The Iraq War Ends,

4leto · 22-10-2011 12:41AM #1

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Since Mr Obama became president, some 100,000 US troops have withdrawn from Iraq.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 · 22-10-2011 12:44AM

"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 · 22-10-2011 12:45AM

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

AnamGlas · 22-10-2011 12:46AM

Victory me bollocks.

policarp · 22-10-2011 12:48AM

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

El Weirdo · 22-10-2011 12:48AM

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 · 22-10-2011 12:49AM

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 · 22-10-2011 12:49AM

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

LighterGuy · 22-10-2011 12:50AM

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 · 22-10-2011 12:50AM

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 · 22-10-2011 12:52AM

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

RichieC · 22-10-2011 12:53AM

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 · 22-10-2011 12:57AM

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 · 22-10-2011 12:58AM

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 · 22-10-2011 01:00AM

Does that mean no one else will die?

Killer Pigeon · 22-10-2011 01:04AM

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 · 22-10-2011 01:06AM

Jagger Rich Utopia wrote: »

Does that mean no one else will die?

No.

4leto · 22-10-2011 01:10AM

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 · 22-10-2011 01:12AM

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 · 22-10-2011 01:12AM

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

policarp · 22-10-2011 01:16AM

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

Killer Pigeon · 22-10-2011 01:16AM

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 · 22-10-2011 01:24AM

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 · 22-10-2011 01:35AM

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 · 22-10-2011 01:46AM

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 · 22-10-2011 02:08AM

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 · 22-10-2011 02:23AM

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 · 22-10-2011 02:25AM

And so ends Vietnam 2.

RichieC · 22-10-2011 02:28AM

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 · 22-10-2011 02:30AM

RichieC wrote: »

you're biased though.

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

Firewalkwithme · 22-10-2011 02:31AM

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

The Iraq War Ends,

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