Quote from DAS Trader:
We probably shouldn't forget Obama sought to extend that timetable, but ultimately the Iraqi government would not grant our troops immunity from prosecution...hence...no extension.
"Long-running talks designed to provide for a future US training mission by US troops failed over the issue of providing immunity for US troops in Iraq, though both sides say they are still talking on future military exchanges."
http://www.france24.com/en/20111212...obama-meet-ahead-us-troop-withdrawal-immunity
Still, it is good to see this wound down militarily. Now, if only we could remove the army of tax payer funded contractors, we might begin to save some money.
Like you, Im just happy its over. Here is a good article that sums up Obama, and Bush foreign policy, and there is absolutely no discernible difference, Obama is just as much of a Chicken Hawk as Bush ever was, but far left zealots like Range Rover just continue to drink the koolaid, and try to pretend that Obama is somehow any different.
President Obama Ends Iraq War!
DEC 15
Posted by azleader
At a solemn military ceremony today in Baghdad, called the âcasing of the colorsâ, the war in Iraq officially ended.
President Obama marked the occasion yesterday in Ft. Bragg when he said to returning servicemen, âWelcome home!â
In war policy, President Obama evolved far away from 2008 presidential candidate Barack Obama. President Obama today looks more like President George W. Bush.
Basically, President Obamaâs war policy is an extension of George Wâs policies.
Some feel that is a good thing, some donât.
Approximately 4,483 Americans died and 33,183 were wounded. Over 150,000 Iraqis were killed.
In 2012, voters will have to decide for themselves how that might affect their vote for president.
2008 Presidential Candidate Barack Obama
In Obamaâs famous anti-war speech back in 2002, then Illinois state legislator Barack Obama said this:
I donât oppose all wars. What I am opposed to is a dumb war.
That 2002 speech is one of the things that helped propel Barack Obama to the presidency in 2008.
On âMeet The Pressâ with Tim Russert on 11/7/2007, then presidential candidate Barack Obama said this:
I would end this war, and I would have our troops out within 16 months.
In the Russert interview Obama went on to criticize Bushâs âsurgeâ strategy:
George Bush continued to want to pursue a course that didnât withdraw troops from Iraq but actually doubled down and initiated the surge. And at that stage, I said, very clearly, not only have we not seen improvements, but weâre actually worsening, potentially, a situation there.
During the 2008 campaign he and Hillary Clinton waged a bidding war against each other over how fast they would pull troops out of the Iraq/Afghanistan wars.
Hillary said sheâd do it in only 12 months, not 16 as Obama said heâd do.
Things didnât turn out that way.
President Obama Follows George W. Bushâs Iraq Exit Strategy
Instead of exiting Iraq in 16 months, as promised by candidate Obama, President Obama took 35 months.
Todayâs ceremony ending the Iraq war is the withdrawal date negotiated by George W. Bush, not President Obama.
President Obama followed George Wâs exit strategy to a âTâ.
President Obama Expands George Wâs Afghanistan and War on Terror Policies
President Barack Obama
Candidate Barack Obama completely reversed direction after becoming President Barack Obama.
He continued and/or expanded these George W. policies:
Immediately tripled the drone war in Pakistan
Applied the Bush âsurgeâ strategy in Afghanistan
Reversed himself and kept Guantanamo Bay open
Expanded the war on terror
Ordered the successful killing of Osama Bin Laden
After failing to negotiate a diplomatic settlement with Iran over its nuclear weapons program, Obama ordered drone incursions into Iran.
Just days ago one of those drones was brought down by Iran. That was one of the most closely guarded military secrets, and used the most advanced technology in the U.S. arsenal.
President Obama did end water boarding, but has maintained the same hard-line stance, to great effect, as did George W. in the war on terror.
Conclusions
In war policy, President Obama changed drastically from 2008 presidential candidate Barack Obama.
He followed the Bush exit strategy in Iraq and used the Bush âsurgeâ strategy in Afghanistan. He continued or expanded virtually every Bush policy in the war on terror.
Hard-core Democrats will fault him for what he has done. Moderate Republicans will view him more favorably than they did before.
In 2012, voters will decide for themselves how it might affect their vote. But this much is certainâ¦
By adopting George Wâs war policies, President Obama â and the brave Americans who carried them out â have made the world safer for Americans than it was before Obama became President.
http://informthepundits.wordpress.com/