The Iraq War Ends,

4leto

Some Good news I suppose.

“After nearly nine years, America’s war in Iraq will be over,” Mr Obama said in a statement he delivered in the White House press room.

Since Mr Obama became president, some 100,000 US troops have withdrawn from Iraq. The 40,000 who remain will depart before January 1st, he said.

The US is declaring victory and going home. “The last American soldiers will cross the border out of Iraq with their heads held high, proud of their success and knowing that the American people stand united in their support for our troops. That is how America’s military efforts in Iraq will end,” Mr Obama said.

“Here at home, the coming months will be another season of homecoming. Across America, our servicemen and women will be reunited with their families. Today, I can say our troops in Iraq will definitely be home for the holidays.”


http://www.google.ie/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=iraq%20war%20end&source=newssearch&cd=3&ved=0CDwQqQIwAg&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.irishtimes.com%2Fnewspaper%2Fworld%2F2011%2F1022%2F1224306299383.html&ei=UAKiTv-rD4Hm-gaU98mJBQ&usg=AFQjCNFtnNMge5NIaINzkbxE0oYlnNW00A

Killer Pigeon

"Success" and the blood of hundreds of thousands of Iraqi civilians on their hands. Yes, something to be proud of indeed. :rolleyes:

up for anything

Declaring victory and going home to...... Iran next! :mad:

AnamGlas

Victory me bollocks.

policarp

The Iraq war will start again.
The yanks and the brits only
prodded a hornets nest.

El Weirdo

The US is declaring victory and going home.

This bit made me picture a young kid picking up his ball in the middle of a playground football match, sticking it under his arm and heading home in a huff.

4leto

The cost of the war to the US tax payer 805.5 billion
4479 deaths
32200 wounded
Iraqi deaths has to be over a million.

This war was probably the greatest folly in modern times. Welldone Bush and the rest of the Neo Cons.

KeithAFC

He should just admit the Yankee government of Washington DC messed up and move on.

LighterGuy

Although I am aware Obama said he would do this when he got elected. Its a coincidence that he is now fully pulling them out as of Jan 2012... the same year he wants the get elected That and he is a "part-Irish american" apparently who likes to drink Guinness

mackg

El Weirdo wrote: »

This bit made me picture a young kid picking up his ball in the middle of a playground football match, sticking it under his arm and heading home in a huff.

lol, when I read it I was thinking how cool it is that you can just declare victory anytime you want, I'm never going to lose at anything again!

Orando Broom

A win is a win. Time to get Iran to toe the line. The ****ing dirty eejits.

RichieC

it will be Iran next though the zionists will likely make the first move dragging America and us into it with them... :C

Chuck Stone

4leto wrote: »

The US is declaring victory and going home.

That's some strange victory that is.

Killer Pigeon wrote: »

"Success" and the blood of hundreds of thousands of Iraqi civilians on their hands. Yes, something to be proud of indeed. :rolleyes:

There are also some 30,000 casualties (almost 5,000 dead) from the invading countries. Western casualties who were sent to war by the lies of those in power. I consider those 30,000 people victims too.

Killer Pigeon

Something to be "proud" of, eh?

They might as well have left Saddam in power.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xKGGHUUAy0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0QYoGynjjc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwoVOSdElx4

epgc3fyqirnbsx

Does that mean no one else will die?

Killer Pigeon

Chuck Stone wrote: »

There are also some 30,000 casualties (almost 5,000 dead) from the invading countries. Western casualties who were sent to war by the lies of those in power. I consider those 30,000 people victims too.

Yes, however, on the coalition side, it's hard to differentiate between the "victims" and the "aggressors". The invading forces in Iraq are guilty of a lot of misconduct and reckless treatment of human life, which only spurred on more violence.

orourkeda

Jagger Rich Utopia wrote: »

Does that mean no one else will die?

No.

4leto

Its definably a victory for Obama, it will give him some browning points for the up coming election. He will be seen as a president who has a successful record on foreign policy.
First he got Bin Laden, then Gaddafi, I am sure he will give himself some credit for the Arab spring, now hw has pulled out of Iraq as he promised during his election campaign.

Chuck Stone

Killer Pigeon wrote: »

The invading forces in Iraq are guilty of a lot of misconduct and reckless treatment of human life, which only spurred on more violence.

I blame those who sent them personally. The greatest bunch of losers in the last 60 years i.e. the neocons - supported by the corporate media.

Voodu Child

Its a great day, finally the US has defeated the hostile Iraqi invaders and kicked them back to where they came from.

policarp

Between the Tigris and Euphrates will always be a Hotbed. . .

Killer Pigeon

Chuck Stone wrote: »

I blame those who sent them personally. The greatest bunch of losers in the last 60 years i.e. the neocons - supported by the corporate media.

If a reckless bonehead soldier goes into Iraq and then decides to go around shouting up civilian neighborhoods, killing innocent people, and then the next day gets killed himself - I don't recognise him as a victim, his death was the consequence of his actions. It's true that a lot of the onus is on those in authority who made the decisions to send these people to Iraq, but one also has to look at the actions of the ordinary soldiers who fired the shots.

nyarlothothep

A political gimmick, the troops may be leaving but an army of 5,500 security contractors will be commanded by the State Deparment in Iraq.

Chuck Stone

Killer Pigeon wrote: »

It's true that a lot of the onus is on those in authority who made the decisions to send these people to Iraq, but one also has to look at the actions of the ordinary soldiers who fired the shots.

That's true but I would say those most responsible were those with the least to lose i.e. the 'elite'.

Nothing worse than giving a psychopath a cause and a sociopath control of an army.

Evil bastards.

4leto

Killer Pigeon wrote: »

If a reckless bonehead soldier goes into Iraq and then decides to go around shouting up civilian neighborhoods, killing innocent people, and then the next day gets killed himself - I don't recognise him as a victim, his death was the consequence of his actions. It's true that a lot of the onus is on those in authority who made the decisions to send these people to Iraq, but one also has to look at the actions of the ordinary soldiers who fired the shots.

It was a 9 year war, so it would be fair to say at least half a million troops were in the conflict zone at some stage probably more. So with numbers like that you will get the odd phyco. But the rest of the troops were basically doing their jobs as ordered. But with the fogs of war, a war is basically unpredictable and chaotic you will get a lot of mistakes. But the biggest mistake was the leadership. Disbanding the Iraqi army has to go down as the stupidest decision (well after starting this war) in history. All of a sudden they made trained soldiers in a warzone unemployed. Now it doesn't take a genius to predict what a lot of them went on to do.

Manic Moran

Killer Pigeon wrote: »

Something to be "proud" of, eh?

They might as well have left Saddam in power.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xKGGHUUAy0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0QYoGynjjc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwoVOSdElx4

Instead of seeking out youtube videos of soldiers which provide no interaction at all, why don't people take the same amount of time out of their day and ask people directly who have first hand experience? There are a few of us on Boards, and are likely as good a random sample as you'll find, no seeking required. I, for one, have never been particularly hesitant to answer questions or venture an opinion.

NTM

policarp

Manic Moran wrote: »

Instead of seeking out youtube videos of soldiers which provide no interaction at all, why don't people take the same amount of time out of their day and ask people directly who have first hand experience? There are a few of us on Boards, and are likely as good a random sample as you'll find, no seeking required. I, for one, have never been particularly hesitant to answer questions or venture an opinion.

NTM

Where were the weapons of mass destruction?

DjFlin

And so ends Vietnam 2.

RichieC

Manic Moran wrote: »

Instead of seeking out youtube videos of soldiers which provide no interaction at all, why don't people take the same amount of time out of their day and ask people directly who have first hand experience? There are a few of us on Boards, and are likely as good a random sample as you'll find, no seeking required. I, for one, have never been particularly hesitant to answer questions or venture an opinion.

NTM

you're biased though.

DjFlin

RichieC wrote: »

you're biased though.

Not like people on YouTube. They're totally legit.

Firewalkwithme

It hasn't ended, it's just half time.

WoollyRedHat

I found it very telling that one of the U.S demands was to keep on enjoying the same immunity to prosecution which is being afforded to them at the moment in Iraq past December, one which has been denied by the Iraqi government.

Manic Moran

Where were the weapons of mass destruction?

None of any significance were found that I am aware of. The odd stash here and there but not likely to be the result of anything more nefarious than clerical errors given their size and condition.

The most significant period was when the insurgents started using the shells as bodies for bombs, the traces of the chemicals would set off alarms at the least though some ill effects were reported. There was a period about a month long in 2004 that it was mandatory for us to be in possession of our masks.

Any details greater than that have not been publicly released that I am aware of.

NTM

Manic Moran

RichieC wrote: »

you're biased though.

I am not convinced that the search which resulted in those youtube links was entirely without bias either.

I suggested that the questions be posed to any Boardsies with first hand experience, not anyone you deem biased or unbiased. We have people on this site who have been there since 2003 in uniform of various militaries, some who have been as part of either civil aid organizations or NGOs, and it's possible there may be a resident. Though there is no way of verifying that any resulting testimony be true, but that's a problem with youtube testimony so well, so what's the worst that can happen? People will civilly and calmly respond? It would be interesting to see the range of responses from personal exposure, as opposed to second hand reporting.

NTM

RichieC

In other words there were none. you felt you had to bulk that paragraph up didn't you manic?

By the way are you sure those masks weren't to protect you's from your own white phosphorous and other illicit weapons used by the US in the Iraq "war"?

Manic Moran

WoollyRedHat wrote: »

I found it very telling that one of the U.S demands was to keep on enjoying the same immunity to prosecution which is being afforded to them at the moment in Iraq past December, one which has been denied by the Iraqi government.

Apologies for the multiple responses, I'm on a mobile. The above is fairly standard, and tends to keep politics out of the equitation. (I, a local official, can appeal to the electorate by putting Americans on trial!). It is also not often noted that a Status of Forces agreement tends to work both ways. Iraqi military trainees in the US are similarly immune from prosecution by US bodies for incidents which occur in the course of duty.

Manic Moran

RichieC wrote: »

In other words there were none. you felt you had to bulk that paragraph up didn't you manic?

By the way are you sure those masks weren't to protect you's from your own white phosphorous and other illicit weapons used by the US in the Iraq "war"?

I didn't say there were none, because some did exist and were found. They were not, however, indicative of a government plot to keep them, which I presume was the point of the question.

There is nothing illicit about WP.

NTM

RichieC

Manic Moran wrote: »

There is nothing illicit about WP.

NTM

Certainly in its application as illumination and troop cover. That using it as a weapon is still debatable (only because the US and Israel use it though). It's use in civilian areas is illegal though, which is were you boys were using it.

"No it's not forbidden by the CWC if it is used within the context of a military application which does not require or does not intend to use the toxic properties of white phosphorus. White phosphorus is normally used to produce smoke, to camouflage movement.

"If that is the purpose for which the white phosphorus is used, then that is considered under the Convention legitimate use.

"If on the other hand the toxic properties of white phosphorus, the caustic properties, are specifically intended to be used as a weapon, that of course is prohibited, because the way the Convention is structured or the way it is in fact applied, any chemicals used against humans or animals that cause harm or death through the toxic properties of the chemical are considered chemical weapons."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4442988.stm

The irony of invading a country because it allegedly has WMD and then using them in civilian areas... not lost on me.

Oranage2

Anyone else find it sort of suspicious Sadam died a week before the 31-10-11?

Now i'm no conspritor but has the Obama administration have ties with the costume shop?

OS119

Oranage2 wrote: »

Anyone else find it sort of suspicious Sadam died a week before the 31-10-11?

Now i'm no conspritor but has the Obama administration have ties with the costume shop?

eh?

saddam has been dead for years.

Crazy Horse 6

Hopefully one day the United States will feel karma for the wrong doings they have commited in Iraq.

TwoShedsJackson

Manic Moran wrote: »

I didn't say there were none, because some did exist and were found. They were not, however, indicative of a government plot to keep them, which I presume was the point of the question.

There is nothing illicit about WP.

NTM

Why are you signing your posts NTM and what does the fact you feel the need to sign your posts on an internet forum say about you?

NTM

NTM

NTM

NTM

NTM

NTM

Benny_Cake

It didn't take them too long to clear up a few loose end since the "end of major combat operations"....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzrJwzYBUkU

pickarooney

4leto wrote: »

Its definably a victory for Obama, it will give him some browning points for the up coming election.

A hollow victory.

Richard Hillman

Iraq has democracy and saddam hussein is gone. The vast majority of people killed were killed by fellow Iraqis.

Killer Pigeon

Manic Moran wrote: »

None of any significance were found that I am aware of. The odd stash here and there but not likely to be the result of anything more nefarious than clerical errors given their size and condition.

The most significant period was when the insurgents started using the shells as bodies for bombs, the traces of the chemicals would set off alarms at the least though some ill effects were reported. There was a period about a month long in 2004 that it was mandatory for us to be in possession of our masks.

Any details greater than that have not been publicly released that I am aware of.

NTM

The only weapons of mass destruction used in Iraq since the Gulf War were the ones used by the US Army. Isn't the infant mortality rate higher in Fallujah than any other place in Iraq due to the use of depleted uranium munitions on the city?

Killer Pigeon

Manic Moran wrote: »

I am not convinced that the search which resulted in those youtube links was entirely without bias either.

I didn't go out with the expressed purpose of looking for those particular videos, apart from the wikileaks one ... the rest just appeared under related videos in the sidebar. But the fact is, those soldiers' testimonies are fact and nothing will take away from that. Asking a boardsie on here about their purported experiences in Iraq might be even less valid because much of the time users on here are anonymous and we don't know who they actually are.

Mike 1972

4leto wrote: »

“After nearly nine years, America’s war in Iraq will be over,” Mr Obama said in a statement he delivered in the White House press room.

Didnt Bush claim victory in Iraq a few years back about ten minutes before the $hit really hit the fan

4leto

I think it ironic that this war was started under the pretence of getting the weapons of mass destruction out of a tyrants hands, there were no weapons of mass destruction, the war was started on a lie. A lie first propagated by the Iraqi opposition, who are now in power.

But as a direct consequence of the war, it emboldened Iran, who ARE making weapons of mass destruction and their Ashoura missile with a range of 2000KMs which are well capable of carrying a nuclear payload. I believe Iran is a true menace but as another consequence of this iraqi war dealing with that threat would be impossible.

Killer Pigeon

4leto wrote: »

I think it ironic that this war was started under the pretence of getting the weapons of mass destruction out of a tyrants hands, there were no weapons of mass destruction, the war was started on a lie. A lie first propagated by the Iraqi opposition, who are now in power.

But as a direct consequence of the war, it emboldened Iran, who ARE making weapons of mass destruction and their Ashoura missile with a range of 2000KMs which are well capable of carrying a nuclear payload. I believe Iran is a true menace but as another consequence of this iraqi war dealing with that threat would be impossible.

Well, we don't really know if they are making weapons of mass destruction, that's just based on assumptions.

4leto

Killer Pigeon wrote: »

Well, we don't really know if they are making weapons of mass destruction, that's just based on assumptions.

Then why doesn't Iran clear up the assumptions and allow inspectors. Also we know they have the Uranium gas centrifuges, they showed us them, even the president unveiled them in a ceremony They are making them alright Uranium gas centrifuges have one use the enrichment of U238 to U235.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8611864.stm