Kerry wants withdrawal from Iraq within 4 years?

Is this realistic? On the one hand 4 years seems like a long time, on the other hand the fighting doesn't seem like it will be ending anytime soon. I can't really imagine that he has a realistic plan to leave a stable Iraq in 4 years without any US troop support, and I know no one wants to see us bail on Iraq when it needs the most help.

Thoughts?

it's pretty realistic. there just has to be an independent iraqi security force ready to take over at that time. 4 years should be enough time to train cops and get the iraqi military back into functioning shape, but we'll see.

But a "security force" isn't going to do much good if major conflict doesn't end. No matter what Bush said, we are still in the middle of a war.

How long have we been in Korea?

but what about the huge coalition that's helping us out?

actually, i believe kerry has tied this withdrawal plan to building an actual coalition and shared responsibility for a stable iraq, unlike the "phony" coalition (his word) we have now.

yep. that's why we should have had one of those thingys...what do ya call them...ummm...oh yeah...a fucking plan. a.k.a. an exit strategy.

bush has failed badly with this iraq war. and of course we can't leave till "major conflict" ends...duh...but even if it is relatively stable there it won't be for very long if there is a security vaccum.

But does he have a plan?

Walking out isn't really a plan. That is a lack of a plan, the whole lack of an "exit" plan people complain about Bush not having.

To be honest I was surprised at Kerry's statement. I highly doubt he will have a full withdrawal until things get in some sort of order, which may or may not be anytime soon. It seems like he just wants to throw a number out there to get some votes, regardless of how realistic it is or not.

OK. Someone tell me why the U.S. can't just up and leave.

People expect that there'll still be an occupying force in Iraq in 4 years? 4 FUCKING YEARS!?

This War on Terrorism is working out just fine, huh? Really well planned, as we were led to believe, and done in the greater security interests of us all...

It's funny how America insists our troups be there to "stabilize" when we're fucking everything up and killing innocent civilians... way to stabalize America.

I'm pretty sure it's not your place to speak for everyone else.

It depends. If you believe major conflict has indeed ended and we are just sort of straightening things out at the moment, then yeah, 4 years seems like a long time. Though I don't think anyone actually believes that... at all. The war is still going on. It could easily go on a few more years.

'I'm pretty sure it's not your place to speak for everyone else.'

Ok maybe not, but I know an awful lot of people complain about the US running in with the military then bailing before getting things straightened out. I'm sure there are plenty of people who couldn't care less what happens in Iraq as long as we leave, but I'd wager that is a minority.

'Saddam's has WOMD and he's a threat, we must strike first!'

'We know he had those WOMD, we just can't find them now that we're here.'

'He must have sold the weapons that we can't find to neighbouring countries (however only those that oppose us politically are likely candidates), the sneeky old dog!'

'You know, you'd think all these Iraqi fuckers would be more grateful now that we're here and they're free from Saddam, especially as now we're moving in!'

N.B. All quotations are imaginary yet relevant

History will judge the people that have done, and still are doing, these things. If we live long enough to read what history says then it'll be a brave new world indeed.

ZING!!!

Congressional Budget Office has asked Bush to project costs of the Iraq occupation until 2011.

Fun fact: we spend more in Iraq in a month than we spend on homeland security, first responders, checking shipping containers--y'know all that boring stuff--in a year.

can anyone guess who is now in charge of Afganistan? yeah the tali-ban moved back into power... can anyone guess what will happen whenever we leave Iraq? if i were to take an educated guess...

editted to say:

i am all for leaving Iraq... though Sadam is out i believe another kind of dictator is waiting in the wings for us to leave... no mater when we do, i believe it is inevitable... but that's me...

[Edited on Sep 08, 2004 by unfoundrockstar]

it dosen't really matter what he wants. only the president can make that decision and he's not gonna win, so it's a moot point.

It creates a power vacuum and warlords take over.

there is no major conflict...

the ICDC (iraqi civil defense corps) is extremely fickle, they do it for the money and will change sides for next to nothing...

we havent accomplished anything in iraq since the marine corps lost falluja in april...

these people dont want our charity and they dont want us there...

the us needs to pull out now...

1004 american troops are dead because of this lost cause...

close their borders, pull all of our troops out. Don't allow anyone to leave or go in. Let the Iraqis sort themselves out. Screw their oil... I have been looking for a reason to get those super-duper fuel-efficient cars on the road. The only reason the Arab nations do what they do (allow terrorism and complete Chaos most of the time), is because they have oil, and they know they can wave that in the face of everyone.

Well I say fuck that, close their borders, tell them and their oil to go fuck themselves....and pull all of our troops out from that region. I am sick of their " I don't want to be in this world, I want to be with Allah" sort of attitude.

Iraqis need to take some pride in their country, stop switching sides... tell the American's (me/us) to get the fuck out, and put those terrorist asses on lockdown!

I love venting

Right, i was unaware of the BSnewsnetwork. you are clearly misinformed. Find out for yourself enlist in military go takes a little peak. Taliban could not currently get a foothold with the warlord system and the gov under Karzai with US support

It's a stupid irresponsible thing to hang an arbitrary date for withdrawl on this.

Everybody knows that Kerry probably said this because some stupid poll said to.

Every time Kerry opens his mouth he loses more votes.

WWII was over 50 years ago, yet we're still in Germany and Japan.

To be honest, I don't think that we'll ever leave and any politician who say we're out of there in 4 years is yanking your chain to try to gain votes.

well, we're in germany and japan (and korea, etc.), but no one would claim we are occupying those countries. putting aside whether it was a good idea for him to do so, i think kerry was presenting his goal for ending the occupation as we know it today.

OIL