poorly conceived,
poorly planned policy – you have to admit
the many billions spent there could have been better
spent at home on Katrina aide, funding Social Security
& Medicare, Advanced Scientific Research on alternative
energy, etc.( unless you're one of the cronies who got
a no-accountability, gift contract...)

Wha? Lawmakers are different than us regular people? They can't swear, get mad or lose their cool?

Greg from Phoenix, what planet are you from? I guess Senator John McCain R-AZ have people in your state blind to what's really going on.

Please, can we stop with the "Democrats are desperate...only interested in winning elections...political grandstanding" nonsense? This country was based upon a system of CHECKS and BALANCES. It is the Congress' DUTY to ensure that the powers of the president are kept in check. And they will question, if need be, the assessments made by a general whose boss is the president! Greg, from Phoenix, wake up and smell the democracy.

OMG! OMG! Congressmen use bad words?! Lord save us all!

MoveOn.org and their fellow-traveler surrender advocates should be ashamed of themselves. ANYONE, especially Neil Abercrombie, who does not distance themselves from MoveOn should be turned out of office!

To hell with the troops. There I said it.

"General Petraeus or General Betray us?" Personally, I think it's clever.

Sadly, we're to the point that if Petraus says anything less than, "the surge hasn't made a dent, lets get out", then he's betrayed us?

Really? Has it really come to that?

Hey Greg! Guess you didn't read any of the thousand article's published on American's opinions about the war. See, nearly 2/3 of the nation is totally against the war already and wants us to pull out yesterday. Lending even more weight to that statement is that 75% or more feel that we should be pulling out regardless of the progress the General either reports or does not report. Either ways, it spells out that the American public is against this war continuing on any longer and that is what the Democrats are trying to do right now. They are trying to end this mess today, where Good Ole' Georgie is about to ask congress for another 50 billion dollars and another 8 months of this garbage. Were you born yesterday? Wake up.

This incident with the non-working mics and the heated exchange seemed extremely appropriate in the overall context of the historical nature of the testimony.

There is nothing in the war debate but cynicism, pessimism, relativism in regards to factual evidence, partisanship, failure to listen, and complete disregard for the citizens of Iraq and America.

It is time real change in this conflict. It is time to construct a plan to withdraw American forces in accordance with the will of the people of both nations, and to do so with sanity, care, and intelligence. Perhaps that's too much for the Administration and Congress...

The only desperation here is in trying to maintain any political credibility while this debacle in Iraq drags on. The "positive strides" associated with this surge, so far, seem to be comprised of ever more American and collateral casualties.

It's a mess. I'm glad MY job's not that stressful; I'd probably swear, too.

The heck with Iraq – why are we not worried about an Islamist who has been in the u.S. for nearly 10 years now – after he fled from Turkey becuase they wanted to try him for attemting to overthrow the secular government of Turkey, he entered the U.S. and quickly began builidng a network of about 60-70 "Gulen schools" which are all charter schools supported by our state and federal tax dollars where they teach Islam and "Character Education" -all taught by hand-picked Turkish Islamist males who follow Fethullah Gulen's teachings. On f.gulen.com if you search the word "jihad" Gulen doesn't mince words about his view that "lesser jihad – killing people on teh battlefield is a necessary evil and is the duty of every Muslim." We have about 12,000 American schoolchildren in his schools eah day – what would happen if they just decided to lock the doors and hold those children hostage – this entire country would be paralyzed! The schools are in cities like New York, Dallas, Houston, Pittsburg, Columbus, etc. etc. All the "directors" of these schools and the prinicpals and assitant principals are Turkish male Islamists dedictaed to following Gulen in his goal of establishing a globla theocracy under Islamic laws. He says on fgulen.com that he wants to recreate the Ottoman Empire as a modern Islamic state that rules teh world from teh United States. And, if you do read his website, be careful to read EVERYTHING – he is quite fond of putting in a lot of BS about "inter-faith dialogue" and you have to read pages of baloney to find what he really wants to do to the U.S. We need to get our kids away from this Imam – and I mean NOW!!! Turkey tried him "in absentia" for treason and preaching sedition, a hanging offense in Turkey -what do you think he wants from us??!! He is a good friend of the newly elected President of Turkey, Abdullah Gul, also an avowed Islamist, who called Gulen in teh U.S. to ask Gulen if he thought Gul should run for President. The Gulen network here in teh U.S. likes to approach all teh local law enforcement officials where they have schools and non-profit foundations – in Texas and California they have taken barbecue lunches to police hedaquarters adb gotten "tours" off the 911 telecommunications cenetr in Richardson, Texas – led by teh police chief himslef. What idiots!! These guys have softare engineers, telecommunictaions engineers, etc. in the Gulen network. They can "hack" into the first responder systems afetr the chief gives them the grand tour – what is wrong with out law enforcement officials!!?? Are they cheap dates that they will give "tours" to anyone who drops by with a picnic basket!!?? Do they not undrestand that if and when these guys do something it woudl be utterly devastating if our first responders could not communicate ??!! Doesn't anyone remember why so many firefighters and police officers died in 911 – because their communcations didn't work adequately? In Dallas, the county sheriff gave them her "whole-hearted endorsement" after they showed up at the jail with Turkish tea and some Turkish cookies!! And she was an FBI agent for 21 years before she became dallas County Sheriff- she didn't even hold out for a barbecue dinner! Will someone PLEASE tell our local law enforcement officials to "Beware of Turks bearing gifts?!!" The German plot the other day included a Turk who was in Uzbekistan – many of Gulen's "teachers" for these Charter schools firts taught in teh Gulen schoools in Uzbekistan, Turmenistan, Kazakastan (spelling?) – can anyone please tell people that these charter schools are not what they may "appear" to be? They are all called 'science academies" becaus eGulen says he intends to educate the "elites" of tomorrow's workforce – which he sees as being dominated by science and technology – he says he has schools in over 100 countries around teh world, an estimated $25 billion in assets (that is from te Turkish Daily News reports) that includes television stations, radio stations, publsihing h ouses, and the Turkish governmenmt estimates his followers worldwide at beteween 250,000 and 4 million. The U.S. government has been trying to find grounds to deport him, but he has an army of high-priced immigration attorneys at his beck and call. We can stop this man by just refusing to give him our children for his brainwashing schools!!! Many of the schools are mentioned by name on his website where teh science fair prizes they win are greatly touted. Will someone please notice where this Imam says he is headed and try to stop him? He is in our SCHOOLS teaching our children this afternoon!!

These idiots need to get emotional! People are dying, we are spending at un-sustainable levels! Cus all you want, f it start a brawl! This is not kinder' this is serious business!

We should all hear these conversations regularly.This is the only way we will hear some truth from our politicians.

"the political grand standing by the Democratic Congressman"

The audacity of this comment after all the highly partisan antics of the GOP demonstrates yet again that there are so many people who do not view these events from a "fair and balanced" position. The Pavlovian Response of the liberal haters has worn more than even this Iraq war.

You have your head in a sack or only listen to AM Talk Radio. The numbers do not show progress in Iraq and how can lying to the citizens of the US about "progress" be a benefit to them?

I don't contend that the Democratic Party have been more focused on the next election than doing their job and impeaching VP Cheney. There should be a list of each Democrat who has continued to fund this war. Their seats should be contested immediately. Those that voted to give more wiretapping authority to the AG and DNI chief should be impeached for failing to protect the 4th Amendment counter to their oath to defend.

The lecturing of Ike Skelton by Dan Burton isn't partisan is it? He wouldn't already have decided that Patraeus is to be "trusted" and that if he says its going well, well then,...it must just be going well.

And finally you seem to have the idea that Patraeus is just "a great leader whose character is impeccable" from both Sides....wrong. His patriotism hasn't been called into question, but his covering his butt and kissing up is well documented. Perhaps you can watch a little less American Idol (idolatry in America, whoda thunk it), and expand outside your AM Talk Radio Liberal hatred.
(note: those who call yourself Liberals, same for you, don't blindly judge 'conservatives' all the same. point out their bs and move along.)

I like the point made by Congressman Abercombie, "Nobody has to distance themselves from something they weren't associated with." It missiles the knee-jerk rhetorio used by the likes of Rush Limbaugh. You must be a pinko if you don't denounce the Moveon.org add. *Yawn*

All politicians should be ashamed of themselves. They all know it's all about money, and they'll say and do anything for money. For the love of money is the root of all evil; and this so called war is evil.

The bottom line is this: George W. Bush has lied and misled the American people from the very beginning of this entire debacle. The valiant and heroic efforts of our troops notwithstanding, the rest of the world sees this as an intractable political quagmire and not one that is amenable to military solutions. Is W. simply arrogant, stupid or both?

Greg in Phoenix,
Would you point out in this article where Democrats were "grandstanding?"

If anything, it appears that the Republicans were "grandstanding," making a big deal of some protesters and blaming the Democrats for it, as well as bringing up the Moveon.org in an attempt to score points with their supporters.

Also, for the umpteenth time since I know it's not the first time you've heard it, most of the people pulling for the troops to come home aren't minimalizing the positive strides of our military. They're saying that military strides have no way of resolving the conflict over there. I know some of you think that if we kill enough people, that the violence will stop. I just want to know how many enemy deaths (and the related American ones) have to occur before you realize that killing the people isn't killing the underlying motives for their desire to fight.

What we have is both parties throwing little fits.... fits that have nothing to do with what is going on in Iraq and everything to do with petty politics. The President lost his ability to lead the nation and since that point the Iraqi policy has been nothing but a political football. Our government, from the Executive to the judiciary, has let down our troops and plunged a country into civil war. Both parties are responsible!

Ah, excuse me what progress are you talking about? Grandstanding by the Dems? Oh, like the GOP doesn't do that? Who cares what Move On runs. What was Dan Burton's point? This is not a right or left issue. It's an American issue. We need to leave Iraq and GWB and the people around him need to tell the American people the truth.

"It is plainly obvious that their concerns are not the same of the American people. They are proving that the only thing they care about is winning elections."

Your statement is a contradiction in itself as if they are trying to win an election then they are voicing what the people want to hear. A simple point in fact, a military man is going to say exactly what the commander in chief tells him to say.

Regardless of any arguement made, this war in Iraq is three years over cooked already. Seems that no lessons were learned from our ill advised presence in Vietnam. While it's true that we have the greatest military the civilized world has ever known, history clearly shows that every military of past great nations and empires endured an ass kicking that lasted for the ages. Will ours take place in Iraq? The longer we stay the greater the possibility. Why do I believe such a thing? Lets face it, we can't invade just one, and the way things are shaping up two won't be enough either. How many countries do our trusted leaders think we can invade before somebody finally figures out how to beat us? And so it goes.

how about time-outs for the big boys and putting the pages in charge? We are likely to get a more reasonable approach to problem solving that way. Who is so and so to say that some people have to be removed BEFORE they've done anything to be removed for? "They are still here" and the meeting hasn't even begun yet. And heaven forfend that we do anything to "offend" our HONORED guests; they've been shot at, had bombs go off beside them and used a latrine, for heavens sake. Some little snot saying "boo" isn't going to rattle them. Besides, it didn't bother the Democrats to treat Ollie North with disrespect, now did it?

I think Bill's comment from 5:34 PM is perhaps more insightful than he realizes - when he calls the war in Iraq Bush's "daddy's mess", it reminds me that this isn't Dubya's war at all. It his father's. This is the finale (or, so we wish) to the war that became clear in 1991, but which Bush (41) didn't have the willpower to finish off.

Saddam Hussein continued to defy UN weapons inspectors (bizarrely, since it seems he didn't have any WMD), with a climax in 1998 when he forced them out of the country. He continued to fire at American planes over the years patrolling the UN-mandated no-fly zone. This isn't George W. Bush's war - he is, as Bill points out, "cleaning up his daddy's mess."

It saddens me deeply to see the lawmakers conduct themselves in this manner, especially in a public forum, especially in a situation where open mics are abundant. This whole debacle in Iraq is just compounded by the lawmakers inability to come together as one for the benefit of the country. Instead we have a group of elected officials behaving like a schoolhouse bunch, cursing at each other and seeking to connect political jabs through indirect commentary. Sad day for the American people, especially those who have lost family members in Iraq, and those whose families are still out there.

I'm amazed that someone would have the unmitigated gall or the arrogance to accuse Democrats of "granstanding" after reading the gratuitous remarks from Congressman Burton, who has a habit of intemperate remarks and bombast. But then again, that's been the tried and true tactic of Republicans these last several years...if you can't question their patriotism, accuse them of grandstanding.

I guess the minimum age to run for Congress is only a PHYSICAL age, not a MENTAL age...

What a bunch of children, all of them.

Now, now, children. Behave yourself.And I thought you had to be all grown up to be elected to Congress? My mistake.

This political grand standing by Democratic Congressmen is disheartening to say the least.

One can sense their desperation in trying to minimalize the positive strides made by our troops in Iraq since the begninning of the surge.

It is plainly obvious that their concerns are not the same of the American people. They are proving that the only thing they care about is winning elections.

Any reasonable American would be willing to give the benefit of the doubt to a general who BOTH sides have ackowledged as a great leader whose character is impeccable.

Perhaps we should have these meetings in a giant playpen. While it is understandable that there are strong emotions on either side, maintaining a sense of professionalism and dignity is crucial to getting critical business accomplished. That, at least, seems like something we could manage to approach in a bipartisan manner.

What this shows me, is even are elected officials are tired of this Iraq nonsense. We all are. I wonder if W thinks about the impact these Americans who were killed would have had on the world. I know he doesn't. He is too busy cleaning up his daddy's mess.