Petraeus can't say if U.S. made safer

[pistol]

Petraeus can't say if U.S. made safer
Congressional hearings; Iraq war vital to fighting Al-Qaeda, general says
Sheldon Alberts, CanWest News Service
Published: Wednesday, September 12, 2007
WASHINGTON - For two exhausting days of testimony before Congress, General David Petraeus successfully parried dozens of trick questions and long-winded rants from skeptical U.S. lawmakers who believe President George W. Bush's troop surge in Iraq is failing. The U.S.'s top military commander in Iraq warned against "rushing to failure" by withdrawing troops too soon and predicted the United States will eventually succeed in stabilizing Iraq. But in surprising, unscripted remarks before a Senate committee yesterday, he said he couldn't answer the one question many Americans were asking as they marked the sixth anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks: Has the current Iraq war strategy made their country safer? "I don't know, actually," he said in response to persistent questioning by Republican Senator John Warner of Virginia.His comment was a rare departure from long-standing assertions -- by the White House and senior U.S. military leaders -- that no matter the difficulties in Iraq, the war is protecting Americans from even greater dangers.


Full article:

http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/story.html?id=6ca5f9b3-640b-4f11-a76e-621696a182eb

[shocker1]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjpD46yLPvc

[2Sheds_Jackson]

And of course an equally valid question to ponder would be; will withdrawing from Iraq make the US safer? Certainly abandoning Afghanistan in the 90's to be filled in by AQ types wasn't very good for the enemies of Islam.

[number nine]

Of course Soviet retreat from Afghanistan was very bad, and Gorbachev is to blame for that just like many other things.

When USSR went downhill it pulled down with it all communist governments in satellite states. Afghanistan would not be an exception. But Afghanistan wouldn't be a refuge for mujahideen who hated everything non-Islamic. USSR and USA included.

[Ordie]

I appreciate the General's honest answer.

I don't think we're any safer since 9/10/01.

Our understanding of the Arab / Islamic world may be more accute. But there is not 100% safety factor.

The best means to deal with any future attack or catastrophy is to mitigate the aftermath as much as possible by investing more in our response. (i.e. trauma centers, fire, police, SAR, civilian training, clinics, hospitals etc...)

[number nine]

The best means to deal with any future attack or catastrophy is to mitigate the aftermath as much as possible by investing more in our response. (i.e. trauma centers, fire, police, SAR, civilian training, clinics, hospitals etc...)

That is not the remedy, to buy more coffins.
When Israel can do it, why we can't? Tighten immigration laws and deal with openly hostile jihadi immigrants by sending them back to their country.

[Ordie]

That is not the remedy, to buy more coffins.
When Israel can do it, why we can't? Tighten immigration laws and deal with openly hostile jihadi immigrants by sending them back to their country.

No.

The remedy to live our lives without fear and with confidence.

The goal of the terrorist is to change events through fear.

If we show fear, then it feeds itself.

The Patriot Act, getting tough on immigration, taking off shoes at airports, code orange, etc... over time, only creates a false sense of security.

Where security counts is in our ability to respond and recover from tragic event.

That's where we should put our money.

[2Sheds_Jackson]

Well y'know, I would tend to agree with you...but unfortunately we're not in a closed system. We do have competition, and it's very easy to tip the balance. All we would need is a few key strategic assets hit for other places to become better investments than the US, at least in the short term. That's why the WTC was chosen as a target on 9/11 after all.

[number nine]

No.

The remedy to live our lives without fear and with confidence.

The goal of the terrorist is to change events through fear.

If we show fear, then it feeds itself.Do you? Do you show fear in USA?


The Patriot Act, getting tough on immigration, taking off shoes at airports, code orange, etc... over time, only creates a false sense of security.No it doesn't if you are aware of the danger.



Where security counts is in our ability to respond and recover from tragic event.


And during 9/11 you responded and recovered.


That's where we should put our money.And you would be affecting not the cause but the consequences.

[shocker1]

What is this fear we are talking about? The only thing I fear are the actions of my Government and how they handle my rights. Terrorists should fear us but they don't.

I thought the case was made well enough by this Report. However I must say I am not to sure why a highly decorated commander could not answer the question. ThenPetraeus even said he had not thought about it enough to say that this mission does make America safer. Just did not sound right if you ask me. Hey that is just my opinion though.

[vinny_121_ND]

shocker1: Terrorists should fear us but they don't.
That's because the ACLU is there to back them up if any thing close to discrimination starts. Lawyers, lawsuits, rules of engagement is what they use to their advantage. Holding civilians hostage to shield their activities is what they do best.

Is america safer now? I'm going to have to say no.

[Ordie]

And during 9/11 you responded and recovered.

No we haven't

If we did, there wouldn't be a hole at ground zero today.

and the good folks in New Orleans would have thier homes by now.

Yeah... were doing a "Heck of a Good Job"

Bottom line, we cannot control the events, but we have the power to control the outcome if given the resources.

[number nine]

No we haven't

If we did, there wouldn't be a hole at ground zero today.

and the good folks in New Orleans would have thier homes by now.

Yeah... were doing a "Heck of a Good Job"

Bottom line, we cannot control the events, but we have the power to control the outcome if given the resources.

What is preventing you from rebuilding? Lack of money? :)

[Ordie]

What is preventing you from rebuilding? Lack of money? :)

Unity.......

[vinny_121_ND]

What is preventing you from rebuilding? Lack of money? :)

-Money that was spent at a inflated value.
-Giving out money for reconstruction people who were more interested on the clock instead of quality.
-in other words, mismanagement of funds and no control and no supervision.

[DB-ERAUPilot]

Of course Soviet retreat from Afghanistan was very bad, and Gorbachev is to blame for that just like many other things.




Err..you do realize the US helped set the conditions that made the USSR have to pull out of Afghanistan?

[ElHombre]

What is this fear we are talking about? The only thing I fear are the actions of my Government and how they handle my rights. Terrorists should fear us but they don't.

It's not like they have many examples of good US leadership to be worried about.


I thought the case was made well enough by this Report. However I must say I am not to sure why a highly decorated commander could not answer the question.

Maybe he suddenly had a recollection of Colin Powell at the UN from a few years back. ;-)

[number nine]

Err..you do realize the US helped set the conditions that made the USSR have to pull out of Afghanistan?Yes. That was very bad idea. Radical Islam was becoming a threat since Islamic revolution in Iran in 1979. Who poses the danger, radical Islamic fundamentalists or last communist Mr.Castro on his little island?

[budgie]

I belive the General's mission was to clean up some of the mess in Iraq, not to make America safer. Only those who subscribe to the "we're fighting them over there..." view would bother to worry. I think Petraeus is smarter than that.

[Stonewall71]

ah jesus!!!!

http://www.ifilm.com/video/2894330

roflrofl